Six Flags using Disney Safari idea

[ArielRae]

My local Six Flags Great Adventure is turning their safari into what Disney's Kilimanjaro Safari is. They are also going to offer a tour that sound similar to animal kingdom wild Africa trek.

TV commercial - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrWIhQ9G940&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Full video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0-cXoQPo4I&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Full article - http://content.sixflags.com/newfor2013/greatadventure/safari-off-road-adventure/

Coming in 2013!
Get ready to go on an exotic off-road adventure

In 2013, New Jersey’s Six Flags Great Adventure entertainment complex will undergo its most dramatic transformation in 13 years as the 160-acre theme park and 350-acre Wild Safari animal park unite as one property to become the world’s largest theme park. The mega-park, will introduce the new, one-of-a-kind, themed attraction — Safari Off Road Adventure. At Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, water-thrill seekers will challenge a massive, new slide complex — Big Wave Racer.

Boasting 1,200 animals from six continents (including lions, tigers, rhinos, and many more), Safari Off Road Adventure will take you on the most intense, up-close animal experience of your life. First you will enter the amazing, fictional world of the Wilds Family, who have traveled the globe to bring the most interesting and exotic creatures to their home in Jackson, New Jersey. Once through the rustic loading station filled with artifacts from the Wilds’ global journeys, you will hop onto a rugged, open-air, Safari vehicle with 34 other explorers to begin your wild adventure.

Skilled, informed drivers will drive you off-road and up close to the animals as they splash through ponds, climb hills, cross bridges and venture over rugged terrain.

“Never before have guests been able to experience a journey so close to that of a true African safari here in the U.S.,” said John Fitzgerald, park president. “By combining the world’s most exotic animals with Six Flags’ signature entertainment, the Safari Off Road Adventure will be the most incredible animal adventure anywhere. Where else can you ride a wave, go on safari, and soar on world-record breaking coasters?”

When the Wild Safari closes its gates for the 2012 season September 30, it will undergo a massive renovation this winter that includes a redesign of various simulated natural habitats and the creation of Camp Aventura.

Camp Aventura will be the main stop along the off-road excursion. Here you will get to see some of the Wild family’s favorite animals up-close, and even hand-feed or pet them. You can also choose to fly through the air high above the animals on a new zip line for an additional fee.

Safari Off Road Adventure is included with general theme park admission and season passes in 2013, and will be accessible via the Frontier Adventures section of the theme park. Through September 30, 2012, guests will be able to drive their own vehicles through the Wild Safari for the very last time in the park’s 38-year history.

“This is a monumental change for the Wild Safari and our guests,” said Dr. Bill Rives, safari director and chief veterinarian. “For nearly 40 years, people have dreamed of more up-close animal experiences with fewer boundaries, and now we can truly deliver a VIP experience to each and every one of our guests — and it’s included in their theme park admission.”

Safari Off Road Adventure is slated for a Memorial Day weekend debut in 2013.

 

[dbecker]

This could be their attempt to keep guest from feeding and abusing the animals not to mention liability from the damage that the animals, especially apes, have done. I think it is actually deep surprising this hasn't been done a long time ago

 

[Jennifer S]

I live about an hour away from Six Flags. I think its an awesome idea.

Wonder how much ticket prices will increase? The Safari was a separate fee and was not cheap. Hope they dont make the base ticket price that much more.

 

[ljcrochet]

The article that I read said that the ticket prices will be the same From Newsday

Six Flags Entertainment Corp. currently charges $63 for a single-day admission, but is selling season passes for 2013 for the same price through Oct. 28. Ticket prices at the main gate will remain at $63 for a single day next year.

But it is newsday so who knows.

 

[ArielRae]

I agree this is the best thing they can do for the animals. Just it seems so similar to Disney's Safari. Guess this is really their only option. Glad they decided to do this instead of getting rid of it all together.

The big thing that gets me is they are calling it a one of a kind themed attraction. Sorry but this is to close to Disney's to be one of a kind. Only difference I notice is that they are letting you touch the animals unlike Disney.

 

[eliza61]

I agree this is the best thing they can do for the animals. Just it seems so similar to Disney's Safari. Guess this is really their only option. Glad they decided to do this instead of getting rid of it all together.

The big thing that gets me is they are calling it a one of a kind themed attraction. Sorry but this is to close to Disney's to be one of a kind. Only difference I notice is that they are letting you touch the animals unlike Disney.

Well if we are going to get technical, Disney basically stole the idea from Africa where they have been having these types of safaris for far longer than Disney.

And you do realize that many of Disneys movies are simple cartoon rip offs of stories that were written hundreds of years ago. I mean were not going to get mad at Disney cause the ripped of the Bros. Grimm for tangled.

IMO any good idea is a good idea.

 

[JimmyV]

To be fair, this is hardly "Disney's idea". Disney may have added the "Big Red and Little Red" theme to punch up the trek through the savannah, but the overall concept of getting on a vehicle and riding through a mock wilderness plain has been around a long time, including parks where you drove your own car. I remember touring Lion Country Safari right after watching Apollo 9 lift off. And The San Diego Zoo has had this type of approach for years. And let's not forget Busch Gardens Tampa. The whole park was built around the concept of the Dark Continent. While it didn't open with a ride like the Rhino Rally ride they have now, there was certainly a huge focus on animals "in the wild". These thrill rides are merely an evolution of an existing idea.

 

[KellyNY]

I live about an hour away from Six Flags. I think its an awesome idea.

Wonder how much ticket prices will increase? The Safari was a separate fee and was not cheap. Hope they dont make the base ticket price that much more.

Right now they have deal for 2013 when Great Adventure and water park combined for $67 or something. If they combine Safari with Great Adventure, then all 3 parks are included. It is actually a great news.

 

[ArielRae]

Well guess everyone is in agreement that this is not a one of a kind attraction since it has been around for a while in different places.

I brought up Disney's safari cause this is a Disney board and I think they were that last ones to do this type of attraction. Have there been any other's created since?

 

[supersuperwendy]

I think this is a great idea...the safari hasn't basically changed at all my entire life... I haven't driven through in years... a ride through would be awesome. I remember my parents would always exit just before the monkeys..they were afraid the monkey's would rip the vinyl top off the car!! lol

 

[nesser1981]

Busch Gardens i think had a safari before Ak.

 

[Gorechick]

Six Flags in NJ had a drive through safari long before AK.

 

[awoogala]

They do seem to be trying to emulate Disney more and more. They also have the lightning pass or whatever(though you have to pay for it, it works on all the rides), and they seem to be trying more character meeting areas.. They also are making much more effort to keep it cleaner. We live in NJ, where a huge number off residents run to Disney every year!
I don't like Six flags though, even with discounts, we go maybe once a year, and I leave everytime- shellshocked and wishing for Disney! I always find it very loud, irritating, filthy, and not as child friendly at all.
Of course, check back in 5 years when my kids are older and might need the extra roller coasters, and I will suppose I will have to deal with it!

 

[awoogala]

Six Flags in NJ had a drive through safari long before AK.

Yes, but now they are changing it from "drive your own car" to a "ride in our safari jeep", which is where I think the op got the idea that they were copying Disney. Seriously, I have been getting the vibe that they are trying very hard to copy more Disney ideas in the last few years.

 

[Jennifer S]

Right now they have deal for 2013 when Great Adventure and water park combined for $67 or something. If they combine Safari with Great Adventure, then all 3 parks are included. It is actually a great news.

yeah it is - i always thought it was a rip off to have to pay extra for the safari- really glads its included now- we will be sure to go next summer

 

[Yoshi]

Right now they have deal for 2013 when Great Adventure and water park combined for $67 or something. If they combine Safari with Great Adventure, then all 3 parks are included. It is actually a great news.

Its an amazing price and if you had a 2012 pass it is $59.99 to get the 2013 pass. I'm looking forward to the safari upgrade since I don't have to deal with driving anymore and it will be a nice way to take a break from riding the coasters all day.