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1/22/2014

Six Flags Magic Mountain update - X2 back open. Bugs Bunny World construction update. Scrambler Refurbishment.

We hadn't planned on doing another Magic Mountain update so soon after our last update, but the crowd favorite coaster X2 reopened last weekend after a multi-month closure.
We'll also have an update on the new coaster in Bugs Bunny World and one of the few remaining flat rides at the park is being refurbished.

X2 back open

X2 reopened this past weekend after being closed for the past few months due to a lift chain hill replacement.
Unfortunately, despite the park hyping the reopening, the ride opened an hour after the park on both Saturday and Sunday and was only running 1-train on Sunday (the day we visited).

This was the line of eager riders at about 11:00am Sunday Morning while the ride was still testing.

A view of a ride operator up on the lift-hill during the rides testing process.

For a ride that had been hyped by the park (and social media) for the past week as making it's triumphant return, not having the ride ready when the park opening is pretty much inexcusable. Especially considering they had months to fix any issues with the ride. Testing didn't even begin until the park opened at 10:30am.

Perhaps the best thing about the ride reopening is the great pictures you can get from the X2 bridge again.

While I'm personally not the biggest fan of X2, I do understand it's popularity. I'm glad it's reopened but it's imperative that the park get what is arguably the most popular coaster in the park open with the park on a consistent basis.
The ride apparently opened with the park and was back to 2-train operations on Monday (January 20). Hopefully that's a good sign for the future.

Scrambler Refurbishment

In an unexpected development, the Scrambler flat ride has yet again been removed from the park. According to my park sources however, the ride is just being refurbished and will be back this spring.

If you'll recall, in the early 2000's the parks original scrambler was damaged when a tree fell on it. This one has been at the park since 2003 so it's nice to see it getting some off-season TLC.

A good portion of the rides control systems have been removed as well.

While the Scrambler is in refurb this brings the number of (non-upcharge) flat rides at the park to a whopping 6 (Buccaneer, Swashbuckler, The Flash, Wonder Woman: Lasso of Truth, Sandblasters, Grand Carousel). Hopefully some new flat rides are on the agenda soon.

They need one of those handy-dandy refurbishment signs out here.

Bugs Bunny World Makeover and New Coaster

The park continues to prepare for the new kiddie coaster in Bugs Bunny World. We still don't have a name or a layout of the coaster however. Below is the former location of the Tweety Bird Cages (which is being moved) and the Foghorn Leghorn Barnyard Railway (which has been removed).

Sadly some of the trees we hoped would be saved in our last update have indeed been removed.

A complete overview of the area. A pretty big chunk of land has opened up. Not sure what, if any of the existing infrastructure will be saved. Hopefully at least some of the themeing will remain intact.

The Tweety Bird Cage ride is being set up in it's new location. The cages were not out so hopefully they are backstage getting some TLC.

Where the ride control booth will be.

Over where the General Sam Tree used to be it looks like they are building what is likely a Bugs Bunny World sign as well as some new planters. Judging by the depth of the hole and supports it doesn't appear that it will be a very tall sign (which is fine so the young ones can see it).

Some work on the nearby planters is also being done. The wall on the right (with the black background) is new.

The picture below from our last update (January 3rd) shows the portion of the wall that has been added in the last 2 weeks.

Sorry Folks, Restaurants closed, the Moose out front shoulda told ya

Looks like one of the last pieces of "High Sierra Territory" may be gone forever. Rumor is that the restaurant will reopen but under a different theme (possibly Full Throttle). Considering it's proximity to Bugs Bunny World some kind of character dining would be perfect for this location.

More trees biting the dust.

A peek inside, considering all the antlers on the ground I'm guessing the moose is gone.

Around The Park

Not really a whole lot going on elsewhere in the park. I do always enjoy a "Nacho Cheese" joke though.

Even though Mooseburger is closed it's not stopping the park from promoting it. Maybe a sign that it's not gone forever?

A look at the parks refurbishment list. It's certainly the off-season. I'd anticipate additional Bugs Bunny World attractions going down for refurbishment as they prepare to beautify the area in the months ahead.

New Season Pass deal. No upgrade to Gold for you procrastinators but free Hurricane Harbor isn't too shabby.

Also hearing that the new Bonzai Pipeline slides are sitting behind Tornado. They haven't begun removing the existing slides for installation yet, when they do we'll be sure to head up and get some pictures.

That's going to wrap it up for this update. Hope you enjoyed it.

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1/16/2014

Six Flags Great Adventure hosting Auditions (Feb 8) and Job Fair (Feb 15)

Six Flags Great Adventure Will Offer 4,000 Jobs in 2014

Park will host auditions Feb. 8, job fair Feb. 15

WHAT:

Six Flags Great Adventure, New Jersey’s largest seasonal employer and the largest employer in Ocean County, is hiring more than 4,000 employees including 200 interns for the 2014 season, which will feature the debut of the world’s tallest drop tower, Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom.

The park will host entertainment auditions Feb. 8 beginning at 1 pm and a job fair Feb. 15 from 10 am to 4 pm. Before attending, new applicants must visit www.sixflagsjobs.com to complete an online application.

Six Flags offers a wide variety of positions and paid internships and provides team members many benefits including advancement opportunities, health and medical benefits, reward and recognition programs, scholarships, free park admission, incentives from area businesses and much more. According to the popular Warner Bros. game show “Let’s Ask America,” available on Scripps Television Stations, U.S. residents polled chose Six Flags as the most fun place to work.

Six Flags is looking for enthusiastic candidates of all ages and backgrounds, and has positions available in retail, games, park services, ride operations, food service, admissions, guest relations/VIP services, market research, loss prevention, security, landscaping, safari guides, lifeguards, entertainment performers and show technical support, accounting, cash control, human resources, graphic design and public relations.

The Six Flags Employment Center opens Feb. 10 with hours Monday to Friday from 1 to 6 pm, and Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm. Walk-in applicants who have completed their online application and rehires are welcome.

The 2014 season kicks off April 12 and runs on a varied schedule through Nov. 2. More information is available at www.sixflags.com

WHEN/WHERE:

Entertainment Auditions: Saturday, February 8 - 1:00 p.m. actors, 1:30 p.m. dancers, 2:30 p.m. show hosts, 3:00 p.m. specialty performers (i.e. stilt walkers, jugglers, drummers)

Showcase Theater, Six Flags Great Adventure, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, NJ 08527

Enter via Employment Entrance approximately one mile west of main park entrance and follow signs to theater.

Job Fair: Saturday, February 15 - 10 am to 4 pm

Six Flags Great Adventure’s Employment Center, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, NJ 08527

Enter via Employment Entrance approximately one mile west of main park entrance.

1/8/2014

El Toro named best Wooden Coaster in the U.S.

JACKSON, NJ—January 6, 2014-- About.com’s travel and theme park expert Arthur Levine just named Six Flags Great Adventure’s El Toro the No. 1 wooden coaster in North America.

El Toro’s 4,400 feet of track and nine airtime hills deliver two intense minutes that can be compared to riding a raging bull. The thrill machine has wowed adrenaline junkies at the Jackson, NJ theme park since 2006, and still ranks as one of the tallest and fastest wooden coasters in the world. El Toro has taken top honors as “the world’s best wooden coaster” according to Amusement Today during its esteemed “Golden Ticket” awards in 2013, and an additional “world’s best wooden coaster” title on Mitch Hawker’s internet coaster poll in 2012.

“How wonderful is El Toro? It just may be the finest ride, period, among all wooden and steel thrill machines. The first time I rode it, I was flabbergasted by its relentless and powerful airtime. My guess is that you will be also,” Levine wrote on About.com.

In addition to El Toro’s accolades, two additional thrill rides at Six Flags Great Adventure continue to receive the highest steel roller coaster honors: the 23-story, 80-mph Nitro and the 45-story, 128-mph Kingda Ka.

Six Flags Great Adventure will reopen for the 2014 season April 12. In late spring, Six Flags Great Adventure will shatter the world record for tallest drop ride with the addition of the 41-story Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom, currently under construction.

Connected to the iconic Kingda Ka roller coaster—the 456-foot monster that ranks as the world’s tallest coaster and fastest in North America—Zumanjaro will hoist riders 415 feet into the sky and rocket them back to Earth at 90 miles per hour while Kingda Ka trains launch right toward them at speeds of up to 128 miles per hour.

"Zumanjaro solidifies Six Flags Great Adventure’s dominance as the Northeast’s thrill capital,” said John Fitzgerald, park president. “This is precisely the world-class, record-breaking attraction our guests have come to expect from Great Adventure. Zumanjaro is destined to top many ‘must ride’ lists in 2014."

The park will also debut a new baboon exhibit in the theme park, and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor will expand its first-class cabana rental service with the introduction of Cabana Cove and the addition of a tiki bar.

Six Flags season passes are now on sale for the 2014 season and provide unlimited visits and exclusive perks. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com/greatadventure or call 732/928-1821.

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