Going on a Great Adventure

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Six Flags Great Adventure

Six Flags Great Adventure has a rather unusual park layout, with visitors entering the park at its narrowest point in the centre. Here there is a long midway that runs across the entrance, with the Giant Wheel at one end and a land of milk and honey themed area with a carousel and a tea cups ride at the other.  The main attraction in this area is the Sky Screamer swing ride.

Wonder Woman Lasso of Truth and Cyborg Cyber Spin

To the right of the Ferris wheel is the large Movieland themed area. In addition to the interactive dark ride Justice League: Battle for Metropolis and the two roller coasters The Dark Knight Coaster and Batman The Ride, there is also the large swing ride Wonder Woman Lasso of Truth and the flat ride Cyborg Cyber Spin. Unfortunately, the latter wasn’t on my schedule during my visit, so I didn’t get to ride an Intamin Tourbillon.

Justice League: Battle for Metropolis

Developed by the Sally Corporation, the Justice League: Battle for Metropolis dark ride combines large plastic scenes with 3D screens where you have to fend off all sorts of Lex Luthor’s gadgets before he manages to capture the entire Justice League with the help of the Joker. It’s great fun, as you’d expect from Sally, and a surprisingly well-made dark ride that can be found in many Six Flags theme parks.

The Dark Knight Coaster

The Dark Knight Coaster is proof that Six Flags can do theme rides when they want to. The indoor Wild Mouse offers an amazingly fast ride in total darkness, with the hairpin turns in the upper part of the ride being themed throughout. The wilder part of the ride on the lower levels takes place mainly in the dark. All in all a great attraction!

Batman The Ride

Directly after the great success of the B&M inverted coaster Batman: The Ride at Six Flags Great America, the Dark Knight found his place at Six Flags Great Adventure in 1993.

After climbing the lift hill, passengers can expect a pre-drop before the train finally plunges down the first drop in a steep curve. On the descent, passengers can expect high G-forces before entering the first loop. The second inversion, a zero-G roll, follows in no time at all. Then another loop is taken. The blood pressure in your feet rises instantly as you go through a steep bend and a straight section of the track. It then heads mercilessly towards the bottom, where the first corkscrew awaits us. This element is pure madness if you are travelling at the back of the train, as the acceleration changes abruptly. The second corkscrew follows after a short right-hand bend. After that, a left-hand bend takes you straight into the braking section.

Batman: The Ride is still one of the best inverted coasters out there. The ride offers an intense ride layout with lots of positive G-forces on a relatively small footprint. Apart from the theming, the ride experience does not differ between the different rides, which is a good sign.

Nitro

Since the release of the computer game Roller Coaster Tycoon 2, Nitro has become one of the most famous hyper coasters in the world.

After a turn, the ride immediately begins on the 230-foot lift hill. Once at the top, the ride immediately descends. Interestingly, we change direction on the very first hill. The momentum takes us through another valley and over a classic camelback before we change direction in the best out-and-back style in a horseshoe turn. Another airtime hill is followed by another hill where we turn left. With plenty of speed we then enter a powerful helix that gets tighter and tighter and ends in a block brake. We then ride a series of very nice airtime hills to the final brake.

Nitro is a very cool old school hypercoaster. Although you only get floater airtime during the long ride, the many hills make it a real experience. The highlight of the ride is the intense helix before the block brake. In short, a really great coaster.

Jersey Devil Coaster

Past the Intamin Rapids Ride Congo Rapids, which was unfortunately closed on the day of my visit, we now head to the park’s newest rollercoaster, the Jersey Devil Coaster. The ride on the RMC Raptor Track begins immediately with the ride’s lift hill. After reaching the starting height of 40 metres in no time at all, we plunge straight down a very steep descent. After a quick ascent, it’s straight back down again in a dive loop. With brutal airtime, we then go over a huge camelback and immediately afterwards into a zero-G stall. A steep ascent then leads us into a very tight turn. Now we descend again quite abruptly and immediately enter a zero-G roll. Another ascent then leads us into a block brake. Without much delay, we then enter the next descent, after which another turn awaits us. Still very fast, we now race over a series of airtime bumps before reaching the final brake.

The layout of the Jersey Devil Coaster single rail coaster has a really nice flow. The inversions are all very easy to ride and the airtime is also very nice. I at least really enjoyed the ride, even if it is a bit tame compared to the other Raptor Track Coasters from RMC.

Skull Mountain

Every Roller Coaster Tycoon player will remember the Skull Mountain indoor roller coaster for its façade. The ride itself is a family roller coaster from Intamin, which is located in an unfortunately rather bright hall.

The ride begins rather curiously with a two-section lift and a short panoramic ride through the first level. Once in the main hall, the ride continues upwards for a while before a steep curve takes you straight back down to the hall floor. After an incline, we quickly change direction and make our way round a wide left-hand bend. After a short right-hand bend, we immediately enter a longer Bayernkurve, which leads us further and further downhill over hill and dale. After a right-hand bend, we enter a helix. Finally, after a short climb, we reach the braking section and soon afterwards the station, where our wonderful ride unfortunately comes to an end.

Harley Quinn Crazy Train and The Joker

Directly opposite the popular family coaster Harley Quinn Crazy Train – a Zierer Tivoli coaster that has run several laps in a row in this park – is the S&S free spin coaster The Joker. As always, the ride comfort on this coaster was quite good and there were plenty of rollovers at the end. For this reason, I can only warmly recommend a ride on the free spin coaster The Joker.

Houdini’s Great Escape

While Vekoma Mad Houses are a very common sight in European theme parks, they are not at all well known to an American audience with Houdini’s Great Escape being one of only two installations in the United States. In the story, we take part in a séance to bring Houdini back from the afterlife. In reality, however, we only experience a clever trick in which the benches each swing 30° to the side while the room rotates around us. A great attraction!

Twister and Parachute Training Center: Edwards AFB Jump Tower

Right next to the unfortunately closed HUSS Top Spin Twister is one of the park’s major attractions from the 1970s, which goes by the long name of Parachute Training Centre Edwards AFB Jump Tower. The Intamin Parachute Tower offers a great view over the park and the ride is quite fast. The actual drop, however, is very leisurely.

Superman – Ultimate Flight

Superman Ultimate Flight is located next to the entrance. As it takes a little longer to clear the coaster, it is advisable to get to the ride as soon as the park opens.

The ride on Superman Ultimate Flight begins immediately after a right turn as you enter the coaster’s lift hill. After reaching a height of 106 ft, the ride immediately descends in a right turn. The ride then climbs a hill, which introduces the main element of the ride: the Pretzel Loop. We are now pulled down with all our might and then hurtle through a valley on our backs. Once back up in the air, the ride takes us through three very gentle turns that add to the feeling of flying. A helix is followed by a nice roll. We then reach the braking section and shortly after the station.

The ride on Superman Ultimate Flight is very leisurely for a flying coaster, with the pretzel loop at the beginning being the highlight of the ride. Without it the ride would be a bit boring.

Green Lantern

The Green Lantern stand-up coaster has been located on the site of the Great American Scream Machine since 2011. However, the ride itself is much older and was located at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom from 1997 to 2009, where it was known as Chang.

The ride on the giant stand-up coaster starts right away with the lift hill, which takes us to a height of 47 metres (154 ft). After a bend at a lofty height, the big drop awaits. In classic B&M coaster style, a very large loop awaits us and after a right-hand bend we enter the equally large dive loop. After a sweeping ascent, we pass through a high left-hand bend and immediately afterwards into an Inclined Loop. After a quick change of direction, the route then heads uphill again into a mid-course brake. Without adjusting the speed, we head downhill again. Here we enter the first corkscrew and after a crazy right-left bend, we immediately enter the second corkscrew. Another right-left bend then takes us into the final braking section of the rollercoaster.

Green Lantern is one of the most modern stand-up coasters, so the ride is relatively fast. The ride is very spectacular due to the impressive height and the huge inversions, but not quite as pleasant due to the frequent contact with the bars.

Runaway Mine Train

One of the theme park’s original attractions is the Runaway Mine Train. It is housed in a large fort. There is also a station for the Skyways gondola lift.

The ride on the rollercoaster begins with an unusually high lift hill. Once at the top, however, we first make our way through the treetops. The path first leads us through a long helix and then over several hills. After passing a block brake, we fall to the ground for the first time. Now the trail leads us into a surprisingly intense helix and over a flawless airtime hill. We then whizz over the lake past the fort before taking an incline and reaching the braking section of the rollercoaster shortly afterwards.

The Runaway Mine Train has a surprisingly high layout for an old school mine train. Although the start of the ride is not quite as exciting with the longer helix and the slightly descending and ascending straights, it gets really fast from the steep curve after the brakes. The Airtime hill and the bend at the lake around the fort characterise the overall very good ride.

Medusa

Passing the Saw Mill Log Flume, which was unfortunately still closed on the day of my visit, we now head to the back of the park, where the Medusa roller coaster is located. This rollercoaster is quite something and should definitely not be missed.

It is not to be missed. After climbing the coaster’s lift hill, you immediately descend into the depths. The ride takes you through the valley at high speed and immediately into the large loop of the coaster. A climb to the left turns out to be a dive loop and immediately brings us to the ground. With a lot of momentum we then go through a Zero-G roll and immediately into the Cobra Roll of the coaster. A climb then leads us into a block brake, where we get only a brief moment to catch our breath. A steep bend takes us downhill. We then enter an intense helix just above the ground. After changing direction we enter the Interlocking Corkscrews. A short turn to the left then leads us into the last incline of the ride, after which we enter the braking section of the roller coaster.

What a ride! The Medusa floorless coaster is an absolute fun machine with a breathtaking layout and a total of seven inversions. I always enjoyed getting on this ride, partly due to the very efficient handling of the ride.

Zumanjaro Drop of Doom

Unfortunately, the Zumanjaro Drop of Doom freefall tower, which is attached to the support structure of the KingdaKa rollercoaster, was out of service during my visit. This tower is the largest freefall tower in the world. Interestingly, in the early days of the attraction, the tower was only allowed to be operated when the rollercoaster was not in operation. This led to long queues for both attractions. However, this restriction has now been lifted and both rides can be operated at the same time.

Kingda Ka

Kingda Ka has been the theme park’s main attraction since 2005. The 456 ft high launch roller coaster from the manufacturer Intamin towers over the park and cannot be overlooked, casting a spell over everyone in its immediate vicinity.

Right at the start of the park, I was able to ride several laps in a row without having to queue for long. After all, the ride only takes a few seconds, during which you reach a top speed of 128 mph before climbing the tall Top Hat. We then cross its apex rather leisurely and with tension on the vertical slope directly in front of us. On the way down, we turn round once on our own axis. Finally, we race over a 130 ft high hill where the roller coaster brakes.

Kingda Ka is a damn short roller coaster, but also a damn good one. As the speed increases, you realise what forces are acting on the train before it goes up the top hat. You are really shaken up. The descent and the final rush of speed also provide enough endorphins to leave the ride overjoyed.

El Toro

Five years after Colossos revolutionised wooden roller coaster construction at Heide-Park in Germany, the El Toro roller coaster opened at Six Flags Great Adventure in 2006.

Here, too, the ride begins after a rapid lift hill with a high turning curve before entering the steep drop. We then experience the finest airtime and an unrivalled rush of speed over two consecutive airtime hills. After a lively turn, we ride over another airtime hill and then over a speed bump. At high speed, we are now drawn into a left-hand bend and immediately afterwards onto another airtime hill. This is followed by three quick turns in a row. With momentum, we then ride over a series of rather flat hills. Shortly afterwards, we reach the braking section of the rollercoaster.

El Toro is a really great rollercoaster with a genuinely good layout. Unfortunately, the ride characteristics of this wooden roller coaster are no longer the best compared to the other Prefab wooden roller coasters from the manufacturer Intamin. Despite being retracked during the seasonal break, the ride is quite bumpy. Accordingly, I like Colossos much better than El Toro, and not just because I have ridden Colossos hundreds of times and El Toro only once.

Pictures Six Flags Great Adventure

Conclusion Six Flags Great Adventure

My visit to Six Flags Great Adventure left me with rather mixed feelings. On the one hand, the park has a lot of really good roller coasters to offer, but on the other hand, the park simply has no charm. The existing buildings are all getting on in years, and the park really does have a lot of open spaces and lots of areas covered in concrete. Nevertheless, the park is very popular and was accordingly well attended on the day I visited. In the end, I was able to try out all the attractions except for the water rides, which were unfortunately closed. I think I’ll have to come back sometime in the middle of the season to experience the park in its entirety.

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Six Flags Great Adventure / The Stumbled Runner Day 8

Travelling to Ocean City

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After visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg, I headed to my next destination in New Jersey. Driving all the way through the huge metropolitan areas of Washington and Baltimore would probably result in a lot of traffic, so I decided to take the scenic route through Virginia, Maryland and Delaware via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel instead. It was the only toll road I have ever driven on in America and I did not regret a penny of it as it is a very enjoyable route. It was around midnight when I arrived at my hotel. I was offered a very nice room at the Country Inn & Suites, so I had a good night’s sleep before hitting the road again at 7am.

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The Stumbled Runner Day 6 and 7

A trip to the Old Country of Busch Gardens Williamsburg

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Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Sesame Street Forest of Fun

The main attraction of the large children’s area Sesame Street Forest of Fun is the small family roller coaster Grover’s Alpine Express. The ride, built by Zierer, consists of two helices arranged one behind the other and is a very good starter coaster for all future roller coaster fans.

Italy

Escape from Pompeii

Escape from Pompeii is by far the best designed water ride in an amusement park. After being transported to the excavation site by a chain lift, you first pass through some stunningly designed rooms before it gets really hot with countless fire effects. At the end, the only option is to escape into the cool water. Although soaked to the skin, we left the attraction with a smile on our faces.

Apollo’s Chariot

The ride on Apollo’s Chariot begins with a lift that takes us to a height of 170 feet. Once at the top, we ride over a short ledge before plunging into the abyss. Interestingly, the first drop takes us a good 210ft down. After two classic airtime hills, we turn left and immediately enter a long curve close to the ground that turns into a helix. Once at the top, we plunge down again with all our might and reach a block brake after a rising right turn. Now it’s back over four hills to the station.

Apollo’s Chariot is a very good old school hyper coaster. Built by B&M, the coaster focuses on speed and floater airtime during the ride. As a result, you are not pulled out of your seat as much as on newer coasters of this type. Nevertheless, Apollo’s Chariot is a very good roller coaster that you will want to ride several times in a row.

Tempesto

There is a Premier Rides Sky Rocket II in almost every park in the SeaWorld group, including here at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. The name Tempesto is reminiscent of a type of pasta, but is meant to evoke an Italian stuntman.

The first start on Tempesto largely resembles the initial acceleration of a modern swing ride, but after the change of direction, things are admittedly much more vigorous and we almost reach the apex of the non-inverted loop. We are now accelerated a third time with plenty of momentum, whereupon we effortlessly reach the top level of the ride after a 180° turn. After a short breather, we enter the ride’s widely visible inversion, where we experience a very pronounced hangtime. Shortly afterwards, we dive back into the non-inverted loop. Another reunion with the apex of the element then heralds the finale of the route, after which we come to a standstill right in the station after another ride through it and our wild ride comes to an end.

Roman Rapids

During the rapids ride on Roman Rapids, you have a good view of the Apollo’s Chariot hyper coaster. Unfortunately, the Intamin Rapids Ride was closed during my visit.

Trade Wind and Turkish Delight

While this area of the park is dominated by three large roller coasters, it also features the Music Express Trade Wind and the Turkish Delight tea cups ride. Both flat rides offer a great ride.

Pantheon

The newest roller coaster in the park is the Pantheon multi-launch coaster. Although the ride has been completed for over a year, it was only officially opened shortly before my visit.

The ride on Pantheon begins with a few bends before reaching the first launch area. We then enter the first roll with momentum, which turns into a right-hand bend. After a few hills with negative banking, we reach the second launch area. Here we first accelerate a little, then race over a hill and accelerate slightly once more. However, we don’t manage the subsequent top hat, which is why we now change direction. We go backwards over the hill and up a spike. Going forwards again, we accelerate a third time and manage the top hat without any problems this time. After a very steep descent, the track leads us through a right-hand bend close to the ground and then into an outward banked airtime hill. Another right-hand bend close to the ground then leads us into a stall, where we spend a few seconds overhead before taking the final bends back to the station.

Although Pantheon has the fastest multi-launch sequence of any roller coaster, the linear sequence of elements makes for a rather leisurely ride. However, this may only be the case in the morning when the ride has not yet warmed up. Unfortunately, the coaster was closed in the afternoon due to a train getting stuck in the launch area.

Battering Jam, Flying Machines and DaVInci’s Cradle

On the way to the German themed area, we pass through a beautiful Italian garden with three flat rides. In addition to the Orbiter Flying Machines, you can take a ride on the Battering Jam pirate boat and the DaVinci’s Cradle flying carpet.

Oktoberfest

In the German Oktoberfest themed area of Busch Gardens Williamsburg there are numerous rides with “interesting” names, including the rollercoaster Verbolten (a mixture of german term verboten and bolt), the freefall tower Mäch Tower (an allusion to the word Mach, but with an ä) or the bumper cars Der Autobahn.

Mäch Tower

When Busch Gardens unveiled the Mäch Tower, everyone wondered why, after the insane success of Falcon’s Fury at Busch Gardens Tampa, a freefall tower from Moser Rides was coming to the park. At least on paper, the tower offered some features that the others did not. In the end, however, park visitors remember the uncomfortable seats more than the ride itself. That’s assuming the ride doesn’t break down as soon as you get on, which is why I can’t say anything about the ride in the Mäch Tower.

Verbolten

Where once the big bad wolf had his home, Verbolten now invites you to take a scenic drive through the Black Forest. The queue is peppered with poorly translated posters, billboards and other souvenirs advertising the Baden region.

The ride over Verbolten begins with two leisurely bends before we really step on the gas. We now descend a steep turn in complete darkness. Passing numerous black light effects, we turn into a tight helix. After a block brake we descend again in a steep turn. Finally, after a climb, we reach the drop track of the ride. As soon as we’re in position, we drop a few metres. Completely surprised, we ride straight into the second launch track. Our speed is just enough to get us to an old dilapidated bridge. This is followed by the biggest drop of the trip. With momentum we take a left turn close to the ground. After changing direction, the track climbs again. A short hill then leads us into the final bend and immediately into the brakes.

Unfortunately the ride at Verbolten is a bit bumpy before the first launch, but after that it is generally very smooth. The indoor part of the ride is surprisingly long and intense and the drop is very surprising. After the second launch not much happens. The ride’s biggest drop comes after the bridge sequence, but after two more turns it’s over. All in all a great ride.

Germany

Alpengeist

Somewhat hidden in the German themed area is the entrance to the Alpengeist rollercoaster. This B&M Inverted Coaster is designed like a ski lift and offers a ride like on a black slope.

After the lift, the ride descends steeply in a right turn. This is followed by a massive Immelmann, which leads into an equally massive loop. Eventually we enter a cobra roll where we change direction. After a winding climb we reach a block brake. At full speed we plunge towards the ground. Now we go through a zero-G roll and immediately into a corkscrew. Hovering just above the ground, a helix follows and then the final left turn into the coaster’s braking section.

Alpengeist is an inverted coaster in a class of its own. The ride is high, fast and incredibly powerful. The layout is also ingenious. Unfortunately, the ride is probably a bit too challenging for most people, so we never had to wait here.

Scotland

Loch Ness Monster

The Loch Ness Monster is the most famous roller coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, mainly due to the two interlocking loops in the valley between the hills on either side of the river.

The ride on the classic Arrow Looping Coaster first takes you through a couple of turns before you reach the first lift. Once at the top, after a right turn, you enter the biggest drop of the ride, which takes you right across the valley. Following a turn, we begin the descent into the first loop. After a short climb and a right-hand bend we reach a block brake. We then enter an man-made rock formation where a very long helix awaits us in total darkness. At a good speed we enter the second lift.  After a right turn we enter the second loop. Finally, after a climb, we reach the final braking section of the coaster.

The Loch Ness Monster is a beautiful classic looping coaster with great drops, very intense loops and a great helix. Interestingly, the ride is much better at the back of the train than at the front, so at the moment I can only recommend a ride at the back of the train.

Ireland

The small Irish themed area is not only home to a very authentic pub, but also the large S&S swing Finnegan’s Flyer and the Celtic Fyre show.

While Finnegan’s Flyer sends its passengers into an adrenaline rush, Celtic Fyre delights with great Irish dance numbers. The show, which I like to call “Beer – the Musical”, is simply perfect. The music is great, the singers are really good and the tap dance numbers are a real eye-catcher. Definitely watch it!

New France

Invadr

Invadr is the amusement park’s small wooden roller coaster. The ride on the GCI rollercoaster begins with a right-hand bend that takes us directly into the rollercoaster lift. Once at the top, we go through a left-hand bend in which we are pressed firmly into the sides of the carriages. A short hill then leads into the ride’s big drop. After a right-hand bend, we ride over two consecutive airtime hills. The rest of the ride then mixes more and more airtime hills between the many bends before we enter the ride’s finale in a steep bend. Shortly afterwards, we reach the braking section and our short but enjoyable ride comes to an end.

Le Scoot

During the fast-paced ride on the Le Scoot log flume, you have a good view of the Alpengeist inverted coaster. Unfortunately, the Arrow log flume was closed when I visited.

France

Griffon

Perhaps the most iconic roller coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is Griffon. This B&M Dive Coaster dominates the skyline of the park. Apart from the two vertical drops and the Immelmann inversions, the ride doesn’t really offer anything special. Nevertheless, the 205-foot high ride is an absolute fun machine. The drops are great and the two inversions in the extremely wide cars are just great fun. A great ride that I love to do over and over again.

Pictures Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Conclusion Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a really nice theme park with lots of really good rides and a really strong rollercoaster line-up. The entertainment at the park is also really good, especially the Celtic Fyre show. All in all, I had a really good time at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

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Busch Gardens Williamsburg / The Stumbled Runner Day 6 and 7