coasterbill Posted January 6, 2017 Posted January 6, 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. Personally I'd be careful with this park in the rain. If the park is making money and there's a decent crowd then they have the best weather policy of any park in America, but if it's a weekday during Spring Break and it rains they'll close early if nobody shows up. Bolidkus is right, you could get lucky and have an amazing day, but that's a risky game to play with this place.
boldikus Posted January 6, 2017 Posted January 6, 2017 ^ this is true and that's why I stated "not a rainy day" meaning a washout, because then it will likely be dead and yes lately they have been closing early when they are not making money. If its overcast with chance of showers hopefully it won't be too dead but the crowds should be considerably less. And if they are making money they will stay open and they will run all coasters, unless its lightning/thunder (except Ka - doesnt run in any type of rain). Luckily since you are not extremely far away you should be able to wait until a day or two before to make your decision to go or not.
El Toro_Ryan Posted January 6, 2017 Posted January 6, 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)? Nitro was the most ridden ride in the whole Six Flags chain. They got 1.6 million riders. And yes opening day is April 1st.
Schrecken Posted January 6, 2017 Posted January 6, 2017 I actually have experienced this park on a dead day - ironically it was my first visit, on a Saturday in September and the sky was grey and it looked like it would pour at any minute. But despite the threatening sky, it only started to rain around 9pm (and yes I remember KK shutting down because I had hoped for another ride before I left). So a cloudy day in April does sound like a good time to go.
boldikus Posted January 6, 2017 Posted January 6, 2017 the sky was grey and it looked like it would pour at any minute. But despite the threatening sky, it only started to rain around 9pm . This is what we call "The Great Adventure Bubble" and its a real phenomenon.
michaellynn4 Posted January 6, 2017 Posted January 6, 2017 ^ Fact. All hail the Great Adventure Bubble!
JRice92 Posted January 6, 2017 Posted January 6, 2017 I have a mini TR from closing day. I had an awesome time in the park, while rainy & cold I was just happy to get some coaster riding in. I departed Sandusky at 3:47AM and arrived in the Wawa parking lot across from the park around 11:45. We don't have Wawa in Ohio so I always look forward to stopping for food. After eating, headed down the street for the park just as they were unlocking the gates to the parking lot at noon. Fast forward to the park letting us in 10 minutes early I headed straight for Nitro. They opened the line at 1 on the dot and I proceeded to be first train of the day being the only person on the train! I then stayed on for 9 more laps just having to hop out the front row when groups came. Out of my 10 laps that morning I was lucky enough to be only person on the train for 3 of them. When I rolled into the station about to do my 10th lap none other than michaellynn4 was queued up to ride. Hopped off and chatted with him for a minute after our ride, great meeting you by the way! Then I proceeded over to Batman. Batman still feels like it runs full speed in the cold weather, forcefully and quick as usual. 2 of my rides here I was lucky to have the train to myself. After 10 in a row here I was starting to get pretty cold, plus my clothes were soaked at this point from riding in the front rows in the rain. From there I got a lap on Skull Mountain, but without the music playing it isn't quite the same. From there I headed to Panda Express to finally start to warm up. After almost an hour in Panda Express I headed to Skyway for the nice view and on the Bizarro side El Toro_Ryan was operating Skyway! Had a few seconds to chat before I was sent on the return trip! It was great meeting you too! At this point I still haven't ever ridden Great Adventure's Superman, so I headed over to discover it's closed for weather, no biggie but since I didn't want to make the walk over for nothing I took a lap on Green Lantern. It was while in the station there is where I discovered the park was closing at 4. Which was only 17 minutes away. After getting off Green Lantern I booked it over to Nitro for the last ride, they had transferred off to one train and actually got a 3/4 full train. I was lucky enough to be on the last 2 trains of the season to finish my day, and I had an absolute blast! I didn't get to see much of the Christmas lights since it wasn't dark when the park closed, but my sole goal of this trip was to get some rides on some awesome B&M's and that's exactly what I achieved. All in all a wonderful trip and I can't wait to visit Great Adventure again! Scorecard: Skull Mountain x1 Green Lantern x1 Skyway x1 Batman x10 Nitro x12 Just arrived, I was the first car in the parking lot Took this just thinking "I'm about to ride Nitro in January" Superman had ops in the station, but I don't think it cycled at all that day Just setting of off on Skyway Joker side of the park I love this view, Kingda Ka & El Toro are such a beautiful sight together The park was completely dead Still haven't ridden Kingda Ka yet, next visit! Last shot I took before leaving, see you next time Great Adventure!
boldikus Posted January 8, 2017 Posted January 8, 2017 ^ Nice little report/photos. Bummer you didn't get the whole day and get to experience the lights/etc but still looks like you got a sh*tload of riding in. From there I got a lap on Skull Mountain, but without the music playing it isn't quite the same. Destroys the entire vibe!!!
coasterbill Posted January 8, 2017 Posted January 8, 2017 Sorry they closed early on you but I'm glad you got a ton of rides in... let us know if you plan to swing by next season!
michaellynn4 Posted January 9, 2017 Posted January 9, 2017 Great to meet you, too, Josh! Bummer the park ended up closing early on you, but at least you got to get some good marathoning in! From there I got a lap on Skull Mountain, but without the music playing it isn't quite the same. Totally agree. Brother and I rode it the same day, and it just felt incomplete.
El Toro_Ryan Posted January 9, 2017 Posted January 9, 2017 After almost an hour in Panda Express I headed to Skyway for the nice view and on the Bizarro side El Toro_Ryan was operating Skyway! Had a few seconds to chat before I was sent on the return trip! It was great meeting you too! It was great meeting you too man! I remember seeing your Cedar Point beanie when your car rolled into the station and thinking "I definitely know this guy from somewhere." Glad you enjoyed your trip!
I Like Theme Parks. Posted January 9, 2017 Posted January 9, 2017 Great to meet you, too, Josh! Bummer the park ended up closing early on you, but at least you got to get some good marathoning in! From there I got a lap on Skull Mountain, but without the music playing it isn't quite the same. Totally agree. Brother and I rode it the same day, and it just felt incomplete. They also need the lights! And I also saw that there was an exposed emergency or staff exit or something visible, especially during the dark half of the lift hill. Either it wasn't covered before, or I just never noticed it before because of all the crazy stuff going on.
michaellynn4 Posted January 9, 2017 Posted January 9, 2017 ^ Yea, noticed that, too. When it gets to that point, I'd totally be fine with a completely "lights on" ride, just for something different.
viking86 Posted January 10, 2017 Posted January 10, 2017 I have a mini TR from closing day. Wow that is one truly dead park! I have experienced being among the only riders in the front row on Kraken, but being the only one in the whole train must be quite an experience. Thanks for sharing the trip report!
coasterbill Posted January 10, 2017 Posted January 10, 2017 (edited) Hours have been posted through August 11th.... Edited January 10, 2017 by coasterbill
boldikus Posted January 10, 2017 Posted January 10, 2017 That's great cause imma need a ride to Trenton.
Jason Maier Posted January 10, 2017 Posted January 10, 2017 I will be making the trip up from Maryland at some point
larrygator Posted January 10, 2017 Posted January 10, 2017 Opening day/April Fools TPR meetup or GTFO. Cool, I'll be safe going on the 2nd then!
Jcoaster Posted January 11, 2017 Posted January 11, 2017 Opening day/April Fools TPR meetup or GTFO. Cool, I'll be safe going on the 2nd then! my goodness
larrygator Posted January 11, 2017 Posted January 11, 2017 Seriously, I usually prefer going on Sunday over Saturday (that forces me to get my school work done ASAP and not procrastinate), but I'll consider Saturday the 1st.
Lightnin Loops Posted January 13, 2017 Posted January 13, 2017 Hours have been posted through August 11th.... Park really needs to get on the ball and add some 11pm and midnight closings in the summer. That is all
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