Well, instead of knocking my fellow "Addict's" report, I will supply my own:
Let's begin by saying that the Weather Channel blows. It said mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of rain on and off during the day. Well, by the time we hit exit 8 on the NJ Turnpike (SFGA is exit 7A), it was drizzling. The park experienced some light drizzling most of the day. The rest of the time, it was pouring. As a result, I was only there for four and a half hours, but I experienced several coasters.
First, let me say that ROLLING THUNDER and MEDUSA were open, but I did not get to ride them...the rain just got too heavy.
VIPER was closed for some reason, and there didn't seem to be anyone there doing any maintenance. Too bad. But at least it was closed... :-)
So the first objective was to process the season pass at DINO ISLAND (which we later rode...rather uneventful). Then came time for the first ride of the season! Being as I needed to be jarred back into reality, I opted for a quick ride on the SCREAM MACHINE. A little smoother in the rain, but not entirely painless...still rough, nonetheless.
So then I decided to make a beeline for NITRO! Except for one problem...MEDIA DAY! CLOSED TILL 3:00! @#$&%#*$&!!
To kill a little time (being as it was only 10:30), I took a ride on BATMAN & ROBIN: THE CHILLER. The Batman side was the only one open, which was good because it was the side I had never ridden. The launch is very thrilling in a light rain, and the ride also seemed smoother than usual. The way took a bit of a beating, but the top-hat inversion is pretty sweet.
Then I chose to hit BATMAN: THE RIDE. I waited for about 10 minutes before the ride broke down, three trains before my ride. It took 10 minutes to get it running again, and then I took my ride. Loved the quick flips and tight turns, and the trademark B&M smoothness...a nice treat.
Next I decided to indulge my inner child and ride SKULL MOUNTAIN. A five-minute wait put me in the car. There was a good side and a bad side...the good news was that they added to the theming by adding some lame glow-in-the-dark skulls throughout the track and a killer death metal soundtrack. The bad news...many holes in the black cloth allowing lots more light into the mountain...not good.
Then came lunch time. We walked all the way around the park, from SKULL MOUNTAIN to MEDUSA and back to the Boardwalk area before going to the Character Cafe. NOTHING was open! But at least at the Character Cafe, I heard some good news...NITRO would open early! WOO HOO!!
It was now 1:30 and it was time to take on the Big Beemer. I'll spare you all the gory details, except to say that the ride is fantastic, filled with airtime, even in the front seat, and lots of lateral Gs on the hammerhead and the helix. The first drop is insanely amazing, but the best part is truly the final stretch after the brakes, because the camelbacks are just long enough so that as the airtime starts to end, you enter another drop right away. Fantastic! Best coaster in the park!
Then the storm clouds came a-rollin' in, so we decided to jet out. Since I had a season pass, I'll be back to check out NITRO again, and to ride VIPER, MEDUSA, and ROLLING THUNDER. Another time, boys...another time...
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NITRO kicks it into high gear...only at Six Flags Great Adventure!
Got to be Goofy -- June 29, 2001???
My other car is a rollercoaster...