Conference moira::parenting

    Barbara,
    
    I just called them last week, and they sent a bunch of info, including
    special prices/packages for local hotels, and discount tickets for the
    park.  I can get the phone number if you want to call ....
    
    -Patty

    
    
    
    My family and I went to Six Flags last July and had a great time. 
    I enjoyed the safari more than the park. As you probably know, you drive 
    through the zoo and cannot get out of your vehicle. It took us about 45
    minutes to an hour to drive through so I really don't think you need a 
    full day to do the safari/zoo. We did the safari before entering
    Six Flags. Just a warning, beware of the baboons, they love to climb
    on your vehicle and stay! 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    My husband and I went vacationing at 6 flags in NJ a few years ago. 
    It's really a wonderful amusement park, but we're into more of the
    extreme rides (rollercoasters are GREAT!).  
    
    We did go into the Safari and as .2 said, it won't take a whole day. 
    It only took us around an hour to go through.  It's really a great
    safari!  My husband and I liked it so much, we went through twice.
    
    As for local hotels, we stayed at the Marriot.  It's only about 15-20
    minutes away and a very nice hotel.  
    
    The park itself is very clean, and the personnel are very nice people. 
    They have a great area for kiddy rides.  
    
    Holly
    

    .1
    
    Have you found that phone number for the info?  If so, could you post
    it or send it to me via vaxmail if you prefer...AKOFIN::COREY
    
    Thanks..
    Angela

    
    and the Batman ride is worth the wait in line!  although 5 years
    old i think is a little young for the ride.
    
    i've never been through the safari but each time that we're in the
    area we try to spend a day in the park.  love rollercoasters!
    
    jo

    
    
     Does anyone have the phone number yet?  My whole family is thinking
    about going this summer....
    
    Thanks, Debbie

    FWIW....
    
    A friend of mine told me that if you stay at the Best Western, one exit
    up from the park they have 1/2 off prices for Six Flagg and the Safari.
    
    Roberta
    

    
    Thanks for all the responses. The brochure I have gives the number,
    908-928-1821. 
    
    Does anyone know how long a ride it is from the Maynard area? I've
    heard between 5-6 hours. We'd probably drive straight thru with just
    a stop for breakfast. 
    
    It's kind of funny, I've only been back to work for 3 weeks and I
    already can't wait for vacation. The weather has been beautiful here
    the last couple of days and my son keeps telling me, "Why do you have
    to work when it's a nice day?" Hopefully we'll get some of this weather
    for vacation.
    
                       Barbara
    

Does anyone know what town in NJ is Six Flags located at?  And do you think it
is suitable for a 2yr old?  Would they have any rides for kids that young?

--CR.

I think I saw something about discount tickets in the AAA news letter.

It might be worth looking into if you are a member.

    
    The park is in Jackson,NJ. They have a Bugs Bunny Land with rides
    for children 54" and under. The rest of the park seems more geared
    for older children and adults. Our 5 year old is probably to young
    to go on most of the big rides but he really wants to see the Batman
    stunt show so we think it will be worth it.
    
    With the brochure we received we also got some discount tickets, 
    $5 - $11 off depending when you go. 
    
    When Kevin was younger we found the smaller amusement parks were just
    fine and a better deal. We like Canobie Lake in NH and Old Orchard
    Beach in Maine. OOB was fun because Mom could lay on the beach and Dad
    and Kev would spend hours at the arcades. I can't wait for summer!
    
                    Barbara
    

    Is Jackson, N.J., closer to New York City or to Philadelphia?  We've
    already made our vacation plans for this summer, but next year, it
    might be fun.  
    
    Thanx,
    Kate

  FYI - there is a roller coaster conference that contains info on
Six Flags Great Adventure.

   NOTED::COASTERS topic 47

    re .8,
    We just returned from Freehold NJ, which isn't too far from
    Six Flags, and that was a 6 hour ride (we go Mass Pike to 87 to 
    287 to 684 to 84 to the NJ Pike, but I'm sure others have their
    preferred ways).  There are a couple of rest stops on 87 (I swear
    that road goes on forever!) with no eating facilities, and then
    there's one rest stop on 684, and then nothing 'til the Pike where
    they have all the Big Boys, etc.  We go over the George Washington
    Bridge, but I know a lot of people prefer the Garden State Parkway
    over the Tappanzee.

Discount offers for Great Adventure are practically impossible to avoid once you
get into the NYC/New Jersey Area.  :-)  If you don't have any AAA coupons, once
you get into the area, grab a can or two of Coke from a vending machine.  Odds
are you'll find a "coupon" on the can.  Other places to look are in the local
(NJ) papers.

It's a fun place to go.  My two kids (5 and 2) love Bugs Bunny Land.  And like
WDW, they usually have the Looney Tunes characters strolling through the park.

The Batman ride is terrific (haven't seen the stunt show, however).  And a new
coaster, "Viper", which promises to be better should open in June.

Somebody earlier mentioned the baboons in the safari.....you need to especially
be wary of them if you have a vinyl top.  If it has any tears in it, then you
really need to worry!  They do provide a way to avoid this section.  Also, if
you go mid-summer, you are better hitting the safari early before it gets too
hot and the animals retreat into the shade.

Dave

    I am from NJ and we use to go to Great Adventure a lot.  I liked it so
    much, I made my husband take me there for a vacation.  I didn't have
    young children at the time, so I can't comment on the Kiddie rides, but
    the safari is great, and I've always compared the size of the park to
    that of Walt Disney World.  One thing not mentioned that used to be
    there were water shows such as diving, dolphins, whales, etc..
    It should take about 5 hours to get there.  The directions I've used to
    get to Jersey are as follows:
    
    From NH always travel South or West.
    
    Take Rte 3 to Rte 495 to Rte 290 to Rte 90 (Mass Turnpike) to Rte 84,
    to Rte 684 to Rte 287 to Tapanzee Brideg to Garden State Parkway.
    
    I don't have exact directions from Parkway into Jackson, but that is
    the route I've always taken.  Be warned that while traveling Rte 84
    through Connecticutt there are many speed traps and unmarked cars which
    patrol that long stretch of your trip.  I am sure you will enjoy your
    visit.
    
    Sue
    

    
    I got a coupon in the mail yesterday for Six Flaggs - if anyone wants
    it let know and I'll mail it.  I think it was for $10 off each ticket -
    how much does it cost to get in that place?
    
    Kirsten Cogan
    

    
    lsat time i went which is a couple of years ago, i think,
    the admission was $27 for an adult.  but we always try to get 
    coupons for some type of discount.  sometimes we're able to get 
    buy-1-get-1-free coupons.
    
    jo

When traveling to NJ, (which we do a lot) we prefer to take the 84->91->95->287
route rather than 84->684->287 because there are a lot more places to stop.

I used to go to Great Adventure as a kid (teenager) and it is a great place.
I haven't been there since they built the kiddie area.  One thing you should
be forewarned about is the lines.  They tend to be long.

Lori

    In the literature they sent me, there's several package deals, mostly
    in combination w/ local hotels.
    
    Days Inn - 800-758-4731 or
    		800-487-0736
    
    Ramada Inn - 609-448-7000
    
    Freehold Gardens - 908-780-3870
    
    6 Flags locations are;
    
    Arlington TX
    Atlanta GA
    St. Louis MO
    Houston TX
    Valencia CA
    Gumee IL
    
    The phone number they list to call is (908)928-1821.
    
    The Viper says it will be open in June ... might want to check WHEN in
    June if you're going for it!
    
    The discount coupon for the parks itself, that I have, depends on when
    you use it, as follows;
    
    Apr 29-June 30, $11.00 off, every day, on two-park or theme park only
    ticket.
    
    July 1-Sept 5, $10.00 off on the weekdays, $5.00 off on the weekends.
    
    All season, 1/2 off after 4pm.
    
    Sep 9- oct 29, (except oct 6,13,20,27) Fall specatcular buy 1 two-park
    ticket, get one free.
    
    Discounts apply to full-price 1-day adult ticket only.  Card is good
    for up to 15 purchases.
    
    Price Sheet:
    
    Child:	Theme park only	19.95 + tax = 21.14
    		Two park ticket 22.00 + tax = 23.32
    
    Adult:	Theme park only 31.00 + tax = 32.86
    		Two park ticket 34.00 + tax = 36.04
    
    Safari Only		        15.00 + tax = 15.90
    Sr. Citizen two-park	17.00 + tax = 18.02
    (55+)	Theme		15.50 + tax = 16.43
    
    There's some deal about a "twicket", which seems to be that you go to
    the park once and pay, and then they will validate your "twicket" for a
    'reduced' price, which will allow you free entrance to the park
    sometime within the next 30 days.  The validation price didn't seem too
    much cheaper than the regular discounted prices though.
    
    I got a flyer in the mail last week that I am 90% sure was $10.00 off
    any ticket, but expired mid-July I believe.
    
    And here's the Confirmed and Pending 1995 Talent Roster;
    
    Date		Artist			Time
    ======		======			=====
    Sat June 3		The Spinners		8pm
    Sat June 10		Jamie Walters		8pm
    Sun Jun 11		John Kay & Steppenwolf	8pm
    sat jun 17		open
    sun jun 18		Bowzer Rock & Roll show	8pm
    sat jun 24 - c	Confederate Railroad	8pm
    sun jun 25		30 yrs of rock-n-roll	8pm
    fri jun 30		local talent nite	8pm
    sun jul 2		frankie valli & the 4 seasons	8pm
    mon jul 3 - c 	the tractors		8pm
    tues jul 4		the beach boys		8pm
    sat july 8 - c	sammy kershaw		8pm
    sun jul 9		the grass roots		8pm
    			gary puckett
    sun jul 16		chubby checker		8pm
    fri jul 21		local talent night	8pm
    sat jul 22		nickelodeon's		3&7pm
    			wild & crazy kids
    sun jul 23		nickelodeon's		3&7pm
    			wild & crazy kids
    sun aug 13		three dog night		8pm
    sun aug 20		starship		8pm
    fri aug 25		local talent night	8pm
    sat aug 26		dc talk			8pm
    sun aug 27		america			8pm
    
    Hope this helps!!
    Patty

The "Viper" ride is now open.  Haven't been there to try it myself, but all the
reports I've heard have been very positive.

Also, Magnavox has a deal going where if you buy certain products (TV, VCR, and
others), you can send away for two free passes to any Six Flags location.  Best
- a catalog showroom - was one place that has the offer coupons.  I think the
offer runs through the end of June.

Re: long lines

Once school gets out, you can count on long lines during the week, as well as
weekends.  Even now, you see quite a few school trips there during the week.

If you can hold on to the Fall, when they are only open weekends, then you can
avoid the lines.  I went twice last Fall, got there just after it opened and
walked right onto "Batman".  Of course, it might be too cold for water rides and
the dolphin/diving shows are closed up.....

Dave

    
    Well it looks like we're going to go during the last week of June.
    Hopefully it won't be to crowded during the week. I think we'll have
    fun, I'm even talking myself into trying some of the roller coasters.
    
    Thanks for all the info everybody, I'll give a full report when we get
    back.
    
                          Barbara