Six Flags Great Adventure has been upping the theme park game all year. First, Safari Spring Break kicked off the 2026 season with jungle-themed shows and attractions inside the park. Then came news that Safari Off-Road Adventure would now be accessible from two locations inside Great Adventure, making it easier for families to plan an animal sightseeing trip without leaving the park. And while coaster fans are already watching for updates on Project Purple, the new thrill ride expected in 2027, the park’s newest addition debuted on Tuesday: Shoreline Pier at The Boardwalk.
We got a first look at the park’s newest entertainment district, which has 5 rides, new dining options, special daytime and nighttime shows, and all the boardwalk vibes of the Jersey Shore.
During the media & content creator preview day on June 30, Ryan Eldredge, director of Sales & Marketing for Six Flags Great Adventure, said that there has been an unprecedented transformation over the past 7 months, removing remnants of old rides that were past The Boardwalk and near Superman: The Ultimate Flight into a playground that includes the Barrels O’ Fun Roller Coaster, Wave Swinger, Flying Scooters, Hypno-Twister and Super Roundup.
There are lots of beach-themed photo backdrops, with surfboards, Jersey Shore-themed postcard signs, and even a gigantic shark. You can shop at Shoreline Trading Co., which mimics a souvenir shop by the Shore.
We listened as the Singin’ SeaGals performed some beachy tunes as a preview of Boardwalk Nights, a new nighttime experience happening only in the Shoreline Pier area.
On select nights from June 19 to August 2, there will be circus-like acts, stilt walkers, jugglers, the Beachside Balancers, Surfs UP, and and other singers, comedians and acrobats. Part of the entertainment on set nights is Sway-Watch, where a “lifeguard” keeps watch high above Shoreline Pier, but then jumps into aerial acts and high-flying spectacles.
With the media preview planned for the same day as National Ride Operator Appreciation Day, Great Adventure President Michael Fehnel said the theme part is more than just a collection of attractions. “It’s a glimpse into the future of Great Adventure” he told the crowd of about 100 people gathered to watch as Fehnel, Eldredge and Lt. Gov. Dr. Dale G. Caldwell ceremonially break a bottle over a barrel for good luck.
Caldwell said he was a season ticketholder for many years, joining the 2.5 million people and 4,000 employees who come to the Jackson Twp. park every year.
Foodie Faves
Fehnel mentioned that Executive Chef Jeremy Hacker has been creating new menu items throughout the park. There are new recipes for house-smoked meats at Best of the West, hand-battered fish & chips, plus a shepherd’s pie at Main Street Pub.
Kids may be most excited about the funnel cake collection sold at The Fun-Nel House inside Shoreline Pier: like the Holy Cannoli Funnel Cake Sundae, Blueberry Dreams Funnel Cake Sundae, and traditional zeppoles.
Right next door is Sea Gulps, where you can get a selection of beer, coastal cocktails and mocktails. We sampled a Project Purple non-alcoholic drink, which tasted like a sweet blueberry seltzer.
Summer in Full Swing
The next big festival will be Star-Spangled Nights presented by M&M’S®, on July 3 and 4, which will mark America’s 250th anniversary with patriotic fireworks, music and celebrations.
Check the schedule so you can grab a spot for the brand-new A Great Day Parade, which brings characters, performers and family-friendly entertainment throughout the park twice a day all season.
DC Heroes & Villains Fest returns for the second year, on select nights from August 5 to 30, bringing Broadway-style performances and theatrics to the park. Last year, there were dance parties, meet-and-greets, stunt shows and themed food (the egg rolls were our favorite).
Thrill rides like Nitro, Jersey Devil Coaster, El Toro and The Flash: Vertical Velocity are open, along with classics like the Ferris wheel, the restored Runaway Mine Train, Bugs Bunny Land and the reopened Sawmill Log Flume.
The Wild Safari had a few birthday parties – literally – as vets welcomed several animal babies this spring, which you can see on exhibit. Mina, a female giraffe calf, was born on May 26 to mother Taka and father Tusk. There’s a second baby giraffe who hasn’t been named yet.
The park also welcomed several zebra foals and a black bear cub named Artemis, which you can see playing with its mama among the grass. Keep your eyes peeled near the kangaroos and you may be able to spot a joey or two in its mother’s pouch.
And don’t forget about Hurricane Harbor and its two dozen water rides, slides and splash areas – especially as temps hit 100 degrees this week.
Fehnel teased that the park is already getting ready for Fright Fest festivities, including the return of Dead Man’s Party. Dead Man’s Party is a live stage show hosted by Dr. Fright, that debuted in 1999 and was around for 25 years. It felt like a rock concert and Broadway production, with music, choreography and special effects where Dr. Fright and his undead friends “rock the afterlife.”
And due to popular demand, Holiday in the Park will come back in a reimagined way after a two-year hiatus. Think cozy villages, tree lightings, light shows and cookie decorating. If you walk near Houdini’s Great Escape you’ll see a small display teasing the winter season – and if you time it right, you may see some Looney Tunes characters saying “hi” dressed in their holiday best.
Future Fun
Fehnel once again referenced Project Purple, the code name for the roller coaster set to debut next spring. The coaster will bring awareness to pancreatic cancer through a partnership with the Connecticut-based Project Purple organization.
In the meantime, you can’t miss the massive 450-foot crane high in the sky as work continues throughout the summer. The coaster itself is already stands at 350 feet tall, making it the tallest structure in the park.
Pro Tip: Take a ride on the Ferris wheel to view some behind-the-scenes action as you get an aerial view of the construction site.
Fun fact: The very last piece of the coaster track is sitting at the entrance to Shoreline Pier, and we got to sign a message to immortalize New Jersey Family magazine in Great Adventure history.
For an Overnight Visit
For families wanting to spend a few days in the area, Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa has been open for a few years, giving you the opportunity to glamp in private suites right in the middle of the safari. You can stay with up to 5 people in any of the 20 luxury cabins, and your stay includes park admission, high-end dining, up-close encounters with some of the animals, and the chance to feed giraffes.
New this year, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation launched a new Hotel Partner Program, so you can book your park tickets, overnight hotel stay and food options in one location online.
Six Flags Great Adventure Resort includes the theme park, Wild Safari, Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa, and Hurricane Harbor water park. The main address is 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson Twp. For operating hours, click here.
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