El Toro_Ryan Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Just got here with the brother. No one is here. Hey that orange car is mine! The place is a ghost town, so far I have 10 rides on Nitro, 10 rides on Batman, and 1 Skull Mountain. Thank you Great Adventure's re-ride policy! It was awesome to meet you man! Hope you weren't too disappointed with the park closing 5 hours early today. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejot Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Rode Batman front row on Friday afternoon along side a family of three -- none of whom, to the best I could tell, had ever been on any kind of coaster whatsoever before. The shrieks of genuine terror were impressive. It's a tremendous privilege to experience such a machine running so furiously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Yesterday was a bit of a bummer but I sort of knew it was a distinct possibility that they would close which is part of why we stopped by on Friday to get some last rides in. We were on the way (though headed from Delaware to New York so we had to pass the exit anyway) when we heard they closed so we went over to I Play America in Freehold instead which is basically a Dave and Busters on crack with an SBF spinning coaster so we started the New Year off right with a new credit. lol Josh, if it's any consolation... there have been days where this park was so packed we stayed from open to close in the summer and got on about 5 rides (it happened this June actually), so even with a shortened day it sounds like a worthwhile trip. Sorry they closed early on you guys though. Anyway, it seems like Holiday in the Park was a big success again. The event is awesome, despite losing back to back weekends due to the placement of Christmas and weather it seems like crowd levels were really strong, and much stronger during that week between Christmas and New Years than they were last year. While last year was unseasonably warm, this year seemed to be pretty solid proof that a lot of people are more than willing to bundle up and go to Six Flags on 20 and 30 degree days and the park proved that their Weather Policy is still the most awesome weather policy of any park in America (aside from the fact that they close early when nobody shows up). I'm thrilled to see this event continue to grow as it's easily the best thing this park has ever done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superbatboy Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Rode Batman front row on Friday afternoon along side a family of three -- none of whom, to the best I could tell, had ever been on any kind of coaster whatsoever before. The shrieks of genuine terror were impressive. This reminds me of a ride on Fury 325 I had. A woman sat next to me who had never ridden a coaster. She was so terrified she screamed bloody murder and ended up grabbing on to my arm and not letting go the entire ride, a complete stranger!! At the end she says "I'm sorry, sue me for harrassment if you want, but that was absolutely terrifying, never again". I've never laughed so much on a ride Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boldikus Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 With the early closure and crap weather all day yesterday I was very happy with my decision to go up solo on Sunday. Couldn't convince any Philly friends to utilize my BAF for $20 pass, so I took the train out to Trenton and caught an Uber from there and got to the park a little after 1pm opening. Beautiful sunny weather with a high of 50 in the afternoon. Walking in alone is always a little weird until you realize you can ride whatever the hell you want! Do I stop at Skyscreamer that no one is riding? A quick drink at Skybar? Maybe Batman...? Nah I'll go with the usual HITP first ride on Nitro. I walk up to a mostly empty station, notice the back three rows are roped off, and I quickly jump in the 5th row and the next train rolls in and sitting in my row... is ConeyIslandChris! Of course he stays on and I go to jump in next to him when a ride op tells us we can move to the back row - even though its still roped off, and stayed roped off. But they let us just post up on that train for as long as we wanted since no one else could wait for that row. Chris managed 13 laps in that first hour or so, I got in 8. Was running sluggish at opening but we came back later and it was nice and warmed up. We decided we needed to pay a visit to our cracked out caped crusader, but needed some grub first. Stopped over at the new Movietown location of Macho Nacho for a quick lunch and beer and was stoked to find they still have summer shandy on tap. Score! I had a taco salad which was also decent. Love having a dining pass now. We popped over to Batman where we were surprised to find two trains running and saddled up for a back seat ride when we were greeted by a fresh protein spill and got to witness the epic cleanup by the dramatic ride op. Honestly I feel bad for those guys - I know it doesn't pay great to be cleaning up other peoples regurgitated chicken fingers and coke freestyle. Took em about 15 minutes but we waited and in that time the station got packed. Sent that train empty and we got the next one. Batman was running unbelievably. Absolutely my favorite coaster in the park during HITP. From here we poked around hitting up a mildly busy Skull and waited 10 minutes for the back row (they still have the 'moan' and death metal turned off - so lame), stopped at Skybar for a spiked hot apple cider (yum) and took a spin on Skyscreamer before it got too cold. After, we headed in to the Boardwalk area in hoped of a ride on Superman but it actually had a line! Not worth a wait, Chris said he wanted to get a ride on Green Lantern to which I replied I'd happily wait until he was done. He bugged me for a bit but I wouldn't budge so he told me I had to ride the Sling Shot instead, which I have a bit of an aversion to, only having ridden the one at Cedar Point after a nice dayload last summer. While he got his ears bashed in (and he did), I walked over to Sling Shot and watched a few launches to psych myself up. When he came out I decided to give it a go. It was better than I expected, and not as bad as CPs Sling Shot. What I don't like about them is when you head back toward the ground face first. Very uncomfortable. Like a pretzel loop gone wrong. But this didnt flip at all so the sensation was more like a Space Shot, just shooting up and coming back down. Not too bad. The sun was starting to set and Chris wanted to be back on the road to NYC by 6pm, and we both wanted to get some more rides in on Nitro and Batman so we headed back over there. A couple laps on Gothams finest first, and then over to Nitro where we snagged the onride photo of our last ride of the season. Shouts to the rideops for not stapling me on most of my Nitro laps. It was really warmed up after dark and was flying, and I was getting all kinds of really nice floater air. It wasn't too cold yet either which was nice (though it did get really cold a bit after this). I have to point out how much a LOVE the pop off the midcourse when sitting in the back row. Its like Nitros own Rolling Thunder hill, one of the best pops of air on the entire coaster. After this we headed towards the front and said our farewells, Chris heading out to the lot, while I headed towards... the waffle cart! There was no way I could end this year without having a La Nutty from Waffle De Lys. I grabbed a Belgian hot cocoa also and found a quiet little high top outside of an empty/closed Liberty Pub so I could watch tree show, enjoy my scrumptious snack, and start looking for an Uber to come pick me up. Well, word to the wise: If you plan on taking an Uber to the park, have a backup plan. I swear the missus jinxed me as I was leaving in the morning when she said "Are you sure you're going to be able to find an Uber out there in the middle of nowhere?" While it was a cinch to find one at the Trenton train station, and I've been able to get them to come to the park in the past, it literally took me almost two hours from that point to finally leave the park. I at one point had an Uber on the way, I'm watching him on the app coming down Monmouth toward the park, and he cancels on me. Arrrrgh! So frustrating. I even installed Lyft and tried them. Nada. If worse came to worse I could have called my sister and bro-in-law who live a half hour away but luckily I know some AWESOME people in the GreatAdv Connoisseurs FB group and one buddy (read: hero, angel, legend) who lives close to the park was kind enough to come get me and drop me off at the train. Saved my night. And he got paid handsomely (he tried to turn it down but I insisted, I would have paid for an Uber anyway). Of course we got lost in downtown Trenton and I missed a train by a few minutes, leaving me to sit in the station for another hour, but I didn't care I was just happy to be out of the sticks and in a major city with actual, operating public transit. So yeah - after deciding to leave around 6:30 after my waffle/hot choc, I finally stepped into my front door at 11pm. Sheesh. It was a great adventure trying to get home but I regret nothing. Still a great day at a great park during a great event. I had a great year at the park. Its gonna be a long 3 months before we can saddle up on The Bull once again, but I'm already eagerly awaiting April 1st. Ole! Final Score: Nitro 11x (Chris did 16 total, with 5 before I got there) Batman 4x Macho Nacho 1x Skull 1x Skybar 1x Skyscreamer 1x Sling Shot 1x Some photos from the day. Sorry I didn't take too many. Where to first? Last lap of our first marathon of the day. The little girl on the right was awesome - she was freaking out about Nitro being her favorite ride ever and that she wanted to stay on it all day. Summer shandy in winter? I'll take it! I bet when you woke up this morning you didn't think you'd see a picture of vomit but you can thank ConeyIslandChris for this disgusting piece of awesomeness. The Mountain calls to us. We never made it on the SkyWay this visit but it had a nice line even before it got dark out. I'm kind of a celebrity around here. Photo by Chris Surprisingly it was rather busy. Spiked Apple Cider with coconut rum. Yum. Look they put up an inflatable bigger than the worlds tallest coaster! Even after it got dark it still didn't get freezing cold. Feel it all around. Heading back for more laps on Batman, and feeling it all around. Let's have a few laps on Night-tro. Last ride of the year - not stapled, and in my favorite seat of the train. A few shots I took as we walked toward the front... Joker was closed all day. After I said goodbye to Chris, into Merry Marketplace I headed... For my last treat of the season Sorry its dark, but yum! Enjoyed the tree show once more while I had my snack... No pics from the Uber debacle. LOL! Thanks for reading! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBrylczyk Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 ^ Sucks you had such a hard time leaving. We drove through Trenton on our way home, left the park around 8:45 and could have given you a ride, haha. You'd have been crammed in the back of a Civic but hey, free ride is a free ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Great report, puke picture makes it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boldikus Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 ^ Hahaha! ^^ No worries. I got myself into that unfortunate predicament. A little stressful as it got later and I was running out of options and juice in my phone, furiously requesting cars through both services only to get "try again" repeatedly. Just when I was at my wits end I decided to go back into the park (was smart enough to get my hand stamped just in case) and find their charging station when I noticed a set of lights hanging off one of the trees had an open end I could plug into (was also smart enough to bring my charger). So thanks to SFGAdv for allowing me to not have to pay you to charge my phone LMAO. While I was doing this I got a message my amigo could come rescue me. Live and learn, it really wasn't a big deal. I'm lucky there are nice people on the planet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaceBoarder Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 ^ Hahaha! ^^ No worries. I got myself into that unfortunate predicament. A little stressful as it got later and I was running out of options and juice in my phone, furiously requesting cars through both services only to get "try again" repeatedly. Just when I was at my wits end I decided to go back into the park (was smart enough to get my hand stamped just in case) and find their charging station when I noticed a set of lights hanging off one of the trees had an open end I could plug into (was also smart enough to bring my charger). So thanks to SFGAdv for allowing me to not have to pay you to charge my phone LMAO. While I was doing this I got a message my amigo could come rescue me. Live and learn, it really wasn't a big deal. I'm lucky there are nice people on the planet. When I was at the park in July, Uber was non-existent around the park. Lyft was much more reliable although many of the rides were coming from the fringe of the "available" area. In the end, it was why I bailed around 7pm instead of staying later. Thankfully I was able to scout this for a few nights ahead of time and figure this. Also, a cab costs an arm, leg, AND 1st born going back to Trenton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coneyislandchris Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Boldikus writes the words really good and stuff. Yeah, with the unfortunate exception of me doing Green Lantern to myself, it was pretty much a dang perfect day. Fantastic way to end the season and couldn't have asked for better company! What IS it about the winter weather that makes Batman run like it'a hopped up on amphetamines? Two years running now, I've had the best rides of the season on BTR in January. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boldikus Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Fantastic way to end the season and couldn't have asked for better company! Agreed, dude and never even said that in the report. So glad we got to meet up and spend a whole afternoon riding, after meeting there for that brief Bull ride on opening day. Funny how we opened and closed this season together - both not planned and kinda random - huh? Good times! Spring will be here before we know it. Thank you SFGAdv for extended our season and in the process helping me not turn into one of the crazy people on this forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Maier Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 1. I'm assuming Nitro was the most ridden coaster at Great Adventure for the 2016 season? 2. I'm assuming GAdv's 2017 season opening day is April 1 (same as SFA)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 1) Probably 2) Yes (though if they open earlier and add bonus days I wouldn't be shocked) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boldikus Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 The park doesn't release official ridership numbers but yes the word from employees is always that Nitro does the highest numbers of the chain. Great Adventure has already confirmed they are reopening on April 1st in the last email of the year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schrecken Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 I am considering going to SF Great Adventure this year and I would like to know what is (roughly) the best time in the spring (before schools are out for the summer) to go with regards to both crowds and weather. I'd rather avoid having to use the fast pass if possible to keep costs down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boldikus Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 You should seriously consider budgeting for a flash pass. I never get them @ Great Adv because I go to the park frequently enough so I've ridden everything and never feel like I have to "get it all in". It helps I live close so I can pick and choose my days strategically in an attempt to avoid potentially busy days. There is no real recipe for when its going to be less busy, which is why you should at least BUDGET for a flash pass. (It is definitely less busy in the spring than it is during say... Fright Fest, but that doesn't mean much because I've been there on spring days when its randomly packed for seemingly no reason at all). You may not need it but if you do and you don't have the money for it you will be miserable. The park can and does get MOBBED. On a really busy day you are easily looking at 60-120+ mins waits for the big dogs. Which means if you are going for a day, you are only going to get 5-6 rides in tops. Just ask coasterbill, happened to him on a random Sunday in June this summer. At the very least budget for a gold pass which is only $60-70 tops depending on expected crowd levels that day. Especially if you are only going to the park once for one day. It makes no sense to me why someone wouldn't want to get the most out of their day at a park with one of the worlds finest coaster lineups. At least if you have the $$ for flash pass but don't need it you will not have a waste of a day. edit: Just noticed you are in Maryland so you are not that far to pull the trigger at the last minute. If you really can't afford a FP I'd *try* to aim for a weekend in spring since summer and fall are almost always terrible. Pick a day where it looks like slight chance of rain and pack a poncho and prepare to maybe ride a bit in rain. Note: I'm not saying a rainy day, just an overcast, cloudy day will usually keep crowds a good bit lower. And the parks rain policy is pretty great with them letting us ride until its a downpour/thunder and lightning so as long as you are OK with possibly riding in the rain thats what I'd do if I were you. Or just go on a beautiful day and get a FP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 I am considering going to SF Great Adventure this year and I would like to know what is (roughly) the best time in the spring (before schools are out for the summer) to go with regards to both crowds and weather. I'd rather avoid having to use the fast pass if possible to keep costs down. If you go during Spring Break (during the week especially) the park will be pretty dead. Flash Pass is almost always helpful for some rides (Like Kingda Ka and Safari) but if you want to go without it then a weekday during Spring Break is a pretty safe bet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schrecken Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 What week is spring break this year? Sorry, I've not been in college for a very long time...also never realized that this park would open for the whole week since spring break is usually sometime March. The park schedule is not yet up on the website. Fast pass isn't so much of a concern money wise for me but I'm going to be taking a friend's daughter (an older teen, not a child) and I don't think their money situation is too great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Sunday April 2nd, 23rd and 30th. I would suggest those days if you arrive prior to opening, even if it is a little cold. Just keep in mind and be prepared that food service will be EXTRA slow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Just keep in mind and be prepared that food service will be EXTRA slow. This is a great point. If I were you I would avoid any restaurant that accepts the dining pass (unless you plan to use one of course) and expect a ton of food locations to be closed. I strongly recommend Panda Express if you want to eat without wasting an hour of your day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 (edited) Just keep in mind and be prepared that food service will be EXTRA slow. This is a great point. If I were you I would avoid any restaurant that accepts the dining pass (unless you plan to use one of course) and expect a ton of food locations to be closed. I strongly recommend Panda Express if you want to eat without wasting an hour of your day. I've never had issues with a bad line at Nathan's with the dining pass as long as I can wait until after 2PM for lunch. But Panda Express is always a safe bet. Edited January 5, 2017 by larrygator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canobie Coaster Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Just noticed you are in Maryland so you are not that far to pull the trigger at the last minute. If you really can't afford a FP I'd *try* to aim for a weekend in spring since summer and fall are almost always terrible. Pick a day where it looks like slight chance of rain and pack a poncho and prepare to maybe ride a bit in rain. Note: I'm not saying a rainy day, just an overcast, cloudy day will usually keep crowds a good bit lower. And the parks rain policy is pretty great with them letting us ride until its a downpour/thunder and lightning so as long as you are OK with possibly riding in the rain thats what I'd do if I were you. Or just go on a beautiful day and get a FP. I was there a few years ago while it was pouring and almost everything was open outside of Kingda Ka. When the rain stopped, Ka reopened, but it quickly closed when it started to sprinkle. On the brightside, every single ride was a walk-on. When I've gone to the park on sunny summer days (weekday or weekend), I've always had to get a flash pass. Great Adventure is just far enough way that I can't go regularly so I want to maximize all my trips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Maier Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 I'm also assuming that the Justice League 4D Dark Ride would open around Memorial Day weekend? And yes, I do plan on going back up to GAdv this season (and I WILL pony up the $$$ for a Platinum Flash pass) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcoaster Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 I'm also assuming that the Justice League 4D Dark Ride would open around Memorial Day weekend? And yes, I do plan on going back up to GAdv this season (and I WILL pony up the $$$ for a Platinum Flash pass) Anything is possible with Great Adventure (Meaning it could open in August). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillrider Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 I really like this park, but what is up with the lack of hotels in the immediate area? We had to drive 20-30 minutes to get to a hotel. You would think that a park of this size would have hotels lined up just outside the gates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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