Tragedy and uncertain fortune strike regular visitors of Six Flags: Great Adventure. The amusement park has recently been celebrating its golden anniversary, having originally opened on July 1, 1974. The park has seen great coasters come and go over the years, such as Great American Scream Machine and Rolling Thunder. Senior Rishab Seth has fond memories of going on the wooden coaster, El Toro.
The park has been plagued with issues as the years have progressed. Additionally, guests have discussed their displeasure with it, with an evident lack of care since the COVID-19 pandemic. Some attribute this to their recent merger with fellow amusement park giant, Cedar Fair. However, such issues have been apparent and only worsened over time.
Failed 50th
For the park’s 50th anniversary, executives intended a large celebration. This was supposed to include reverting to the park’s original logo, refurbishing some rides, and adding a new roller coaster. However, things didn’t pan out as executives intended.
Major attraction refurbishments include the Giant Wheel, Saw Mill Log Flume, and Runaway Mine Train. However, they did not debut at their intended opening dates, instead being scattered throughout the celebration. On top of this, the roller coaster still hasn’t opened. However, there is an expected opening in 2025 which is after the celebration.
To counteract the unintended shortcomings of the celebration, it is important to note what went right. This includes the usage of a new logo to honor the park’s history. In addition, there was also the proud reopening of the Giant Wheel which had been plagued with constant closures during previous years. A large addition to the park was a new glamping destination named Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa which appeals to families and couples who wish to relax and experience an “unforgettable safari getaway.”
Long Live The King?
Rumors began to fly around at the beginning of November that the current world’s tallest roller coaster, Kingda Ka, would be closing. In the following days, fans of ‘The King’ would flock to the park to get in one last ride before the alleged closure. The ride would be closed the following days and the rumors would prove true when Six Flags announced its retirement on November 14.
Along with Kingda Ka, several other attractions were suddenly wiped from the park’s lineup without any previous official announcement. The news came as a surprise due to the silence on this matter. Such was evident when Woodbridge High School student, Frank Lopez, had no idea that Kingda Ka had been retired a week before he was interviewed. The list of now-retired attractions consists of Kingda Ka/Zumanjaro, Green Lantern, Twister, Parachute Drop, and Sky Way, which will all be missed. Backlash over there being no notice of any imminent closures has thus far been avoided by Six Flags.
“We understand that saying goodbye to beloved rides can be difficult, and we appreciate our guests’ passion. These changes are an important part of our growth and dedication to delivering exceptional new experiences. We look forward to sharing more details next summer,” said Brian Bacica, park president in a statement to NJ.com.
The Future of Six Flags: Great Adventure
With demolitions scheduled and underway, the future of the park seems uncertain with headlining attractions being retired and understaffing plaguing the park experience. However, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon of the amusement park. Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is said to be investing a billion dollars into their parks over the coming years. This is great for Six Flags: Great Adventure which could use the touch-up.
As for attractions, the new coaster The Flash: Vertical Velocity will be opening in 2025. This will be the first Vekoma Super Boomerang coaster model in North America, and the second in the world. As for the plot of land that once held stand-up-coaster Green Lantern and record breaker Kingda Ka, there will be a new record-breaking coaster added in 2026 according to rumors and press.
