Day 4: Six Flags Great Adventure
Day 4: Six Flags Great Adventure
Dave Scott
This park looks like something out of rollercoaster tycoon - loads of big coasters and not a great deal else! Kingda Ka, something of a let down for the first three rides - then I did the front row. Talk about revelations! There isn't a more impressive crest to a hill than flying out of your seat, 450 feet in the air with nothing in front of you!!!
Medusa, the first large B&M of the trip, packed some great visuals and inversions into a long ride. Batman - 13 years old - and the most intense coaster in the park. And as for Nitro, there isnt' much more you could ask from a hypercoaster. Excellent floating airtime, but the ride is short on positive G's to vary the ride. Slow loading and a couple of ride closures were the only annoyances of the day - most of the park's queues could have been anhiliated by a little more enthusiasm from some of the staff and some shade in the queues wouldn't have gone amiss either!
David Elvy
Six Flags Great Adventure was a park that I was looking forward too, mainly due to Kingda ka, well, we had an ERS on it first thing, and my first thought after riding was - is that it / is that what 128 mph feels like - if so, it did not live up to my expectation. However, then I rode a few more times, nearer the front of the train, culminating with a front seat ride - and wow, totally awesome in the front, you feel the speed. Kingda Ka is a great ride all round, but the front is exceptionally great.
I managed to ride all the parks operating coasters once, which upped my coaster count by ten. Superman Ultimate Flight is ok, with the pretzel loop being the rides best trick. Nitro was a nice B&M Hyper, Batman the Ride and Medusa are still great rides. While I had a good day, I do wonder, were we spoilt with Six Flags New England? PS - To Keith - you might get some piece and quiet now I have ridden Kingda Ka.
Steve Fagin
Well, Kingda Ka wasn't as smooth as Stealth - nowhere near as smooth, in fact, and quite jarring. But it was an amazing experience nonetheless, and high fives to SFGAdv for giving us the ERS. Repeat sampling would not have been possible without their gesture. Front seat views were something to behold, and the sensation of my cheeks peeling back from my face was something I never thought I'd actually experience. Can't wait to compare with the overhead-restraint-less Top Thrill Dragster.
Last time I came to this park was 1995, and they've built much more since then. It was great to see some real enthusiasm from some of the ride ops, particularly on Nitro. High point: Nitro, plus Medusa front seat. Low point: Great American Scream Machine. How did I ever enjoy this in 95? That hideous monstrosity should be melted down into dirty steel ingots and buried in a slagheap in Salford.
Lars Sorensen
This is the day where the big Kingda Ka awaited. The front seat on Kingda Ka was just awesome, a real jawbreaker. I really like the park, nice hospitality from the staff, and when they said, "Have a good ride", they really meant it. The staff at Nitro even let us fill up the empty seats. What an awesome day.
A small funny story: Kim Varde lost his cellphone on the zero-g roll, on Medusa. I felt something in my hand, and I thought it was my camera, I forgot to put into my bag. But after the ride, I looked at it, and it was a cellphone, that had flown from Kim's pocket into my hand.
Mick FK
Liz, Crystal and Karl, mssing you, having a great time. A brilliant day at Six Flags Great Adventure, coaster heaven. Kingda Ka, my first top hat / strata coaster its speed increased until I had a New Jersey facelift. I rode all the coasters that were open, and the highlight had to be the back seat on the B&M Hyper - Nitro. The ride ops know how to load which makes a difference, compared to some of the other rides today, as the other ride ops came a very poor second. Rude and miserable, we saw trash piled around where they thought it was out of sight. Six Flags New England - your reputatuion is safe, you are still the best - we should have visited you last because today was such a let down. We have Six Flags over Georgia to do - let's see if they can do better? I am sorry, but I say it as I see it
Kim Varde Lassen
This was the big day. We were here to ride the monster: Kingda Ka. When the ERS was announced in the bus everybody cheered!! Must admit my heart rate was a little higher than normal. Anyway the ride was awesome... mostly due to the acceleration... wow! However, I think I'm developing a crush on B&M. Nitro was my favourite today. Rode it 10 times! Could have kept on for hours... well I did, actually.
Til familie og venner, jeg har en super fed tur. Her er dejlig varmt, ca 30 grader. I er bare misindelige, er I!
Mark Riley and Jenny Lamb
The first mega-park of the trip provided a great morning ERS with Kingda Ka. From the front seat, this ride is a stunning experience. Nitro was also top-class. El Toro looks like becoming the best coaster in the park when it opens.
Andycoasterboy
Day 4 and SFGA and Kingda Ka ERS very hot in the park today so a leisurely trundle around riding everything as there were hardly any lines. El Toro really will be the best coaster in the park, looking really good.
Paul Worts
Still waiting in the Europa Park Hotel, anybody???
Jeff Holmes
The day started with ERS on Kingda Ka. I thoroughly enjoyed the speed and height of this monster especially in the front section of seats. The whole day was very hot indeed which meant plenty of beers... Yours is waiting for you Paul Worts.
Martin Valt
Despite the subversive views expressed by certain entirely undesirable elements, SFGtAd has the best collection of steel coasters on the planet. Nitro similarly is a superb example of its genre.
Viper
SFGtAd excellent day; very hot. Kingda Ka number one dude!!!
Bart Van Goethem
First row on Kingda Ka gave my a facelift, it kept on going. I loved the unexpected airtime on the top of it. Supermans pretzel loop, the flying coaster is such a great type of inversion. Nitro was echt wel veel beter dan Silver Star. And the setting of Nitro was wonderful, instead of a carpark. This B&M hyper is great from beginning till the end. This park has really surprised us in a great way!
Paul Orsmond
A very nice day at SFGA and a lot of good rides. Kingda Ka wasn't as good as Dragster IMO but it still delivers a good ride. Superman was great, American Scream Machine was a bit rough, Nitro was very nice, Batman was supringly rough for a B&M Inverted, and Medusa was very good, However the highlight of the day was seeing both sides running on the Chiller, and so we got to ride both sides which were both fantastic, Overall quite a nice day.
Paul Freeman
Rode world's fastest, highest coaster first thing today. It finally made sense on the last of the four ERS rides where I got a front rode seat from this position its an amazing coaster!
Nitro and Superman Ultimate flight proved the best rides of the rest of the day. A few too many closed rides including Rolling Thunder. P.S. Hi to all at RBS and Love to Rhyannon !
Andrew Lamb
Had a roller coaster filled day today, the park had loads of different types including floorless, launched, flying and more. Nitro was great a fast and thrilling ride, I just wanted to not get off! Superman Ultimate Flight was also a great highlight, especially its pretzel loop.
Mike Sebley
For me this park was a tad disappointing and lacked the friendly atmosphere of Six Flags New England on Sunday. Kingda Ka was too extreme and for me the over the shoulder restraints were a painful problem. Nitro was easily the best coaster with the ride ops doing an excellent job showing how a ride should be operated. El Toro looks excellent. A great shame it wasnt working.
Chris Hull
Another Six Flags park but somewhat different from Six Flags New England. A number of rides not operating but Nitro proving to be the highlight in the park. Superman was also a surprise but have lousy loading. Kingda Ka was best for me in the front seat were I was able to enjoy the ride better. Restraints didnt appear to be too friendly for those with an taller upper body. Felt rough across the shoulders. El Toro looks stunning but too bad it wasnt up and running on schedule. Perhaps in the next 2 weeks as quoted by Six Flags?
Peter Jackson
Day 4 started off with Six Flags security parking us as far away from the park gates as seemed possible. It would have saved time and been more sensible for security to let us off coach at the drop off point and then go and park the coaches after telling us where rides in a row. An amazing launch and an intense climb. The staff on there where great and let us keep going around the short route re ride. Nitro was another excellent machine with plenty of airtime. An enjoyable day.
Pete Procter
SFGAdv today, nice park in that common concrete fashion of today. Nice rides, apart from Kingda Ka (why so rough? - nothing to do with restraints - rather loose wheels or poor track! Owww my brain!) and Medusa (dull, and ear whippy!). El Toro was great, or rather looked it. Must revisit to ride one day. Scream Machine was funky Arrow goodness, Superman was a lung crusher on my back in the loop. Rolling Thunder was dead all day (El Toro being worked on, though it did run first time yesterday I understand). Nitro was lovely, just how a B&M should be - no fancy loopy foot-numbing crap, just speed, smooth effortless glide and fun. We went to Clementon park last night (why not throw this in?). J2 (Tsunami) is insane - first seat is wild in a smooth way, but the rest... well, Harry G. Traver is alive and well! :D August John Mulleu (roughly John Millers proper name) is still dead however, as is his 1919 Jack Rabbit. Clementon have no train for it and are letting it rot away, gradually reclaimed by trees. Shame but thats life eh. Saw Tim TIMMEH Gaylard at SF New England on day two by the way, good to chat again (hope you werent too shaken up by whatever incident had happened before we met - seemed like you needed a break!). And sorry Harper, but theres no Pigseh on the trip (dont worry - Ive been singing away anyway! - and bird watching!) Well ladies and smelly men, girls and germs - here concludes my longest report to date. Dorney tomorrow, but for now hurrah, and good boo! (no, Im not wearing any knickers)
Mats Hummel
Now we know how far away from the park entry we park the coaches.
ERS on Kingda Ka was great, very nice and friendly staff for it. Thumbs up for Nitro. B&M knows how to build a train, the restraints on it are great. Lots of air time too. Too bad no woodie was running today, El Toro looks great...
Steve Davies
Kingda ka at SFGA today was amazing, but at 456ft and 120mph it could not be anything else, the only downside was it very rough. My favourite other ride here was Nitro - fast, smooth, loaded with airtime, and very re-rideable-the operatives were amazing, too!
Even Stangebye
Great day - great weather - great park - 11 new coasters - front seat of Kingda Ka - great Nitro, Superman the Ride and Medusa - horrible American Scream Machine - sorry for the 8 minutes late to the bus!
Ole Bredesen-Vestby
Another great day in another great park. Kingda Ka was awesome. I also loved Superman the Ride, my first flying coaster (not counting Volare). And not to forget the airtime on Nitro.
Nina Kleppe
A great day with many good coasters. Kingda Ka was awesome, especially in the front row. WOW.
David & Susan Ellis
Today was Six Flags Great Adventure, which started with a 30-minute ERS on Kingda Ka, the tallest (456ft) and fastest (128mph) coaster in the world. Front seat was worth waiting for. The launch is incredible and the view from the top amazing. Certainly it was smoother in front, other ride positions were a bit juddery. Of the other coasters, Nitro was the best on offer with loads of superb airtime. The real shame was that El Toro hadnt opened, and a few of the other coasters and attractions were closed. Yet another hot day, with temperatures in the 90s. Dorney park tomorrow!
Chris Simon
Today at SFGA, the best thing by far was Nitro, which has certainly shot straight into my top 5! Absolutely beautiful, graceful, plenty of floating airtime, and an upward helix that gets tighter and tighter all the while. Kingda Ka didnt really impress it doesnt have the atmosphere of TTD, front seat a little too intense for me and elsewhere was strangely very rough with lots of vibration. Several rides and coasters down, only one half of Chiller running, El Toro not yet open, and operation very very slow (apart form Nitro).
James Spinner Hannaford
Well I have a Catchphrase Dragster is still my Baby, and after today that still stands I was looking forward to riding Kingda Ka. There was talk of it not being open during our visit and I thought the only problem would be the Overhead restraints. No Problem there Just a Very Rough Ride. On experiencing the rest of the park you find this to be true with most of the Rides in SFGA. Nitro has to be my favourite for the day (was worth waiting for the front seat) and as I am a coaster counting the kiddie coasters were quite good as well. El Toro Looked amazing and what a beautiful smell of new Wood. Am returning to SFGA in just under a months time so hopefully it will be open. I just hope it's as good a ride as it looks.
Well tomorrow is the start of a few Parks that I have done before so I am looking forward to doing the Water Park at Dorney and having a relaxing Day.
Tim Tipler
Zero to 128 in 3.5 seconds thats KingDa Ka that launch is fantastic we rode most of the other coasters but El Toro was not ready for us
The park was very clean but did not have the feel of the New England park. Hi to Jan and James again
Chris Penn
Kingda ka was a blast not up to Top Thrill Dragster standards though.
The front seat was the best the back was rough. Sadly no El Toro but at least we got 30mins ERS on Kingda Ka
Bob Clark
Today was reach for the sky day. We have now all ridden the Worlds tallest, fastest coaster - several times. However, the star was El Toro. It looked stunning, the merchandise looked stunning but having been tested yesterday for five hours today it was undergoing more mods. As a result Rolling Thunder was down. For a woodie fan like me it was not so much El Toro but pure El
Darren and Mary
What an amazing day, one that I never thought that I would witness - I rode a coaster that Darren did not feel comfortable riding, and this was Kingda Ka. Shame that there were so many rides not operating today in the park. Last night Darren enjoyed the experience of riding J2, he rode it several times.
Alan Prior & Carolyn Buckley
This is one park we were really looking forward to and it didnt disappoint. Kingda Ka was good but wasnt as punchy as Stelf. All the B&Ms were good too our favourite was Medusa, apart from the trim brakes which received a loud boooo from us each time we went through them. Overall, the rides were great but the day was somewhat spoiled by the dire loading times. Three minutes as a good average loading time per train (on all rides) is not something that makes us happy, particularly when half of the reason is that the staff are leisurely wandering from seat to seat in the station while chatting. It made the recent bad operators on Slammer at Thorpe park seem almost endearing!
David Harrington
This morning we got a replacement coach as our previous coach was starting to list - the night before it limped home after losing some of the heavier passengers. I was looking forward a lot to this park, as it is the home of the world's fastest and highest roller coaster, as well a fantastic collection of other coasters. Approaching the park Kingda Ka immediately presents itself from a distance - it is certainly an imposing structure. Our ERS was, of course, on Kingda Ka, and we had a really fun hour on the ride before the general public were allowed on. The ride itself was good fun, but I feel the so-called airtime hill didn't really work very well; the top hat at over 400ft was over really quickly, despite being slowed down going over the top. It didn't really feel as high as I'm sure it is because of this, and I feel somewhat relieved that I didn't mind the height at all. The force of the initial acceleration is good, but I feel the big drop didn't really offer much more than any other coaster. However, in the front seat you really appreciated the speed more than anywhere else - despite wearing glasses I had tears streaming from my eyes - and here it really was a fantastic ride - other seats were just good. The highlight of this park was Nitro, a superb B&M Hypercoaster. Sitting in the side seats in particular gave a wonderful feeling of flying off the track. The other really good coaster was Batman, a B&M inverter. Neither of the woodies were open, which was a great shame, as El Toro in particular looks like being a fantastic ride. The park doesn't have many spinners, and I felt the attitude of some of the staff could have been better - apart from Superman (a B&M flying coaster similar to Air), Kingda Ka and Nitro, the loading was really slow leading to unnecessarily long queue lines. Also, there were too many closed rides - a few can be expected but more than that makes me concerned. Weather again was very hot, but I wasn't so affected today so I must be acclimatising! Overall, a good park, but spoilt a little by the attitude of a few of the staff.
Malcolm Marr
In New Jersey it's against the law to throw a bad pickle on the street and at Great Adventure we didnt get into any sort of pickle whatsoever (tenuous link brought to you by some random American product). Our day started with a Kingda Ka ERS and whilst it may be the tallest and fastest coaster on the planet it's actually only good to ride in the front row, other rows rattled too much. Ill court controversy by saying that Stealth has more "punch" to it. Kingda does have the sustained acceleration but I didnt get the leaving the stomach in the station feeling that Thorpes little baby has. Nitro is superb and easily the best re-rideable coaster in the park, helped by an excellent British ride operator called Adrian who was conversing with us over the PA before sending us on our way. El Toro wasnt running and Im hoping that I can ride it before I return to the UK (if Keith lets me!).
Terry Jarvis
I have to say after riding Stealth at Thorpe Park, I thought that Kingda Ka would blow me away! But I found it a little bumpy and a little disappointing. It's still a great ride for the park but sadly not for me. On a upward note I found Nitro to be the best ride in the park, a 200 foot hyper coaster, plenty of great airtime and a extremely long helix where I started to grey out! This I love on a coaster, one hell of a ride, my second best steelie of the trip.
Tim Herre
Six Flags Great Adventure lived up to expectations STOP Four coasters not running STOP Batman Chiller highlight of the day STOP Kingda Ka awesome, but still a one-trick-pony STOP Loved Medusa STOP Superman's Pretzel Loop not for the faint-hearted STOP No El Toro STOP They should have brought the Cordes staff in, then it would surely got finished in time STOP
Michael Badelt
Key Learing of the day: Kingda Ka is overhyped (but nevertheless a kick-ass ride) Surprise of the day: Batman Chiller. Suggestion for improvement: Training sessions for the Batman inverter ops staff on how to dispatch a high capacity coaster in less that 6 minutes
