Skyscreamer rises and soars over Six Flags Great Adventure

On Thursday the new Skyscreamer swing tower was previewed to season pass holders at Six Flags Great Adventure. The new Star Flyer, by Funtime, stands at 24 stories, a total 242 feet over a newly themed section of the park: Adventure Alley. A full sized family swing ride returns to the park with now a high tower to climb, representative of the current Six Flags tagline: “Go Big, Go Six Flags.” Skyscreamer is the first completely new attraction to Great Adventure since the addition of the Dark Knight coaster in 2008.

Waiting in queue for Skyscreamer I reminisced of my childhood visits to Great Adventure, riding the Flying Wave Zierer swing ride which had once resided on the same ride pad. The Flying Wave was an original ride to Great Adventure which was removed during the 2007-2008 season. Riders in the queue line are paired up for the 2 seat swing carriages. Watching a previous cycle I noticed amid the crossing supports of the ride tower the spinning and moving ride cables and lowering counterweight.


Once on board and buckled up the ride raises about 20 feet before the carriages begin to spin and swing out. The ride is calm and relaxing until the carriages raise to about 100 feet, reaching full speed and swing. At full swing riders are extended in a 98 foot circle and travel at 40 mph. Climbing the tower a music track is played during the cycle.

The ride becomes amazing once at full speed and above the trees at Great Adventure. Riders raise not only higher than Batman: The Ride and the neighboring Big Wheel ferris wheel, but also the nearby 230 foot Nitro hypercoaster! At the full height of 242 feet riders can see the various roller coasters of the park in the distance. The largest Six Flags park in the country doesn’t seem as big then when riding at the very top of Skyscreamer.

After reaching the top the Skyscreamer carriages dip down to a height of about 200 feet for a short duration before returning to the top. Near the end of a two minute cycle the swings lowers to about 150 feet then slows to lower and park on the ground.

Skyscreamer joins the Big Wheel ferris wheel to anchor an area of Fantasy Forest now called Adventure Alley . The section will also include the Air Jumbo elephant ride, a scrambler named Déjà vu, and the Fender Bender bumper cars. The new swing tower along with the added flats will help families create new memories at Six Flags Great Adventure.

Go ride the new Skyscreamer today. Go Big! Go Six Flags!