Are you an adrenaline junkie? Do you like spending a minute flying down a steel track held in by nothing but a lap bar or shoulder restraint? Do you like spending time screaming at the top of your lungs or cackling like a hyena because of the rush you're getting? How about Six Flags? Do you like Six Flags? 'Cause I do. I'm going to provide you with my step by step guide for the high-key adrenaline junkie's guide to a perfect day at Six Flags (or any amusement park, for that matter.)
1. Eat before you go.
Sounds obvious, right? You'd be shocked how often people forget to eat before heading out. When you head for an amusement park where you're going to be running around in the sun and sweating your butts off, eating is probably going to be your last concern. Eat a solid breakfast on the way so you have your energy for the day.
2. Bring a refillable water bottle.
Again, seems pretty obvious right? Single use plastic water bottles can get pricey (Costing upwards of $6 at my "local" Six Flags one state over.) Most stands that have a soda machine will fill your water bottle with plain water for free, if you ask nicely. I prefer a metal bottle to plastic, as it keeps the water colder for a longer time. Also a straw. Straws always help.
3. Good shoes.
No, the vans you've had for six years do not count as good shoes. Yes, I know that they're comfortable and you can walk in them for hours but trust me, the two things you want to stay away from are flip flops, and shoes with no arch. You're standing all day and then walking a ton and climbing stairs because it seems that every single ride has (what feels like) a billion-and-three steps. Wear walking or running sneakers. Your feet will thank you later.
4. A semi-small bag.
When you go to an amusement park, you don't need to bring your entire bathroom and bedroom with you. All you really need is your wallet, and extra phone charger, your phone, keys, chapstick, lotion, sunscreen/sunblock, hand sanitizer and maybe a hoodie if you think you'll be cold when it gets dark. You don't need a full sized backpack. The lockers at parks can be super expensive, plus the park may not even let you in with a large backpack.
5. Flash passes.
Totally not necessary, but if you're a full blown adrenaline junkie like me, you're going to want to go on as many rides as possible, some more than once. So in that sense, most parks have something that allows you to skip the line, or go on a shorter, more exclusive line. Some parks, like Disney World, it's included in your park ticket. Others, like Six Flags, you have to pay an extra, usually hefty fee. While not mandatory, obviously, some people do prefer it.
6. That one big ride.
Okay! You're in the park! Now there's 17 different directions that you can go to. Where to first? The ride you want first. That's your "one big ride." Whether it's the teacup ride, or the kiddie coaster, or the news ride, you should head there first. In my case, I always head to Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ. Whichever ride is your absolute most favorite, go there as soon as the park opens, flash pass or not, to get your day started right.
7. Lunch at a weird time.
When I say weird time, I mean either eat your lunch as soon as you get there, or after 2:00. Most people are in the park from open, and leave by mid afternoon. Why? I wish I could tell you. But it seems that most people are eating their lunch between the hours of 11:00 and 2:00. So when people are eating their lunch, ride those rides! Then after prime ride time, eat your lunch.
8. See a show after you eat.
I know you wanna go back to your adrenaline rush and I know you wanna ride that roller coaster that throws you upside down six times and I know you just can't wait to get your butt in a seat and scream at the top of your lungs to the high heavens that this is the "best thing that's ever happened" to you. But trust 20-year-old me (and seven-year-old me) that eating a full lunch and then going on a roller coaster is not a good idea. To be blunt, let your stomach settle so you don't throw up. Amusement parks, believe it or not, have some pretty entertaining shows.
9. Don't be afraid to try an "abnormal" ride.
That ride that puts you in the little pod and slingshots you into the air hundreds of feet up? Want to ride it? You do you, girl. The ride that makes you free fall in nothing but a chest harness and a cable? Best rush ever. The ride that hangs you upside down? Man if you wanna do it, more power to you bro. Not all "thrill rides" have to be a roller coaster. Sometimes the ones that seem scariest are the ones who give you the best "stomach in your throat" feeling.
10. Try different coasters.
My favorite type of roller coaster is your classic sit down, buckle in and hold type of coaster. But parks have other types of coasters. There are ones where your feet are hanging, ones with the track above you, ones where you lay on your stomach and fly (kind of like Superman, which is why Six Flags Great Adventure has a Superman themed coaster like that,) and my second personal favorite, the stand-up coaster. Again at Great Adventure, you take a flight on Green Lantern standing up with a bicycle like seat between your legs and a shoulder harness to keep you in.
11. Know your seat.
Some people prefer to sit in the front, others in the middle, some in the back, or one person may prefer one side to the other. It's totally normal. For some people, like me, it may depend on the ride that you're on. When I'm on "Nitro" or "Kingda Ka" I like being in the front row, but I prefer the middle when I'm on "Batman," "Superman" and "El Toro," but prefer the back for both "Bizarro" and "Green Lantern." Where you sit does make a difference, so choose wisely.
12. Buy something.
First time on a ride? Buy a key chain. Like the way your photo came out from the on-ride camera? Buy it. Remembering a good moment on an ol' friend, or a new found favorite is worth the small fee.
13. Wait time app.
In the age of smartphones, we now have a way of telling the wait time for rides without having to walk *gasp* all the way across the park. The Six Flags app, along with outside apps, have updated wait times and/or closings every few minutes. This will help you find out times for the rides you want to ride and decide if it's really worth it at that moment.
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14. Plan, act, enjoy.
My final tip in this guide for adrenaline junkies is to plan. Know where you want to go. When you have your plan, act on it. Hit the rides you want to hit, eat, see a show, go back for seconds of your favorites. In turn, make sure you enjoy yourselves. There is nothing better than the rush of joy you feel when you're plummeting towards the ground before being whipped from side to side on your ride of choice.
Enjoy the park and the thrill, my fellow adrenaline junkies!
