Six Flags Unveils Jersey Devil Of A Roller Coaster

JACKSON, NJ — The legend of the Jersey Devil has roamed the Pine Barrens for more than 200 years, and its primary goal has been to scare people with its menacing descriptions of a creature with horns and wings, the supposedly cursed 13th child of Mother Leeds.

That menacing nature has inspired Six Flags Great Adventure, which sits on the edge of those Pine Barrens, to create a roller coaster that will live up to the mythical creature's name.

The Jersey Devil Coaster will be the next new roller coaster at the theme park in Jackson, park officials announced Thursday. The 14th coaster at the park will be the tallest, fastest and longest single-rail coaster and make its debut in 2020.

"Towering 13 stories, at speeds up to 58 mph, riders will soar single file through the dark and foreboding woods over 3,000 feet of track," the park announcement said. The cutting-edge coaster will feature five intense elements, including two dramatic inversions.

Legend says the Jersey Devil has haunted the Pine Barrens for centuries, soaring stealthily through the woods in the dark of night before attacking its prey. Modern-day folklore even places this beast near the theme park’s Great Lake, with its menacing, curled horns manifesting under a full moon.

"Jersey Devil folklore has been a source of fear and intrigue here in the Pine Barrens for more than 200 years, and this iconic piece of New Jersey history inspired the design for this monstrous scream machine," park president John Winkler said.

Key features of the Jersey Devil Coaster include:

• Four sleek trains of 12 passengers each sitting low and inline style (one rider per row) with their legs straddling either side of the monorail track;
• 3,000 feet of soaring, single-rail, I-beam track;
• An ascent up a towering, 130-foot lift hill;
• Flying at speeds up to 58 mph;
• Three intense elements including a steep 87-degree first drop, raven dive and overbank cutback; and
• Two dramatic inversions including a 180-degree stall and zero-gravity roll.

Riders must meet the 48-inch height requirement. Jersey Devil Coaster will debut in the summer of 2020. It will be located along the lakefront near Safari Kids and Congo Rapids.

The park has been teasing the coaster announcement in a series of tweets since Aug. 14, offering clues about the name and its location within the park.

More information about Jersey Devil Coaster and next season at Six Flags Great Adventure is available on the website. Watch a video simulation of the ride experience below.

The park said its 2020 season passes are now on sale and passes purchased now through Monday, Sept. 2, will receive a free upgrade to a Gold Combo Season Pass with every pass purchased. Gold Combo Season Passes include admission to Six Flags Great Adventure and Hurricane Harbor, and any other Six Flags theme park, as well as free parking and special admission offers for friends.