Six Flags Great Adventure - 8/11/2022
Today while Sarah worked remotely from her apartment, I made a solo drive to Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New
Jersey. This was my first visit to this park which opened in 1974 and has been a part of the Six Flags family since
1978.
I had already purchased my $50 ticket online which cost me more than $70. Upon arrival at the park I was surprised
by the high cost of parking, $40. I had expected $20 to $25. After entering the park I proceeded to guest services
to purchase FlashPass. It set me back $150.
I made my way to El Toro, where I was required to rent a locker to store my loose articles for $2. I may be a way
through the line and arrived at the platform just in time for the ride to shut down. I suddenly had the feeling that
my locker rental had just gone to waste. I waited a while on the platform but finally decided to give up and make my
way to another roller coaster.
A nearby coaster was Runaway Mine Train but it was closed. So next was Medusa. This B&M floorless coaster was
a great ride. In fact, this is B&M's first floorless coaster design. One odd thing about this coaster is that
there is still some theming remaining from its previous life as Bizarro.
I walked to Kingda Ka, but it was closed, so I continued onto Green Lantern. When I arrived at the FlashPass attendant
I was informed that I was required to make a prior reservation on my phone. I explained that my phone is locked up in
the storage locker over at El Toro. Six Flags' FlashPass system is very inconsistent, confusing and aggravating. I
struggled to keep from losing my cool. I walked back to the lockers at El Toro and retrieved my articles, made a
reservation for Green Lantern on my phone. The wait time was just one minute. What a huge effort the park made me
go through just to make this simple action. The walk back to the coaster was longer than the reservation wait time.
Green Lantern was a standup B&M coaster with five inversions. It was a headbanger, but I've experienced worse.
I made my way next door to Superman - Ultimate Flight, but it was closed. My frustration was mounting.
Up next was Joker. This is a spinning wing coaster from S&S Sansei. It feels like a thrill ride and not a roller
coaster.
Next, was Batman The Ride. Another B&M invert, which you gotta love.
I followed that up with a ride on Dark Knight. It's an indoor wild mouse coaster with Gotham City theming.
Around the corner was Justice League: Battle for Metropolis. This is an interactive dark from Sally Dark Rides. This
is a top notch ride for Six Flags.
Nitro was next on my list. A B&M hyper coaster and airtime machine. At the end of the day it would be my favorite
coaster in the park.
I purchased my second locker rental of the day so that I could ride Jersey Devil Coaster. This was my first time riding
a Rocky Mountain Construction coaster with their recently introduced Raptor Track. This coaster uses a single rail track
and trains with inline seating. Three inversions and lots of forceful twists and turns. The ride wasn't as smooth
as I thought a new high-tech steel coaster should be.
Skull Mountain was an indoor coaster where the theme of the facade and queue was completely different from the coaster
inside. First there was the spooky mountainous skull and pathways through caverns to the themed loading platform. Then
the coaster itself was a rave with colorful lights and modern music blasting. What's going on?
Next, I stumbled across Houdini's Great Escape. I nearly missed this unique attraction hidden behind some large trees
along the midway. This was a Vekoma Madhouse, quite possibly the only one in North America. I guess I could describe
it as a swing gondola inside a rotating room in Harry Houdini's mansion. The combination of optical illusion and motion
is most disorienting. I really didn't know if I was truly upside down or not. I'm very glad that I was able to
experience this most unique ride.
In the distance I could see that Kingda Ka was open, so I headed in the direction. Opened in 2005 as the world's tallest
roller coaster, Kingda Ka is a must for any coaster fan. Six Flags wanted a larger version of Cedar Point's Top Thrill
Dragster and they got it. I felt a more forceful launch and higher G-forces. A noticeably rough ride for a steal
coaster.
El Toro Had also reopened so I got yet another rental locker, my third one of the day. El Toro was Intamin's only
wooden coaster in the western hemisphere built with prefabricated track. This giant woodie had lots of airtime hills and
banked twists, but is too rough to be truly enjoyed. My guess is that this coaster track has not aged well or perhaps Six
Flags has not maintained it as well as they should.
I was hoping that my final coaster ride of the day would be Superman - Ultimate Flight. But it was still closed. I
could see that the ride was testing and I held out hope but it may reopen. I sat on a park bench nearby for about a half
hour watching people pass by. Then I gave up and decided to leave the park.
Throughout the park there were clean pathways, mature trees and well designed buildings. Overall maintenance appeared
good. And the park had additional decorations for their summer celebration which were bright and colorful.
Click here to see more of my pictures of Six Flags Great Adventure.
With a high price of admission and parking and the stupid locker rentals throughout the day I decided not to spend any money
on gifts, souvenirs or food. Although I did enjoy their free drinking water.
The overall experience of the park was good with its rides, layout, cleanliness and aesthetics. Just not great. But,
at the end of the day, I still left with the feeling I have been taken advantage of financially.
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