great adventure safari radio

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

Six Flags Safari

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Key Information

The Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure is once again a self-drive attraction at an extra charge (although free to Six Flags Members and Six Flags Great Adventure and Hurricane Harbor New Jersey pass holders). Drivers go on safari through the 350acre park with its 1,200 animals from six continents including elephants, rhinos, tigers, giraffes and lions.  The drive takes between 1 and 3 hours depending on the pace of the driver.

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Six Flags Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure: An Interactive Zoo Experience You Won’t Want To Miss

All the animals at Six Flags Wild Safari Drive-Thru

Here’s what to know about the Drive-Thru before you go

Six flags wild safari drive-thru is only part of the park, about author.

Melanie Bodner has always had a love for writing, but now she has a new love…being a mom. Before having her kids, Melanie was no stranger to writing or working with children. She wrote for a local newspaper as a reporter and taught English and Dance in a public school. Now Melanie enjoys spending time with her kids, doing yoga, writing and decorating her home. Check out her Instagram @burlapbythebeach.

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Great Adventure Safari

Location & Hours

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1 Six Flags Blvd

Jackson, NJ 08527

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We have been going to the Safari since they opened. It was originally a drive thru. Years later it was changed that you went through via truck. It was great allowing you to stop and feed the giraffes. But those who were handicapped had a disadvantage. When the pandemic came the drive thru re-opened. We visited the Safari weekly, watching the births of many animals and seeing their growth. Definitely an experience that will be lost once the drive thru closes. During this time I became handicapped and the drive thru ending will limit ones enjoyment and wondering what they plan to do about the handicap. If I new the closing before purchased seasons passes for 2024 I may have made a different decision about renewing. Still the drive thru is a great experience, and well managed.

I had been to the Safari twice prior to my recent visit. I went there in 1993 and went back in 2010. I went this past Wednesday, 10/5/2023 and what a disappointed. Very few animals, we could barely see anything. The giraffes and the bulls were the only animals that we saw crossing the street. Now I understand why this Safari closed in 2012. It should remain closed because it's a waste of time and money. I do not recommend it!

So the rules are drive 5 MPH, keep your windows up and generally don't do anything stupid. I'd say tons of people had their windows down (we saw ppl getting directed to roll them up by staff) and there were more than a few occasions where cars simply stopped to see the animals, causing a bit of a traffic jam. The drive yourself tour took us about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Definitely use the downloadable tour - we played ours through the car sound system and it was great in helping identify animals we saw along the route. Like any zoo type environment, it's very hit or miss what you'll see. The giraffes were no where near the roadway when we drove through at 10AM, however we had friends go the same afternoon...and their car was licked by a curious giraffe. We did get to see the brown bears being fed, very impressive animals, and amazing how they basically sit up and wave for fish to be thrown to them. I think after Covid, it would be worthwhile to go back and ride one of the open buses, as the photo opportunities would be better, but the self driving really lets you go your own pace.

See all photos from Seth W. for Great Adventure Safari

I've been to Great Adventure many times but for various reasons, I've never been able to get in the safari until now. This is the perfect social distancing activity. You used to be able to get on one of those convertible busses and take a tour along with other people. Because of COVID-19, those busses are not in use so you can plan a road trip and go to the safari without getting out of your car. You can buy your tickets online and have them emailed to you. When you get to the entrance, the staff will scan your ticket from your phone, without you even having to roll down your window. There are two lanes for you to drive through the park and see the animals. Animals have the right of way, the speed limit is 5mph and you're not supposed to roll down the windows. There may be a little bit of traffic when everybody is trying to get the perfect picture, but that's ok. There are ostriches, giraffe, lions, tigers, bear baboons, elephants, zebras, rams and more. It's nice to see the animals have much more room to roam than seeing them at a zoo. There are signs that will tell you what animals you are about to see and give you some information on them as well. The whole thing took us about an hour and 1/2 to drive through and see the animals. It was great to see them and there was zero damage to our car. I'd recommend you go with your friends, significant other or family!

See all photos from Brian R. for Great Adventure Safari

My adult children planned to take a trip here a little while back. Today was the day and I decided to tag along with my 13-year old. Booking the visit and purchasing the tickets online is required before you enter the park. It's quick and easy as you can do it on the Six Flags site as late as the day of or hours before you go. I'm not sure how I feel about paying $20 per person though...perhaps a bit pricey I think. Six Flags aka Great Adventure (that's what we called it as kids) was a straight route for us coming from Central-North Jersey. Check-in was painless. You simply show your virtual phone tickets that you've pre-purchased online. The Six Flags associate scans the barcode and you're on your way to enter the Safari park. The Safari Park was easy to enter and maneuver through as their signs were simple and basic. Six Flags staff was spread out within the park and they gave friendly smiles and waves as each car passed through. This was quite impressive considering it was HUMID and nearly 100 degrees out as they were dressed in their short-sleeve button up shirts and matching trousers. We saw many animals and the child in me was super-excited to catch glimpses of the giraffes, zebras and lions - those were my faves. In addition we saw baboons, bears, tigers, bisons, and a large variety of birds and other animals! My son drove through the park at 5 mph (as park rules indicated) definitely slower in other areas where attractions were more popular (like the giraffes, bears and tiger areas) The site indicates it would take 1 and 1/2 - 3 hours to get through...I think it took us about 2 hours. That's because we took our time, munched on snacks and took tons of pics-well at least I did! Make sure to stay inside your car and keep your windows up. The animals can get somewhat bold since they're in their own environment and while I didn't quite see any animals walk up to a car..I did see a few crossing the road and curiously stopping to take a peek at the people. For the most part, they seem to mind their business if you mind yours...but don't test them...again, do not get out of your vehicle. All in all, we had a good time and I would certainly recommend it especially to parents of young children and every child at heart.

See all photos from Carla R. for Great Adventure Safari

This was my first time driving through the Six Flags Great adventure's Safari. We went in the car with six passengers including two young children during covid 19. We had a reservation for 9:45 a.m. and it took about two hours to go through. It was about 5 miles per hour and we saw quite a number of animals. In fact somewhere very close up to the car such as the giraffe and the the ostriches. We all enjoyed it very much. The price is quoted at $20 per passenger and free for children under 2. However it's much more because the weekends are about $24 per person and then there's a processing fee and tax on top of it and everything is done online. You have to make your reservations in advance. They said 24 hours but I would do it a little earlier because time slots are filled up very quickly. There was one Porta-Potty along the way which we had to stop at. The attendance sprayed it for cleanliness after each person. We really did have a nice time.

See all photos from Audrey L. for Great Adventure Safari

The people at the gate of great adventure safari are absolutely horrible will never be going back I already know the theme park is a disaster and completely disgusting but the employees at the safari gate truly ruined the entire experience of our trip there horrible attitudes especially from the oldest one was terrible will never go back six flags is a complete and total disaster and a disgrace to theme parks around the world save your money and never go back unless you want to see trash everywhere the smell of weed and of course rides that break down and catapult people off them this accompanied by horrible employees like the lady at the safari entrance makes this experience the worst of the worst

I absolutely loved the safari, it was the main reason I wanted to visit this park. I'm a member so admission was free!!! They have an amazing variety of animals and a large space for them. I've been on the safari at animal kingdom where they did a guided tour in a large vehicle. This one is cool because you drive in your own car and can broadcast the information about the animals as you're driving through. Some of the animals got so close to the car it was amazing!!!

My son loved it, he was excited to see all the animals, as for me, I was falling asleep & couldn't wait for it to be over. The good part is being in your own car in the air conditioning the entire time. Check in was fast & easy, they scan your preordered ticket with reservation time with your car window closed, and you basically follow the signs after that. There are two lanes, try to stay to your right, there's more to see...you have to go 5 mph and of course let the animals cross. You can't open your car window, so there is zero interaction with the animals, which sucks.... I guess I didn't enjoy it because I have petted tigers, payed down with them, and spent time with them in Thailand, I have played with wild monkey in Costa Rica, also sloths...I have swam with elephants! So sitting in my car and seeing them from afar didn't excite me, but hey I wasn't there for me, I was there for my son, and he had a great day.

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As Six Flags Great Adventure turns 50, readers share their favorite memories

W ho would ever think you could see rhinos running across open plains, a life-sized Bugs Bunny, and the world's largest roller coaster in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey?

A half century ago, Warner LeRoy did. Or at least, the beginning of such a place.

As the son of "The Wizard of Oz" producer Mervyn LeRoy and Doris Warner, daughter of the Warner Brothers Studios executive Harry Warner, you could say making magic was in LeRoy's blood. The world he created, originally called Great Adventure, opened in Jackson on July 1, 1974.

Now known as Six Flags Great Adventure, the park begins its 50th season this weekend. It will be open weekends at first, then daily from March 28 to April 7 for spring break, followed by varying open days in April and May before the summer season begins Thursday, May 23, park spokesperson Staci Wheeler said.

▶ What's new at Six Flags Great Adventure this year? A 'super boomerang coaster' and more

According to Harry Applegate, the theme park's unofficial historian and operator of greatadventurehistory.com , LeRoy believed his creation — which was originally going to be called "Enchanted Forest and Safari Park" — would rival Walt Disney World in Florida.

His plans were scaled back due to production costs, but two of his ideas became iconic locations in the park: The Fort, which houses the Runaway Mine Train roller coaster and one end of the Skyway that traverses the park; and an ice cream parlor and restaurant called Yum Yum Palace.

The theme park now has more than 50 rides, including 14 roller coasters, family rides, a water park and a 350-acre drive-through safari. New additions coming this year to celebrate the golden anniversary include The Flash: Vertical Velocity roller coaster, described as "a super boomerang coaster," and Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa ,

Fifty years of memories at Six Flags

Fifty years in business means half a century's worth of memories for the guests who have passed through the front gates, like John Tracy Jr. of Jackson, who visited as a child then went on to work at Great Adventure.

"It’s April 14, 1984. The park and I are both 10 years old," he wrote. "Rednuht Gnillor (a temporary name for one side of Rolling Thunder) is operating to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the roller coaster, and "The Shirt Tales" (a cartoon series) have taken over Kiddie Kingdom with a whole new look.

"The Rainbow Logo is at the (Route) 537 entrance, and the Lion with his Great Adventure flag is welcoming people to the safari. It’s been almost 40 years and I remember it like it was yesterday."

Tracy reflected fondly on his time as a park employee.

"It’s Oct. 29, 1995, and it’s a beautiful fall Sunday. The park and I are now both 21 years old, and I am in my fourth season as a supervisor. I am proud of our park, and I love my job.

"We are at the very height of the Time Warner era, and the park is in top shape," he added. "This is our closing weekend, and we have already achieved the highest attendance record ever for the park. However, the previous day's attendance has put us (in a) position to break another ceiling. We were originally budgeted for 12,000 (guests), but there’s not a cloud in the sky, and 22,000 will put us through the 4 million attendance ceiling.

"If I close my eyes, I can still hear the radio transmission giving the announcement that we had broken 4 million guests for the season. ... I am proud to have been part of that team."

A day of fun at Great Adventure

Great Adventure was kind of like a day camp for me when I was a preteen in the late '70s/early '80s. I would go several times a week with a friend. One of our parents would drop us off when the park opened in the morning, and another parent would pick us up in the late afternoon. We had enough money for lunch and maybe some games and spent our days completely unsupervised running around the park.

I remember we would usually start at the Log Flume so we could ride a few times before a line formed, and then we’d head over to the Runaway Train and do the same thing. Then we’d head to the Haunted House, then Lightening Loops! I can’t imagine dropping two 10-year olds off at an amusement park today…

I also remember seeing cars with shredded vinyl tops and knowing they must’ve gone to the drive-through safari. You could always tell a car roof that had been shredded by the baboons. I also remember the fire at the Haunted House in 1984 (by then I was a sophomore in high school) and thinking that could’ve been me. We had spent so much time there.

I have so many great memories of Great Adventure. It was great to grow up so close and at a time when kids had so much freedom and our parents felt safe just dropping us off for the day unsupervised, knowing we’d be in the parking lot waiting for them at the end of the day.

— Allison Sacks of Philadelphia , formerly of Lakewood

A Great Adventure together

Editor's note: Childhood sweethearts Brian and Donna Lapcznski of the Forked River section of Lacey spent lots of time together at Six Flags Great Adventure. Life took them apart, but the couple reconnected in 2010 and married in 2016 , and the park holds a special place in their hearts. Hear more in the video at the top of this story.

When our lives reconnected, we came up with few lines that encompass our love for each other:

Decided at birth.

Cemented in youth.

Entwined for life.

(We have) very fond memories of our times spent at Great Adventure.

Whether it was walking, holding hands through the park, or sitting on the grassy areas talking about anything and everything (and kissing) to riding Lightening Loops, the Rotor, and taking the Sky Ride under the warm, starry nights, (these) will always and forever be memories cementing our youth and being forever entwined in life.

— Donna Lapcznski

Can't wait to go back to Six Flags

First of all, I have to say that I'm truly blessed that Six Flags Great Adventure is my home park!

I came to the park every Saturday in July, August, September and October of 2023 on the NJ Transit 308 bus, and I can't wait for the 308 bus to start operating on May 25, this year so I can start going back to the park every Saturday.

I also can't wait to go back and experience the park's 50th anniversary this year. I bought a Six Flags Great Adventure Dream Street Pathway Anniversary brick! I'm so very grateful that I'll always be a part of the 50th anniversary.

Kingda Ka is my all-time favorite ride ever. I can't wait to ride the new 2024 Flash Vertical Velocity roller coaster. I'm a roller coaster enthusiast and I have a strong love for extreme rides, and Six Flags Great Adventure has so many of them.

— Dashawn Bethea, East Orange

Favorite place on earth: Six Flags Great Adventure

My very first Great Adventure memory dates back to being 3 years old in 1994. My mom, pregnant with my sister at the time, took me to the park every single day and from there, I was hooked. All I wanted was Great Adventure, nothing else.

My love for the park grew as I did, and I found myself working there from 2007 to 2014 and recently, seasonally, as a Fright Fest Ghoul for fun.

Although I have drifted away professionally from the theme park world, my goal in life is to eventually run the amazing property we all know as Great Adventure. Happy 50th to my favorite place on earth! 

— Jordan Horowitz, Manalapan

Days with Dad at Six Flags Great Adventure

Like most children, I enjoyed playing amusement park games where there was very little chance of winning, like ring toss and throwing a quarter onto a glass plate.

On two visits to Great Adventure (we never called it Six Flags), my dad humored me and let me play. I remember flinging little plastic rings toward a sea of bottles, hoping with all I had that one would land. That's all I needed to win a prize.

Imagine my delight when I succeeded! My dad let out a whoop and I chose my prize: a very large, very purple stuffed wooly mammoth. And by large, I mean large — this thing barely fit in the car. I remember being so proud, carrying it all the way from the games section of the park to the parking lot.

The second visit, it was the quarter game. The goal was to flip a coin through the air so it landed in a circle on a glass plate. Quarters were pinging everywhere when I let one fly, and again, success!

This time, I chose a very large, very sleek snow leopard. We didn't keep it; I had the mammoth, after all. We gave it to a little girl as we left the park.

I no longer have the stuffed animal, or my dad. But I'll never forget his huge smile and delight when I won those games.

— Sarah Griesemer

Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2003 and has been writing all things food since 2014. Send restaurant tips to [email protected] ,   follow on Instagram  at Jersey Shore Eats   and  subscribe to our Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.

Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA Today Network New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: As Six Flags Great Adventure turns 50, readers share their favorite memories

Amusement Parks | Will baboons still jump on cars when drive-thru…

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Amusement parks | will baboons still jump on cars when drive-thru safari returns to six flags great adventure.

Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey will reopen the Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure on May 29 for passholders and members and May 30 for the general public following an executive order from New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy permitting drive-thru events.

A drive-thru safari returning for a limited time as a creative solution to the coronavirus closure of a Six Flags park will recall 1970s vacations when baboons used to jump on the hood of the family station wagon during road trips through the 350-acre wild animal preserve.

Six Flags parks closed in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

SEE ALSO: First U.S. theme parks set post-COVID-19 reopening dates

The Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure will boast 1,200 animals from six continents including elephants, rhinos and giraffes. The throwback drive-thru safari experience will let visitors once again view African lions, Bengal tigers and grizzly bears from the privacy and safety of their own vehicles during an hour-long journey.

Admission will be by advance reservation only. Reservations will be available online beginning May 27. General admission tickets will range from $13 to $20 with Six Flags passholders and members admitted for free.

SEE ALSO: Six Flags pauses membership payments during coronavirus closure

The Great Adventure drive-thru safari is the perfect if unexpected solution to the COVID-19 pandemic that places a premium on social distancing. Advance reservation tickets purchased online will be scanned through vehicle windows during the contact-free admission process.

The resurrection of the drive-thru zoo offers a nostalgic return to the park’s roots when visitors drove their own vehicles through the safari experience from 1974 to 2012. Since 2013, Great Adventure trucks have taken visitors on guided tours of the safari experience.

SEE ALSO: Which Six Flags parks will reopen first? These 6 are the top contenders

The 11 safari adventure lands will be filled with red kangaroos, black swans and white tailed gnus, but everybody on the drive-thru experience will want to know one thing: Will baboons still jump on my car like the old days?

Sadly, the answer is no. Fencing was added along the roadway in 2003 to separate the baboons from the cars.

The highly-social animals that can live in savanna, grasslands and rain forests will be found in the Baboon Jungle just prior to exiting the safari.

SEE ALSO: Why passholders and members are so important to Six Flags

Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure visitors will be required to remain in their vehicles throughout the 5-mile journey with their windows and sunroofs closed. Touching or feeding the animals is prohibited. Freely-roaming animals that can venture up to vehicles always have the right of way. All predators — kept safely behind fences — will be visible from car windows.

The limited-time flashback experience will end when Six Flags receives clearance from government health officials allowing the reopening of the Great Adventure amusement park. Six Flags drivers and guides aboard park trucks will return to lead the Safari Off Road Adventure once the Jackson, N.J. park fully reopens.

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