Six Flags Great Adventure Adds New Attractions For 50th Anniversary

JACKSON, NJ — On July 1, 1974, Six Flags Great Adventure opened to the public for the first time.

On March 16, the park will open for its 50th anniversary season, with new attractions and nods to the past that likely would make Warner LeRoy, the original owner and creator, smile with pride.

The park, now called Six Flags Great Adventure Resort, will have six new attractions that open during the season, including the park's 15th roller coaster, The Flash: Vertical Velocity. It also is upgrading the Sawmill Log Flume ride and the Giant Wheel Ferris wheel, while returning Congo Rapids to its original name, Roaring Rapids.

In addition to the Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa within the Wild Safari, which is accepting reservations for its luxury safari glamping experiences beginning June 14, the Wild Safari will have a new look when it opens March 30.

The new Safari Base Camp at the safari entrance/exit offers access to the Safari Off Road Adventure, where a driver and guide will take patrons in off-road vehicles on "an immersive and informative" tour of the 350-acre safari, park officials said. The area includes retail and dining locations, a children’s play area, animal experiences and more.

The Flash: Vertical Velocity will be the first triple-launch super boomerang coaster to open in North America. It rushes forward and backward at nearly 60 miles per hour through a 180-degree twisted drop and zero-G roll, officials said. There also will be the new The Flash store with items to commemorate the ride experience.

The Flash joins the fan favorites, including Kingda Ka, Nitro, El Toro, the Jersey Devil Coaster, and there will be milder thrills and two areas dedicated specifically to junior thrill-seekers, officials said.

Hurricane Harbor, which opens May 18, will debut Splash Island, a family-centric area with a new tree-house play structure and seven slides geared for little splash-seekers.

The park also is celebrating the 50th anniversary with the creation of the Dream Street Pathway, at the park's original entrance. It will be adorned with inscribed bricks that park patrons can purchase; they include a keepsake as well as a brick in the pathway.

The pathway will pass through the new Six Flags Adventure World, described as an area where people can "pop in for Six Flags essentials."

"Six Flags Great Adventure Resort remains committed to innovation and thrilling adventures, blending the present with a nod to our 50-year history,Brian Bacica, president of the park. "Whether it’s a guest’s first visit or their 50th, everyone, regardless of their thrill level, will discover new attractions, enhanced park features, exciting events and nostalgic highlights within our resort destination."

The park will be open weekends on March 16-17 and March 23-24. It will open daily for spring break from March 28 to April 7, officials said.

There are enhancements to the parking, with Speedy Parking that will allow "registered guests to breeze through the toll plaza before parking in newly designated parking areas, including preferred sections." The park has added car charging stations at both the water park and theme park.

From Memorial Day through Labor Day there will be special entertainment and more to mark the 50th anniversary. There will be Fourth of July fireworks, Oktoberfest, Fright Fest, Holiday in the Park and more events.

The Six Flags Great Adventure Resort is hiring, with most wages ranging from $15 to $20 per hour. Applicants must be at least 14 years old. Interested applicants can text FUN to 732-307-6688, log on to www.sixflagsjobs.com or visit the Employment Center daily from 11 am to 7 pm. The Six Flags Great Adventure Employment Center is located at 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, NJ, next to 607 Monmouth Road, Cream Ridge, NJ, approximately ½ mile west of the main park entrance.