the Sky animal-themed area of the park. It closed on August 16, 2015. On July 16, 2015, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom announced that Roar would be retired on August 16, 2015. The closure marked the completion of the attraction's seventeenth season. Park president Don McCoy released a statement that the ride was being removed to make room for future expansion. An estimated 11 million visitors to the park have ridden the roller coaster since its debut in 1999. On September 3, 2015, Six Flags announced that the Roar at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom would be transformed into a "wood-steel hybrid" named The Joker featuring three inversions. Rocky Mountain Construction performed the conversion, opening the new version on May 28, 2016. Awards References General Specific External links Roar at Six Flags America Great Coasters International Roller coasters operated by Six Flags Roller coasters in Maryland Former roller coasters in California Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Six Flags America Roller coasters manufactured by Great Coasters International de:Roar (Six Flags America)