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Six Flags Great Adventure is an '', and the brand new ''El Toro''. According to the Guinness Book Of World Records , Six Flags Great Adventure has more rides than any other theme park in the world, with 72 rides (and counting). HISTORY The park was opened in 1974 by restauranteur Warner LeRoy. For that time period it was a major attraction with several steel rollercoasters (small by today's standards...one of which is still open today) and two log flumes along with over 3 dozen rides along with shows. In 1977 it was purchased by Six Flags and gradually expanded more. Like several other Six Flags theme parks, including Six Flags Great America , it is located between two major Metropolitan Areas -- in this case, New York and Philadelphia -- and is easy to reach for residents of both cities. RIDES Kingda Ka In the late spring/early summer 2005, the park opened '' Kingda Ka '', the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster, surpassing the previous leader in both categories, '' Top Thrill Dragster '' at Cedar Point . ''Kingda Ka'', which is very similar to ''Top Thrill Dragster'' and built by the same company responsible for that ride, has a top speed of 128 mph (206 km/h) and rises to a height of 456 feet (139 m). The ride opened May 19, 2005 for media day followed by an opening to the season pass holders that afternoon. On May 20 it was closed due to rain (the only coaster in the park to close with rain, others are opened as long as there is no thunder or lightning). Then in the first week of June 2005, the ride had a major breakdown that kept it down for about two months. On July 21 , 2005 , Kingda Ka began testing. It reopened on August 4 , 2005 . El Toro In 2006, Six Flags will be opening '' El Toro '', a new wooden roller coaster, the park's first since 1979. It will be the second tallest and fastest wooden coaster in the USA (third in the world). At 76 degrees, it will hold the world record for the steepest first drop. El Toro will be the star of a new Spanish-themed section, Plaza Del Carnaval, along with a new section for the younger ones, Bugs Bunny National Park. Its was hoped that this would open March 31 but management has now stated this will not be possible due to some construction delays. It has been stated that El Toro is expected to open late Spring/Early Summer (Mid To Late May to be exact). El Toro is scheduled to open on May 30, 2006. PARK ACCIDENTS Rolling Thunder Sunday, August 16, 1981 - A 20-year-old park employee fell from the Rolling Thunder roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure theme park in Jackson Township, New Jersey. The accident occurred during a routine test run of the trains. An investigation by the New Jersey Labor Department concluded that the man may not have secured himself with the safety bar. A park representative later confirmed this conclusion, saying that the employee "may have assumed an unauthorized riding position that did not make use of safety restraints." The ride was inspected, and the Labor Department concluded that the ride was "operationally and mechanically sound." Rolling Thunder was reopened a day later and still operates at Great Adventure. Copyright RideAccidents.com 2006 Haunted Castle On Friday, May 11, 1984 - Eight teenagers burned to death in the Haunted Castle attraction at Six Flags Great Adventure theme park in Jackson Township, New Jersey. A light bulb had burned out in one of the rooms of the attraction, and a 14-year-old boy lit a cigarette lighter to find his way through the darkness. The flame ignited some foam rubber padding which was used to protect people from bumping into a wall. A fire resulted, which quickly spread throughout the 17-trailer structure with the help of extremely flammable building materials. The fire eventually engulfed and totally destroyed the attraction. Fourteen people -- four of them employees -- managed to escape after the fire had started. Seven people were treated for smoke inhalation at an area hospital. Firefighters from 11 towns were called to the scene. The families of those who were killed later sued Great Adventure, Inc., and its parent company, Six Flags Corp., charging them with manslaughter and aggravated manslaughter. The prosecution held that the park disregarded safety precautions, and that the disaster occurred due to the combustibility of the building, lack of sufficient emergency exits, and the lack of fire alarms and sprinkler systems. The defense cited a 1983 report by fire inspectors, which concluded that the attraction was safe for operation. Great Adventure, Inc. and Six Flags Corporation faced maximum combined fines of $1.2 million. It was reported that they spent $6 million for their defense. The companies were acquitted on all charges by a Superior Court jury on July 20, 1985, in Tom's River, New Jersey. Copyright RideAccidents.com 2006. Lightnin' Loops Wednesday, June 17, 1987 - A 19-year-old girl was killed after falling from the Lightnin' Loops shuttle loop roller coaster ride at Six Flags Great Adventure theme park in Jackson Township, New Jersey. An investigation by the State Labor Department concluded that the ride itself was operating properly, but that the ride operator started the ride without having made sure that all of the passengers were secured by the safety harnesses. The Department's Office of Safety Compliance further concluded that the accident would not have occurred had proper procedures been followed. The park was found to be in violation of the Carnival/Amusement Ride Safety Act and was subsequently charged with the maximum state fines of $1,000. The ride was reopened on Saturday, October 10, 1987, with the permission of the Labor Department, but was eventually dismantled and no longer operates at Great Adventure. Copyright RideAccidents.com 2006 TRANSPORTATION There are a few buses that go to Six Flags from the shore. There are some that even go to New York. The majority of customers drive. When Six Flags is busy, traffic can become a nightmare, especially on the New Jersey Turnpike . Traffic to Six Flags usually travels on the turnpike, which then can create delays on that road. Because of the size and popularity of the park, traffic congestion can be severe. There are alternate routes to the park that are not commonly advertised. Going: ''Alternate Route #1'': If traffic is congested (while traveling southbound on the turnpike, approaching Exit 8A), get off at 8A, and take Route 32 west to US 130 south. Take 130 south to 195 east to Exit 16. ''Alternate Route #2'': If traveling southbound on the turnpike when approaching Exit 8 and traffic is congested, get off at Exit 8. Take Route 33 east to Route 133 west (towards Princeton). Take 133 to US 130 south, and then to 195 east. Coming back: ''Alternate Route #1'': If turnpike is congested, take 195 to Exit 5 for US 130. Take 130 north to 133 east to Route 33 west, and can enter the turnpike at Exit 8 in East Windsor Township . ''Alternate Route #2'': If turnpike is congested, take 195 to Exit 5, and take 130 north to Route 32 east, and can enter the turnpike at Exit 8A in Monroe Township . RIDE/ATTRACTION TIMELINE
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