👻 Oktoberfest + Fright Night = Epic!

Ten years ago, when my kids were little, we were Six Flags Discovery Kingdom season pass holders. Back then, our visits were all about family-friendly rides and animal shows—no roller coasters, no thrill rides, nothing too scary. Fast forward to today, with teens in tow, and coming back to Discovery Kingdom was a completely different experience—and we loved every second of it.

I had the chance to head out to their media day and dive into Oktoberfest, Tricks & Treats, and Fright Night—and wow, what a lineup! My two oldest couldn’t make it , so I grabbed my “baby” and her bestie and we had the time of our lives! Here’s your Tri-Valley Explorer cheat sheet for making the most of Discovery Kingdom this fall. Take it from me: this one definitely belongs on your Fall to-do list. 🍂🎢👻

The Park
In October, Discovery Kingdom runs on a fall schedule: Fridays from 6–10 p.m., Saturdays from 12–11 p.m., and Sundays from 12–10 p.m. It’s easy to make a full day (and night) of it. Be sure to check their website for up-to-date park hours.

The Rides
I forgot how exhilarating this park can be! The roller coasters alone are worth the trip—Medusa (we rode this four times!), The Joker, Superman, Kong, and Batman are must-dos, while Wonder Woman Lasso of Truth and The Flash deliver pure adrenaline.

Pro Tip: Skip the Fast Pass. Instead, arrive at opening (noon on weekends) and hit the thrill rides early. Lines don’t really build until after 3 p.m., and even then, most of the thrill rides are only 20–40 minutes, giving you plenty of time to circle back to your favorites.

The Food
One of the best surprises? The seasonal food. Discovery Kingdom really leaned into Oktoberfest and Halloween menus this year.

Our favorites included:

• German Fries – smothered in beer cheese, curry sauce, and bratwurst.

• German Meatballs with Beer Cheese Spaetzle – hearty and delicious.

• Candy Curse Bacon – brown sugar & spiced bacon on a stick.

• Ghostly Burger – spicy, messy, and memorable.

• Creepy Crawler Funnel Cake – topped with Oreos, gummy worms, and raspberry sauce (teen-approved).

Oktoberfest
Just past the lakeside carnival games, Oktoberfest brings German flair every Saturday and Sunday. Expect yodeling contests, bratwurst-eating competitions, beer, and plenty of Bavarian fun.

Fright Night
🌙 Once the sun goes down, Discovery Kingdom flips the switch—suddenly it’s all fog machines, creepy soundtracks, and creatures lurking in the shadows. Five haunted houses and five scare zones take over the park, and honestly, the attention to detail blew me away. The makeup, costumes, storylines, and actors all come together for some seriously immersive scares.

Here’s the lineup of haunted houses and mazes:

• CarnEvil: Ringmaster’s Revenge – part carnival, part circus, and entirely creepy. Think twisted clowns and freaky circus acts you won’t forget. 🎪🤡

• Lost Souls – a junkyard crawling with vampires, the undead, and many jump scares.

• Club Fear – a sinister nightclub run by “The Idol,” a cult leader who definitely doesn’t want you to leave the party alive.

• Hotel Hellview – the longest and most elaborate maze in the park. You can check in…but checking out? Not so easy. 🏨🔥

• Midnight Mansion – guided by a murdered host, this one will take you on a truly chilling journey.

Our favorites were Hotel Hellview 666 and Club Fear, but every maze delivered on theme, atmosphere, and spine-tingling fun.

✨ Pro Tip: Head to Hotel Hellview first when Fright Night starts—the line fills up fast!

Tickets & Details
Discovery Kingdom is more affordable than you might think:

• Park Ticket (rides only): Starting at $39

• Park Ticket + Haunted Attractions Pass: Starting at $64

• 👉🏻 Park Ticket + Haunted Attractions Express Pass: Starting at $84 (totally worth it to avoid longer lines on chilly nights!).

• Thrills & Chills Bundle: Starting at $150, includes haunted house priority + Flash Pass for rides. Great if you want to go all-in, all day and night.

For me, this visit felt like rediscovering a place I thought I knew—only this time, it came with bigger thrills, spookier nights, and memories I know my family won’t forget. We’ll definitely be back.