Calling All Thrill Seekers: ROLLERCOASTERS IN Six Flags Great Adventure

The end of the season is coming fast and furious, and I made plans to get my rollercoaster fix before time runs out! Amusement parks are open for only a certain amount of time each year (except, of course if you live in a place where the climate is conducive to such activities, then they’re open all year round). Seeing as I’m from NY, my favorite “go-to” amusement park is Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ. I like to try to go every year to see what the latest thrills the park execs have cooked up! Now let me preface this with this disclaimer – I get a bit anxious with heights, but ironically, I am a roller coaster fiend! I pride myself in being a roller coaster/thrill ride connoisseur, having ridden many coasters over many years. I can speak with authority on what I felt during each ride. I am going to attempt to break down the most popular rollercoasters in the three parks that Laticia and I have gone to: Six Flags Great Adventure, Busch Gardens Tampa, and Hersheypark.  Since there’s so much information, I may actually have to do it in a series of articles!!!  (For a complete description of the rides, please visit the various websites form more details.)

SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE:

Coming in 2015: Looping Dragon

1) BATMAN: THE RIDE

The oldest of the rollercoasters and one of the most “durable”; what I mean about durable is   that other coasters may have come and gone, but this one seems to have stood the test of time.

FACTS:

FEELING & BOTTOM LINE:

One of the old “tried-and trues”. This was quite revolutionary when it first came out because it was one of the coasters where your feet actually dangled and the main mechanism was above your head. The loops are quite exciting and what’s nice is that there’s a LOT of them!!! Great, traditional rollercoaster. With the dawning of the newer, more thrill oriented rollercoasters, this is one of the classic thrill rides, although probably not the most exhilarating. Do it for the tradition of doing one of the oldest coasters in the park, but for more thrills, I would consider one of the other coasters….you’ll see which ones!

2) BIZARRO (FORMERLY KNOWN AS MEDUSA)

This one is actually a converted coaster, and what I mean by this is that it used to be another coaster named Medusa. Last year, when Laticia and I went to Great Adventure, as we approached the entryway to the coaster, I knew it looked oddly familiar. AS we got closer, I  realized they only changed the color scheme and the surroundings. I’ve AWLAYS loved Medusa, largely in part because it  is one of the rollercoasters that actually lasts a bit longer than the  others. You certainly get your money’s worth.

FACTS:

FEELING & BOTTOM LINE:

One of THE best coasters in the park, simply because it lasts the longest. To get to the ride seems to take forever, and the pathway and stairs just to get to the ride seem to go on for miles. But once you’re in, this coaster lasts quite a while taking you on loops and twists that’ll have you screaming! Some changes are more lights and effects such as a flame that goes off (yes, you can feel the heat as you whiz by).

3) EL TORO

This isn’t exactly “new” but it’s one of the newer kids on the block. No loops here, but only high ascents and step drops. Lines are always long for this perennial favorite.

FACTS (UNABLE TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION AT THIS TIME)

FEELING & BOTTOM LINE:

One of THE best coasters in the park!!!!  (Unfortunately, I was unable to get more info about the ride) No loops here, but it’s not necessary. You have enough dips and the velocity is so fast, you actually LIFT off the seat. There are many instances where you have no contact with the seat! Scary but AWESOME! The G-forces are so great, you have no choice but to stifle a scream because your stomach is in your throat – literally. If you miss this ride, you wasted half your day at Great Adventure. Lines are long, but the adrenaline rush is worth it!

4) GREEN LANTERN

This coaster has quite an interesting premise to it. To get to the coaster itself is a true test in endurance. The winding maze of steel barriers and the various décor leading up to the loading dock seem to go on for miles! This coaster gives you the sensation of standing up, with a small ‘seat’ as a type of support that goes between your legs.

FACTS: 

 FEELING & BOTTOM LINE:

The premise of standing up is so exciting, you almost wonder if you’ll make it through. For me, I could pass on this ride, because I didn’t feel it was one of the more thrilling rides, and on the few occasions I tried it, I  got dizzy afterwards. For me, this ride wasn’t worth it, but there are people who absolutely love it – I even remember this duo of friends, one of whom screamed like a little girl the whole time….he was a teenager!!!!           

5) KINGDA KA

This coaster is the OTHER perennial favorite. Lines are always long on this one because if  there’s even so much a raindrop in the sky, it’s usually the first ride to get shut down.

FACTS:

 FEELING & BOTTOM LINE:

BEST ROLLERCOASTER. I am so in love with this coaster, I wish I had one in my backyard!!! The ride changed slightly…once you get on, you hear the pneumatic device pump out air as you slowly creep to the beginning of the ride – a long stretch of a straightaway. Back in the day, once you hear the pneumatic device release air again, you hear a sonic boom or alarm and you know it’s all over. You take off before you can even realize you’ve taken off! How does -128 mph in 3.5 seconds sound? Stories float around that this has to be perfectly executed, or else the coaster won’t make it up the 90 degree ascent into a hairpin drop. It’s even happened in the past where the coaster didn’t quite make it and had to go back down the same way it came – BACKWARDS (although not as fast). Just when you think you’re done, you have a camel hump – talk about exhilarating!!! I can’t even scream when I’m on this ride! In the dark, this ride is just as scary! I  remember a time I rode it at night with fog – everything just happened so fast I felt the mist or was that my drool on my cheek? Haha. If there’s even a chance of rain, get on this ride FIRST. It’s the first to get shut down…can you blame them? Only problem: IT’S TOO SHORT AND LEAVES  YOU WANTING FOR MORE – EVERYTIME!!!

6) NITRO

 One of the veteran coasters, the popularity of this one never dies.

FACTS:

FEELING & BOTTOM LINE:

This coaster is a bit older but is a classic that never dies. Lines are long and there are stairs to climb, but the excitement this ride gives you is one that you’ll never forget! Definitely get on this  ride because it’s worth it! It’s yet another one that lasts pretty long.

7) RUNAWAY MINE TRAIN

(Omitted because we chose not to ride this – it’s not as big of a thrill as the other rides. I feel as if I  had a nightmare about this because I DID omit it from this already lengthy article!)

8) SUPERMAN: ULTIMATE FLIGHT

Here’s another interesting premise to a coaster. The lines are always immensely long because this is not a typical sit-down rollercoaster.

FACTS:

FEELING & BOTTOM LINE:

This ride is yet another one that has a long line but once you get on, you can see why! The premise of this ride is to literally ‘fly’ like Superman. At some point, with restraints on, you end up on your belly as you ‘glide’ through all the twists and turns. GREAT ride….only thing that bothered me is at the end of the ride when you’re waiting for your train to pull in to the loading  bay. While the train in front of you is loading passengers, you’re still left suspended on your belly…it feels like the longest wait to get off a ride – you can even feel the blood rushing to your head – NOT COMFORTABLE! My question is: why can’t they put you upright once you’re in that section of the loading bay? Hmmmmm….just sayin’.

9) SKULL MOUNTAIN

When this was a new coaster, it was all the rage. Why? Because it was a coaster in the dark.

FACTS:

FEELING &BOTTOM LINE:

Initially, this was a GREAT ride because, for the most part, it was in the dark. The anticipation of not knowing what twists and turns to expect added to the excitement. After going on it a few times, not just during this visit but other visits as well, in comparison to some of the other rides,  it’s kind of boring…PLUS you can kind of see in the dark – it’s not completely pitch black. Yes, the dips are still exciting, but with a top speed of 33 mph, it feels like you can almost anticipate WHEN the dips will happen! Maybe if it was longer….one great thing? If it rains and other coasters are shut down, this one still runs….EXCEPT…the line will be LOOOOOONG!!!!

10) THE DARK KNIGHT COASTER

This is yet another “in the dark” coaster with some lights thrown in.

FACTS:

 FEELING & BOTTOM LINE:

This ride “look” scary, but in reality, it wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be. Yes, it’s in the dark (just like Skull Mountain), but  the difference here is the special effects you encounter during the ride. To me, it was rough, and yes, it startled but did not scare me. Not one of my favorites, but there are some people out there who absolutely LOVE it! See for yourself!

11) ZUMANJARO (DROP OF DOOM) -not a rollercoaster

Although it’s not exactly a rollercoaster, I figured I’d include it because it’s new for 2014 and it’s part of Kingda Ka, in a sense. It’s more of a thrill ride, but I can’t but include it here because it’s an integrated part of Kingda Ka, utilizing one of Kingda Ka’s prominent features – that of its drop. Yes, it’s scary to be over 400 feet off the ground, and the anticipation of the drop is part of the thrill that would get to you. The initial part of the drop is enough to make you feel like your stomach is in your throat but eventually it fades fast. It’s just one drop. A thrill, but I feel  that some of the coasters are more of a thrill. It takes about 24 people at a time sitting in a row  in three cars adjacent to each other. It was ‘ok’.

So there you have it, that’s the breakdown of the coasters in Great Adventure. When you go, please keep this in mind: although the rollercoasters may look like they are right next to each other in person, they are actually quite a distance away from each other. What I mean is this: Kingda Ka and El Toro may look like they are right next to each other, but once you get off of one, you have to loop back around a walkway and come back down the other side. The entrances and exits of these two rides are farther apart than what it appears to be. The plus to all this is that you can log in good mileage just walking from coaster to coaster.

A few tips:

• Go with a plan – as dorky as it may sound (especially if you’ve been there a million times), GET A MAP. Trust me, you’ll save yourself a LOT of heartache! Even though the map can get confusing itself, at the very least, it gives you a general schematic and idea of where things are generally located. The park is SO immense, it’s easy to get a little lost – even with a map.

• Go prepared to WALK WALK WALK! As I have said before, everything is not what it seems. Ride entrances are probably purposely separated so as not to cause confusion, avoid excessive traffic in one area, and prevent other negative things to occur.

• Go prepared to STAND STAND STAND – especially if you do not purchase a Flash Pass. (Other details about amusement parks will be covered in a separate article.) Wait times can be up to an hour and a half to two hours for the most popular rides. As closing time approaches, lines are less, and even the most popular coasters have shorter wait times.

• Take advantage of the lockers nearby. Initially, on our first few trips, we didn’t like the idea of using them, but this time, we were forced to use it for El Toro. We had no choice – as lightly as we packed we still were instructed to leave all loose items in a locker. We decided to try the mobile locker in which you can pay $8 and you can move your rental from coaster to coaster. Once you end your rental at one coaster, you transfer it to the next one you go on. BE ADVISED: the rental lasts 2 hours, so be mindful of the wait time and ride time. At the very least: make sure you have a couple of dollars in your pocket in case you lock up the rest in the lockers – this way if you go over the allotted time, you can still retrieve your belongings. TRUST US ON THIS ONE.

• Beware that you may encounter B.O. Yes, I said it. Some of the waiting lines are such tight, enclosed quarters, that you have no choice but to be caught up in it. One particular ride’s line even had fans with water misting to keep you cool while you wait. Great concept, except when someone’s B.O. is wafting in your direction. I’m not kidding. I have an iron constitution, but I have to be honest – I almost had to leave the line I had been waiting an hour and a half on because I thought I was going to be really sick…and the weather was pleasant – not too humid or hot when things can get REALLY ugly!

If I remember any more tips, I’ll be sure and pass it on…..that’s it for now – I think I gave you enough food for thought! Happy riding! Thoughts? Let me know what about your experiences…would love to hear it!

XOXOXOXOXO,