New coaster later this month at Six Flags

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom announced Tuesday an opening date of May 28 for Sidewinder Safari, a new family coaster and animal exhibit experience.

The attraction features real live encounters with various reptiles, immersing guests in a jungle-like setting as they prepare for a wild ride along 1,378 feet of slithering track.

The new attraction will be the year-round theme park's 11th roller coaster, while also adding a new animal encounter to the diverse number of animal experiences the park offers.

“As the world leader in thrills, Six Flags continues to raise the bar to deliver the most unique and innovative experiences in the industry,” said Park General Manager Dameon Nelson. “Sidewinder Safari is unlike any other ride in Northern California, featuring the thrill of a unique, spinning roller coaster combined with an opportunity to encounter reptiles up-close, which continues Six Flags Discovery Kingdom's long legacy of promoting animal conservation through education. This new experience solidifies our place as the Thrill Capital of Northern California.”

Before boarding Sidewinder Safari, guests will enter a safari-themed queue line.

With snakes, lizards and other reptiles surrounding them, guests will board spinning coaster vehicles for what the park says will be an exhilarating experience families and teens alike will enjoy.

Other Sidewinder Safari highlights include:

• Multiple 360 degree sideway spins.

• Rapid-strike drops.

• Twisting and turning hairpin curves.

• Cars that allow four people to enjoy the fun together.

For more information about Sidewinder Safari visit www.sixflags.com/ discoverykingdom/attractions/sidewinder-safari.