Six Flags Great Adventure, NJ...been there?

[pennymom]

We are thinking about taking the kids for a day at Great Adventure, and I haven't been there for many years, probably at least 15. I used to love the coasters, but never paid much attention to the kids'/family rides.

Is it worth visiting with a 6-year-old and 8-year-old? Enough to do that isn't either rides for really little kids or really fast or upside down?

Is the safari still worthwhile? We had a hysterical trip in high school when the baboons peeled the chrome trim from my friend's car and sat on the hood to chew it . Is it worth the $10 per person in addition to park admission?

Is there only counter service in the park, or do they also have sit down restaurants?

It has been so long since I've been there, I really appreciate any info at all! Thanks!

 

[Desnik]

You do not want to go to the great adventure in NJ. If you are looking for a great family park that is clean, and nice with tons of things for the whole family, go to Hershey Park.

 

[Nennie]

You do not want to go to the great adventure in NJ. If you are looking for a great family park that is clean, and nice with tons of things for the whole family, go to Hershey Park.

I agree!!! GA has gotten so trashy the past few years! Shirtless thugs walking around, cutting lines, dropping the F-bomb every 30 seconds. Not to mention the park is filthy! Gum stuck to everything!

Go to Hershey!!!!!!!!!!

 

[akhenaten]

Went to GA just before the end of the school year and it was VERY clean and the crowd was normal...no thugs.

I know we stopped going years ago .but I was really pleasantly surprised !!

DD 8 enjoyed the huge climbing area.... the GA version of dumbo..... the three smaller coasters..... the log flume and the kiddie rides in the wiggles area.. the huge ferris wheel....

 

[pennymom]

Thanks for the opinions, everyone We went to Hershey last summer and loved it, but are looking for something new this year. The kids have outgrown Storybook Land, and GA is only about an hour away. I think we'll give it a try and take our chances.

 

[mom2boys77]

We live about 30 minutes from Great Adventure and I say stay away!!!! It's dirty, disgusting and full of foul mouthed people. I vote for Dutch Wonderland. It's near Hershey Park and your kids are at a great age for it.

 

[akhenaten]

Thanks for the opinions, everyone We went to Hershey last summer and loved it, but are looking for something new this year. The kids have outgrown Storybook Land, and GA is only about an hour away. I think we'll give it a try and take our chances.

Don't forget to find the discounts... they still do the coke.sprite cans... or there is a discount i you buy the tix online before you go to name a couple...
I don't know which is the best deal... just don't pay full price at the gate!!

 

[Jennasis]

GA has some great coasters. Haven't been in about 8 years (since moving to NC), but we always had fun there. We did the safari too, and the baboon antics were hilarious. One of them reached into where the wipers are and started pulling out wires and chewing on them.

 

[akhenaten]

GA has some great coasters. Haven't been in about 8 years (since moving to NC), but we always had fun there. We did the safari too, and the baboon antics were hilarious. One of them reached into where the wipers are and started pulling out wires and chewing on them.

We did that a few years ago and DH was not happy with me!! Those little buggers were sitting on the side view mirrors of cars and intentionally pulling the mirror out .... there were smashed mirrors all over the ground!!

I thought they damaged the cars by accident... but they were really doing it on purpose!!!

 

[lsyorke]

Great Adventure was bought by new owners about 4 years ago. It's a completely different park from when I was a kid. They are on top of the rowdy kids, and have a "code of conduct" that they enforce. Foul language will get you kicked out of the park, smoking in an area not designated will get you kicked out. The new kiddy areas are great, clean and the kids will love it.

GA got a bad rep a while back and has been fighting to regain a good reputation in a big way. Unless someone has been there recently, that old reputation still sticks in the mind. I take the grandkids and they love it.

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

GA is fine I feel, but geared to coaster fans. Although there is plenty for younger kids. And at 8 there a couple of coaster he might like. Only the 2 are in dark. My kids loved the area with the ball guns.

 

[funhouse8]

We go to GA every year and it has been very nice the past couple of years. We go for the coasters so I can't tell you about the younger rides. I wanted to tell you that you can't go though the baboons during the safari any more. They send you to a bypass. We asked the guide at the gate what happened and he said human problems. Not sure what that meant but I'm thinking someone wound up with a baboon in their car. LOL

 

[pennymom]

I wanted to tell you that you can't go though the baboons during the safari any more. They send you to a bypass. We asked the guide at the gate what happened and he said human problems. Not sure what that meant but I'm thinking someone wound up with a baboon in their car. LOL

^
DH will be VERY relieved! He didn't want to go to to the safari because of the baboons!

Thanks, Everyone!

 

[mjkacmom]

We did that a few years ago and DH was not happy with me!! Those little buggers were sitting on the side view mirrors of cars and intentionally pulling the mirror out .... there were smashed mirrors all over the ground!!

I thought they damaged the cars by accident... but they were really doing it on purpose!!!

We did the safari 3 years ago, and the baboons were in a separate caged area, unlike when we were kids, and they would tear up the car. The safari is GREAT - the animals come up to the car (very friendly giraffes). We didn't do the park, but I have friends in the area - weekdays, and the fall, are much better.

 

[Bearvet]

DH is taking DS17, DS15 and one of their friends to GA on Tuesday. They go for the coasters - I plan to stay home since I don't ride them! Kingda Ka is their fav.

The boys have season passes to Six Flags New England so get in for free at any Six Flags. They also have a coupon to bring a guest for half of the admission price.

They did this a few years ago and season pass holders could get in 1 hour before regular opening time - does anyone know if they still offer this? I can't find any current info on it. This sure helps with riding the big coasters with minimal waiting!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Ugh. Great Adventure is not worth your time or money. It's dirty and unentertaining.

 

[PMDR59]

As you can see there are opinions from one end of the spectrum to the other.
We go to GA 1-2 times a year. It has really cleaned up in the last few years. I used to hear the same horrible things about Dorney Park in Pa and we went there this year and I LOVED it. Of course a weekday trip is going to be more enjoyable than a Sat or Sun. I am planning a stop at Kings Dominion in Va on our drive down to Fl in a few weeks.....and just as the same as GA the response I got when I asked for opinions went from "stay away" to "we love KD". My DS9 is a Coaster Enthusiast just like his Dad. He FINALLY met the height requirements for the Big Coasters... Dad is finally happy he has someone to ride with. Give it a shot. You might like it.

(PS Storybook Land was our FAVORITE when our boys were small)

 

[krcit]

I had heard that GA was bad news but I have a few friends who went this summer and said it was great. I may take the kids in the fall.