Date: Wednesday, October 12, 2022 from 12-8 p.m. (Safari opens at 10 a.m.)
Website: www.ncsygreatadventure.com
For more information or group pricing: Call (201) 862-0250
Zack Says: Featuring the tallest roller coaster in the world, Kingda Ka, and other world-record-breaking coasters, Six Flags Great Adventure is one of the best amusement parks for thrill seekers. Over the past three years, my season pass to Six Flags has been used many times as I love going as frequently as possible. I love roller coasters—the faster the better! Whether flying upside down on Superman, dropping hundreds of feet on Kingda Ka, El Toro and Nitro, or riding the stand-up Green Lantern coaster, I love the stomach-churning sensation the rides at Six Flags never fail to give me. As an avid superhero fan, I appreciate the park’s DC Comics theme and enjoy reading the comic book scenes while waiting in line for the DC-related rides. Even the non-thrill rides are a lot of fun, especially Justice League: Battle for Metropolis, an interactive shooting ride involving the rider in a battle against the Joker and Lex Luther. The ride resembles a video game, even giving you your score at the end!
Beyond attractions, I enjoy walking around the park munching on my Chickies sandwich, playing games on the Boardwalk, meeting my favorite Looney Tunes characters, staring out at the beautiful nearby lake and listening to the screams of terrified people on the coasters. What could be better? Over Sukkot, NCSY New Jersey provides a sukkah, allowing you to eat your delicious meals available for purchase from Riverdale Kosher Market or Chickies. Tip: Arrive early before the park opens and check out the epic Drive-Thru Safari!
Theme: There are 10 themed sections at Six Flags: Main Street, Fantasy Forest, Adventure Alley, Adventure Seaport, Movietown, Lakefront, Frontier Adventures, Plaza del Carnaval, The Golden Kingdom, and Boardwalk. Each section offers its own unique flavor of rides, decorum and music. The park’s theme is generally centered around the Looney Tunes and DC Comic Superheroes, including Green Lantern, Superman: Ultimate Flight, The Joker, Batman: The Ride, and Justice League: Battle for Metropolis, among others. The fast pass system is also dubbed “Flash Pass” named after DC’s speedster The Flash. The Looney Tunes also features a prominent role in which Bugs Bunny is often the first character ready for photo opportunities by the park’s iconic fountain. Additionally, half of Frontier Adventures is devoted to Bugs at the mini-section Bugs Bunny National Park, offering half a dozen Looney Tunes-themed rides for younger riders. While on line, some rides play classic Looney Tunes videos on TVs to entertain riders during the lull of waiting.
Location: Jackson Township, New Jersey. About one hour, 20 minutes away.
Value: NCSY Six Flags Tickets are $49 per person through October 11; add on Safari bundle for $11; if buy the day you go, tickets are $53 and the bundle is an extra $12. For teens registered with an NCSY account, bussing will be offered from TABC and Highland Park for an additional cost.
Number of rides: 66
Number of rollercoasters: 14
Kosher food options: (1) Kosher food is being provided by Riverdale Kosher Market on the premises for purchase (2) Chickies—Menu: Popcorn Chicken $12.99, Hot Dog $7.99, Fire Poppers $13.99, Chicken Fingers $12.99, French Fries $6.99, Hand-battered onion rings $8.99, Potato knish $7.99, Churro Bites $7.99, Jumbo Hot Pretzel $7.99, and more! Meal combo specials available. (3) Rita’s; (4) Dippin’ Dots.
Character Meet and Greets: Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Tweety Bird, Sylvester, sometimes Scooby Doo, and members of the Justice League
Special feature: Drive-Thru Safari
Area size: 510 acres
Favorite Ride: While Six Flags has A LOT of great rides, many of which hold world records, my favorite is El Toro. It is the third-fastest and the second-longest drop of any wooden coaster in the world. The ride offers one minute and 42 seconds of consistent intense speed and huge drops. The first drop plunges you 176 feet pretty much at a 90° angle. Usually, wooden coasters are bumpy and often are painful for riders. However, despite its speed and height, El Toro is probably the smoothest wooden ride I have ever been on. It was constructed really well with comfortable seating that does not hurt at all. Trust me, the coaster Skyrush at Hersheypark is 20 times as painful!
Latest Ride: Newest roller coaster Jersey Devil Coaster opened in June 2021
By Zack Greenberg
