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If you haven’t been to Six Flags Great Adventure in a few years, this might be a good time to go back. The park is in the middle of some updates – and 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory.
New park president, Mike Fehnel, seems to be bringing a whole new energy to Great Adventure – and we are ready for it.
Whether you’re a lifelong NJ resident who practically grew up on El Toro, or you’re planning your first trip down the Turnpike to Jackson, there’s a lot happening at Great Adventure worth knowing about.
What You May Have Missed
The Flash: Vertical Velocity
If you made it out to the park in 2025, you may have already screamed your way through this one. The Flash: Vertical Velocity is the country’s first “super boomerang coaster” – it launches you forward and backward at 60 mph, sends you soaring 172 feet in the air, and throws in a Zero-G roll just to keep things interesting. It’s fast, it’s disorienting, and yes, it absolutely lives up to the name.
Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa
This one’s for the crowd that wants a full weekend out of the trip. The new resort sits right at the Wild Safari and opened in spring 2024. But it seems many people missed the memo! It’s the kind of place where you can pull up, spend the night, and wake up basically inside a wildlife park. From feeding giraffes to spectacular views – this is a great weekend getaway.
What’s Coming in 2026
1. Shoreline Pier — The Big One
This is the addition everyone’s been talking about. Opening late spring 2026, Shoreline Pier is a brand new themed area inside the park designed to capture the energy and nostalgia of a classic Jersey Shore boardwalk. We’re talking seaside amusement pier vibes – new rides, the works – tucked right into an expanded boardwalk section of the park.
Rides hitting this section include:
- Hypno Twister
- Flying Scooters
- Barrels O’Fun
- Super Roundup
- Wave Swinger
If you grew up hitting Seaside or Wildwood as a kid, this is going to hit different. It’s a smart move on the park’s part, leaning into exactly the kind of New Jersey identity that locals actually care about.
2. Holiday in the Park
After a break in 2025, Holiday in the Park is coming back to life for the 2026 holiday season. It is going to be a much more immersive and magical experience than you might remember.
3. Dead Man’s Party
Another fan favorite it also returning for 2026 Fright Fest. Since its debut in 1999 – it has been an experience many waited for each year. It was not held in 2025 – but is coming back strong with their iconic choreography, special effects and rock experience.
4. Safari Off-Road
Not too far from the Runaway Mine Train you can catch an open-air safari vehicle for a guided wildlife expedition. Enjoy up close and personal experiences with over 1,200 animals from 6 continents. Learn their stories, fun facts and of course – ask questions!
5. Live Entertainment
Throughout the park this year you will see a bigger assortment of live entertainment to keep families entertained.
6. Food Experiences
From improved barbecue in the Best of the West: Smokehouse to Main Street Pub, the food options have undergone some major changes. Executive Chef Jeremey Hacker is bringing his A-game and focusing on better menus, ingredients and service.
7. Connectivity
Over 600 new Wi-Fi access points are being installed for better access to share your visit with friends.
If you are looking for a deal, they are currently running their Memorial Day Sale! Now through May 25, 2026 save up to 50% on tickets, passes and more.
What Else is on the Radar
Phantom Spire?
The big-ticket coaster on the horizon might be called Phantom Spire — a Mack Rides launch coaster (internally dubbed “Project Purple”). There has been no official announcements I could find, but the name and details are based on roller coaster enthusiast guesses!
This will be the park’s 15th coaster. Construction has already gone vertical, with track rising above concrete pedestals on park grounds. It’s slated to open in 2027, and if Mack’s other launch coasters are any indication, this one is going to be worth the wait.
Tips If You’re Planning a Visit
- Go on a weekday if you can. Weekends in the summer at Great Adventure are a whole thing. If your schedule has any flexibility at all, a Tuesday or Wednesday will change your entire experience.
- Check the Shoreline Pier opening date. It’s expected late spring 2026, but confirm before you go — especially if the new area is your main reason for visiting.
- The Wild Safari is worth it. The 350-acre drive-thru safari is right next door to the main park and it’s genuinely one of the more underrated things in New Jersey. Combine a park day with a safari loop and you’ve got a full day worth doing.
- Season passes make sense if you’ll go twice. With the new events calendar — Shoreline Pier opening, Fright Fest, Holiday in the Park — there are more reasons than usual to visit multiple times this year.
Six Flags Great Adventure has had a complicated few years — ride closures, a merger, a lot of change. But 2026 looks like the payoff. A new Jersey Shore-themed area, two new coasters either here or in progress, and the return of two of the park’s best events? That’s a solid season.
New Jersey’s biggest theme park is betting big on leaning into what makes this state great — the Shore, the nostalgia, the attitude. Honestly? We’re here for it.
Six Flags Great Adventure is located at 1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson, NJ 08527. The 2026 season opened March 28. For current hours and tickets, visit sixflags.com/greatadventure.
