The Jersey Devil Coaster Celebrates Grand Opening at Six Flags Great Adventure

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Today marks the grand opening of Six Flags Great Adventure's latest thrill machine, the Jersey Devil Coaster, an innovative and world recording breaking single rail roller coaster.  Fans have been anxiously waiting to get their first rides in on the Jersey Devil Coaster, and after several days of previews the ride is now open to the public.

Six Flags Great Adventure invited us to take some rides on the coaster this past week, and what a great experience it is!  The coaster was created by Rocky Mountain Construction, and utilizes the company's 'Raptor' style track, a single monorail type beam that offers passengers a thrilling and smooth ride.  Riders would have to travel a great distance to find another ride of this style in operation - the Jersey Devil Coaster is the only of its kind in the entire Eastern United States.

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Riders sit in single-passengers cars which make up a train of 12 riders (the ride has four trains in total) - the cars feature a low inline style that lets riders seemingly straddle the monorail track directly below them.  This provides a ride style that is not found on many roller coasters; unique and offering a new take on traditional coaster elements and forces.

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The Jersey Devil Coaster is specially themed to Six Flags Great Adventure's location and its history.  The park is set in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, and it is said that the Jersey Devil has haunted the forest for centuries, "soaring stealthily through the woods in the dark of the night before attacking its prey."  The new coaster is located within these woods on the park's property, adjacent to the park's Great Lake in a shady setting.

The new coaster's queue tells this story in great detail through a number of story boards, giving riders-to-be bits of the lore as they move through the covered queue sections.

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"Jersey Devil folklore has been a source of fear and intrigue here in the Pine Barrons for more than 200 years.  We'll immerse riders in this iconic piece of New Jersey history on our monstrous, new scream machine," said Park President John Winkler. "Jersey Devil Coaster is the perfect addition to our unrivaled collection of award-winning, innovating, and thrilling roller coasters."

The sinister air surrounding the ride is complimented by some unusual facts related to the number 13:  The Jersey Devil Coaster is the park's 13th coaster, the new ride is 13 stories tall, each train has 12 humans and the Jersey Devil lead car for 13 riders and the ride is officially opening on the 13th of June.

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The Jersey Devil Coaster will be an immediate hit with riders of all ages, as it provides a smooth and repeatable ride experience.  The trains climb a 130 foot lift hill after departing from the station and are quickly plummeting down an extra-steep 87 degree first drop.  With a maximum speed of 58 miles per hour, the trains scream through the ride's 3,000 feet of track.

 

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The ride is one of a new breed of roller coasters, which allows it to take the title of the world's tallest, fastest and longest single-rail roller coaster.  The ride's impressive design features several stellar elements, including three inversions.  From a Raven Dive to a 180-degree stall, riders experience a variety of maneuvers that keep them guessing what may come next.

The long design of the train also allows for different ride experiences as you move from the front of the train toward the back.  All seats provide and excellent amount of air-time as the Jersey Devil runs through the course, but the far back seat is especially impressive in that regard.

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While the coaster does feature over the shoulder restraints, they are unobtrusive and allow for a very free feeling while on the ride.  There's nothing quite like riding with your arms up and floating upside down through that 180-degree stall!  The coaster's quick transitions also give great lateral forces, paired with the low seats to give riders a variety of thrilling moments.

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As a great note for visitors, the Jersey Devil Coaster only has a 48 inch height requirement, allowing for a larger section of guests to ride - if they're brave enough of course!  Six Flags Great Adventure is already well known for their impressive set of thrill rides, and the Jersey Devil Coaster goes perfectly with them - offering a thrilling but innovative experience for visitors.

For more on the Jersey Devil Coaster, and help with planning your trip to ride, check out Six Flags Great Adventure's website!