This brought me just up to the edge of an ugly cry. :) I lived in Jackson for several years, went to Switlik Elementary. Later on, my best friends from HS worked here. I was at the park on opening day, our neighbors worked for the township and got us passes. I remember everything and this video reinforced it. Thank you for posting. Such a special place back in the 70's. Such good memories.
Such a bittersweet video for me. My parents took me here when the park first opened back in 1974. My parents have long since passed away. My wife and I took our son here in 2005 when he was just 6. The park changed so very much from '74 to 2005. The song playing here gets my eyes crying big time too.....thank you for this video.
graduated from Jackson Memorial H.S. in 1974 and straight away I got a job at G.A., fun times. When back for the 1975 season as a manager at the Safari Kiosk and then I went back in 2005 and worked in Cash Control. Wish I could post a pic I have of me in my uniform but you see them in the video. What memories.
Stephanie, that's really awesome! Great Adventure has always been a great park! I wasn't around yet in the 70's but I do wish 6 Flags brought back some of the stuff from that time like the clowns and all the cool shows.
I remember my parents bringing me here when it first opened in 1974. I was 7 years old at the time. My biggest memory from our first visit, other than the safari, was the power went out and so many people were stuck on rides. Last time I was there was in 2005 (wow that's 13 years ago), went there with my wife, son, my cousin, his wife and their son. Just wasn't the same in 2005 as it was in 1974...seeing this video and hearing this song gets me melancholy and teary-eyed...me, now a 51 year old middle aged guy...thanks for this video though :')
Does anyone remember the juices they used to sell at Great Adventure? The grape juice came in a grape-shaped container. The orange juice came in an orange. I think they were called sippers. That is the best childhood memory for me at GA. I was there with my 8th grade trip in 1987. It was the last year the big fountain was open because we all jumped in it. 😅. Later that summer when I went back the gates were on.
Oh the memories. This was a pleasure to see during the troubling times nowadays with the Coronavirus and the riots that are happening. I'll be saving for the next time to brighten my day. Thanks so much ✌
Ah, memories. Loved the miniature village and the safari. My friend and I used to love going from the log flume to the boat flume - and back again. :) Edit: Then going from the Runaway Train to the Rolling Thunder. Loved going on the giant Ferris wheel and the sky ride.
0:58 - Walking into the park past the original admissions, this was your first view of the park prior to Season 02(1975), when a larger main entrance would enter the park from the right hand side of that carousel in the distance. As mentioned, the group of new roller coasters(Kingda Ka, El Toro, Bizarro(former Medusa) would be installed 100-300m behind you from this point of view. The emphasis - and perhaps LeRoy's original intent, was less a bunch of thrill rides and more of a romp through a forest, emphasizing interaction and experiences over the visceral.
We went every year as a family from 1975 till 1980. At that time, I agreed with the commercial theme song. It was indeed the greatest day of my life. I remember my father saying it was a "$100 day" for our family of 5! My favorite ride was the Rotor. It was better than its later incarnations (Taz Twister and somethng else.) It was in a different part of the park and elevated. There was also a ramp for some reason and 60s looking kids on the front, at least they seemed to look vintage already in the mid-70s. I didn't go again till 1988 as a college student and it was very different. It changed further in the 1990s when I went as a young adult. I think the last time I was there was 2003.
Wow this really brought back memories. I faintly remember the miniature village. I would go back to this time in a second. Now the park experience has been ruined with outrageous admission and parking fees, upcharges, souvenir bottles and fast pass. Also, the shows now are lame.
0:44 - The original entrance - your back would be toward El Toro and Kingda Ka coasters(this area did not exist then) as you entered the park, facing the Central Fountain and Wonder (Giant) Ferris Wheel some 150 - 250meters ahead. Past admissions, you would walk through a court formed by four colorful striped tent-top buildings(concessions, games, etc), toward the fountain and wheel. Today, you enter the park at a 90 degree angle from the north, through admissions courtyard, toward the same Central Fountain. Once at that fountain, the original admissions entrance would be 150meters to your left, and the Giant wheel, about the same distance, to your right. Beyond the giant wheel, and a slight right, toward Nitro mega coaster. Left from the fountain is toward the four aforementioned "tent" look buildings, the original admissions/entrance, and the group of coasters that include El Toro, Ka, etc.
My cousin creepy bf yelled at me there bc I was excited going to six flags. I was 12. He became her husband was nasty always saying sexual comments to me and other family members.. she never said anything to him.. even on his dying of cancer still trying he was gross hoping in hell..
![Six Flags Great Adventure Roller Coaster History slideshow [1974 - 2015]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/NM63RavB_tI/mqdefault.jpg)
![Six Flags Great Adventure Roller Coaster History slideshow [1974 - 2015]](/img/tr.png)
This brought me just up to the edge of an ugly cry. :) I lived in Jackson for several years, went to Switlik Elementary. Later on, my best friends from HS worked here. I was at the park on opening day, our neighbors worked for the township and got us passes. I remember everything and this video reinforced it. Thank you for posting. Such a special place back in the 70's. Such good memories.
That is Too Cool. I worked a summer there in 1982, when I finally turned 16. This brings back TONS of memories, thank you.
I worked there in the late 80s, early 90s. What a fun place to work as a kid!
Such a bittersweet video for me. My parents took me here when the park first opened back in 1974. My parents have long since passed away. My wife and I took our son here in 2005 when he was just 6. The park changed so very much from '74 to 2005. The song playing here gets my eyes crying big time too.....thank you for this video.
What a terrific memory!
I graduated JMHS in 77, worked at GA taking pictures at the log flum (cannot recall the correct sp) ride. So long ago!
graduated from Jackson Memorial H.S. in 1974 and straight away I got a job at G.A., fun times. When back for the 1975 season as a manager at the Safari Kiosk and then I went back in 2005 and worked in Cash Control. Wish I could post a pic I have of me in my uniform but you see them in the video. What memories.
Stephanie, that's really awesome! Great Adventure has always been a great park! I wasn't around yet in the 70's but I do wish 6 Flags brought back some of the stuff from that time like the clowns and all the cool shows.
This is fantastic Perfect song great memories thanks for doing this.
I remember my parents bringing me here when it first opened in 1974. I was 7 years old at the time. My biggest memory from our first visit, other than the safari, was the power went out and so many people were stuck on rides. Last time I was there was in 2005 (wow that's 13 years ago), went there with my wife, son, my cousin, his wife and their son. Just wasn't the same in 2005 as it was in 1974...seeing this video and hearing this song gets me melancholy and teary-eyed...me, now a 51 year old middle aged guy...thanks for this video though :')
I’m so emotional watching this, my first time was with my family 2006
Does anyone remember the juices they used to sell at Great Adventure? The grape juice came in a grape-shaped container. The orange juice came in an orange. I think they were called sippers. That is the best childhood memory for me at GA.
I was there with my 8th grade trip in 1987. It was the last year the big fountain was open because we all jumped in it. 😅. Later that summer when I went back the gates were on.
This a great song, nice video. Reminds me of being a kid and still having my parents. Better days
Oh the memories. This was a pleasure to see during the troubling times nowadays with the Coronavirus and the riots that are happening. I'll be saving for the next time to brighten my day. Thanks so much ✌
Ah, memories. Loved the miniature village and the safari. My friend and I used to love going from the log flume to the boat flume - and back again. :)
Edit: Then going from the Runaway Train to the Rolling Thunder.
Loved going on the giant Ferris wheel and the sky ride.
0:58 - Walking into the park past the original admissions, this was your first view of the park prior to Season 02(1975), when a larger main entrance would enter the park from the right hand side of that carousel in the distance. As mentioned, the group of new roller coasters(Kingda Ka, El Toro, Bizarro(former Medusa) would be installed 100-300m behind you from this point of view.
The emphasis - and perhaps LeRoy's original intent, was less a bunch of thrill rides and more of a romp through a forest, emphasizing interaction and experiences over the visceral.
it's still a great adventure when u ride nitro, kingda ka, and do toro!
This is officially my favorite TH-cam video 😇
CollecGaming tyvvcccc"
CollecGaming the
wish it was still this good...I mean GREAT
part of this used to be my grandfathers land. I'm glad he sold it to them :)
+CollecGaming | The Incredible Gamer That is awesome! Are you part of our site? We'd love to hear if you have any stories about him selling it!
+GreatAdventureHistory. com I'll create an account I'm usually a guest on there.
Great footage
So beautiful I’m blessed to be working there today my first season 2018 😀
We went every year as a family from 1975 till 1980. At that time, I agreed with the commercial theme song. It was indeed the greatest day of my life. I remember my father saying it was a "$100 day" for our family of 5! My favorite ride was the Rotor. It was better than its later incarnations (Taz Twister and somethng else.) It was in a different part of the park and elevated. There was also a ramp for some reason and 60s looking kids on the front, at least they seemed to look vintage already in the mid-70s. I didn't go again till 1988 as a college student and it was very different. It changed further in the 1990s when I went as a young adult. I think the last time I was there was 2003.
The Rotor👍. The Enterprise was great too
@@Awesome21823 It was fun. It always looked like it was going to hit the trees as it went higher.
It used to be fun for all ages.
I miss the drive thru safari and rolling thunder. but you gotta admit that SORA is "GREAT!"
I prefer SORA
Do you have the video of eat it that was done by park employees in the game area of the park in the 80's a parody of Micheal Jackson's Beat It.
I wish we had footage of those classic flat rides that don’t exist anymore at the park like Turbo Force and Chaos
Wow this really brought back memories. I faintly remember the miniature village. I would go back to this time in a second. Now the park experience has been ruined with outrageous admission and parking fees, upcharges, souvenir bottles and fast pass. Also, the shows now are lame.
Why oh why am I watching this on the bus! C'mon Angela keep it together! Hit pause..i can't 😢😢😢
0:44 - The original entrance - your back would be toward El Toro and Kingda Ka coasters(this area did not exist then) as you entered the park, facing the Central Fountain and Wonder (Giant) Ferris Wheel some 150 - 250meters ahead. Past admissions, you would walk through a court formed by four colorful striped tent-top buildings(concessions, games, etc), toward the fountain and wheel.
Today, you enter the park at a 90 degree angle from the north, through admissions courtyard, toward the same Central Fountain. Once at that fountain, the original admissions entrance would be 150meters to your left, and the Giant wheel, about the same distance, to your right. Beyond the giant wheel, and a slight right, toward Nitro mega coaster. Left from the fountain is toward the four aforementioned "tent" look buildings, the original admissions/entrance, and the group of coasters that include El Toro, Ka, etc.
best times
I love it
Why did it start off with the song that I was looking for and switch over to somewhere with a rainbow ?
In 1975, was my first visit.
Was there opening day when I was 7 in 1974
It’s going to be 50 this year
season passes were 20 dollars in 75 I believe
I wasn't even born yet
Horrible choice of music
Why?
I beg to differ, this song is a classic.
My cousin creepy bf yelled at me there bc I was excited going to six flags. I was 12. He became her husband was nasty always saying sexual comments to me and other family members.. she never said anything to him.. even on his dying of cancer still trying he was gross hoping in hell..