| Six Flags Marine World |
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The park started as Marine World, a nonprofit animal-only park in Redwood City, California in 1968 . In 1985 it moved to Vallejo, California (about 55 miles from Redwood City) and changed its name to '''Marine World Africa USA'''. Where Marine World used to be in Redwood City became known as Redwood Shores, a business area that is now home to the headquarters of Oracle Corporation , though the road that led to the park is still known as Marine World Parkway. After the park started losing money and the former owners wanted out, the city of Vallejo agreed to purchase it in 1996. They then hired Premier Parks (now known as Six Flags Inc.) to manage the park and upgrade and improve its attendance. Premier started to add some nonanimal attractions, particularly amusement rides, to increase attendance. Within several years the number of amusement rides greatly increased, including the addition of several major roller coasters. The park's name again changed, this time to Marine World Theme Park. After more additions of amusement rides, Premier changed the name again to '''Six Flags Marine World'''. Now, Looney Tunes characters are a common sight at the park. While Premier’s recent expansion and upgrade efforts have focused mostly on new rides, they have not completely abandoned the animal aspect of the park and have made some additions and improvements to the animal exhibits and shows over the last several years. The park has six roller coasters including "Medusa", "Vertical Velocity" and "Roar". Medusa is the parks biggest ride and Northern California's only floorless roller coaster. With the first drop being 150 feet, it lasts 4 minutes and is the parks most visited ride. Vertical Velocity, or just V2, is the parks second newest ride after being rebulit because of height restrictions with the city of Vallejo. Roar is named "Roar" because when in motion, the ride makes a unusual sound, like an "animal roaring". It is also the only wooden roller coaster there and one of the first coaster at the park. Today, Six Flags Marine World provides major revenue to the city of Vallejo, and is now a competitor to the San Francisco Bay Area's other amusement park Paramount's Great America in Santa Clara. EXTERNAL LINKS |
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