STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Six Flags Great Adventure will kick off the 2021 season when it opens to the public on Saturday.
The park will operate daily for spring break from Saturday to April 11 — featuring cutting-edge thrills like Kingda Ka and Justice League: Battle for Metropolis, family favorites like Bumper Cars and Skyway, and chart-topping coasters like Nitro and El Toro.
Guests will also be able to sneak a peek at one of the most anticipated new coasters, the triple record-breaking Jersey Devil Coaster.
Beginning this summer, riders will straddle the thin, monorail track as they soar through the foreboding woods on the tallest, faster, and longest single-rail coaster in the world, according to Six Flags. Inspired by infamous New Jersey mythology, the coaster will feature five intense elements through three dramatic inversions.
An opening date for the coaster hasn’t yet been announced.
The Jersey Devil Coaster is set to open at Six Flags this year. (Courtesy of Six Flags)Six Flags Great Adventure
What are the park hours?
Six Flags will open on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for its opening weekend. Hours will be extended throughout spring break week from March 29 to April 11 — with weekday hours from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and weekend hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The theme park will then open only on weekends until it begins daily operation starting May 28. Park hours may vary, so be sure to check Six Flag’s park operating schedule for more information.
If there are no operating hours listed for a particular date, the park is closed.
What are the health and safety protocols?
Health and safety is a top priority for Six Flags during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Extensive safety protocols developed last year remain in place for the 2021 season. The plan, which Six Flags developed in consultation with epidemiologists, meets or exceeds federal, state and local guidelines for sanitization, hygiene and social distancing protocols.
Face masks are required, and advance ticket purchases and reservations will manage attendance and stagger arrivals.
Other new technologies include state-of-the-art thermal imaging for temperature checks, mobile food ordering, and advanced security screening technology for touchless bag checks. Six Flags employees are also required to wear a mask and are temperature-checked and health-screened each day. Gloves are worn as appropriate, per guidelines.
During its spring operation, many rides, retail and food locations will be available. Six Flags noted some locations will remain closed until summer operation begins.
Will I need to make a reservation?
To prevent overcrowding, advance tickets and reservations are required for the drive-through experience using Six Flags’ online reservation system, which will incorporate safety procedures for both guests and team members.
The reservation system will be activated to allow members, season pass holders and single-day ticket holders to make reservations at sixflags.com/reserve. Guests will not be able to buy tickets at the gate, and guests without advance reservations will not be allowed to enter.
Guests will submit their online order number, ticket number, or membership/season pass number, select the day and approximate time they want to visit, acknowledge their understanding of the company’s health policy, order pre-paid parking if needed, and watch a brief video describing new social distancing and sanitization procedures.
What about the drive-through safari?
The Six Flags Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure, which opened last week, will begin daily operation Saturday. Guests will be able to see the new rare bongo species, including an adorable calf next month, as well as other adorable babies like four giraffe calves and two Siberian tiger cubs.
The safari takes guests on a self-guided journey through 1,200 exotic animals from six continents. From the safety and privacy of their own vehicle, guests will slowly wind through 11 simulated natural habitats — seeing animals like giraffes, elephants, rhinos, lions, tigers, bears and baboons.
While most animals roam freely in the safari, predators are safely kept behind fences. All animals, Six Flags added, are clearly visible from car windows.
Later this spring, the Six Flags animal care team looks forward to welcoming an array of adorable babies, including: eland, dama gazelle, and ankoli cattle calves in the Wilde Plains; wildebeest calves in the Serengeti Grasslands; kangaroo joeys in Didgeridoo Pass; bison calves in The Americas; zebra foals and Asian water buffalo calf in Afrikka; nilgai calves in Tigris Asiana, and playful baboons in Baboon Village.
The drive is about five miles and takes about one hour to complete.
The safari operated as a self-drive-through experience from 1974 through 2012, before offering guided truck tours beginning in 2013.
When will the waterpark open?
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor will open for the 2021 season on Saturday, May 15. Reservations for the waterpark will launch Tuesday, May 4, at noon.
This tropically-themed oasis will offer cool refreshment for the entire family with more than 20 high-speed thrill slides, a half-mile lazy river, two massive pools and two interactive kids’ areas.
What else is new this year?
In addition to the Jersey Devil coaster, the park will debut three new restaurants this year:
- Jersey Devil BBQ – Across from the entrance to Jersey Devil Coaster, guests can enjoy chicken wings with four different sauce options, brisket and brisket chili, cauliflower bites, charbroiled burgers, pulled pork, and salads.
- Smokehouse – Next to the Carousel, guests can grab food-on-the-go, including smoked turkey legs, bacon-wrapped pork kabobs, and Frito Lay products.
- Boardwalk Po’ Boys – Guests can explore Cajun favorites in the Boardwalk section, such as jambalaya, gumbo, po’ boy sandwiches, fish & chips, shrimp & chips, and beignets.
The park will open four new retail shops:
- MEMBERrabilia – In the Golden Kingdom, Six Flags Members can enjoy exclusive items, and all guests can take advantage of daily deals.
- Apple Shop – This Adventure Alley shop features candy apples, caramel apples and custom apples loaded with toppings.
- Last Drop – On Main Street, guests can explore exciting ride merchandise.
- Head of the Line – Guests can make a statement with fun and fanciful headwear on Main Street.
Can I still get a job at Six Flags?
Six Flags is currently hiring for 4,000 fun and fast-paced positions in more than 10 diverse departments. Due to a recent wage increase, many positions now pay $15 per hour.
Interested candidates can begin the process by completing an application online. All interviews, communication and onboarding paperwork are completed virtually. The park also offers curbside drop-off for document verification.
All trainings are conducted live through interactive, classroom-type, virtual meetings. Candidates can explore opportunities and apply at www.sixflagsjobs.com.
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