World's Largest Theme Park to Preview Massive 'Safari Off Road Adventure' May 24

JACKSON, N.J., May 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- New Jersey's Six Flags Great Adventure and Safari today previews its massive, new themed attraction, Safari Off Road Adventure.  The highly-anticipated and innovative experience will open to the general public May 25.

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Boasting 1,200 animals from six continents including elephants, rhinos, tigers, giraffes and lions, Safari Off Road Adventure takes explorers on an exhilarating, interactive animal adventure. 

"Wild Safari remained virtually unchanged for 38 years, and we are thrilled to begin an exciting and unprecedented new chapter for Six Flags Great Adventure," said John Fitzgerald, park president. "Safari Off Road Adventure combines the beauty and majesty of the world's most exotic animals with a thrilling, off-road truck expedition. This VIP-style experience cannot be matched anywhere in the world."

Guests enter the amazing, fictional world of the Wilds Family, who have traveled the globe to bring the most interesting and exotic creatures to their 350-acre preserve in Jackson, New Jersey. Their journey begins in a rustic loading station in Frontier Adventures filled with artifacts from the Wilds' global expeditions. Through video, guests are introduced to conservationist Damon and veterinarian Tess, and their children Haley and Luke. Guests then load a rugged, open-air, Safari vehicle to begin their unique voyage.

Skilled drivers and informative Safari guides transport guests off-road and within close proximity to the animals as they splash through ponds, climb hills and venture over rugged terrain.   Throughout the excursion, the Wilds family communicates with the guests through on-board video, and experienced guides narrate the journey and answer questions providing a truly interactive experience.

"Our guests go wherever the animals go―even if that is in the middle of a pond," said Safari Director and Chief Veterinarian Bill Rives. "The safari is vast and the animals have plenty of room to roam, so each journey will be different. Guests are guaranteed to see an incredible array of animals, and in some cases, even eye-to-eye."

Following the fall 2012 closing of the drive-through Wild Safari after 38 years, the park began a major renovation that included a redesign of various simulated natural habitats and the creation of Camp Aventura.

Camp Aventura is the main stop along the off-road excursion. Guests encounter some of the Wilds family's favorite small exotic animals, and even hand-feed or pet them. Exotic birds, unusual reptiles, a fuzzy, two-toed sloth and giant, Vietnamese potbellied pigs are just a few of the creatures that call Camp Aventura home. 

Camp Aventura also features a raised viewing platform where guests can hand-feed towering giraffes for a small additional fee. Later this summer, guests can soar through the air high above the animals on a new, two-seater zip line for an additional fee, and the park will also debut a large, private catering facility for group picnics.

Safari Off Road Adventure is included with general theme park admission and Season Passes, and will operate daily to the public on a varied schedule beginning May 25. Season Pass holders will have an exclusive preview of the new attraction May 24.

'Big Wave Racer' Preview Draws Near

 In addition to Safari Off Road Adventure's May 25 debut, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor will preview its newest slide complex, Big Wave Racer, in the coming weeks. Big Wave Racer will send riders barreling head-first down multiple lanes on aero-dynamically-designed water toboggans. After climbing four stories, they will rocket down several steep drops stretching 1,800 feet before crossing the finish line. 

Big Wave Racer is the eighth slide complex at Hurricane Harbor, pushing the number of thrill slides to more than 25. The 45-acre park also features a million-gallon wave pool, a half-mile lazy river and a large children's water playground. The new slide complex will celebrate its grand opening June 21.

For more information, visit www.sixflags.com/greatadventure.

SOURCE Six Flags Great Adventure