We celebrated a day early. My son took me to 6 flags Great Adventure. I haven't been there in many years despite living only 30 minutes away from it. It was a great day. My son, who is in college, loves rollercoasters, so as a fellow adrenaline addict, that's what we rode. I was a bit surprised how much older I was than the other coaster riders. Almost no gray hair in the long lines. The waiting times wereactually not that bad. we only wait more than 30 minutes for the last ride...El Toro (big wooden rollercoaster). But that was ok, as we had a ring side seat for the ugly side of NJ rollercoasters. Being the old guy and in no rush, we invested the extra 15 minutes & took the extended line to get the front seats. when we got within 6 runs of our turn, we learned the type of problems the Park has with their VIP program from 20' away. We were in a perfect spot for viewing
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Evidently Great Flags offers a VIP package. For an extra $100 per ticket, it appears you can skip all lines, escorted to any ride immediately and get the front seat if you choose. That's not bad, but curiously, 6 Flags goes one step more and allows VIP's to stay on the ride for consecutive rides. Nice if you're a VIP bur rather uncool if you are among the non VIP's in line that only paid $100 (parking+admission) and standing there longer on a hot sweltering day.Two teens, presumably with indulgent parents, cut the line and took the front seats. After finishing the ride they stayed in their seats, and deaparted on the next run. Being so close to NY, booing quickly ensued even after the ride operator explained the VIP perk. By the time the two teens finished yet another ride in the same front seats, the crowd got ugly. I thought I saw hangman nooses and pitchforks appear, with people calling for a public execution. The kids were smug about it and didn't care. But the ride operators thought it wise to escort them down an emergency exit to get away from the mob. What happened next was amusing. The very next guy in line for the front seat was particularly angry and obnoxious, kinda like the Audi guy at last years Carlisle NICOfest. Not listening and determined to get his way. After his first ride, he refused to give up his seat, citing he was a VIP. the ride operators quickly called his bluff was asked him to prove it as he lacked the VIP bracelet. But he stubbornly kept arguing, changing his story that he now was entitled to multiple rides because he was inconvenienced by the VIP's. So the booing and chants began again as this guy kept the ride idle for 10 minutes pursuing his non-case. That is, until my son shouted out that immortal line the Naked Gun movie..."Kick him in the BallZ!!!!" That provided some good crowd chuckles. As the laughter subsided, Security arrived andy got him to leave after suggesting that he either leave the seat now or leave the park wearing handcuffs. The idiot left to a huge ovation. We eventually got our ride in and it was worth the wait. Welcome to NJ!
Overall, a fun father's day.
How was yours?
