Ride On_17 Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 So if you've been following my Summer 2013 thread, you'll know that I've been at the Jersey Shore lately. Last year a family friend started working at Six Flags (she does animal shows in a kids area) so she's able to get my family free tickets. My parents and I decided to take a day off from the beach and drive 50 minutes to the park. Of course, it had to be the hottest day in Jersey since we've been here, and that was how it was last year too. We put on lots of sunscreen and had our water bottles ready. Even though the park opened at 10:30 we didn't get there until an hour later. I would've preferred to get there earlier but in the end it worked out great. We wanted to try the new Off-road Safari Adventure since it sounded cool and our family friend who works there suggested it to us. It was already really hot and humid, and sweat was dripping down our bodies even if we stood still. Occasionally there would be a nice breeze but without it we felt miserable. So our 1st stop in the park was at the safari. We waited about 40 minutes for it. Thankfully the queue was pretty much covered so there was plenty of shade, but it still felt extremely hot. While waiting in line for this (and pretty much every line of the day) we drank a bottle of water. We kept refilling it throughout the day at drinking fountains. Who needs to buy expensive drinks when you can just bring a water bottle and reuse it. Anyway, while in line we met a nice couple who we befriended for the rest of the Safari. It's a cool addition to the park. I never went through it when it was separate from the park and you could drive through it personally, so this was my 1st experience with the safari here. It was pretty cool seeing all the types of animals. Halfway through there was an optional stop for an area called Camp Aventura, and we decided to check it out. This part was disappointing since there really wasn't much to see or do. Just a few animals, scarce giraffe feeding times (which we missed), and a zip line that's not even a zip line (it was just a seat, plus it was an expensive upcharge) so looking back I wish we didn't decide to get off here. So then we got back in line, still hot and dripping, and waited to hop on the 2nd half of the ride. More cool animals to see and our tour guide was really good this half of the trip. In total, not including the wait, it took between 1 and 1 1/2 hours to complete the Safari. It was good, and it definitely has potential, especially at the Camp Aventura area. By now it was early afternoon and we were ready to get on some rides. Since it was pretty much right next to the Safari, we went on Bizarro. It only had a station wait and not even 10 minutes later we were riding in the back row. It was as fun as I remembered it. Next we decided to head over to Saw Mill Log Flume. Only my mom and I went on this while my dad took a break. It was about a 40 minute wait, but it was the worst wait of the day since in the queue building there was no air circulating. No fans or misters either. We were dying in there and couldn't wait to get on the ride. Once we finally got on it, it was fun and we were cooled off. From here we stopped and got an ice cream and headed over to where out friend was doing a show. It turned out it had to be cancelled due to low crows (she even warned us ahead of time this has happened recently) but they still brought out the animals so people could see and pet them. Then she took us backstage, we got to meet some of her coworkers, and we got to see a bunch of animals including a 15 pound rabbit. It was fun catching up with her (by the way, she lived next door to us, she was the flower girl for my parents' wedding, and her dad is my dad's boss, who still lives next door). Then it was time to hit up one of our faves, Nitro. It was only about a 20 minute wait. We rode in the front and it was fun, fast, smooth, and intense as always. Next we headed over to El Toro, my #1 roller coaster. It only had a 10 minute wait (Crazy, right?) and I rode in the last row. It was crazy intense, and made me remember why I had given it that #1 spot. Since the line was so short, my mom and I went on it again, this time waiting a 1/2 hour for the front but it was totally worth it. The front's my favorite place to ride on it, but you can't go wrong anywhere. On our 1st ride something actually went flying out of a car in front of us, and it even made me duck to try avoid being hit by it. And while waiting for the front row on the 2nd time, we witnessed I think 3 people tell the ride ops they lost their phone while on the ride. Throughout the day we made sure to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and we'd walk through air conditioned stores. Sometimes we would even go in a bathroom to cool off. I can't stress enough how hot is was, but we managed to get through it. After El Toro we headed over to Kingda Ka. It was a station wait too. My dad didn't want to wait for the front row like my mom and I so he picked a random row and rode it while we kept waiting. When were at the front of the 1st row line, all of sudden the ride shut down. The train that was sitting out on the launch area was slowly rolled back into the station, except it rolled back into the other, unused half of the station. If you've been on KK before, you know that there are 2 load/unload tracks in the station. Anyway, after a test run, they ran it with people. Then it was our turn. We got in the car, the train pulled up into the launch area, and we waited. And we waited. And we kept on waiting. Luckily the sun was setting and it was starting to cool off. It actually was beginning to feel pretty nice and we were able to watch a nice sunset while we were sitting out there. Eventually we got rolled back into the station and we got out and waited. It had broken down again. We had some nice conversations with the ride ops and thankfully they announced the ride would reopen again. By then it was getting dark so we were glad to get a night ride on it. Once again, we got into the car, the train pulled up into the launch area, and this time we actually launched. Like I usually do with Dragster, I manage to put my hands up right as the train is launching and I'm able to keep them up for the duration of the ride. It was really fun, and we were just thankful to finally get on it. It turns out that patience and kindness to ride ops pays off, since when our train came back into the station they let us have a reride. So we stayed in our front row seats and got to ride it a second time. We decided that would be our last ride of the day since we were getting tired and hungry, but it was a great way to end--2 rides in a row on Kingda Ka. Before leaving we stopped in a gift shop. I found a few things, and then we tried to find someplace that was still open so we could get some dinner. It was only 9:30 but everything except ice cream shops were closing down. We saw part of the Looney Toons dance party (not sure if it has an official name) as we were leaving, too. Overall we had a great day even though it was really hot. The low crowds and short lines were awesome, and ironically last year was pretty much the same. It was hot and there were short lines then too. When talking to an employee, we found out there were about 10,000 people in the park, when usually there are 15-20,000 people. Maybe the heat held some people off from going. We got some pictures so hopefully I'll find some time to upload and post them. It was nice to get on more rides than we thought we would, especially since we went on the Safari which took a while. it was also nice that we didn't have to spend too much money since we had free tickets. I still can't get over $22 parking though...But my parents and I had tons of fun. Even though I've been here before, I'll rate several aspects of the park: Rides: 9/10 There is a good selection of rides for all ages, including a great variety of roller coasters. Maybe add a Drop Tower (which I've heard rumored) and possibly another coaster. But there already is an awesome coaster lineup. Staff: 10/10 Every staff member we came across today whether it was in food service, games, merchandise, or ride ops were very friendly. They went above and beyond their jobs to make sure us and every guest had an enjoyable, memorable experience. Atmosphere: 8/10 I enjoy the themed sections of the park and it is a clean park. My biggest complaint is that there need to be fans and misters in queue lines. Some of the lines were miserable since they were so hot. Prices: 6.75/10 Luckily we had free tickets, but normally ticket prices are pretty high. Plus there's the parking which I've already mentioned. As with any park, they always try to make you pay as much as possible, but it was nice that the Safari was included with admission. I could easily see them charging 5 or 10 bucks for it. Safari: 8.25/10 It was nice and relaxing and not your average amusement park attraction. If more stuff is added to Camp Aventura it would make it even better. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Thanks for the incredible trip report on New Jersey's Finest Theme Park. Please post your pictures! Six Flags Great Adventure is one of the best, and most underrated parks in the country. As for parking prices, it's the Northeast. Parking everywhere is expensive. The hotel by my office charges $38 for 4 to 24 hours. And there are no in and out privileges! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ride On_17 Posted July 17, 2013 Author Share Posted July 17, 2013 I promise to get the pictures up sometime. It's just hard to take the time to upload and edit them while on vacation. But I will do it...soon! I love Great Adventure and it's a great park. And I can understand about the pricing, it's just something that we have to deal with. Of course it'd be awesome if it was cheaper but sometimes the best things in life come at a high price. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTD-120-420 Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Parking is not one of the best things in life. I'm interested if I am in any of your pictures, or you in mine. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedarPointer Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 And there are no in and out privileges! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 (I about half expected a picture of the California burger joint! In DC we have Shake Shack--incredible frozen custard and Chicago style hot dogs. The latter are even better than Mel's in Tampa, and that's saying something!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ride On_17 Posted August 23, 2013 Author Share Posted August 23, 2013 And finally, I present to you some pictures from our trip! One of the many impressive views from the parking lot. Safari Bizarro Saw Mill Log Flume Our friend/neighbor who works at the park and who gave us the tickets. Nitro El Toro Night dance party with Looney Toons characters Funny sign in the parking lot. Night skyline 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McSalsa Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Awesome Trip Report and Awesome Pictures...SFGadv is yet another of those parks I do hope I can visit some day... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Thanks for the pictures! I went to Six Flags Great Adventure back in 2011 with some friends. We had originally intended only to go to Hersheypark and Dorney, but we ended up doing those two parks in one day, and did Great Adventure the next day. (Talk about lots of driving). But it was well worth it. We had a lot of fun at SFGAdv. I can`t wait to go back there and take my fiance with me! I really love El Toro. Between Kingda Ka and Top Thrill Dragster, I pick Top Thrill. Kingda Ka has a lot more vibration in the trains. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Awesome pictures of New Jersey's Finest Theme Park! Thanks! I gotta go big, soon. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungStud Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 I think great adventure is the top 3 parks in the country with Magic Mountain and Cedar Point. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeastForever Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 My envy is completely boiling up from reading this TR. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungStud Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Beastforever, when you go you can hit up hershey, dorney, and great adventure in a trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elyk Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 don't forget knoebels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungStud Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Never been, never will. That is just me though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeastForever Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Beastforever, when you go you can hit up hershey, dorney, and great adventure in a trip. I don't know about about Dorney, but if I do go to SFGAdv I'll definitely hit up Hershey on the way. I can't wait to ride their latest Intamin. don't forget knoebels Um... no. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungStud Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 I agree bout dorney. Hershey park is great. Skyrush and storm runner are excellent. Fahrenheit is cool too. Coupled with great adventure's el toro and ka it would be an awsome trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tr0y Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Kings Island should remove flight deck and build a 215ft el toro in its place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcgoble3 Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Because El Toro is the rare Intamin that does not have major proble.... oh wait. (Plus that's too close to where Son of Beast stood, and many of the general public would mistake it for SOB and think people died. Nobody in fact died on SOB, but there are plenty of rumors out there that someone did, and those rumors would get transferred to the new ride by the GP.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungStud Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 ^ If you have ridden el toro you could live with an issue here or there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tr0y Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Because El Toro is the rare Intamin that does not have major proble.... oh wait. (Plus that's too close to where Son of Beast stood, and many of the general public would mistake it for SOB and think people died. Nobody in fact died on SOB, but there are plenty of rumors out there that someone did, and those rumors would get transferred to the new ride by the GP.) The El toro is a very reliable coaster, it has been operating for 7 years and is just now having a significant mechanical problem, also you got to remember it was the first and only wooden to have a cable lift.. Once Banshee is built and a few years after when Kings Island prepares for its next coaster addition, not many will remember SOB at that point, it will just be another gravestone alongside The Bat, screaming demon, and king cobra... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McSalsa Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Ironically, that promo for Banshee forgot Bavarian Beetle & Scooby's Ghoster Coaster. They are dead Kings Island coasters too. (I'm guessing it was just going with big, "adult" oriented coasters though...so BB, a family coaster, and SGC, which was for kids, don't really count...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcgoble3 Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Because El Toro is the rare Intamin that does not have major proble.... oh wait. (Plus that's too close to where Son of Beast stood, and many of the general public would mistake it for SOB and think people died. Nobody in fact died on SOB, but there are plenty of rumors out there that someone did, and those rumors would get transferred to the new ride by the GP.) The El toro is a very reliable coaster, it has been operating for 7 years and is just now having a significant mechanical problem, also you got to remember it was the first and only wooden to have a cable lift.. Once Banshee is built and a few years after when Kings Island prepares for its next coaster addition, not many will remember SOB at that point, it will just be another gravestone alongside The Bat, screaming demon, and king cobra... I will honestly be surprised if another huge wooden coaster is built in Action Zone anytime in this century. Rumors about The Bat are still circulating, without the benefit of the Internet being around back then to help sustain them. SOB rumors, supported by the Internet, will circulate for even longer. KI would be wise IMO to not even think about building any new wooden coaster of any size anywhere in the park for at least 10 to 15 years, and a wooden hyper in Action Zone has about as much of a chance of happening in our lifetimes as the Sun going supernova. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungStud Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Regardless of what people would say people would be in line for it and the line would probably be stretched out into the midway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tr0y Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Regardless of what people would say people would be in line for it and the line would probably be stretched out into the midway. it won't be able to, the giga coaster's line to the midway will be in the way. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungStud Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 With a Intamin prefab and giga built in consecutive years KI could go from averaging 3 million guests per season to 4 million. It would increase tourism in Warren County and bring all kinds of money to local restaurants, hotels, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tr0y Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Kings Island is a few pieces from putting Cedar Point in the backseat, they are neck and neck in terms of revenue and attendance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedevariouseffect Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 As much as I'd love to honestly see something like that happen, it's highly unlikely, CP is still the flagship in the companies eyes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tr0y Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 As much as I'd love to honestly see something like that happen, it's highly unlikely, CP is still the flagship in the companies eyes that's likely but with the amount of money Cedar Fair has been spending on canadas wonderland, ( Canada's wonderland has the highest revenue and attendance in the chain ) I'm curious if matt ouimet is using a system where the parks revenue equates to how much investment is spent for attractions. Cedar Point's Gatekeeper was 25-30 million seems like alot for one coaster but the last coaster built at Cedar Point since Gatekeeper was maverick in 2007. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ride On_17 Posted August 24, 2013 Author Share Posted August 24, 2013 ^Keep in mind that the $25-30 million included the coaster itself (which is fairly long when compared to some other coasters) and the demolition/construction of the main entrance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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