This site offers you photos of Roller Coasters.
We are always adding new photo's, so please visit often!
If you have links to other sites you would like added to our
Roller Coaster Links Page, please e-mail us with the URL at: RSTUDIO190@aol.com
Thanks, and ENJOY ! Also, don't forget to check out Glenn's Home Page,
or Heather's Home Page. Prime goodies are at the tail of this page, don't miss out.
Roller Coaster Photo Gallery
TRIP REPORT for: Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, N.J. 4/5/97 and 4/6/97
This TR has photos that correspond with numbered photos (i.e. (1), (3), etc.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weather: Saturday, April 5, 1997 - Partly Cloudy, 68.
Sunday, April 6, 1997 - Rain, 70, Very Humid.
Park Attendance: Saturday, April 5, 1997 - Moderate
Sunday, April 6, 1997 - Light
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
After purchasing our "Twickets", we entered the park for our first 1997 coaster rides.
SKULL MOUNTAIN: *(1)*
We saw this coaster flamed so many times in R.R-C, that we decided to make
it our first stop to see what all the bad hoopla was about. The line was short, and the
wait to board was about 14 minutes. This coaster has no inversions, and sports floor
hinged lap bars. As you climb the first lift, a small "turning" white light stares you in
the face. You then negotiate a right turn as you come to the second lift. The first
drop is signaled by themed audio effects (which are also prevalent throughout the
entire ride). There are many sharp turns to this coaster, and we found it very hard to
see what was next due to the darkness. Airtime was very slight. You know your trip
is over when you see a fluorescent green chunk of track to your left. We enjoyed
this coaster, but would not wait more than 25 minutes to ride. While in the area
of Skull Mountain, you will probably run into "Wil" with one "L", a park employee
with a safari outfit which includes torn socks looking for his lost cat.
BATMAN The Ride: *(2)*
We rode this only once on our trip due to the long wait (45 minutes) on
Saturday, and the fact that when we went to ride on Sunday, they were cycling
empty trains. It seems that due to the overhead track design and the rain, people
were getting soaked with an orange substance known as surface rust ! From what
the park employee standing outside the closed "gotham" style gates told us, some
people were not only getting clothing ruined, but several complained of stinging eyes !
We didn't feel so bad about missing a chance to ride this Sunday needless to say.
The ride we did have on Saturday was worth the wait, and the lift hill made for an
interesting photo opportunity *(3)*. After exiting the train, you stumble away as if
you were imbibed from alcohol. The person exiting in front of us bumped the line
monitor on the way out. We asked "do you feel dizzy too ? " he replied "yes, I do".
At one point on Sunday when they were running the empty trains, one was stopped
for quite some time on the lift. This seemed to be an event which was repeated on
other coasters for various reasons both days as we will outline in the rest of the TR.
RUNAWAY MINE TRAIN:
We rode this at the end of our day Saturday only because this was a walk on
(Heather and I had both ridden this many times in the past). This coaster is fair-minus,
but is ok if you have never ridden, or if there is no wait. We got to ride again without
leaving our seats. The lap bar is a "T" that protrudes from the floor, and is uncomfortably
tight against ones legs.
ROLLING THUNDER:
We really like woodies the best, and the fact that SFGAdv only has one
(which dates back to the parks opening) baffles us. Why do they keep spending
megabucks on new steelies without adding at least one more woodie ????????
This greaseless out and back racing coaster offers a painfully long wait to ride,
even with both trains online. Saturday the green and red trains were running, and
we opted for the green (left side). The first couple rows on the green train had lap
bar tie downs *(4)* only adding to the wait to ride. It's a good thing we were in line
for the green, as it seems the red train had four teen-age occupants who had a
deathwish that day. The red train was halted ten feet from the crest of the lift
hill after the op viewed them standing up !! We snapped this fabulous photo
*(5)* of them waving goodbye to us as we passed them. The male in the blue
jacket standing next to the stopped train is the boarding attendant, and was the
first to climb the lift hill on foot. When our ride was over, there were about 7 park
employees (some of which looked like state troopers in hats) on scene. We exited,
and joined the booing crowd as the four teens were ejected from the park. We
can't help but wonder if arrests were involved as well. Sunday only one train was
up (baffled again, since there are three trains), but we still waited to ride.
C'mon Flags, build another woodie, maybe a twister, or figure eight.......
but just build another !!! Until then, look up the word "grease",
and get rid of the seat dividers !!!
BATMAN AND ROBIN The Chiller:
This ride is still under construction, with some trackage up already.
We will be VERY surprised if they meet the Spring ' 97 opening claim.
The photos speak for themselves *(6)* Con Site with sign, *(7)* Cross Beam
Support being added from crane by worker in cherry picker, *(8)* Field of Supports
waiting for installation.
VIPER:
This Togo built twisted pile of metal was a once only ride for us *(9)*, *(10)*.
With three trains running, the wait is only about 15 minutes. The trains sport an odd
half horse collar - lap bar configuration. The first drop is deadly ! We don't care for
this coaster, or Togo in general, the ride seems frail and ready to go south at any
moment. We heard several people walk by the ride saying things like "that ride
sucks !". During the heartline roll (in which the train seems about to stop because
it is going so slow) I lost my Funsaver Camera. Exiting the ride, Heather saw it
on the ground, and there was a worker walking below the coaster (probably
there full time due to the poor quality of the coaster) whom was kind enough to
give it back to us. The camera was unharmed !!! Not a scratch !!!! Hey Kodak,
need an endorsement ???
GASM:
Ahhhhh...... The Great American Scream Machine !!! Arrow builds the
best dang units on the planet *(11)*, *(12)*. Smoother since the addition of new wheels,
this puppie goes to town. Solid as a Chevy Truck, as tasty as Mom's Apple Pie,
they should play the National Anthem from the queue. We got to ride both white,
and blue trains (the red one was running Sunday for a short time only). The Camera
for Freeze Frame is right under the boomerang element (fully lit at night), which makes
for some great action souvineers if your into that kinda stuff. GASM is a slightly
smaller version of other installations such as Viper at SFMM. There is one part of
the ride that makes you feel dizzy for a moment ; just after the first loop. The view
as your climbing the lift (especially at night) is breathtaking. We bid a fond farewell
to The Flags with Liberty *(14)*, and coasters for all.
Copyright 1997 G. Davis
Some great places to visit
What Studio Looked Like Without Banner
You Knew It Was My Space All Along
GD With Direct Club Connection