Story: Six Flags Great Adventure: A Place Where Roller Coasters Rule

Six Flags Great Adventure is celebrating its 34th year of operation (2008) in Jackson, New Jersey, situated between New York City and Philadelphia. For those that know the Six Flags brand, it's about the thrill rides. For the Great Adventure property, it's about the roller coasters...

In 2005, Great Adventure opened its doors to Kingda Ka, the worlds tallest and fastest roller coaster. Reaching a peek speed of 128 mph and a maximum height of 456 feet, riders will tell you - unlike traditional roller coasters - Kingda Ka is about the trip to the top. After an initial launch, you quickly head straight up, to be followed by just as quick a trip down. The ride is so fast that many will tell you that you don't have time to be scarred... But then again, breathing may stop as all your senses are challenged on this one of a kind thrill ride.

Right in the same neighborhood is El Toro, the tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster - that until this year - had the steepest drop in the world. But don't be fooled, this is not the clickety-clack woodie of old. The trip to the first drop is smooth and fast... It is especially known for its air time - that is, the time it feels like you are going to fly out of your seat. For those that want the full sensation, head for the back of the cars.

Situated somewhat between these two behemoths is one of the first classic roller coasters that opened in 1979 - Rolling Thunder. It is a twin wooden coaster, meaning you can race as two trains are launched and sent to their drops on parallel tracks. Click and clack are what this is about.

At the time it was build (1989), The Great American Screem Machine was the record holder in terms of speed, height, loops, and... well, screem factor. A double loop and corkscrew follow a thrilling drop on this steel coaster.

Batman: The Ride (1992) shook up the coaster world when Great Adventure introduced the world's first inverted roller coaster. The floor dropped and your feet went flying... It's still one of the longest waits in the park.

Medusa, in 1999, took a similar tact by dropping out the floor, but putting four riders in a row. It was notable as the ride was approximately 50 feet higher than Batman and moved at a little over ten miles an hour faster.

So what do you do when you have two of the coolest floorless roller coasters in the world? You build a third one and make riders parallel to the track. Superman: Ultimate Flight positions riders in a flying position so you can join the "Man of Steel" in this flight around the track. It indeed brought floorless coasters to a new level by forcing you to look down as you ride. While not as high or as fast as the other floorless coasters mentioned, this "flying" experience is truly unique.

In 2001, Nitro opened to become Great Adventure's tallest and fastest, reaching a height of 230 feet and maximum speeds of 80 mph. While a "sit down" coaster, it is still a huge crowd pleaser!

This year (2008) Great Adventure opened yet another coaster. This time it is less about the speed and the height and more about the visual experience. An indoor coaster - the Dark Knight - builds on the tradition of Batman themed rides telling a story as you move through the experience. It joins Skull Mountain (1996) as the second indoor coaster.

While there are many other coasters in Great Adventure, I would be remiss not to mention the Runaway Mine Train that has been operating since the doors opened in 1974. While it is tame by today's standards, at the time it was cutting edge... It still is a favorite of visitors, overlooking the Saw Mill (Log Flume - in its day the longest ride in the world).

So if you are looking for the biggest, longest, fastest or tallest, head to Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey. There is something for the thrill seeker in all of us.