00:00:00,220 --> 00:01:05,490 [speaker_0]
[upbeat music] You're listening to another episode of the Coaster 101 Podcast, and if you've been following along with Theme Park Internet this week, you will notice that Six Flags Great Adventure has put out some huge news. Huge! And fortunately for us, I'm gonna give you a little bit of inside baseball. We booked this podcast interview several weeks ago, and, you know, we scheduled it, and it just so happened that yesterday, Six Flags Great Adventure broke Theme Park Internet. And fortunately, with that interview we scheduled weeks ago, uh, I'm able to bring in Ryan Eldredge, who is the PR manager, regional PR manager, uh, for Six Flags Great Adventure, also Dorney Park. But Ryan, welcome back to the Coaster 101 Podcast.
00:01:05,940 --> 00:01:15,380 [speaker_1]
Thank you, man. It's great to be on with you. Good to see you again. Um, I don't know if your audience will be able to see us, but I got to see you at Great Adventure last year, so-
00:01:15,420 --> 00:01:15,880 [speaker_0]
Yes!
00:01:15,890 --> 00:01:18,880 [speaker_1]
... now we're seeing each other in 2026, and it's good to be on, man.
00:01:18,940 --> 00:01:41,070 [speaker_0]
It is. This is one of those things, like, you- we talk to these people on this podcast, and given the nature of how, like, internet friendships and, like, things like that work, you don't know necessarily when you're gonna meet somebody in person for the first time. And, you know, we had you back on, it was probably a couple years ago at this point, to talk all things Iron Menace at Dorney Park.
00:01:41,100 --> 00:01:41,270 [speaker_1]
Yeah.
00:01:41,360 --> 00:02:08,750 [speaker_0]
Um, but fortunately, yeah, like you mentioned, you and I, we got to actually meet face-to-face, shake hands, be in each other's, like, physical, non-Zoom room presence, which was pretty cool. And, uh, you know, you were so kind. Uh, when I was at the park, um, I was there, I was talking to, uh, Park, Park Manager, uh, Mike Fannel. He was like: "Hey, you wanna go ride Flash? I've not ridden Flash." And you were like: "Yeah, I've ridden Flash. I'll hold your bag." So- [chuckles]
00:02:08,780 --> 00:02:09,400 [speaker_1]
You were so long.
00:02:09,420 --> 00:02:38,200 [speaker_0]
You were, you were, you were so kind to be the, the quote-unquote, bag lady for us, and that was, uh, that was a great time at Great Adve- great time at Great Adventure, so I'm glad we got to make that happen. Before we kinda get talking into all things Great Adventure, though, let's talk about you. I mean, in the last, you know, again, since Dorney Park opened Iron Menace, you've taken on a, a new park, a new role, kind of what's, what's going on in the world of Ryan Eldredge right now? What's going on with your role?
00:02:38,260 --> 00:06:12,520 [speaker_1]
So, I, I mean, it's pretty incredible. So, you know, 2024 was a huge year for Dorney Park. It was a really big year for me, uh, personally and professionally. And so you get to October of 2024, and you're like: "Man, I can get through Haunt, and we can kinda like, kick back on this year, celebrate, look back on it, and say, 'Man, what a job.'" Because we had, we had a historic year at Dorney Park. Um, not just because of Iron Menace, but we had a fantastic team. So you're just like: "Man, this has been a great year, 2024." And then we get the news of the merger, and, uh, over the next two months, there's a lot of conversation about, like, what's happening and who's going where, and what's the structure gonna look like, and all these different things. And it turns out, over the course of those two months, um, I find out that I've been promoted into a regional role, uh, where I get to look after not just Dorney Park, but also Great Adventure, and Wild Safari, and Hurricane Harbor, New Jersey, and Savannah Sunset Resort. And then we'll get to contribute on some other projects happening around the East region. At that time, Quantum Accelerator was one of those. Um, kicked in and helped out a little bit on Rap Terror. So it was just like, whoa, a big shock. Um, I, I obviously grew up around the Philadelphia region, so getting Great Adventure was something that was special, um, in that I had great memories of the park growing up. I'm a huge Batman fan, so Great Adventure, Batman go together, and so I'm just thinking: "Okay, what am I gonna do?" And of course, as everyone knows, who's in the coaster industry, a legacy ride was scheduled to be demolished at that time. So my first effective date on property really was around January 7th of 2025. At that point, cat's out the bag, any chances for last rides are over, all of that stuff, it's, it's off the rails. I mean, we're going 130 miles an hour. I had about a month on the job, um, before King Da Ka came down, and then I had, um, maybe another month before we had to open the Flash Vertical Velocity. So talk about, like, hitting the ground running. I'd say, like, hitting the ground, rolling across the pavement, getting dragged by an 18-wheeler. But, um, survived those first two months at full speed and, um, really got to dig into the park a lot last year. Like you said, it's a, it's a great park. Um, so many great memories have been made here, not just by me, but also people from the region, people from across the world, 'cause it has that type of reach at Great Adventure. And as we kinda got into the summer, you know, you finally start to get your feet under you, you start to implement some things, and by the end of the year, we had a really brilliant Fright Fest here, uh, at Great Adventure, and I thought that was great. And at the same time, you're, you're just trying to hold on at Dorney Park, you know? It's like, we had a great year in 2024, we wanna maintain that energy. We had a big water park project last year, and so you're trying to figure out, how do I do public relations for both? It was a unique challenge, but, uh, as we're getting into this year, feeling really good about it, and we've got some exciting things happening at Great Adventure and exciting things happening at Dorney Park. Um, and just kind of finally getting structures in place where we can tell our story effectively. I think that's what you're gonna see this year out of Great Adventure. It's something you've seen from Dorney with me, um, going all the way back to 2022. Um, but I'm excited, I think, more than anything, to have the connections in place to actually be able to effectively tell stories at Great Adventure, and, you know, bless the company, um, they're giving me that discretion and that ability to do that this year, which I think is really exciting.
00:06:12,680 --> 00:06:24,020 [speaker_0]
... That's awesome. I love it! We gotta go back, and we gotta talk Flash a little bit, just because that was, of all the roller coasters, I didn't ride a ton of new roller coasters, new to me roller coasters, last year.
00:06:24,040 --> 00:06:24,050 [speaker_1]
Yeah.
00:06:24,050 --> 00:06:33,480 [speaker_0]
But Flash, that experience blew me away. I think the, the hang time on that stall was something I've never really experienced, or-
00:06:33,500 --> 00:06:33,920 [speaker_1]
Yeah, me neither
00:06:33,980 --> 00:06:42,260 [speaker_0]
... not, not, not even to that extent. You know, how was, how was guest feedback for The Flash and then every- I mean, we're gonna stick mainly to The Flash, 'cause-
00:06:42,280 --> 00:06:42,360 [speaker_1]
Yeah
00:06:42,560 --> 00:06:50,940 [speaker_0]
... you know, I feel like there, there could have been some, you know, maybe not so positive sentiment because Kingda Ka was knocked down, as you said. But like-
00:06:50,980 --> 00:06:51,860 [speaker_1]
A rough start to the year.
00:06:51,900 --> 00:06:52,520 [speaker_0]
It was.
00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:53,360 [speaker_1]
Absolutely.
00:06:53,370 --> 00:06:53,370 [speaker_0]
Absolutely.
00:06:53,370 --> 00:06:53,370 [speaker_1]
Yeah.
00:06:53,420 --> 00:07:02,460 [speaker_0]
And, but, you know, coming off of that, how was, you know, guest reception for The Flash, and, you know, what was it like to kind of get that coaster open?
00:07:02,540 --> 00:07:54,540 [speaker_1]
It was interesting, a- again, 'cause you go back to, you know, 2024, certainly not our best, and The Flash was originally supposed to open for the 50th, and it didn't. So I think that kind of hurt the univers- universal acceptance of the ride and, and the excitement for the ride. Um, and, and then, and then you had kind of like all the things happening around the park with ride removal, so it was just a tough start. Um, but what I will say, when guests came, and they did ride it, I think, like, the overall consensus is like, "Geez, that's underrated." Like, "That's an experience that I did not anticipate." And we heard that from, from coaster fans and, and folks who like theme parks, our, our regional and community audience. So I think the ride itself is dynamic, and it's unique, and it's a great ride. I think if you start to look at it as like it's a replacement for one thing or the other-
00:07:54,580 --> 00:07:54,590 [speaker_0]
Yeah
00:07:54,590 --> 00:07:55,680 [speaker_1]
... like, it's not.
00:07:55,720 --> 00:07:56,080 [speaker_0]
No.
00:07:56,180 --> 00:08:11,770 [speaker_1]
Wasn't. And if you feel that way, then I think you'd feel some type of way about Flash. But I think overall, like, the experience is crazy. Like I said, I mean, I, I got to do it 27 times in a 24-hour window, so I'd like to think I'm somewhat of an expert of riding on it. Um, but just the reverse, too, when you're going in reverse-
00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:12,010 [speaker_0]
Mm-hmm
00:08:12,010 --> 00:08:56,220 [speaker_1]
... and you've got the acceleration going backward through some of those inversions is crazy. The stall dive is incredible. Um, and then the onboard audio, um, had some hiccups at the beginning, but once we got that rolling, that just adds another dynamic. And so, um, yeah, just a dynamic ride. It's unlike anything in the Northeast here. And so I was telling people last year, like, "Dude, it was worth coming to Great Adventure just to ride that one time, if you liked roller coasters," in my opinion. Um, and now looking forward to '26 and '27, it's like, we're gonna give you more reasons to come back. So I, I think The Flash is a must ride. Um, I don't know if you wanna ride it 27 times in 24 hours. I don't know if I suggest it myself, but, um, it's definitely worth coming out and getting two or three good rides in it, 'cause it, it's a blast. It's a lot of fun.
00:08:56,280 --> 00:09:21,080 [speaker_0]
It really is. I, I promise you, and Ryan, I feel like he did- he is right. It, it is underrated. I wouldn't say he's short-selling it, again, because he's, he's not. It is a fantastic experience. So if you get up to the New Jersey area, make time. Go to Six Flags Great Adventure. Ride this amazing, uh, giant inverted boomerang. Not- no, gi- giant boomerang. I don't know what the-
00:09:21,140 --> 00:09:22,180 [speaker_1]
Super Boomerang.
00:09:22,260 --> 00:09:23,420 [speaker_0]
Super Boomerang, thank you.
00:09:23,460 --> 00:09:23,589 [speaker_1]
Yeah.
00:09:23,620 --> 00:09:24,270 [speaker_0]
That's, that's a-
00:09:24,270 --> 00:09:26,470 [speaker_1]
I thought you might stumble into it, so I was gonna let you go.
00:09:26,540 --> 00:09:27,180 [speaker_0]
That PR-
00:09:27,190 --> 00:09:28,649 [speaker_1]
The promo did a great job with it.
00:09:28,649 --> 00:09:28,649 [speaker_0]
They really did.
00:09:28,720 --> 00:09:41,340 [speaker_1]
I mean, I was genuinely surprised when I rode it, 'cause when you look at it and you see the footprint, you're like, "Okay." And then you get on it, and you're like, "Whoof!" 'Cause, you know, guys like us, like, we've, we've had the pleasure of... I mean, you're a Carowinds guy, right?
00:09:41,400 --> 00:09:41,750 [speaker_0]
Mm-hmm.
00:09:41,750 --> 00:09:48,760 [speaker_1]
So you got Fury, and so there's rides across the country that are bigger and more dynamic, but this thing is, like, tight, compact, and fun.
00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:54,890 [speaker_0]
Exactly. And it doesn't- not every coaster has to be the EST, the biggest and baddest, tallest, fastest, longest.
00:09:55,220 --> 00:09:55,940 [speaker_1]
No, agree.
00:09:56,060 --> 00:09:56,110 [speaker_0]
So-
00:09:56,110 --> 00:09:56,670 [speaker_1]
Agree. Yeah.
00:09:56,720 --> 00:10:25,080 [speaker_0]
But it's per- it's perfect. All right, we gotta, we gotta get into it, and, you know, like I mentioned at the very top of the show, um, there was some really, really big news came out of Six Flags Great Adventure yesterday, that I really think it's gonna, it's gonna shape the theme park landscape for years to come, and I'm talking about the regional park access. Yes, we're, we're gonna get to the other stuff later, but, you know, we gotta talk regional park access, too.
00:10:25,089 --> 00:10:25,100 [speaker_1]
Yeah.
00:10:25,120 --> 00:10:36,420 [speaker_0]
You know, this is, this is kind of a new program that Six Flags has rolled out with these, these four regions. Um, Great Adventure and, uh, oddly enough, Carowinds in, in the same region, so-
00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:36,800 [speaker_1]
Yeah, dude
00:10:36,860 --> 00:10:41,830 [speaker_0]
... my, my Carowinds Gold Pass is, uh, gonna get some miles on it this year, hopefully.
00:10:41,840 --> 00:10:42,320 [speaker_1]
Yeah.
00:10:42,360 --> 00:10:48,120 [speaker_0]
But, you know, what can you tell the audience about the, uh, the regional park access and how that's gonna work this year?
00:10:48,180 --> 00:10:53,310 [speaker_1]
Look, before anybody throws a rock at their listening device, this is your idea, that we're-
00:10:53,320 --> 00:10:53,580 [speaker_0]
It was
00:10:53,660 --> 00:12:40,208 [speaker_1]
... talking about the regional pass. And I, I agree with you, though. It's a big deal, and, you know, I- we just talked about how I have Dorney and Great Adventure. Um, and I'm also partial to New England and Kings Dominion because grew up going to both those parks as well. Like, it's funny, when you're in the Northeast, everybody's like, "Man, Virginia, like, that's far away, right?" It's like, "No, it's just a couple short hours. You can drive there in a day and do Kings Dominion." I've done it before. Same thing with New England. Um, so yeah, to think that what would've, in 2024 with Iron Menace, got you access to Dorney and the events, now gets you access to Dorney and the events, or Great Adventure and the events, and Hurricane Harbor, and the Wild Safari, also gets you to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, also gets you to Carowinds, also gets you to Kings Dominion, also g- it's... New England. It, it's crazy to think that you get all that for your pass. To me, it's, it's unprecedented. And then you even go back to the MVP sale last year, there are some people that got a Gold Pass, and they're gonna be able to go to every park. And if you're a theme park fan, I wouldn't even say if you're a coaster fan, if you're a theme park fan, it's incredible value. Growing up and having Dorney as a home park, um, for me, it's like, dude, I- we, we used to go to Great Adventure once or twice a year to, you know, do some type of DC-themed experience or to go into the Wild Safari. So how crazy is it to think that-... you know, kids now will have a shot to say, "Hey, you know, Dorney's my home park, but I'm, I get to go to Great Adventure whenever I want, and it doesn't cost us anything as a family," right? So that, that's pretty sweet. I, I think that, to me, is a huge selling feature, especially in, like, the Philadelphia, New York region, where you can get to both, dude, in, like, an hour and a half.
00:12:40,668 --> 00:12:41,668 [speaker_0]
Exactly.
00:12:41,678 --> 00:12:41,678 [speaker_1]
So-
00:12:41,708 --> 00:12:42,178 [speaker_0]
It's-
00:12:42,188 --> 00:12:42,318 [speaker_1]
Great
00:12:42,328 --> 00:12:50,888 [speaker_0]
... it is, it's pretty great. And, you know, we ran the, the numbers on Coaster 101. I mean, the East Region alone, you get access to seven dry parks.
00:12:50,928 --> 00:12:50,938 [speaker_1]
Yes.
00:12:50,938 --> 00:12:53,278 [speaker_0]
You get eight water parks. There's 78 roller-
00:12:53,278 --> 00:12:57,528 [speaker_1]
And I left out over Georgia, but that's also another, like... That's crazy.
00:12:57,568 --> 00:12:58,168 [speaker_0]
It, it is.
00:12:58,188 --> 00:12:59,228 [speaker_1]
And Whitewater.
00:12:59,288 --> 00:13:08,278 [speaker_0]
Right. It's, you know, 78 roller coasters among, you know, across these parks, which we're a roller coaster counting website, podcast, bunch of nerds. [chuckles]
00:13:08,278 --> 00:13:08,278 [speaker_1]
Yeah.
00:13:08,288 --> 00:13:21,498 [speaker_0]
That's what we do. But there is something in that, that East Region that I feel like is very unique, and you guys are, right now, you're in the, the 10 Best Awards, uh, for the best safari park, and that is the Great Ad-
00:13:21,508 --> 00:13:22,088 [speaker_1]
We are. It's exciting
00:13:22,188 --> 00:13:31,028 [speaker_0]
... the Great Adventure, Great Adventure Safari Park. So, you know, again, we f- we focus a lot on the, the amusement park and the roller coaster side of things.
00:13:31,048 --> 00:13:31,088 [speaker_1]
Yeah.
00:13:31,108 --> 00:13:40,058 [speaker_0]
But at Great Adventure, you've got this unique property. Not only do you have an animal safari, you've got the, the Sunset Savannah Resort. I probably butchered-
00:13:40,058 --> 00:13:41,488 [speaker_1]
Savannah Sunset Resort.
00:13:41,508 --> 00:13:44,827 [speaker_0]
Dyslexia is going to kill me one day. [laughing]
00:13:44,928 --> 00:13:46,228 [speaker_1]
[laughing] You said, and not me. I thought-
00:13:46,308 --> 00:13:55,588 [speaker_0]
I know. I know. So what's, uh... You know, let's, let's talk about this safari and how we can help Great Adventure win a 10 Best Award.
00:13:55,648 --> 00:16:49,948 [speaker_1]
So, uh, the one thing that I, I will say about the Wild Safari, outside of the typical pitch, which is you got 1,200 animals, over 350 acres, and a unique experience in a safari truck. The other thing that I always tell people that you don't really understand as a guest is that team is incredible, and they care so much about the animals and that property. I would put that Wild Safari team up against anyone for their passion. Th- they love what they do, and they have supported me every step of the way. Um, it's why they had a, a really great year last year, um, because of their willingness to help me storytell. And with those stories, on top of the safari, and just all the experiences, I mean, if you want to see tigers, lions, bears, oh, my, had to add that, um, there's, there's no better place in our region, because you're getting to see them in large spaces where they're comfortable, where they're happy. A lot of them have babes every year. Last year, we had a media star, Coral the giraffe. Um, her story blew up. She had, um, a physical disability when she was born. Our team was able to rehab her, get her to have a successful and healthy life, and because she was hand-fed and raised, um, by our team, she loves people. So she's big on, like, getting in front of the camera and coming over to people, and so we've got a lot of other stars like that, too. Two bear cubs last year, a, a handful of zebra foals, other giraffes on the way, and so, um, we're getting into baby season right now, baby kangaroos, um, baby blackbuck, and so we're just... We, we, like, love this time of year, but the safari is incredible. And I think for me, coming over here, you think about all the thrills. I, I honestly didn't really put a whole lot of thought into, like, "Okay, cool, now you have this job, and now you get to talk about the safari." But then once you start, you're, like, almost like you're addicted to it, 'cause it's so cool, um, and the space is so incredible. Like, you know, there's some days where I get to take my car through it to, in order to get to Savannah Sunset Resort, which is tucked in the middle. Another great experience. If people get a chance, I would encourage them to check it out. Um, you know, there's, there's a, a litany of things to do once you're up there. They feed you. You're in a glamping-style tent, um, which is made by Bush Tek, and they actually set up safaris in Africa, so it's a very unique experience. You're literally in the middle of the safari, and you can see animals from your back deck or your room. Uh, you can hear the lions in the morning. Part of the reason why it's called Savannah Sunset is 'cause the sunsets are incredible. We've got a fire pit. There's different games. Um, we have live bands up there. So just, um, overall, that part of the property, to me, is, um, special, incredible, and worth a visit.
00:16:49,968 --> 00:16:59,888 [speaker_0]
For sure. And I'm looking, looking online, you know, you, you think, like, Great Adventure itself, it, it's, uh, 160 acres, thereabouts, the park itself.
00:16:59,948 --> 00:17:00,288 [speaker_1]
Yeah.
00:17:00,298 --> 00:17:00,318 [speaker_0]
It's-
00:17:00,318 --> 00:17:01,128 [speaker_1]
The park's huge, too.
00:17:01,148 --> 00:17:14,468 [speaker_0]
The park is huge. The, um, the safari portion of Six Flags Great Adventure, the Wild Safari Adventure, is more than double the size of Great Adventure. It's like, it is absurd how much land that-
00:17:14,488 --> 00:17:14,578 [speaker_1]
Yeah
00:17:14,588 --> 00:17:19,148 [speaker_0]
... is out there in the Jackson Township of New Jersey, where all of this is happening.
00:17:19,168 --> 00:17:19,358 [speaker_1]
Yeah.
00:17:19,388 --> 00:17:24,468 [speaker_0]
So, and so this is... We'll put the link to the, the 10 Best Awards.
00:17:25,188 --> 00:17:26,228 [speaker_1]
Yeah, it'd be great if, if folks-
00:17:26,238 --> 00:17:26,238 [speaker_0]
Yeah
00:17:26,308 --> 00:18:02,308 [speaker_1]
... could vote, man, 'cause it, it's not about, it's not about me, and it's not even really about Six Flags. For me, I just want it for the team because of all the work that they put into it and, and the work that I get to see day to day. I mean, they, um, they did a procedure, um, it was a hernia, but it was a little more severe than that. I'm underselling it. But, um, it, it was, uh, on, on one of our larger hoofstock animals, and they saved its life, and they were, like, so, um, like, emotionally proud of that, and it's just, like, those little things. Uh, that's, for me, if you got no other sales pitch, like, for that team alone, it's, it's worth the vote. We, we would appreciate it. I know they would.
00:18:02,318 --> 00:18:08,248 [speaker_0]
I love it. Yeah, absolutely. So 10best.com, or just Google "10 best safari park," you'll find it.
00:18:08,268 --> 00:18:08,278 [speaker_1]
Yeah.
00:18:08,288 --> 00:18:10,768 [speaker_0]
We'll link it in the show notes, all that good stuff.
00:18:10,788 --> 00:18:13,338 [speaker_1]
You're toward the bottom, third up from the bottom. [chuckles]
00:18:13,368 --> 00:18:15,348 [speaker_0]
Alphabetical, alphabetical order.
00:18:15,358 --> 00:18:16,908 [speaker_1]
Keep scrolling. Yeah, yeah, yeah. [chuckles]
00:18:16,988 --> 00:18:36,056 [speaker_0]
All right, we're 19 minutes in. We, we gotta talk about it, okay? This is... We've, we've put it off enough. I've, I've, I've allowed you to get the, the sales pitch for the 10 Best Awards. We've talked about the Flash, we've talked about the regional park access. We've hit the PR highlights.... yesterday on social media-
00:18:36,136 --> 00:18:36,596 [speaker_1]
Yes
00:18:36,606 --> 00:18:54,336 [speaker_0]
... you guys opened a really big crate, or a really big shipping crate, and inside that crate, if I can use a line from the movie Elf, there was a piece of rollercoaster track, and it was a very nice purple piece of rollercoaster track. It was, uh, Will Ferrell would call it very purpley.
00:18:54,436 --> 00:18:55,136 [speaker_1]
Purpley.
00:18:55,156 --> 00:18:55,876 [speaker_0]
Purpley.
00:18:55,886 --> 00:18:55,886 [speaker_1]
Yeah.
00:18:55,916 --> 00:19:02,436 [speaker_0]
And this is, this is for what- I'm, I'm pulling this information from a Six Flags press release that-
00:19:02,536 --> 00:19:03,556 [speaker_1]
2024.
00:19:03,696 --> 00:19:05,306 [speaker_0]
2024. You know exactly what I'm talking about.
00:19:05,356 --> 00:19:06,136 [speaker_1]
I know what it is.
00:19:06,216 --> 00:19:12,256 [speaker_0]
This is a, this is a record-breaking launch coaster that is coming to Six Flags Great Adventure.
00:19:12,316 --> 00:19:13,336 [speaker_1]
Yes.
00:19:13,356 --> 00:19:41,756 [speaker_0]
All right, I want- you know, there's, there's all sorts of cool things that go into, like, content creation, and I, I work marketing in my full-time job, so it's like, okay, when, when you find out that, you know, there's a big shipping container and somebody's gotta be there to cut the lock off this thing, that's the point of the contact that you're like, you're, you're creating this. When did you know that, like, this, this crate was going to be at the park? Like, how much advance notice did you have?
00:19:41,796 --> 00:20:13,436 [speaker_1]
So I, I had a really good idea last week. Um, but you're always leery 'cause things have to go through a variety of processes. I feel like if I say the two that they are, then people know even more about it than they already do, which they already know a lot. But, um, y- it's gotta go through some processes once it's on US soil, and so you're, you're just kind of waiting so that they release it, and then you're like, "Okay, now they released it. What order is it coming?" Because there's columns in some of them.
00:20:13,446 --> 00:20:13,446 [speaker_0]
Mm-hmm.
00:20:13,456 --> 00:21:38,796 [speaker_1]
There's components in some of these crates, so, or shipping containers. And so you're just saying, "All right, well, which, which one is it gonna be in? What day is it gonna get here, and what time?" So effectively, we knew within a 100% margin of error, about 24 hours in advance. So at that... Which, dude, I live for that, by the way. Um, I know it's stressful, but I kind of live for the stress. But I mean, don't talk to me right after because I probably need a, a, you know, a Diet Coke and, and a nice lawn chair after. But, um, I kind of live for it. So once we find out it's 24 hours in advance, then it's like, okay, we... Now we've, we've already had conversations, whether it's like, you know, I, I always try to pull in, I'm a, I'm a creative at heart, and I love videography, cinematography, and photography. So I'm always like, I'm not, I know I'm not the best. So I like to try to pull in people who I know are better, as good, um, or offer a really unique perspective for these things, because I know that the kind of content they're gonna get will only make mine look better. So then it's p- I mean, we've already kind of put those wheels in motion a little bit, but it's making those calls and confirming and saying, "Dude, can you be off work?" 'Cause most of them work other jobs, you know, "Can you be off work tomorrow? I think it's gonna get here at, you know, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 a.m.", whatever it is.
00:21:38,816 --> 00:21:39,116 [speaker_0]
Mm-hmm.
00:21:39,216 --> 00:24:06,596 [speaker_1]
Um, and it's like, and then when it gets here, I don't know how long it's gonna take for the crew to actually unload it, 'cause, you know, we've got a massive crane that has to do this work. Um, and you got the operator, and you got the maintenance team, you got all these different things, so you're just like, "Oh, dude, what is this gonna take?" So 24 hours out, you're doing all these conversat- having all these conversations, having conversations with Mike about, you know, does he wanna be there? What does he need? Talking to safety and security about, "Okay, how do we get them in, gate access?" Because, you know, a lot of the guys coming to help me aren't employees. Um, hard hats, do we need boots? All these different things, right? Can we fly a drone? Can we not fly a drone? What do we need? What permissions do we need? So all that happens in 24 hours, and then you get there the morning of, and you're just, "Man, I hope, like, I hope this- I hope it comes today!" Because you really don't know, 'cause you're usually working with a logistics company. So all that work goes into it. Um, and the payoff yesterday, man, was, like, spot on. So shout-out to my maintenance team. Um, Steven, our manager, is the guy, has been, like, my point of contact. Like, every day we're talking, like, "What are we doing? When's it coming? What's the next step? What do our milestones look like?" Um, those relationships are critical when you're talking about doing something like this and making sure that you've got it captured. I also like to think of the park... I think there's, there's, um, there's kind of like this deviation between, like, we're a business and a brand, and this is how we run social media, and this is how we storytell, or I'm a content creator, and this is how I run businesses, and this is how I storytell. The way I've always seen it, and I did this with Dorney, with Iron Menace, is we're, we're a content creator. We're not a business. I know we're a business, but I like it when our content reflects more of a storytelling or more of a reflection of as a creator. Um, and when we share, we're not just sharing with legacy media or businesses, we're sharing with content creators. So I think that change for my parks has been huge, and so then when we get to the day of, and, and we film it, you know, 'cause everybody, th- that's a process, that's a two, two and a half, three-hour process to film it and make sure we're getting all the shots we want, and what's the selection look like? And then we had partners there, so did they get everything they needed, um, you get done, and then just right to my office, and three a- three, four hours of just door closed, quiet. I need to edit the B-roll. We're gonna pick through the video. We have selects for the photos. If the photo's mine, I'm gonna treat it. If it's theirs, we're gonna talk about them treating it. Are we taking it through Lightroom? What does it look like? What aesthetic do we need? 'Cause it was cloudy yesterday, which isn't always optimal, but it kind of worked for this purple track 'cause then it popped, I thought, on the gray.
00:24:06,616 --> 00:24:07,196 [speaker_0]
Mm-hmm.
00:24:07,296 --> 00:24:33,416 [speaker_1]
Um, and then it's like, okay, so then you've got a advisory, and is it... I mean, for me, it was already pre-written, 'cause I knew we were gonna do it, right? So the advisory, making sure we've got that buttoned up, you're putting it out, um, making sure that your asset kit is correct, and then the same thing with social media, reviewing all that content. It's, it's just, it's a lot of work. Um, but then you get done, end of the night, like I said, man, crack a, crack a cold Diet Coke, grab a lawn chair, and, and, and then sit back and watch the show.
00:24:33,636 --> 00:24:39,466 [speaker_0]
Listen, and then you get to come on a podcast the next day, where you get to, like, relive it, and you're like, "That's-
00:24:39,466 --> 00:24:40,216 [speaker_1]
I'm reliving it.
00:24:40,616 --> 00:24:43,476 [speaker_0]
... you're basking in the glory a little bit, it's great.
00:24:43,496 --> 00:24:45,636 [speaker_1]
[laughs] It's fresh right now.
00:24:45,716 --> 00:25:06,286 [speaker_0]
Um, all right, and I know, uh- listen, if you're listening to this podcast, you know the drill. I'm a, I'm a content creator. I am a, quote, "sometimes media member." I'm gonna ask the questions. Ryan's gonna give me answers that are not really answers, but bear with us, because I am gonna ask the questions.
00:25:06,316 --> 00:25:08,436 [speaker_1]
[laughs] Hey, now.
00:25:08,476 --> 00:25:11,976 [speaker_0]
Hey, no, no, that's, it's, that's the name of the game, and like-
00:25:11,996 --> 00:25:12,346 [speaker_1]
It is
00:25:12,346 --> 00:25:25,696 [speaker_0]
... I, I get it. I totally get it. You get it. And people are like, "Well, why can't you tell me every detail about this?" Because, Ryan, as a, you know, c- business, that it's also doubling as a content creator-
00:25:25,756 --> 00:25:25,765 [speaker_1]
Yeah
00:25:25,776 --> 00:25:31,216 [speaker_0]
... you've got a story and a narrative that you wanna tell, and you wanna do that at your speed. I get that.
00:25:31,236 --> 00:25:45,256 [speaker_1]
There's that. There's also, the, the one thing I tell people, too, is, um, it's in the title. So the title says Public Relations. In order to disseminate information to the public, I need 100% alignment.
00:25:45,336 --> 00:25:45,515 [speaker_0]
Mm-hmm.
00:25:45,556 --> 00:26:31,316 [speaker_1]
Not 99%, not 98%, not 50%, 100%. So if we're 99% locked in, and there's still a 1% about any of the things that someone's asked about, it makes it hard to go 120 miles an hour, 100%, into something like an announcement, a teaser campaign. So any little thing that you could possibly think of, if it's not 100% locked in, it makes it a little bit slower to get off to start. So I think that's the misnomer is that, like, I just come out as soon as I find something out, and I can just spill it. Uh, I need to make sure that all of our stakeholders are bought in. You know, there's a lot of different parties that go into it. Um, maintenance and operations are probably two people think of. There's also, um, the greater marketing team.
00:26:31,326 --> 00:26:31,326 [speaker_0]
Mm-hmm.
00:26:31,356 --> 00:26:44,856 [speaker_1]
Everybody does something a little bit different. They've all- everybody has to be ready, and then also the website. You know, you've got, got all those folks there, too, that have to be ready to receive the increased traffic, and where are we pushing them, and where are they going? So there's a lot of work that goes into it.
00:26:44,916 --> 00:26:50,856 [speaker_0]
Yeah, if you did it the other way, you, you'd just be a, you'd be a somebody on Reddit or a coaster blog. That's how that works. [chuckles]
00:26:50,896 --> 00:26:51,126 [speaker_1]
Yeah.
00:26:51,475 --> 00:26:51,605 [speaker_0]
So-
00:26:52,116 --> 00:26:52,226 [speaker_1]
It's chaotic
00:26:52,236 --> 00:26:54,306 [speaker_0]
... dunked on myself a little bit. It's fine. [chuckles]
00:26:54,306 --> 00:26:58,896 [speaker_1]
It's chaotic, yeah. You, you, you wanna avoid... I mean, it's different when you're an individual.
00:26:58,936 --> 00:26:59,336 [speaker_0]
For sure.
00:26:59,376 --> 00:27:04,496 [speaker_1]
Uh, when you're a business, you know, chaos isn't necessarily a selling feature.
00:27:04,636 --> 00:27:05,596 [speaker_0]
100%.
00:27:05,656 --> 00:27:05,876 [speaker_1]
Yeah.
00:27:05,936 --> 00:27:11,506 [speaker_0]
So this is, I believe, um, Evan on our team. Uh, he visited the park last-
00:27:11,506 --> 00:27:12,616 [speaker_1]
I know him.
00:27:12,636 --> 00:27:19,646 [speaker_0]
Yep, Evan visited the park. You kind of, you, you let him behind the fence, allegedly, I think. You were with him. You didn't let him back there-
00:27:19,756 --> 00:27:19,765 [speaker_1]
I did
00:27:19,765 --> 00:27:20,176 [speaker_0]
... by himself.
00:27:20,216 --> 00:27:20,246 [speaker_1]
Yes.
00:27:20,296 --> 00:27:20,746 [speaker_0]
He can't.
00:27:20,776 --> 00:27:21,216 [speaker_1]
Yep.
00:27:21,356 --> 00:27:22,956 [speaker_0]
Needs adult supervision.
00:27:22,976 --> 00:27:23,136 [speaker_1]
He does.
00:27:23,156 --> 00:27:32,556 [speaker_0]
So this is, this is kind of back in the, the vicinity of the park, kind of over there near Superman. You can kind of see it, the, from the parking lot-
00:27:32,596 --> 00:27:32,736 [speaker_1]
Yep
00:27:32,876 --> 00:27:36,956 [speaker_0]
... this big, giant field. That's gonna be where this coaster is located.
00:27:36,996 --> 00:27:37,716 [speaker_1]
Yeah.
00:27:37,776 --> 00:27:39,236 [speaker_0]
That much we can talk about.
00:27:39,256 --> 00:27:41,736 [speaker_1]
Yep, it's a- it's adjacent to where Kingda Ka was.
00:27:41,756 --> 00:27:42,556 [speaker_0]
Adjacent to where-
00:27:42,566 --> 00:27:57,776 [speaker_1]
So if you're coming out of the boardwalk area, through all the game section, and you looked to your right, and there was an entrance to the Golden Kingdom, and that's how you would've gone to Kingda Ka. Then there was Twister and Green Lantern. It's right there. So it's, it's almost more in Green Lantern's plot-
00:27:57,916 --> 00:27:58,096 [speaker_0]
Okay
00:27:58,156 --> 00:27:59,956 [speaker_1]
... than anything else.
00:27:59,996 --> 00:28:04,936 [speaker_0]
All right, so I'm gonna hit you with some, some yes or no type questions.
00:28:04,976 --> 00:28:06,156 [speaker_1]
Cool.
00:28:06,236 --> 00:28:10,406 [speaker_0]
This, this coaster, when it opens, it, it will open in 2027.
00:28:10,406 --> 00:28:10,436 [speaker_1]
Yep.
00:28:10,446 --> 00:28:12,296 [speaker_0]
That is, that's, that is the opening year.
00:28:12,336 --> 00:28:12,556 [speaker_1]
Yes.
00:28:13,176 --> 00:28:16,126 [speaker_0]
'Cause that was one of the questions on, you know, we put out some questions.
00:28:16,126 --> 00:28:18,856 [speaker_1]
Yeah, I mean, it was, it was fluid until pretty recent, but yeah-
00:28:18,896 --> 00:28:19,236 [speaker_0]
It was
00:28:19,396 --> 00:28:20,636 [speaker_1]
... '27. Yep.
00:28:20,686 --> 00:28:36,356 [speaker_0]
'27, okay. There's been a, a recent kind of uptick in the Six Flags, you know, Legacy Cedar Fair, now Six Flags, um, and now Six Flags as a whole, uh, storytelling when it comes to, um, coasters.
00:28:36,376 --> 00:28:36,496 [speaker_1]
Yep.
00:28:36,576 --> 00:28:46,096 [speaker_0]
Iron, Iron Menace was a great example of this. Will this coaster, when it opens, will it have some sort of backstory and theme?
00:28:46,136 --> 00:28:47,426 [speaker_1]
Yes. Yes.
00:28:47,616 --> 00:28:47,626 [speaker_0]
Okay.
00:28:47,656 --> 00:29:59,996 [speaker_1]
It will, it will, and I think you're, you're spot on. Um, it's critical for us. I mean, it's critical for me. I'm a storyteller, so [chuckles] I push really hard to make sure that we've got some type of story, but it's kind of goes back to what you said. So for, um, for Cedar Fair and, and now Six Flags, we are tying theming for these big, new, marvelous attractions into the area in which they inhabit, so that the experience spreads beyond the track. So that it's not just a ride for those of us who can ride, it's an experience for the whole family. So with Iron Menace, you saw that intentionality with sight lines, and where's Mom gonna sit while she's holding your bags, right? Or where can Dad be if he is physically unable to ride, but he can still watch you on the drop right from the midway, right next to the ride? And what's the theming like? Are they getting the same experience, even if they're not on the ride? And if you're in the queue, are you feeling the vibes of an old steel mill? So you're gonna see that stuff here with this ride as well, and I think a vast majority of rides coming across the portfolio over the next several years. I mean, they did it... I mean, they so- they did it, too, with, with, um, the Gold Rusher in, over Georgia.
00:30:00,216 --> 00:30:00,356 [speaker_0]
Mm-hmm.
00:30:00,396 --> 00:30:17,996 [speaker_1]
There's a, there's a very intentional theming behind that. Um, and I know just from being in, in New England, Quantum Accelerator has some of that, too. So we'll just, we'll just kind of cont- I mean, and it might just be that it gets put in an existing space, and it's accenting that, it's, it's leaning into that already. But-
00:30:18,036 --> 00:30:18,236 [speaker_0]
Okay
00:30:18,376 --> 00:30:20,436 [speaker_1]
... I think you'll see a lot more of that.
00:30:20,476 --> 00:30:29,586 [speaker_0]
Okay. Well, you, you mentioned the... And again, I'm, I'm not trying to break news. I'm not trying to get you to leak anything you don't wanna leak. I mean, you-
00:30:29,586 --> 00:30:31,226 [speaker_1]
You can't get me anyway. Go for it.
00:30:31,256 --> 00:30:32,486 [speaker_0]
You're, you're right. [laughs]
00:30:32,486 --> 00:30:33,116 [speaker_1]
[laughs]
00:30:33,126 --> 00:30:42,376 [speaker_0]
The area that it's in, are we going to see a re-theme of that area, or is it going to, as you said, kind of accentuate the area that it's currently in?
00:30:42,972 --> 00:31:12,512 [speaker_1]
... yeah, there's, there's, um, there's nothing that I'm ready to announce on that just yet, but we are very, very close to disseminating information related to theming in that area. So you're probably about two weeks too fast, but we're extremely close to letting people know, and I think, um, part of the reason maybe we haven't spilled the beans on that yet is because we've got some exciting things coming for 2026 that we are, um, getting aligned on-
00:31:12,532 --> 00:31:12,702 [speaker_0]
Mm-hmm.
00:31:12,702 --> 00:31:15,732 [speaker_1]
-and that we'll be announcing along with that very soon. So-
00:31:15,772 --> 00:31:16,112 [speaker_0]
Perfect.
00:31:16,192 --> 00:31:19,072 [speaker_1]
I'd say stay tuned. It's gonna, it's gonna happen here shortly.
00:31:19,132 --> 00:31:33,792 [speaker_0]
Yes, and w- we are gonna talk 2026 as well. Like, that's, that will be one further thing. Again, when you, when you break the internet with the combination of regional park access and big, shiny, purpley piece of rollercoaster track, we gotta, gotta get the highlights out of the way.
00:31:33,852 --> 00:31:43,032 [speaker_1]
I know. It's awesome, I feel like I've had something every week for, like, the last three weeks and, and, like, we're not even, we're not even in the heart of it yet. Like, we've got more here for March.
00:31:43,112 --> 00:31:43,522 [speaker_0]
I love it.
00:31:43,522 --> 00:31:44,212 [speaker_1]
So.
00:31:44,252 --> 00:31:52,592 [speaker_0]
And then, um, you know, I, I'm sure you, you will t- point me in a direction of the internet that is not maybe officially-
00:31:52,602 --> 00:31:52,602 [speaker_1]
Yeah
00:31:52,602 --> 00:31:54,012 [speaker_0]
... sanctioned information.
00:31:54,052 --> 00:31:54,452 [speaker_1]
Okay.
00:31:54,552 --> 00:32:05,712 [speaker_0]
Um, this rollercoaster, is it- it is manufactured by what I'm gonna refer to as a, a German manufacturer, who most Americans can't figure out how to pronounce the name. Is that correct?
00:32:05,722 --> 00:32:52,432 [speaker_1]
[chuckles] So, uh, yeah, we, we did, we did talk about this a little bit off, off the pod. Uh, what I'll say is that if they are seeing it online, it's a good chance they've already confirmed it, confirmed it themselves. I think it's, um, it's one of those, like, worst-kept secrets, but, uh, you know, I think for me, it's like I don't necessarily like to iterate it or put it out there until we're ready to make the full announcement. Um, but we are, we're working with an incredible team that I think is very recognisable. Um, and we've already had communications with them about how to, how to better storytell around this thing, so I'm, I'm excited to work with them. Um, but yeah, there's, there's stuff out there, even, even as it pertained to the track. I know, um, people who love rollercoasters already know just by looking at it.
00:32:52,472 --> 00:32:52,672 [speaker_0]
Mm-hmm.
00:32:52,682 --> 00:32:57,192 [speaker_1]
And, uh, that's great. I mean, I'm, I'm glad they know, and hopefully they're, they're excited about it.
00:32:57,232 --> 00:33:07,822 [speaker_0]
Yeah, and if, and if that organisation who you've been talking to is the organisation that we all know or "know" with air quotes, uh, they've been on a heater recently, so you guys are-
00:33:07,832 --> 00:33:07,842 [speaker_1]
Yeah
00:33:07,842 --> 00:33:09,492 [speaker_0]
... you're working with a good one.
00:33:09,532 --> 00:33:12,982 [speaker_1]
Yeah. I love that you're fully bought into the bit of not even saying it. That's [chuckles] -
00:33:13,012 --> 00:33:13,672 [speaker_0]
No, listen
00:33:13,812 --> 00:33:14,921 [speaker_1]
... It's [chuckles] -
00:33:14,932 --> 00:33:15,102 [speaker_0]
Right.
00:33:15,102 --> 00:33:15,992 [speaker_1]
I appreciate it.
00:33:16,032 --> 00:33:46,832 [speaker_0]
Yeah, man, I, I know the game. I know that you, you... Because there's nothing that bothers me more in this hobby, if I can be frank and to our listening audience, who's like, "Why don't you guys leak things?" And it's like, I like being part of the marketing and the teasers. It's like, you know, everybody knew in this, in this age of, um, you know, town hall meetings and government clearance and, you know, people filing, you know, Freedom of Information Act requests, like, everybody's gotta know everything now.
00:33:46,842 --> 00:33:46,842 [speaker_1]
Yeah.
00:33:46,852 --> 00:33:52,391 [speaker_0]
And it's like, w- let us play the game, dude. Like, come on, just have some fun.
00:33:52,602 --> 00:33:52,602 [speaker_1]
Yeah.
00:33:52,692 --> 00:34:05,772 [speaker_0]
Um, you know, that's the case not just with you guys. I mean, there's, there's c- things we can pr- talk about off the podcast that, you know, happened at your other park that, you know, didn't see the light of day but made it to a town hall meeting. [chuckles]
00:34:05,782 --> 00:34:07,292 [speaker_1]
[chuckles] It happens.
00:34:07,332 --> 00:34:23,952 [speaker_0]
It does. All right. All right, here's, here's... Is there anything that you can tell us about this launch coaster, other than it's a record-breaking launch coaster, it's purple, and where it's gonna be?
00:34:23,962 --> 00:34:23,962 [speaker_1]
Yeah.
00:34:23,992 --> 00:34:27,892 [speaker_0]
Other than, other than guests are gonna love it, anything you want to tell us?
00:34:27,952 --> 00:36:01,252 [speaker_1]
Yeah, I think we hit on a couple of them. Um, the one I want to start with, actually, it's funny, I just talked to People today, um, which is, you know, more online. That used to be a magazine when we were younger. You- People magazine was a big deal. But, um, the one thing that I will say is you keep saying record-breaking launch, and that sounds like one record. It's multiple. So I think that's an important note about this ride. Um, I think the second thing, which is obvious, is that there's nothing else like it. Um, and I think we love that here at Great Adventure. We like to be, like, the leaders in innovation and... Sorry, I looked at Nitro while I said it, 'cause it's behind me, but, uh, leaders of innovation, and we like to do things that have never been done before. Um, the one thing that I did mention in, uh, a walkthrough, I did a construction walkthrough not too long ago, um, is that it is, uh, longer and larger than Kingda Ka, which sat adjacent to it at one point. So, um, I think some people will, you know... I guess what your definition of larger is, is, you know, subject to what your interpretation of, of that word actually is. But, um, in terms of surface area and then overall track length, it will be larger. So I think that's a good note. I don't know if it... You know, here's the thing, it, it's not gonna make some people feel better, 'cause some, some people had an emotional connection to Kingda Ka, which I understand, which is why I'm very careful not to say that it's the replacement for Kingda Ka. Because the reality is, if you love something, if you've ever had anything you've loved... You know, usually for me, it's dogs.
00:36:01,272 --> 00:36:01,281 [speaker_0]
Mm-hmm.
00:36:01,292 --> 00:36:07,612 [speaker_1]
That's what I think of when someone says, "If you love something and you lost something," you don't ever really replace, you know, one of your best friends, right? So-
00:36:07,632 --> 00:36:07,822 [speaker_0]
Mm-hmm
00:36:07,832 --> 00:36:52,672 [speaker_1]
... um, it's the same thing with an experience or a car. If you've ever had a car that you really loved, you know what that's like. So, um, it's not a replacement, but I think it will replace some of the thrills that came along with Kingda Ka, and I do think that it is an exciting, um, change for our park to be moving forward boldly like we haven't in quite some time. So I'm e- I'm excited for the ride, quite frankly, and I think there'll be a lot coming out over the next, um, few months here, uh, that's a little more informative for folks. Um, like I said, when we announce the theme, which will be soon-ish, I, I think they'll, they'll get some more information, and we'll just, we'll just keep letting it fall drip by drip here.
00:36:52,942 --> 00:36:57,372 [speaker_0]
... Hey, we'll, we'll have the faucet near us. We'll keep an eye on it, so look-
00:36:57,422 --> 00:37:11,212 [speaker_1]
I know everybody can only pay attention for 10 seconds, and I'm certainly in that category because we're all on social media so much. So I'm just trying to hold it. You know, just trying to think of, you know, what fits into 10 seconds, and so we only, we, we release about 10 seconds worth of information every week. I'm just kidding. [chuckles]
00:37:11,222 --> 00:37:12,242 [speaker_0]
Yeah, and-
00:37:12,662 --> 00:37:13,282 [speaker_1]
[chuckles] I'm kidding.
00:37:13,292 --> 00:37:13,292 [speaker_0]
I know.
00:37:13,302 --> 00:37:15,182 [speaker_1]
But that's how my brain works, so.
00:37:15,202 --> 00:37:25,182 [speaker_0]
Listen, right there with you. And this is- I mean, I wanna... I- nobody can see this behind me because we're not on video yet, probably for good reason.
00:37:25,202 --> 00:37:25,272 [speaker_1]
Yeah.
00:37:25,342 --> 00:37:28,582 [speaker_0]
Um, I got Fury 325 in the background.
00:37:28,782 --> 00:37:28,931 [speaker_1]
Yeah.
00:37:29,062 --> 00:37:56,612 [speaker_0]
And, you know, when Great Adventure's park manager, Mike Fennell, back in the day, when he and I first became acquainted, it was around the construction of Fury 325, a raker- record breaker on its own point. You know, you and I were talking a little bit before we started recording, about, you know, Mike's involvement and how he's just, he's kind of gung-ho. And I've- it's a goal of mine to eventually get Mike on the podcast, so I'm gonna have to either twist his arm, twist your arm, to make that happen. And-
00:37:56,622 --> 00:37:57,702 [speaker_1]
We can make that happen.
00:37:57,761 --> 00:37:58,072 [speaker_0]
I love it.
00:37:58,072 --> 00:37:58,342 [speaker_1]
We can do it.
00:37:58,882 --> 00:38:13,322 [speaker_0]
You know, what's it like having him kind of on board as someone who has, you know, opened one of these record breakers before, and, you know, he's all in on the, the content and wanting to be kind of present, and, and part of it?
00:38:13,382 --> 00:39:12,242 [speaker_1]
Yeah. It, it's, um... So I, I, I know a lot of people in the industry know this, but Mike actually hired me at Dorney Park, so talk about, like, a full circle moment when I was here already, and then next thing I know, a couple months later, Mike's my park manager. We didn't really get to work with each other a whole lot at Dorney. I think maybe I'd been there for two or three months before Mike went on to a, a corporate role. So it's been fun working with him again. Like you said, Mike is, um, enthusiastic about the industry. He brings a lot of positive energy to the park, which I think has been needed. Um, he's got a very keen eye for things that are important but often overlooked. Um, things like paint and landscaping and, um, you know, the, the, the guest experience when you're, you're getting your food and you're getting your drinks. And, um, Mike's very diligent in watching that stuff. I think, I think what stood out to me yesterday, um, 'cause you gotta remember, this is my first time opening something large with Mike. I think the thing I opened with Mike was Alfundo's House at Dorney.
00:39:12,252 --> 00:39:12,742 [speaker_0]
[chuckles]
00:39:12,822 --> 00:40:35,482 [speaker_1]
Um, this is my first time opening a rollercoaster with Mike, and he was intentional about getting here early in the morning and being with us on the site, and being present to help us cut the lock, and being present to stand there and talk about the content we're getting. He's genuinely interested in, like, what we're doing, the story that I'm telling. Um, him and I talk every day, and so, um, to me, that's, that's leadership. And, um, Mike's just a good human, and he's fun to work with. Like you said, he kind of- he knows the game, and he's enthusiastic about theme parks. So, um, I'm having a great time working with him. And, um, you know, it's reminiscent when we did, um, Iron Menace, Jessica, who is now the, um, East Region's general manager, um, w- you know, we do the same thing. We'd be out there late at night, chopping it up, shooting video, and I did media training with Jess, and she did some of her first interviews on camera as a GM. And so, um, it reminds me of that again, just kind of like that camaraderie you build with your park leader, um, and how important your relationship is, and how that kind of can trickle down through the park when you start telling stories well, and they're a part of it. So it's been exciting to, to do that with Mike and get started. I was just- I was impressed yesterday with him being out there at 6:00 a.m., 'cause, like, you know, that hurts. You gotta wake up at, you know, 4:30 to get out here and get ready. And, um, I mean, we all would do it 'cause we're all coaster people.
00:40:35,502 --> 00:40:35,862 [speaker_0]
Mm-hmm.
00:40:35,982 --> 00:40:38,902 [speaker_1]
Um, but he does- I mean, he's here all the time, so I-
00:40:38,942 --> 00:40:39,242 [speaker_0]
I love it
00:40:39,252 --> 00:40:40,292 [speaker_1]
... I thought that was special.
00:40:40,302 --> 00:40:49,792 [speaker_0]
That's fantastic. All right, we've talked about 2027, but you know, before we wrap this up, you know, we're firmly in 2026. Like, we are barreling ahead-
00:40:49,792 --> 00:40:49,792 [speaker_1]
We are
00:40:49,792 --> 00:40:57,322 [speaker_0]
... towards opening day at Six Flags Great Adventure, which you're gonna have to remind me, I know we've got the big list on Coaster 101, but what is opening day?
00:40:58,202 --> 00:41:07,262 [speaker_1]
So our opening day is March 28th, but we are preparing for a season pass holder preview on March 27th, so I'm really excited for that.
00:41:07,271 --> 00:41:07,271 [speaker_0]
Mm.
00:41:07,302 --> 00:41:09,061 [speaker_1]
Be the first time we've done a pass holder preview in a while.
00:41:09,662 --> 00:41:16,782 [speaker_0]
So we're, we're just about a month out, and, you know, recently you were at, I believe it was the ACE East Coaster event. There was-
00:41:16,942 --> 00:41:17,202 [speaker_1]
It was
00:41:17,602 --> 00:41:25,692 [speaker_0]
... There was an ACE, uh, and you, uh, as, as you've done on this podcast, you were talking a little bit. You were saying, you know, "Hey, here are some cool things to look-"
00:41:25,692 --> 00:41:25,692 [speaker_1]
Yeah
00:41:25,692 --> 00:41:27,832 [speaker_0]
... "forward to in 2026."
00:41:27,832 --> 00:41:27,832 [speaker_1]
Yeah.
00:41:27,902 --> 00:41:36,102 [speaker_0]
Um, I- let's, let's dive into those a little bit. I know there was some, some news about Six Flags Great Adventure's log flume that's coming back, right?
00:41:36,162 --> 00:42:01,122 [speaker_1]
Yes. It'll be back online. Um, they're doing some work with it right now. Um, just another, you know, kind of, really not routine, but, um, just bringing it up to modernization and standardizing some of the things, um, that make it such a fantastic ride so that it can run well past 2026. So it, it will be ready, not on opening day-
00:42:01,342 --> 00:42:01,842 [speaker_0]
Right
00:42:01,882 --> 00:45:42,018 [speaker_1]
... in May, when it's not, you know, 50 degrees in New Jersey. Um, but on top of that, um, some great events returning, so Oktoberfest will be back, which I'm really excited about. I mean, Chef Jeremy kind of did food last year, but it didn't really have much more than that, so to bring it back fully, I think will be really exciting. That will accompany a fountain stage, which, which will be offering programming throughout the season. So we've kind of got this, um, [lips smack] enhanced entertainment throughout the park for the whole season. I'm really excited about that. Uh, Heroes and Villains will be back. That was a really successful event with, um, DC characters and heroes. And so as far as events and entertainment, there's gonna be a lot this year. I, I should mention Safari Spring Break Celebration will be new. It'll run through, uh, March 28th through April 12th, and that will be kind of like an activation of the safari in the theme park.... so in an area by, it was Coaster Coffee, but you're headed towards, you can either make- you come down Dream Street, you can make the left toward El Toro, or you can make the right towards the Runaway Mine Train, and it w- there's gonna be a big stage right there. It's gonna be activated. There will be animal meet and greets. There will be performers. There'll be live music. Um, so we're excited to, to do that, and it kind of coincides with us bringing back Safari Off-Road Adventure, um, as a ride, leaving the theme park and taking you, for free, taking you to the safari. So we'll still have base camp for folks that have kind of gotten accustomed to that, where you just, you drive in, you park, and you go right into base camp, which takes you into the safari. Now, you can go to the theme park, and then you'll leave from there, so that, that's an important thing. Um, El Toro is completed with phase one of its retracking. I can say that because I'm talking to coaster folks. Um, [lips smack] and so that will provide for a smoother, uh, upgraded experience for El Toro, hopefully generates a little more speed as well, and just offers a more comfortable ride, so we're excited about that. Uh, updating effects on a number of different attractions throughout the park. The one I would- I- maybe this is my fault, 'cause I went into, like, the Dark Knight, 'cause I'm a Batman guy, and people are like, "Why would they pick Dark Knight?" It's like, though, the reality is, if the effect doesn't work, we're gonna try to fix the effect, and that's what we should be doing. Um, I just went into Dark Knight, 'cause, like, last year when you rode it, majority of the effects didn't work, and it was kind of like, "Wow, what was that?" Um, so we're working on that, just, like, little things throughout the park, um, in terms of rides. And then we also have, um, some food and beverage upgrades coming this year, which I don't know if people were at the park last year, we did Granny's and Yum Yum. Um, so it kind of has that, um, we call it crew serve or cafeteria-style service, and so we're gonna do that as well. Uh, Best of the West will be Best of the West Smokehouse, not Saddle and Smoke Barbecue. We hear the people. The people was also me. So the Smokehouse, uh, will offer some unique barbecue flavors, and that's also right by Safari Off-Road Adventures, um, launch point from the theme park into Wild Safari. And, um, then we also are redoing Main Street Pub, and we are redoing Paradise Pizza & Grill, which is in Hurricane Harbor, New Jersey. So there is a lot of work happening in the park, and I will also mention that we're working on another big project for 2026, which is in and around the footprint of the brand-new roller coaster, and we anticipate that some of the exciting things happening there will be ready for the 2026 season. So that's when I said there's more information coming here very shortly. That will be a part of that. Um, so there will be new experiences and new things to do at Great Adventure, uh, in 2026 and 2027, and that is good news.
00:45:42,098 --> 00:45:45,358 [speaker_0]
And we are 36 days away. I just looked it up-
00:45:45,398 --> 00:45:45,578 [speaker_1]
Crazy
00:45:45,588 --> 00:45:47,778 [speaker_0]
... prior to that, that season pass holder preview.
00:45:47,798 --> 00:45:47,898 [speaker_1]
No, remind me.
00:45:47,978 --> 00:45:48,978 [speaker_0]
Sorry. Have to-
00:45:48,998 --> 00:45:49,008 [speaker_1]
[chuckles]
00:45:49,018 --> 00:45:50,608 [speaker_0]
I have to do it to you. Have to do it to you.
00:45:50,658 --> 00:45:52,318 [speaker_1]
No, let's go. Time's running out.
00:45:52,328 --> 00:45:55,138 [speaker_0]
It is. But you know what? You guys got a great team there.
00:45:55,158 --> 00:45:55,168 [speaker_1]
We do.
00:45:55,178 --> 00:46:02,407 [speaker_0]
You're, you're doing all the right things. You know, change is on the horizon, and for a lot of people, you know, sometimes change can be a good thing, so.
00:46:02,458 --> 00:46:55,258 [speaker_1]
Yeah. I remember, um, when they, uh, were talking about, you know, promoting me into this role, I think I had a, had a conversation with, um, Kristen Fitzgerald, who some people probably know, but she is our corporate director of public relations, um, and John Taylor at the time, who worked for our company. And I remember just saying, you know, like, like, "What's coming down the pike?" And we kind of talked about the vision for the park, and I always tell people, like, "I wouldn't have taken this job if I didn't believe in these two properties specifically," right? Like, for me, yes, in some aspects it's about the company, but it's always more about the parks for me. It's about, it's about the parks, and the direction we're going, and the futures for each. Um, and Dorney and, and Great Adventure both have bright futures, and I think they can really help each other with this new regional model that we're working with this year, so I'm, I'm excited for both parks.
00:46:55,318 --> 00:47:05,778 [speaker_0]
I love it. And then, you know, last question. I mean, best way for people to follow along with all things is Six Flags Great America's social media channels, website. Please tell the people-
00:47:05,798 --> 00:47:06,988 [speaker_1]
You went Great America today.
00:47:06,998 --> 00:47:07,008 [speaker_0]
[chuckles]
00:47:07,038 --> 00:47:10,377 [speaker_1]
Six Flags Great Adventures website, but, I mean, if they just go to sixflags.com-
00:47:10,387 --> 00:47:10,468 [speaker_0]
Man
00:47:10,798 --> 00:47:37,438 [speaker_1]
... we're all tied in, we're all tethered together now. So whether it's the app or sixflags.com, um, social media, we have our own corporate channel, and then we also have our own channels on social media. So like, follow, subscribe, as the content creators would say, and/or, um, you know, go to sixflags.com. You got plenty of information. The one thing I love, too, is we have this new blog tool, and we'll... You'll see a lot of PR people and great writers with the company filling that up with stories, um, that we hope to tell throughout the season.
00:47:37,898 --> 00:47:41,658 [speaker_0]
I love it. Love a good theme park blog feature. Glad those are back.
00:47:41,698 --> 00:47:50,168 [speaker_1]
Me too. Yeah, I love it. I mean, as a storyteller, um, you know, the press releases are fine, but they're so, like, corporate-y.
00:47:50,758 --> 00:47:50,798 [speaker_0]
Mm-hmm.
00:47:50,808 --> 00:48:02,238 [speaker_1]
And the, the blogs are more intentional, and they feel more like a love letter, so I, I'm, I'm digging it. I've already done three. Probably gonna see a lot from me, [chuckles] from me, 'cause that's where I get to let my hair down.
00:48:02,418 --> 00:48:08,778 [speaker_0]
Speaking of content creation as a love letter to theme parks, also visit coaster101.com, making sure-
00:48:08,798 --> 00:48:08,808 [speaker_1]
Yes
00:48:08,818 --> 00:48:21,838 [speaker_0]
... you're following us on c- uh, social media. Website, social media, we've got merchandise, coaster101.com/merch. And if you're listening, make sure you're liking, subscribing, s- smashing that follow button, if you will.
00:48:21,858 --> 00:48:22,398 [speaker_1]
There you go.
00:48:22,478 --> 00:48:34,958 [speaker_0]
Um, telling all your friends to listen, leaving us reviews, because the more audience we continue to build up, the more times we're gonna get great guests like Ryan, who are gonna answer questions, but not really answer questions, but that's okay.
00:48:34,978 --> 00:48:35,958 [speaker_1]
[chuckles] Hey, now.
00:48:35,978 --> 00:48:39,208 [speaker_0]
Wait, no, he really did. That's the, that's the point, you know, they're-
00:48:39,258 --> 00:48:40,658 [speaker_1]
Well, have me back in a month.
00:48:40,718 --> 00:48:45,398 [speaker_0]
I will, absolutely. You're welcome anytime. Last question I've got for you.
00:48:45,418 --> 00:48:46,148 [speaker_1]
Yes, sir.
00:48:46,148 --> 00:48:55,048 [speaker_0]
Uh, this is, this, uh, this came from a listener of ours, uh, Patrick, who, you know. He goes, "Why is, uh, Josh Early Candies the best candy shop in the world?"
00:48:55,058 --> 00:49:19,748 [speaker_1]
[laughing] My Lord. Uh, it's the best candy because it is... I mean, you could probably bike there from Dorney Park, but, uh, it's just melt, melt in your mouth, good stuff. And if, if I can advocate for anything, it's that if you do go to Dorney Park, just find your way over there. Put it in your GPS and nav your way over there. [upbeat music] And, uh, the white chocolate for me, second to none, so you gotta check it out.
00:49:19,778 --> 00:49:22,788 [speaker_0]
This has not been sponsored content for Josh Early Candies. [upbeat music]
00:49:22,788 --> 00:49:25,188 [speaker_1]
[laughing] Not sponsored or content yet.
00:49:25,278 --> 00:49:41,038 [speaker_0]
I love it. Uh, that's gonna do it for this week's episode of the Coaster 101 Podcast. I'm Ryan Jensen. We'll see you again soon.
