Six Flags Great Adventure (SFGAdv) Discussion Thread

[boldikus]

Soooo late last night I was tumbling down a Youtube coaster rabbit hole and came across this video of a review of El Toro (I know we're not supposed to link to certain channels but for the sake of this story please don't ban me lolol - its a good channel I guess, not as amazing as TPR of course. I think I'm somehow contractually obligated to say that or something). Anyways, the only issue is the review is in German and I don't speak German. So I decided to turn on auto-translate. I then I proceeded to howl with laughter for the next ten minutes. Enjoy.

It starts off innocently enough



And then he starts talking about the lockers and I started to lose it.

And then things start to get kind of weird

At this point I was laughing like a f*cking hyena.



Absolutely dead, hope you all got as much enjoyment out of this as I did.
 
 

 

 

[coasterbill]

El Toro (the ride that absolutely bang bams) looks like it's done for the season. The app is showing that now and there's a fence up blocking the entire area.

Time to cancel our reservation. See you next weekend for HITP. lol

[Canobie Coaster]

I'm surprised they wouldn't try running it this weekend considering it will be in the 70s, but at least they let people know.

[JG-77]

Oh wow, I timed my visit yesterday well!

[B&MIntaminGCI]

18 minutes ago, Canobie Coaster said:

I'm surprised they wouldn't try running it this weekend considering it will be in the 70s, but at least they let people know.

Did they really let people know? They ALWAYS ran Toro between Frightfest/HITP and that was the last weekends for it. I was going to go this weekend to pick up my last few rides on it (maybe try for last train of the season) and it's now just randomly closed for the season already with no warning.

[boldikus]

2 minutes ago, B&MIntaminGCI said:

Did they really let people know? They ALWAYS ran Toro between Frightfest/HITP and that was the last weekends for it. I was going to go this weekend to pick up my last few rides on it (maybe try for last train of the season) and it's now just randomly closed for the season already with no warning.

If you do smart things like check the app and the website, yes they did.

[JG-77]

I guess yesterday was the last day it was open. FWIW there were no in-park indications that yesterday would be the last day for Toro.

[boldikus]

I would assume they had an issue with it that wasn't worth fixing just to run it one more weekend.

[bill_s]

The same thing happened 2 years ago, at least for the 2nd Nov. weekend. Had country bands though. 

[coasterbill]

Cyborg (the ride that we all wanted to die) is testing because it’s 2020 and why not?

[Jason Maier]

1. I also know that the Log Flume was down all season (unlike Cyborg; I would have liked to have done Log Flume this year). Bunch of retracking?

2. I completely understand why Kingda Ka can't operate for HITP; but just imagine how nucking futs it would be in this colder weather!

3. That being said, I'm just grateful that they're doing HITP during a pandemic!

[coasterbill]

Maybe? I feel like they must be almost out of flume sections to replace at this point. It’s practically a brand new ride.

And yeah, I get why they don’t run Kingda Ka (a combination of money to run the ride, money to open up that section and the fact that mechanically the ride would be super pissed) but they run it through mid-November and we’ve been on it when it was below freezing. That sh*t makes you feel alive.

[michaellynn4]

Turns out SFMM won't be the only park with a drive-thru lights experience this year!

 

Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru Experience

Experience millions of dazzling lights and holiday cheer from the safety of your own car!

Enjoy the warmth of the holiday season from the safety of your own car! For a limited time, experience Holiday in the Park like never before. There’s no shortage of magic with 12 immersive areas of more than a million dazzling lights seasonal music favorites and even a sighting of Santa and Mrs. Claus! Don’t miss out on one of the largest holiday drive-through events in the Northeast, running Monday through Thursday evenings November 20 through December 17, beginning at 6pm.

Admission tickets are available on a first come, first served basis and are $14.99 per person. Reservations are required. Tickets & reservations will be available beginning Wednesday, November 25 at noon.

Click here for more information.

[AmyUD06]

EDIT:  I was dumb and didn't realize that this is during the week when the regular park is closed.

[coneyislandchris]

Here's the drive-through map that was posted on Facebook:

Looks like this could be a lot of fun!

[Sluggo77]

This seems like a pretty smart move by the park. For very little cost they’ve added several more potential operating days. SF’s has really been thinking outside the box to combat the current issues. Very cool to see!

[coasterbill]

Two things

1) I bet they're praying that someone crashes into Cyborg and totals it

2) Unpopular opinion: Six Flags is running circles around the rest of the industry this year. While their actual enforcement of the covid policies is complete ass, their ability to make creative business decisions and implement their crazy ideas on a dime AND to run their parks closer to "normal" than anyone else is commendable. They're running all of their rides all day, they're selling Flash Passes, they're coming up with creative ways to make people un-pause or never pause meberships, they brought back Wild f*cking Safari, they did Fright Fest haunts, they did Holiday in the Park and now they're doing this here and at Magic Mountain.

They also have contingency plans for everything. If Murphy shuts them down, within hours they'll be able to just switch to this seven days a week.

I'm happy that my home park isn't a Busch park or a Cedar Fair park this year. I'm much happier with Six Flags and it feels wrong saying that. I understand that this is a Bizarro-World 2020 parallel universe but yeah... go Six Flags.

[Canobie Coaster]

I wasn't expecting this, but it's a creative way to make money on the days they'd be closed and it's a contingency plan if they close.  I wonder if we'll see some of their other parks try this too.

[Jason Maier]

2 hours ago, coasterbill said:

Two things

1) I bet they're praying that someone crashes into Cyborg and totals it

2) Unpopular opinion: Six Flags is running circles around the rest of the industry this year. While their actual enforcement of the covid policies is complete ass, their ability to make creative business decisions and implement their crazy ideas on a dime AND to run their parks closer to "normal" than anyone else is commendable. They're running all of their rides all day, they're selling Flash Passes, they're coming up with creative ways to make people un-pause or never pause meberships, they brought back Wild f*cking Safari, they did Fright Fest haunts, they did Holiday in the Park and now they're doing this here and at Magic Mountain.

They also have contingency plans for everything. If Murphy shuts them down, within hours they'll be able to just switch to this seven days a week.

I'm happy that my home park isn't a Busch park or a Cedar Fair park this year. I'm much happier with Six Flags and it feels wrong saying that. I understand that this is a Bizarro-World 2020 parallel universe but yeah... go Six Flags.

1. I busted out laughing at that!

2. Truly a sign hell is freezing over ....

And let me add 

3. Going by what Magic Mountain is doing, the speed limit is 5 mph; which is higher than Lightning Rod on most days!

[michaellynn4]

No, speed limit is 3mph per their website. Still faster than Lightning Rod currently, though. 

[SharkTums]

This is so great for all of the reasons you guys talked about and more.  This really is the best Six Flags park and continues to prove it even in a shitshow year!

[boldikus]

So the park's drive through event opened apparently last night and while the GAdv fanboys are unsurprisingly foaming at the mouth over it -- and I can't say I've been through it myself (nor do I plan to check it out) -- but a bunch of POVs have surfaced already and... it just looks bad. (Go on... you know how to search)

Don't get me wrong, I *LOVE* Great Adventure's Holiday In The Park, but just simply driving through really spotlights how bad their HITP lights have become over the seasons since they've been doing it. Also, most of the path they have the cars driving makes sense (the loop around Main Street, along Santas House, etc), some of it is weird (the end of the boardwalk near Superman is great with the lighting installations, but the drive up to that through all the shut down games feels kind of sorry), some of it is cool (that folks can drive across the "bridge" to Metropolis), and then some parts seem a bit questionable where I have concerns over those with large vehicles.

Like... what?

Also, I never realized the park had so many trash cans. But instead of something cool to line the path with - like... I dunno... lights? They've lined the entire drive with trash cans upon more trash cans. Also, why is Chop Six one of the most well-lit buildings? Why are all the lights out on the path leading up to Sky Screamer from Joker? A huge chunk of the tree near Batman is out. Just... lol

I love that they are doing this to make extra $ and give people work, but at the same time it feels like the biggest waste of time and money when you can just go on Fri/Sat/Sun and see the same sorry lights BUT ALSO ride awesome rides and spend all day and drink beer and stuff.

 

[coneyislandchris]

I get where you're coming from on this Boldy, but at the same time, I gotta disagree with you. My family and I did the drive-thru last night, and we had a wonderful time -- so much so that we actually ended up doing it twice in a row. I'm sure on a POV it doesn't look that impressive but for us, this was our first time back in the park since January 1st. The novelty of driving our own car through it is a big part of what makes it a unique experience. Add to that the streamable soundtrack they provided on the website (which of course includes that straight fire banger, the "Holiday In The Park" theme song), cups of hot chocolate, and numerous photo ops throughout the half-hour long drive-thru.

Are the lights perfect? Are they better than what they are at any other point during the HITP season? No. But there's still some great moments of magic, such as the forest between Batman and Main Street, the peppermint swirls by Houdini, the carousel, the tunnel of lights, and Snowglobe Santa. The performers that we saw on both loops through the park ended up switching up as well so there were different folks to wave and scream at.

Is this worth $14.99 per person? Nah, probably not. But as a free add-on for the season passholders and members, for those with young children, and especially for those of us who have been staying away from the park during the pandemic, it was a nice little treat and way to escape for about an hour. And compared to another drive thru that we did last week over at Sesame Place, it was a way better value for money; that one literally took us straight down the middle of the park from one end to the other and was over in five minutes. (And that wasn't even included on our season passes, either!)

Here's a few photos my wife took on our drive(s) through the park:

Not much of a line at all, even though people had been reporting that most time slots were sold out for passholders/members.

You could go to the left to just get scanned through, or go to the right to pick up some treats and souvenirs. They're saying "prepaid bundles" but I didn't see them anywhere on their website. They were more than happy to sell them to you at the gate however. We ended up getting some of the teddy bear packages for the kids.

This stilt-walker greets you as you pull in through the pavilions and make your first turn towards the Hall of Justice.

The big HITP ornaments are on display in Gotham near the shops...

...while the Batmobile has been replaced with a large traditional Christmas tree and appearances by the "Evergreen Queen". (The kids were sure it was actually Merida from "Brave".)

Leaving Gotham put you into the forest with trees wrapped in multi-colored lights at the front, and...

...after passing by Santa's house...

You ended up in the blue trees with the falling snow lights.

This led directly to the main fountain area with the gigantic HITP tree. It was mostly cycling through colors, no animated shows like you would typically see during normal operations.

This candy cane area is usually one of our favorites during normal operation.

The carousel is gorgeous as always.
Would be nice if they had actually turned the lights on for the Big Wheel, but this is nothing new... I don't think those have been on in at least half a decade.

The "Poinsettia Princess" was missing in action, so an elf was standing in for her tonight.

"Ho ho ho" or "HA HA HA!!"?

The tunnel of lights is short but enchanting to drive through, especially with the moonroof open!

Even Twister gets its turn in the spotlight! Well, kinda, it's still upstaged by the oversized ornament and trees.

No driving through Frosty, but this elf is eager to entertain with a little bit of juggling!

These present light sculptures are beautiful!

Only fitting to have the man himself out in front of Superman IMO.

Even though he's safely enclosed in his snow globe bubble, they gave him a microphone so he could talk with the kids and wish everyone a merry Christmas!

Non-operational this evening, but always photogenic.

[coasterbill]

The fact that all of their lights trip when it rains also doesn't help the POVs from the first night. They should have honestly cancelled it (or... you know... maybe they should fix that). I still wouldn't go but the second night does look better since the Christmas lights were actually on. At least Green Lantern is closed so that's one plus over just going on the weekends.

[Superbatboy]

3 hours ago, coneyislandchris said:

I get where you're coming from on this Boldy, but at the same time, I gotta disagree with you. My family and I did the drive-thru last night, and we had a wonderful time -- so much so that we actually ended up doing it twice in a row. I'm sure on a POV it doesn't look that impressive but for us, this was our first time back in the park since January 1st. The novelty of driving our own car through it is a big part of what makes it a unique experience. Add to that the streamable soundtrack they provided on the website (which of course includes that straight fire banger, the "Holiday In The Park" theme song), cups of hot chocolate, and numerous photo ops throughout the half-hour long drive-thru.

Are the lights perfect? Are they better than what they are at any other point during the HITP season? No. But there's still some great moments of magic, such as the forest between Batman and Main Street, the peppermint swirls by Houdini, the carousel, the tunnel of lights, and Snowglobe Santa. The performers that we saw on both loops through the park ended up switching up as well so there were different folks to wave and scream at.

Is this worth $14.99 per person? Nah, probably not. But as a free add-on for the season passholders and members, for those with young children, and especially for those of us who have been staying away from the park during the pandemic, it was a nice little treat and way to escape for about an hour. And compared to another drive thru that we did last week over at Sesame Place, it was a way better value for money; that one literally took us straight down the middle of the park from one end to the other and was over in five minutes. (And that wasn't even included on our season passes, either!)

Here's a few photos my wife took on our drive(s) through the park:

Not much of a line at all, even though people had been reporting that most time slots were sold out for passholders/members.

You could go to the left to just get scanned through, or go to the right to pick up some treats and souvenirs. They're saying "prepaid bundles" but I didn't see them anywhere on their website. They were more than happy to sell them to you at the gate however. We ended up getting some of the teddy bear packages for the kids.

This stilt-walker greets you as you pull in through the pavilions and make your first turn towards the Hall of Justice.

The big HITP ornaments are on display in Gotham near the shops...

...while the Batmobile has been replaced with a large traditional Christmas tree and appearances by the "Evergreen Queen". (The kids were sure it was actually Merida from "Brave".)

Leaving Gotham put you into the forest with trees wrapped in multi-colored lights at the front, and...

...after passing by Santa's house...

You ended up in the blue trees with the falling snow lights.

This led directly to the main fountain area with the gigantic HITP tree. It was mostly cycling through colors, no animated shows like you would typically see during normal operations.

This candy cane area is usually one of our favorites during normal operation.

The carousel is gorgeous as always.
Would be nice if they had actually turned the lights on for the Big Wheel, but this is nothing new... I don't think those have been on in at least half a decade.

The "Poinsettia Princess" was missing in action, so an elf was standing in for her tonight.

"Ho ho ho" or "HA HA HA!!"?

The tunnel of lights is short but enchanting to drive through, especially with the moonroof open!

Even Twister gets its turn in the spotlight! Well, kinda, it's still upstaged by the oversized ornament and trees.

No driving through Frosty, but this elf is eager to entertain with a little bit of juggling!

These present light sculptures are beautiful!

Only fitting to have the man himself out in front of Superman IMO.

Even though he's safely enclosed in his snow globe bubble, they gave him a microphone so he could talk with the kids and wish everyone a merry Christmas!

Non-operational this evening, but always photogenic.

Great pictures. I need that green Christmas tree for my bedroom