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Six Flags Safari

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Six Flags Safari - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Six Flags Great Adventure is the world's largest theme park with world-class coasters, Safari Off Road Adventure, three kids' areas and events like Fright Fest and Holiday in the Park. Next door, Hurricane Harbor water park features 25 thrill slides, massive wave pool, lazy river and water play areas. 

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Six Flags Great Adventure Drive Thru Safari Returns!

By: Author Jennifer Auer

Posted on Published: April 3, 2023  - Last updated: August 10, 2023

Growing up the Six Flags Great Adventure Drive Thru Safari was pretty epic. It was something every family wanted to try at least once. We all had our stories of what it was like.

Years later the Six Flags Great Adventure Drive Thru Safari would close and visitors enjoyed it as a perk with their Great Adventure admission ticket.

These last few weeks you may have been wondering what fun things you can do this spring in New Jersey. You may be thinking about what your summer may look like. Perhaps you’ve even reflected on the Six Flags Great Adventure Drive Thru Safari in New Jersey. Did you make it there last year?

Did you want more time to experience it?

Were you worried that maybe the safari would go back to normal and driving through it would no longer be an option?

You can!! Because the Six Flags Great Adventure Drive Thru Safari is back for 2023!

Six Flags Great Adventure has its Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure as open for 2023 on April 1, 2023, and operating daily beginning May 19, 2023 weather permitting. It’s also open daily for spring break from April 5, to April 16, 2023.

Six Flags Great Adventure Drive Thru Safari is OPEN Again!!

Six Flags Great Adventure has reopened its Safari adventure as a drive-through experience. This year there’s, even MORE, to see as the Animal Care Team looks forward to welcoming an array of adorable babies, and new animals.

About the Six Flags Great Adventure Drive Thru Safari

Six Flags Great Adventure’s Safari operated as a self-drive-through experience from 1974 through 2012. Since 2013, Great Adventure has offered guided truck tours of the Safari. Returning to a standalone, drive-through format enables guests to enjoy the Safari’s 1,200 exotic animals from the privacy and safety of their own vehicles while allowing for proper social distancing.

How do I get tickets to the Drive Thru Safari at Great Adventure?

Advance reservations are recommended, but not required at this time for the 2023 season.

Active Members, Season Pass Holders, and single-day ticket holders can make reservations NOW at www.sixflags.com.

How do I make a reservation to visit the safari?

Tickets are required. If you are an active Member or Season Pass holder, you do not require a separate ticket.

For those that need to buy a ticket, visit this Six Flags Great Adventure page on their site . Choose a date from the calendar that is available for your ticket type. Choose the ticket quantity. You will need 1 ticket for each person in the car. Then, enter your payment information and proceed.

When you have completed the registration, you will receive a confirmation. Please print this confirmation sheet if possible. A printed sheet is easier to scan through the car window than a phone screen. We want this experience to be as contact-free as possible.

Ticket sales are for individuals. No group sales are available.

When will it open? When will it be open?

The Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure will open March 19, 2022, and operate daily beginning May 5, 2022 weather permitting.

How much will it cost?

Each guest will need a ticket. The admission price for the Great Adventure drive thru safari is as follows:

• General Admission weekends, holidays, & spring break — $19.99 to $24.99
• General Admission weekdays — starts at $14.99
• Admission is free to Six Flags Members, Six Flags Great Adventure and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor New Jersey Season Pass holders.

How long is the drive thru safari?

It’s a 350 acre safari with a 5 mile roadway. It will takes about 1.5 hours to 2 hours to drive through to see all the animals.

Can I stop to take pictures?

Stopping is not allowed. For the safety of all guests and animals the traffic flow needs to keep moving.

How can I take great photos and videos safely?

If you are driving through buy this dashboard cam with our Amazon affiliate link. With this dashboard camera and a memory card you can record video and take pictures throughout the drive thru safari and dinosaur experience SAFELY. You’ll never miss a moment or an animal as the Rove R2- 4K Dash Cam Built in WiFi GPS Car Dashboard Camera Recorder dashboard camera can catch everything.

This dashboard cam even allows you to livestream safely while recording. Take the grandparents with you on your drive thru adventures without them ever leaving home or show off to all your Instagram followers. You can also rotate the camera and do a little family caroake video.

Bonus… since we fully expect spring and summer and even Christmas drive thru events to continue, you’ll get so much use from your dashboard camera.

What kinds of animals are in the safari?

The Great Adventure safari has 1,200 animals from six continents including elephants, rhinos, tigers, giraffes and lions. They are separated into 10 areas. While most animals roam freely in the safari, predators are kept safely behind fences. All animals are clearly visible from car windows.

Guests can learn all about the animals and their habitats on the park’s website at www.sixflags.com/safari. During your drive through the safari, you can follow along the virtual tour on at www.sixflags.com/greatadventure to learn more about 11 sections of the safari, and the animals that reside in each section.

Safari Adventure Lands

• The Americas – Explore the inhabitants of the Americas featuring Rhea, Fallow Deer, Bison, Roosevelt Elk, Llama and Wild Turkey.
• Afrikka – A mix of exotic and endangered animals indigenous to Africa like Ostrich, African Elephant, White Rhinoceros, Asian Water Buffalo, Marabou Stork and Grant’s Zebra.
• Wild Plains – Wild Plains are home to a large variety of animals including the Common Eland, Ellipsis Waterbuck, Southern Ground Hornbill, Beisa Oryx, Peacock, Dama Gazella, Red Ankole Cattle, Scimitar Horned Oryx, Reticulated Giraffe and much, much, more.
• Serengeti Grassland – Take a trip through the Serengeti Grasslands and encounter Blackbuck, Addax, White Tailed Gnu and Aoudad.
• Kingsland – In the animal kingdom there is one mammal that reigns the title of king, and in Kingsland you will find your pride with plenty of Lions.
• Black Bear Ridge – Bear dens are plentiful in Black Bear Ridge, where you will find plenty of mamma bears and their cubs playing in the grass or relaxing in the water.
• Terra Urus – European Brown Bear cousins to the Grizzly Bears.
• Conservation Area – Travel through an untouched part of the safari left for NJ native species like birds, foxes, turtles and even the great bald eagle.
• Didgeradoo Pass – Drive through the outback where you can come face to face with Red Kangaroo, Emu and Black Swan.
• Tigris Asiana – There are plenty of tigers to be found in Tigris Asian and other animals to meet such as Nilgai, Yak, Bengal Tiger and Siberian Tiger
• Baboon Village – Guests will be able to visit the Baboon Jungle prior to exiting the safari.

What’s new at the Six Flags Great Adventure Drive Thru Safari?

Similar to 2022, there are new animals to see and new enhancements to the Six Flags Safari.

New animals at the Six Flags Great Adventure Drive Thru Safari

Here’s what guests visiting the drive thru safari this spring can expect to see.

Five Stunning Siberian Tiger Cubs  

• Five Siberian tiger cubs turn one-year old in May and will be introduced to an exhibit in a new area of the safari.

Young Animal Additions 

• Adorable European brown bear cubs under specialized care, a rare newborn bongo calf and a sable antelope calf all join the safari in 2023.

In 2022, these were the new Six Flags Safari animals.

Sawyer, the Southern White Rhinoceros  

• Six-year-old (now 7 years old) Sawyer joins three adult female rhinos in the Afrikka section of the safari. Although grey in color, the southern white rhinoceros is the largest living species of the five species of rhino, averaging 4,000 to 6,000 pounds. At 3,800 pounds and growing, Sawyer has a youthful bounce in his step and enjoys human touch like scratches from a bristle brush. With a diet of hay and grain, Sawyer and his fellow rhinos are one the world’s last remaining “mega-herbivores” – a large animal that eats mainly plants. He lives side-by-side with other animals native to Africa such as elephants, ostriches and zebras.

Three Reticulated Giraffe Calves  (now toddlers)

• Three adorable and graceful calves were born in the safari this winter and join the safari’s “tower” (group) of 13 giraffes. Native to Africa, giraffes are the tallest land mammal on Earth. They can stand up to 17 feet tall and weigh from 1,500 to 3,000 pounds. A giraffe’s long neck measures up to seven feet long, and despite its length, contains seven vertebrae just like humans. Due to habitat loss, poaching, and other human-wildlife interferences, giraffes are considered “vulnerable to extinction.”

Two sable antelope calves (now toddlers)

• This striking, horse-like antelope from Africa boasts a tufted tail, mane, and impressive, ringed horns that curve like a scimitar. Typically settling near water, the sable is an herbivore. In the wild, their beautiful horns are a highly prized trophy for hunters. Born in the safari, the pair of sable calves now reside in the Serengeti Grasslands section along with exotic hoof stock like addax, white-tailed gnu (black wildebeest), and aoudad.

Two red lechwe calves (now toddlers)

• Identifiable by their reddish fur, white-ringed eyes, and tall horns reaching up to three feet long, this type of antelope is usually found near aquatic areas in Zambia and Botswana and are considered a “near threatened species” in the wild. The safari’s red lechwe calves, born onsite this winter, reside in the Wilde Plains section with a vast array of African species such as giraffe, greater kudu, ankole cattle, dama gazelle, white-bearded gnu (blue/brindled wildebeest), bongo and more.

Two Asian water buffalo calves 

• Two adorable Asian water buffalo calves join the Afrikka section. While they bear some similarities to their African cousins, the Cape buffalo, these are domesticated animals. In the wild, they are commonly found on farms as beasts of burden. Their milk, which has more fat than that of domestic cattle, is used for making liquid butter in India. In the safari, they are true to their name and are often found submerged in ponds with only their heads visible above water.

Spring brings more baby animals to the Drive Thru Safari (now toddlers)

The Animal Care Team looks forward to welcoming an array of adorable babies including the exciting arrival of giraffe babies and scimitar calves.

Safety improvements at the Six Flags Great Adventure Drive Thru Safari Made in 2022

• Roadway Enhancements – Guests enjoy a smooth experience on an expanded, two-lane roadway with five newly paved miles of blacktop. The wider roadway helps to better accommodate guests who wish to enjoy the tour at their own pace and accommodates school buses for educational programs.

More Highlights for the 2023 Six Flags Great Adventure Drive Thru Safari

• Georgia the Giraffe  celebrates thirty-one years of life, likely one of the oldest giraffes under human care and a grandmother to many giraffes on property.
• Save an Icon Pin Program  returns with proceeds benefitting the Wildlife Conservation Network. This 2023 collectible pin will feature both the Bald Eagle and Blue and Gold Macaw.
• Monthly Safari Overnights  Six Flags Wild Safari will host their popular monthly overnight camping adventures this summer, a unique experience for a lifetime of memories.

Other enhancements to the Six Flags Great Adventure Drive Thru Safari made in 2022

• Enhanced Safari Entrance –  Six Flags’ expansive modernization and beautification efforts included a new roadway entrance and upgraded safari plaza to welcome guests;
• Enhanced Mobile App  – A new mobile app feature allowed guests to add their safari pass to their Google Pay Wallet or Apple Wallet expediting the admission experience and reduce wait time.
• New Audio Tour –  Guests can immerse themselves in the animal world with a new audio tour. Energetic narrators will showcase 11 simulated natural habitats featuring more than 70 different species of animals. Guests will learn fun and educational facts about the animals, hear fascinating animal sounds and music from around the world. At the start of their adventure, guests will receive a handout with QR codes that take them to the audio tour and safari map. The audio tour is free and can be streamed from any mobile device.
• Volta Electric Vehicle Charging Stations  – Compatible with all electric vehicles, units are available in the safari parking lot.
• Safari Off Road Education –  This fun and educational tour on a giant, off-road vehicle features a personal tour guide and driver, and an opportunity to feed giraffes and meet small exotic animals up close.
• Science on Safari  – This contactless safari experience features a special Academic Adventure audio tour, grade-specific guidebook and optional visit with an animal educator.

Is it safe?

The safety of guests, team members, and animals is Six Flags’ top priority. The new safari journey will offer a contact-free experience.

A new list of safety requirements is available on the park’s website at www.sixflags.com/greatadventure and include

• SLOW – 5 mph speed limit.
• Maintain space between your car and others.
• Animals always have the right of way.
• Remain in your vehicle and on paved roadway at all times.
• Windows and sun roofs must remain completely closed.
• Convertible tops must be closed.
• No pets, including service animals, are permitted inside cars.
• Do not feed or touch the animals.
• No smoking or littering.
• No parking or stopping, other than yielding to animals.
• All vehicles will be screened by Six Flags Security prior to entering Wild Safari.
• No items are permitted in pickup truck beds or in vehicles with open storage.
• Cars, SUVs and consumer pickup trucks only permitted – no buses, RVs, box trucks, commercial vehicles, pickup trucks larger than a consumer pickup allowed.
• Plan ahead – no restrooms, food, or gasoline available (only portable toilets at entrance and exit).
• Enter at your own risk.
• Guests who violate the rules will be escorted from the park without a refund and may be prosecuted.

What happens if my car breaks down?

If your car can still move, please drive to the side of the road (but stay on the roadway) and place your flashers on. If you cannot move your car, just place your flashers on. One of our team members will come to assist you. Do not exit the vehicle for any reason.

Are there any differences between the new drive thru safari and the old one?

The safari was renovated in 2013 for the opening of Safari Off Road Adventure, and some of the sections were redefined. That pathway remains in place. Plus guests will be able to visit the Baboon Jungle prior to exiting the safari. Camp Aventura will remain closed.

You no longer have to worry about the baboons. No. In 2003, fencing was added along the roadway to separate the baboons from the cars.

How long will the drive thru safari be available?

To ensure the safety of guests and maximize on social distancing guidelines, the safari will remain a self-drive-thru experience after Six Flags Great Adventure opens for the regular season. They do plan to reopen the Safari Off Road Adventure in the near future. No date has been set.

Will there be restrooms available?

There will be indoor restrooms available at the exit of the safari.

Will there be any souvenirs to buy?

Yes! There will be concession stands for souvenirs or refreshments at the end of the safari tour.

Stay tuned. This is a developing story and we can’t wait to bring you more details.

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Saturday 26th of August 2023

Do I need to purchase a ticket for two years old baby?

Jennifer Auer

Sunday 27th of August 2023

You would need to check with Great Adventure. - Jenn

Friday 12th of May 2023

Do we need a ticket for Wild Safari for 6 months old babies?

Sunday 14th of May 2023

You do not need a ticket for 6 month old babies. - Jenn

Colleen Carman

Thursday 20th of April 2023

I am a social director for seniors, we have a 13 seat bus.. is this allowed ? And do we pay per bus our per passenger

You would need to reach out to Six Flags Great Adventure. You have left your comment with Jersey Family Fun. - Jenn

Darlene Bennett

Thursday 28th of July 2022

I am bringing a 4 year old for the first time. What us the best time for him to have the best experience possible, he is such an animal lover!!! Thank you!

I think at dusk might be best, we've only been a few times. Perhaps give their reservation department a call and see if they have any recommendations. - Jenn

Friday 8th of April 2022

Is the safari open in the rain and do the animals come out in the rain?

We believe the safari is open rain or shine unless weather conditions would make it dangerous to do so. - Jenn

Everything You Need to Know About Six Flags Great Adventures -- One of the Largest Theme Parks in the World

Just an hour from Philadelphia and 90 minutes from New York City, Six Flags Great Adventure in central New Jersey entertains more than 3 million visitors each year. This massive theme park is one of the largest in the world and offers thrill rides, a waterpark, animals safari and character meet-and-greets without necessitating you book flights for the family to head all the way down to Florida.

About the Park

We've visited Six Flags Great Adventure several times with my daughter, who's now 7 years old, and have never run out of activities to enjoy. Like Disneyland and Disney World , this large park consists of many sections that feature rides beyond the typical roller coaster. You'll need a good chunk of a day, or perhaps a whole weekend to explore it all.

From intense roller coasters like Nitro and The Joker to wooden coasters like El Toro to adrenaline-pumping experiences like Kingda-Ka, the tallest and fastest coaster in North America, there's something heart-stopping for every member of the family. Besides the thrill rides, teens can belt out karaoke and kids 3 years old and up will meet Looney Tunes characters and enjoy rides like the Bugs Bunny Carousel. Even the youngest park explorer won't feel left out with rides like Air Jumbo, Buccaneer and the gentle Bugaboo mobiles. My daughter is especially fond of the Enchanted Teacups, a ride that rekindles her memories of the Mad Tea Party at Walt Disney World.

This summer the park also debuted the tallest pendulum ride in the world -- Wonder Woman: Lasso of Truth.

Who Will Enjoy Six Flags Great Adventure?

The park is known for its roller coasters but if that isn't your thing, Six Flags also has gentler rides, arcade games and a waterpark (Hurricane Harbor).

Having visited Six Flags many times in more than 10 years, I have found that children, especially second graders to teens, really love the park. With more than 23 rides that have no minimum height requirement (or none if accompanied by an adult) and plenty of shows in kid zones like Adventure Alley, there's also a lot for young kids to do here.

When to Visit

To get the most of your visit to Six Flags, timing is key. The park opens daily at 10:30am and closes at 9pm during the weekdays and 10pm Friday–Sunday. In general, it's a good idea to arrive at the park at least a half hour early and go midweek rather than weekends, especially in the peak season of summer.

If you're planning to visit Hurricane Harbor, it's best to do so early in the morning or late in the evening.

Special event days and holidays, like July Fourth, as well as seasonal activities like Fright Fest during the Halloween season, will also be extra-busy. The park is open on certain Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in November and December, but it closes for most of the winter from January 2 until late March/early April.

How to Save on Tickets

Families on a budget who want to visit will appreciate the significant savings that come with a membership ($7.10 per person per month for the Gold Plus level, $9.10 for the Platinum level and $12.10 for the Diamond level). If you purchase these memberships during a special sale, you are likely to receive a free upgrade to the next level or get extra discounts. Our family bought tickets on Memorial Day and got our membership bumped from Gold Plus to Platinum. (Not that a membership is a little different than a season pass.)

A Gold Plus pass gives you access to all Six Flags theme parks and outdoor waterparks in North America, billed monthly. It's the best way to see the park on a budget, if you want to visit more than once (for a family of four, billed monthly, the membership option works out to be $340.80 a year, pretax). A season pass comes out to $89.99 per person (or $360) but doesn't offer other some of the membership perks like free parking and park discounts, and expires at the end of the season. Only membership passholders get unlimited soft drinks with a refillable plastic cup (and trust me, these alone are a great value, especially on a hot day). You also get free parking and up to 50% off everything purchased in the park, including T-shirts and souvenirs. Season passholders don't receive these benefits.

Related: Best Credit Cards for Theme Parks

It's worth remembering that if you plan on visiting the park even twice a year (we go several times a year, especially in the offseason to check out rides we haven't been on), you'll save money by opting for a membership or season pass instead of purchasing individual tickets at the gate. Parking fees are $30 per visit, so on just two visits you will pay $60 in these fees alone.

Daily passes can cost $52.99 per ticket, so if you visit the park twice, you've already spent $423.92 for a family of four, not to mention $60 for parking.

Parking Fees: Daily parking at Six Flags is $30 per car if you buy it at the park, and $25 if you purchase it online. Parking fees are waived if you are a park member or season passholder.

Dining Package: A Season Dining Pass costs $39.99 per person and includes lunch and a snack each time you enter the park. You can add this option when you purchase a season pass or a membership. A Deluxe Dining Pass (with a free upgrade to Premium) costs $84.99 per person and gets you lunch, dinner and a snack each time you visit. If you're a family of four and plan to visit many times, the meal savings add up.

Coca-Cola Discounts: Right now, you can save $15 on daily tickets by presenting a Coke can at the ticket booth, or buy your tickets online from this site to save up to $25.

AAA Member Discounts: If you are an AAA member, get up to 30% off tickets purchased online and 33% off the processing fee. Members also get a 10% discount on all gifts, candy and photo products.

Park Highlights

Six Flags Great Adventure is divided into sections:

Main Street

Main Street is what visitors see first. Lots of souvenir shops line the thoroughfare and the middle of the street has a fountain where Looney Tunes characters, like Sylvester, Bugs Bunny and Tweety Bird, tend to hover before the park closes.

Fantasy Forest

Off to one side of Main Street, you'll pass through Fantasy Forest, which features lots of rides for the very little ones, including Houdini's Great Escape, a carousel and the Enchanted Teacups.

Adventure Alley

The retro-themed Adventure Alley features several classic family rides, such as the Big Wheel and SkyScreamer. The former is 150-foot-tall Ferris wheel, recently restored, that park-goers have been riding since Six Flags opened in 1974. SkyScreamer, living up to its name, is a 242-foot-tall tower swinger that spins up to 40 miles per hour. Both rides offer great views of the park.

Adventure Seaport

Sitting at the edge of the park, Adventure Seaport is geared to younger kids, with plenty of pint-sized rides and Looney Tunes characters. It consists of two main areas: Safari Kids and Looney Tunes Seaport. Highlights include Sky Zooma, Air Safari and Bugaboo. Sky Zooma is a spinning hot-air balloon ride that rises about 15 feet in the air, allowing for a bird's-eye view of Safari Kids. Air Safari allows your kids to pretend to be pilots, while Bugaboo is a colorful, spinning bug ride.

Adventure Seaport features two other rides: Nitro and Congo Rapids. Congo Rapids' white-water rafting experience is great for families; the hypercoaster Nitro is for thrill-seekers.

The Boardwalk is a vast plaza flanked by games you can play for a fee, like Strongman Challenge, with lots of stuffed toys as prizes. It is also home to the Superman and Green Lantern roller coasters.

The Golden Kingdom

This section features two main rides: Kingda Ka, with a 418-foot drop, and Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom, which lifts you up 415 feet before a 90-mile-per-hour drop.

Plaza del Carnaval

This Mexican-inspired area features Six Flags' popular wooden roller coaster, El Toro, and Rolling Thunder. It also offers good grab-and-go Mexican food at Macho Nacho.

Frontier Adventures

Frontier Adventures features Western-themed rides, like the Saw Mill Log Flume and Bizarro, a floorless, looping coaster. The Saw Mill Log Flume is especially fun on a hot day. Sometimes you get hit with a few drops of water but you also may get doused, so pack a towel for this ride.

This is also home to the Safari Off Road Adventure (included in the price of admission). This 350-acre preserve contains more than 1,200 animals from six continents. Perfect for all ages, this special part of the park can take an hour or more to explore via off-road trucks driven by park employees.

The Lakefront features scary rides like Skull Mountain and the swinging pirate-ship ride, Buccaneer. Both rides can get crowded, especially on weekends, so head here early.

This Hollywood-themed area features rides with a DC focus, such as the popular indoor coaster, Batman: The Ride, and the Dark Knight coaster.

Hurricane Harbor

Top off a day at Six Flags with a visit to Hurricane Harbor (included with your season pass or membership). This waterpark features thrill rides like Hurricane Mountain and Big Wave Racer (height requirement: 42 inches).

If it's time to dial back the thrills, you can take a dip in the Blue Lagoon wave pool or allow the mellow current of the 2,150-foot lazy river, Taak it Eez Ee Creek, to steer you around the waterpark. Hurricane Harbor is a park highlight during warmer months.

The very young and toddler set can also have fun at Discovery Bay, a shallow-water playground for kids.

Beyond the Rides

Entertainment: Kidz Karaoke is a stage where singers 13 and under can wow the audience. Each night, 45 minutes before the park closes, there's a Block Party at the Main Street fountain with Looney Tunes characters.

Kids will also enjoy the show "Shuffling Into Adventure with Jordan and Sam" at the outdoor Adventure Theater. It's about the quest for an alligator in the heart of the Everglades and is a dose of fun for all ages; plus, it's a respite from running between roller coasters and rides.

If you don't want to commit time and ride The Safari (which takes about an hour), try visiting the Wild Walkway at the Golden Kingdom and see exotic animals, including lions and alligators. Note that animals are available only between 10:30am and 4:30pm.

Dining: Six Flags has typical amusement park fare; the funnel cakes are especially popular. There are several vendors serving Dippin' Dots ice cream, and a few Coca-Cola refill stations (one right near Main Street) where members can refill their plastic cups throughout the day with beverages that include Dasani water and Vitamin Water.

Popular casual dining options include Chop Six (try their orange chicken) and Panda Express. Good grab-and-go Mexican fare, including guacamole, chips and salsa, is available at Macho Nacho in Plaza de Carnaval (where El Toro is located). There are also many pizza and Italian places, like Primo's Pasta, that serve spaghetti, meatballs and other types of pasta.

For healthy eats, visit Go Fresh Express. It offers salads and wraps. Ichiban Tea House, which has lean-protein options, smoothies and fresh juices, is another choice for those watching their carb intake. And there's Yum Yum Café, which serves black bean burgers, falafel sandwiches and even gluten-free options. For grab-and-go dining, head to Kingdom Gyro for gyros and hummus plates.

Don't expect table service here as most dining venues offer counter service and you seat yourself. You can bring your own food to the park (there are benches and public seating areas), but consider the membership options that give you a lunch and snack as well as dinner, depending on which level you buy.

How to Minimize Lines

A visit to Six Flags is rarely crowd-free, especially on weekends. Most of the popular rides like Batman and Kingda-Ka can have wait times over 60 and even 90 minutes (especially if you want to get into the first row). If that sounds too long, buy FLASH Passes that help you skip the lines (a regular season FLASH pass costs $299 per person or $45 per day).

There are a number of FLASH Pass options, and the passes are valid for the most popular rides, including El Toro, Safari, The Dark Knight coaster and others. For a full list of rides on which the pass is valid, visit this site .

Basic FLASH Pass: This costs $45 per person per day and functions as a reservation. This means basic passholders don't have to wait in line and instead use their free time (which is the same as the current wait time) to explore other rides in the park. When it's their time to board the ride, they enter at the special FLASH pass entrance.

Gold FLASH Pass: This pass costs $80, but it shaves up to 50% off the wait time.

Platinum FLASH Pass: This pass, at $120, eliminates up to 90% of the current wait time for rides. If you're planning on riding a popular ride on a jam-packed day, this pass is worth it.

Where to Stay

There aren't too many points hotels in the immediate area of Six Flags Great Adventure, but if you've got Hilton Honors points, you can stay around 15 minutes away at the Hampton Inn & Suites Robbinsville for 30,000 points per night, or the Hilton Garden Inn Hamilton or Homewood Suites by Hilton Hamilton. Both of those go for 40,000 points per night.

The Residence Inn Hamilton is a Category 3 property that goes for 17,500 Marriott points per night. If you have World of Hyatt points, use them at the Hyatt Regency Princeton (8,000 points per night). Staying there will place you about 30 minutes away from the park.

Related: Best Hotel Credit Cards

Seasonal Events

In addition to the rides, Six Flags hosts many seasonal and themed activities throughout the year. These include:

July 4 Fest : From July 3–6 you can stop by for Coca-Cola cold samples, fun games, giveaways and fireworks at the park.

Live Concerts: Some bands like CNCO perform live at the North Star Arena. Check the website for a calendar of event listings.

Fright Fest: This spooky party for Halloween means zombies in the park and ghouls sneaking up on you as you walk the midways, not to mention haunted mazes.

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Bottom Line

When it comes to rides, Six Flags matches the diverse thrills of Disney World but is much more manageable in size and offers lots of options for all ages. Plus, buying up to the FLASH Pass ensures you don't have to wait for a ride. Six Flags Great Adventure is worth the drive for those in and around the Northeast.

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A luxurious safari resort opens this spring in New Jersey

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⛺ A new luxurious resort and spa opens this spring at a NJ theme park

⛺ wake up to safari animals outside your window, ⛺ feed the giraffes, enjoy breakfast and daily park passes.

JACKSON — Move over, Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Lodge! New Jersey wants to give guests a chance to wake up with wild animals outside their luxury hotel window.

Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson will have a grand opening of Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa on June 14.

Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa is part of one of the largest investments in Six Flags Great Adventure Resort in nearly two decades. In celebration of the destination’s 50-year history, Six Flags Great Adventure is also debuting its 15th roller coaster this summer, The Flash: Vertical Velocity, the first coaster of its kind in North America.

Six Flags Great Adventure will open for the 2024 season on March 16.

Reservations are being accepted for the new luxury glamping (glamour camping) experience in the heart of the 350-acre Six Flags Wild Safari, home to over 1,200 animals.

Key Features of the Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa:

1.. Luxurious accommodations: The resort offers 20 glamping suites that vary in size, sleeping two to six guests.

2. Unmatched views and VIP experiences : During their stay, guests can choose their adventure: relaxing with sweeping views from their suite, participating in close-up animal encounters, or exploring the local watering holes of the theme park or Hurricane Harbor water park.

3. Included benefits: With a two-night minimum stay, guests will enjoy a giraffe feeding, daily breakfast, multi-park passes giving access to all three Six Flags Great Adventure Resort parks.

4. VIP dining

5. Spa services: Guests can rejuvenate their senses at the Savannah Sunset Spa, which features holistic treatments with expert therapists to promote relaxation and wellness.

6. Event spaces : Ideal for small gatherings from weddings to corporate retreats, Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa offers a versatile event space with stunning views and top-notch service.

“We are excited to welcome guests this spring to the Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa, where opulence meets the open savannah in the heart of New Jersey,” said Park President Brian Bacica.

Couples Glamping Suite

Fall asleep to the sounds of the open Safari inside a luxurious couples suite furnished with West African décor and top-of-the-line amenities. This suite can accommodate up to two guests, with one king bed, a two-night minimum stay, breakfast included, a 2024 multi-park ticket included with each night of stay per guest, and a daily morning giraffe feed! Cost is roughly $650 per night.

Couples Glamping Suite Safari View

Share unobstructed views of the Wild Safari landscape, while falling asleep to the sounds of the open safari. This suite accommodates up to two guests and features one king bed, a two-night minimum stay, breakfast included, a special welcome amenity, a 2024 multi-park ticket included with each night of stay per guest, and a daily morning giraffe feed. Cost is roughly $850 per night.

Family Glamping Suite with Veranda

This custom suite immerses you in an authentic safari experience while you enjoy the sounds of the open safari from the adjoining veranda. A rate of $1,050 per night is based on four guests. Each additional is $75 per night. The suite accommodates up to six guests. The suite features a king bed, two sets of twin beds, a private veranda, a two-night stay minimum, breakfast included, a 2024 multi-park pass included with each night of stay per guest, and a daily morning giraffe feed.

Family Glamping Suite-Safari View

Spend the night in the heart of the Wild Safari’s West African Plains. The rate of $1,150 per night is based on four guests. Each additional is $75 per night. The suite accommodates up to six guests. It includes a safari view, a king bed, two twin beds, a two-night minimum stay, breakfast included, an accessible room, a special welcome amenity, a 2024 multi-park ticket included with each night of stay per guest, and a daily morning giraffe feed.

For other suite options, visit here .

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When will NJ theme parks open for the 2024 season?

Gallery Credit: Dan Zarrow

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‘Glamping’ safari experience at Six Flags Great Adventure will start at $700 a night

• Updated: Feb. 21, 2024, 8:08 p.m. |
• Published: Feb. 20, 2024, 12:19 p.m.

The resort offers 20 glamping suites that vary in size, sleeping two to six guests, officials said. Each unit has a walk-in shower and HVAC unit. Six Flags Great Adventure

• Brianna Kudisch | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The new “luxury glamping” experience inside the 350-acre safari park at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson will open to guests June 14, officials announced Tuesday.

Rates at the Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa start at $700 per night for a couple’s suite, and rise to at least $1,200 per night for a family glamping suite for four guests, according to the website.

There is a two-night minimum for each stay, officials said. The theme park, based in Ocean County, is now accepting reservations.

“We are excited to welcome guests this spring to the Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa, where opulence meets the open savannah in the heart of New Jersey,” said Six Flags Great Adventure Park President Brian Bacica.

“Our team is planning every detail to create a luxury experience welcoming guests to enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of our resort,” he said. “Whether you seek relaxation, a family adventure, or a romantic getaway, Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa promises to exceed your expectations.”

A rendering of the new Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa at Six Flags Great Adventure. Six Flags Great Adventure

The resort offers 20 glamping suites that vary in size, sleeping two to six guests, officials said. Each unit has a walk-in shower and HVAC unit.

A safari stay includes a giraffe feeding, daily breakfast and multi-park passes to all three Six Flags Great Adventure Resort parks. Other behind-the-scenes encounters and VIP experiences are available for an additional cost.

A safari stay includes a giraffe feeding, daily breakfast and multi-park passes to all three Six Flags Great Adventure Resort parks. Six Flags Great Adventure

There are more than 1,200 animals in the park’s safari area. The animals will not be able to access the suites directly, according to the website.

“Each luxury suite offers a private bathroom and access to outdoor entertainment, fire pits, restaurant & bar, spa services, event meeting space and more,” the website says.

To arrive at the resort, guests will park at a private, covered parking area, which is adjacent to the main Great Adventure parking lot, and leave their luggage in their car. A park attendant will escort the guests and their luggage to the safari resort in a private vehicle after they check in, the website says.

All guests must be at least 5 years old to stay at the resort.

Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, N.J., is opening its Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa in the summer 2024. (Six Flags) Six Flags

The resort is also available to host small events, including weddings and corporate retreats, officials said. More information is available at the resort’s website at www.sixflags.com/savannahsunset .

The new resort is one of the largest investments in the theme park in nearly two decades, officials said. Six Flags is also debuting its 15th roller coaster this summer, called THE FLASH: Vertical Velocity , the first coaster of its kind in North America.

Six Flags will open for the 2024 season on March 16, officials said.

Stories by Brianna Kudisch

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You Can Now Officially Go Glamping at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ

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Ever wanted to go glamping on safari without having to fly to Africa? Check out the new vacation experience that just started taking reservations at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey.

What is 'Glamping'?

Well, according to the Oxford Dictionary, glamping is a noun, a thing you DO, defined as 'a form of camping involving accommodation and facilities more luxurious than those associated with traditional camping'.

Moreover, Oxford brilliantly describes glamping as 'likely to satisfy any city slicker seeking a little refuge in nature—without foregoing any of life's luxuries'. Tru dat, Oxford, tru dat.

Introducing Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa

Yes, and SPA.

Six Flags Great Adventure may have just created one of the coolest looking retreats in all of New Jersey.

Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa offers visitors luxury resort accommodations, including 20 suites (for couples and families), VIP dining, spa services, panoramic views of the 350-acre safari, and more, according to NJBiz.com .

Here's what Six Flags Great Adventure President Brian Bacica has to say about the park's first resort:

“We are excited to welcome guests this spring to the Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa, where opulence meets the open savannah in the heart of New Jersey. Our team is planning every detail to create a luxury experience welcoming guests to enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of our resort. Whether you seek relaxation, a family adventure, or a romantic getaway, Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa promises to exceed your expectations."

Not to mention the resort sits right in the middle of Great Adventure's Wild Safari! I just want to sleep with a tiger, and if I can't sleep with a tiger, I don't want to go, lol.

The Ultimate Girls Trip

I'm just imagining bridesmaids from all over the Garden State frantically corresponding to book bachelorette parties here, lol. It makes for a unique adventure, that's for sure.

Reserving Your 'Great' Adventure

Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa is now booking stays starting June 14, 2024, just as the summer season gets underway in the Garden State but prepare to clear your credit card.

In perusing the Six Flags website , it looks like glamping suites start at $699 a night with a two-night minimum and go up to $1200/night for a Family Glamping Suite that sleeps up to six people.

It looks like there's a fun, communal lodge where you can have a nice a dinner and hang out with other glampers.

And you can obviously visit the amusement park and Hurricane Harbor water park while you're on safari!

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