Six Flags Great Adventure tips

[TTD-120-420]

I have Sunday and Monday off of work this weekend so I'm going to make the trip up to Great Adventure. They don't have two day tickets, so I am only going on that Monday. Their online price is 39.99, but I do not have a printer with me. Is there a way to get that price without printing them off?

I have never been to a Six Flags park, so all help is appreciated. Of course I'm most looking forward to riding El Toro as much as I possibly can. Other than that, what should I do? Is the safari included with admission?

Please remember that I am a broke college kid, so don't tell me to buy a flash pass or anything like that.

[malem]

^ retailmenot says to use promo code pink for cheaper online tickets, with $5 going to Susan G. Komen.

Looking at the FAQ on the SIX website:

What should I do if I can't print my online tickets?

You can have your tickets printed for you at the Guest Relations building. You will need the credit card you used to order the tickets, I.D. and your order confirmation number.

The online store is Accesso, the same vendor Cedar Fair uses, so it won't work without Flash. (It might not work even with it.)

[The Interpreter]

And take parking money. It's NOT cheap.

Be SURE SeaWorld Entertainment doesn't have some deal where your ID will get you in the park. They at one time did.

[TTD-120-420]

Terp, I'll check when I go to work in an hour. Thanks for the heads up.

I totally forgot about parking.

Malem, I will do that at Guest Relations. Thanks.

[gad198]

** only applicable if the Interpreter's idea doesn't apply **

Do you plan on visiting any other Six Flags parks this year? If so, you may want to make a quick pit stop over to Six Flags America and pick up a Gold Season Pass. A Gold Season pass is only $89.99 there, and that would get you free admission and also get you free parking both days you'll be at the park. The Gold Pass would also get you early entry into Great Adventure on Monday (10 minutes early), so you'd get a bit of a head start on the crowds.

As far as a plan of attack it really depends on if you go one day or both days of your trip. At park opening, everyone runs to either Superman, Green Lantern or Kingda Ka first, so you should be able to get multiple rides on El Toro if you choose to do that first after the park opens. If only get one day and your goal is simply to get credits then I'd go to Superman first, followed by Green Lantern and Kingda Ka (make sure it's running while you're in line for Green Lantern and Superman). Most of the other coasters have high enough capacity to where you can hit those as you go.

[TTD-120-420]

OK so thanks to gad198, I am going to go to Six Flags America on Sunday. I'll probably sleep in my car, so is there a way I can find a truck stop I can shower at?

Also, is the gold pass the same price in park, as it is online?

[gad198]

The Gold Pass price is the same online as in the park, but you have to pay a $5 transaction fee if you buy online. I can't envision a scenario where it would be worth it to pay the $5 in advance unless you're purchasing with a Discover card. If you use a Discover card to purchase your pass you can get up to 10% off (5% in rewards and 5% in immediate Discover card savings for a total of $9.00) to offset the $5 online convenience fee.

**EDIT** Just wanted to comment on the truck stops. There is a Love's gas station just off the NJ Turnpike (exit 7 I believe, which is either US Route 130 or 206) which is one exit south of the I-195 exit (exit 7A, which ultimately will lead you to Great Adventure). It's about 20 minutes away from Great Adventure. They have showers there so that would cover that base. Having said that...

I would strongly recommend that you stay at a hotel. There's an Econo Lodge hotel just up the road from the Love's I just mentioned that would run you about $60 with tax (and even less if you have AAA). I've stayed there probably 10 times. The beds are always clean and it's one of the closest hotels to Great Adventure. I believe that the cost savings of staying in your car vs. a hotel are not worth the potential risks of doing so. If the funds are an issue for you shoot me a PM and I'll use some of the Choice Privileges points I have to reserve a room at that Econo Lodge for you. I'd rather you not end up on the news.

[TTD-120-420]

Awesome. Thanks everyone!

[BeastForever]

Tips:

1. Ride El Toro and/or Nitro as many times as you possibly can

2. Pick a seat on the very back car when riding El Toro. Trust me, it is definitely worth the extra wait (if there is any). Same for Nitro.

3. If you're planning to ride Superman: Ultimate Flight, prepare for a slow-moving line.

4. Don't be surprised if KK is closed for the entire day. Many a time it is. (It was when I went 2 years ago )

5. Bizarro is an excellent floorless coaster!

6. Be prepared for lots of product placement/advertising on various rides and midways.

7. If you like B&M's, you're gonna love this park. (5 of them!)

8. The Dark Knight Coaster and Skull Mountain is worth one or two rides, but nothing to go nuts over.

9. Since you want to ride El Toro a lot, I'd suggest go to that first.

That's all I can pretty much say. It truly is an EXCELLENT park and I hope you have fun!

EDIT: Oh yeah, also it's stated on SFGAd's website that Rolling Thunder is temporarily closed if you didn't already know that. http://www.sixflags.com/greatAdventure/rides/ThrillRides.aspx

[Ride On_17]

It's an awesome park and exceeded my expectations. You'll love it. I went for the 1st time last year, and ironically, I'll be going either Sunday or Monday, too.

Luckily when I went the crowds were extremely light. I'm talking only station waits for Nitro, Kingda Ka (which was running all day--no issues), El Toro... The staff said the day before was mobbed with 2 hour waits for these same rides. It stormed early morning of the day we went and there was a threat later in the day, so I'm not sure if this held some people off. It actually stormed in the evening and for the rest of the night, but we got on more than we expected to get in so it worked out.

It's a very clean park and all the staff is very friendly. It was my 1st major park I've been to other than Cedar Point so it was fun for me to explore someplace new. The entrance to the park is beautiful with all the trees and landscaping. But I will say that the park is literally in the middle of nowhere. You are driving through a forest, don't see any signs for it, and all of a sudden you have to turn down another long forest road. You keep driving and then you go past the waterpark. Keep driving a little more and all of a sudden, there it is. You don't see the park and skyline until your practically in the parking lot.

Nitro is a fun coaster. It's intense and is pretty fast. I like Diamondback better but it's still a great ride. I'm not sure if it has an official name, but my favorite part of the ride is the hill following the 1st drop. At the crest of the hill you make a quick turn to the left and then descend the hill. It's a unique feeling and I love it. The helix is also very intense.

Kingda Ka is fun but I rank it far below Dragster. I like how there is no countdown so all of a sudden you launch (but if you're a coaster enthusiast than you can prepare for the launch when the train rolls backwards slightly). Some people think it's rough, but I don't think it is. Probably the worst part of it are the OTSRs. They're just like Maverick's, and even though there's not really any head banging, these totally ruin the ride for me. The best part of Dragster, IMO, is the exposed feeling with having only a lap bar. Still go on it though, it's a fun ride, however the walk to get to it is sort of out of the way and long.

Bizarro was way better than I thought it would be. It was also my 1st floorless coaster and I loved it. It's just a fun coaster overall. Be sure to go on it.

If you've been on a B&M flyer before, especially another Superman clone, I'd probably skip Superman unless you don't have anything else to do. It's a fun ride, but if you've already been on something like it or better than it, then why wait in the slow line for it?

Runaway Mine Train is fun. It's a little jerky but is a classic ride since it was the park's 1st steel coaster.

I also went on Skull Mountain which is a fun indoor coaster. If you want to get inside for little bit, go for it.

Even though they're not thrill rides, I'd also recommend Big Wheel, Houdini's Great Escape (very cool, will get to that soon), and Saw Mill Log Flume. On Big Wheel you get a cool perspective of the park and the surrounding vista. Houdini's Great Escape is in innovative dark ride that I found a lot of fun and very interesting. I'd definitely be sure to go on it since it's so unique. I liked Saw Mill since I'm a big fan of traditional log flumes and this one is very nice.

Now for my favorite...El Toro. Ride it. No matter how long the line is, even if it's several hours, be sure to go on it. Believe me, it's worth it. I'm a Millennium Force fanboy, and this ride claimed my #1 coaster spot, bumping MF down to #2. It has the craziest airtime I've ever experienced, and toward the end there's a crazy high g twister section that makes it hard to keep your hand up. I just can't explain how awesome this coaster is. You just have to experience it for yourself.

Another thing I like about the park is that there is a lot of shade, especially toward the back of the park by the lake.

If I think of anything else I'll let you know, but enjoy your trip. I'm excited to return, since I really enjoy this park. Plus a family friend works there so she sends my family free tickets

[YoungStud]

Have a great time, I went in 2006 and had a great time! Kk, el toro was my favorites. I was shocked at he airtime on el toro.

I would suggest soap on the rope at the truck stop.

[TTD-120-420]

Thanks for the advice, YoungStud.

Is the Superman flyer comparable to Manta at SeaWorld Orlando? Manta is the only flyer I have been on (don't count Firehawk).

I asked around at work today and nobody knew if Busch Gardens' employees still get in free, so I emailed our manager and should know by tomorrow. If not the season pass will work out.

Thanks for the truck stop location.

[markr]

Definately don't leave without riding Kingda Ka if it is open-although it has the shoulder restraints unlike TTD, it is still quite an adreneline rush especially the bunny hill before the finish which TTD does not have.

[markr]

And don't forget to check out the Mr. Six Dance party. ( If they still have it.) Love how Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and the other looney tunes join in.

[TTD-120-420]

How is SF America? It doesn't look that great, and reviews are awful.

[gad198]

Manta is a much better ride than Superman IMO, but if you get a chance to ride Superman go ahead and do it. As previously mentioned the line for that ride moves really slow, so if you're going to ride please make sure you do it at the rope drop.

Six Flags America isn't as bad a park as some reviews would have you believe. The issue is that there are so many good parks in that part of the country that most people are comparing it to Busch, Hersheypark & Great Adventure and it's definitely not in that same class. There are several good rides there and the lines there are almost always very manageable (even with one train operation which is pretty common there). Superman, Jokers Jinx and Wild One are the best 3 rides there IMO and if you have a chance to step in the park and get some credits I'd definitely recommend it. On most days you could probably get all of the credits (plus some rerides) in a couple of hours.

If you do happen to venture in to Six Flags America, on your way to Superman and Jokers Jinx you'll see a 3 Point Challenge there. If you could ask the attendants working that game what their 15 point prize and let me know what it is I'd appreciate it. I might make a trip out to that park in a few weeks if the prize is big enough but I don't want to do it without knowing for sure. Thanks!

[TTD-120-420]

I'll try to remember to ask.

[TTD-120-420]

Busch no longer offers employees free tickets to Six Flags, so I will be buying my pass tomorrow morning at Six Flags America.

[coasterfanatic83]

This entire comment is for TTD-120-420:

I am going to be close to NYC so I figured I would visit it tonight while I'm nearby. What is the easiest way to get into the city without having to actually drive into Manhattan? And gad198, the prizes for a 15 on the 3 point challenge at SF America are your choice of and iPad, a TV, an Xbox, a PS3, or Beats.

He wanted me to ask you guys and let him know, because he can't access the site himself. I figured it would be best for him to go to Newark Penn Station, park nearby, and take a train to Manhattan. Is that a good idea?

Thanks, Zach (and technically me to I guess?)

[The Interpreter]

I've always either driven (I don't recommend it. It's...interesting), or taken Amtrak to Grand Central or Penn Station. Hopefully someone else can help! Be careful where you park. It can be very expensive.

[jcgoble3]

Be careful where you park. It can be very expensive.

As in the cost of parking in the first place, or as in the cost of the parking ticket you get because you can't find a legal place to park?

[The Interpreter]

Yes. And as in finding a "free" or less cost space only to get broken into, or worse.

The Northeast ain't the Midwest. My car often sets for weeks now. Thank goodness for walking and the Metro.

[TombRaiderFTW]

I second the "park at a train station and ride to Penn/Grand Central" motion, although I'd hesitantly recommend NJ Transit if you're on a budget crunch. At least last summer, it was significantly cheaper than Amtrak. The only thing is that the schedules at the station make little to no sense. Bring a smartphone to check the NJ Transit website, as that will tell you much more clearly what train you need to be on when. Otherwise, you might find yourself in Hoboken for like an hour asking people how the heck to get back to Red Bank. (Pro tip: you have to go to Secaucus first. Also, apparently it's pronounced See-kwok-kuss. Not that I found any of this out firsthand or anything...)

[Ride On_17]

Tomorrow at the park be sure to drink lots of water and get in some air conditioning occasionally. Right now the forecast is saying a high of 94 and humid. Why is it I always pick the hottest days to go to SFGA? Last year the weather was the same. It was in the 80s and pleasant, and then the day I decide to go to the park it's in the 90s. Oh well, it's a fun park so it will be fun.

[coasterfanatic83]

He's currently at Times Square, so I guess he made it!

[BavarianBeatle]

Skip Superman Ultimate Blight and that horrible Skull Mountain thing. Their Mine Train is very good, as is KA. Nitro and Bizarro are two B&M's that did not put me to sleep and their indoor wild mouse is interesting..... If you ride El Toro, prepare yourself for ride ops who staple you to the point that you have visible bruises for a week!

[TTD-120-420]

The ride ops stapled you in as much as they could at America. It was awful.

Thanks everyone for NYC tips. I usually don't take spontaneous trips like that, but I finished America by two in the afternoon. It was awesome.

I'm sitting in a Mcdonalds' parking lot waiting for SFGAdv to open. I'm running on two hours of sleep. Wish me luck.

[malem]

^ Have fun, and drive safely tonight!

[Ride On_17]

I find it strange how the park opens at 10:30. Why not 10 or 11?

[The Interpreter]

See also Kings Dominion.