Great Adventure Is A Perfect Place For The Entire Family!Every year when June rolls around our family goes nuts planning exactly what we want to get done and where we want to go during the upcoming summer days. As I hear all the requests coming in, I cannot help but think back to my own childhood and how excited I would get counting down to the end of the school year. Back then I had my own plan and prayed that my Mom and Dad would take my summer requests seriously. As with my own children, Six Flags Great Adventure was always in the top picks. Time goes on but fun is still fun and great theme parks are great theme parks. So, when the kids brought up Six Flags, it was a definite yes!

Luckily for our family, we were invited by Six Flags Great Adventure to check out everything new for the upcoming summer season. Six Flags has locations all over, but our visit was to the one in Jackson, NJ- less than two hours from NYC. It’s a great day trip or weekender. For us it’s usually a day trip but we do try to arrive for opening and always end up staying till closing- even when we say we are leaving by 7 pm!

Our first stop this trip was to Six Flags newest ride- The Joker! What a fun thrill ride based on the The Joker from the Batman series. You can check out our video and write up about the ride here. So much fun. This trip was a little different for us because my daughter was wearing a foot boot and needed a wheelchair. We rented a wheelchair inside the park entrance (to the right) and then found out the ins and outs of being at Six Flags with a wheelchair. The workers made the process very easy, allowing us to get a ride time and come back. It was only for the rides Emily rode on, so we the guys were definitely trying to get her to ride The Joker, but it was a nogo for her! lol. For some reason our family always heads to the right side of the park first. This trip was no different. With a quick stop for Dippin Dots we headed to Batman the Ride and Dark Knight. We hit a few of the kiddie rides along the way and also played some skill games. Emily was a lucky winner on the water race!

By that time we were gearing up for lunch. One thing I love about Six Flags is that everyone can choose whatever they are in the mood for that day. There are plenty of choices and a variety of foods. Of course my boys went right for the Panda Express, while Emily and Mommy hit up the Nathan’s. As for hubby, he loves Johnny Rockets. We all met up at an outside dining table and enjoyed. Our afternoon consisted of my favorite wooden coaster, El Toro and Bugs Bunny Frontier Land! Emily loves the talent show where we always get to see our favorite characters: Bugs Bunny, Tweety, Sylester and more! They even have a meet and greet when the show ends and plenty of fun music to dance to. It’s a very cute show for little ones and gets your family some much needed shade. So, we walked and walked and the Fitbit checked in with 17,988 steps for the day! I sure that took away the funnel cake damage! lol. If you are looking for a fun place to visit this summer (although it’s great for all seasons) look no farther than Six Flags Great Adventure! It’s great for everyone in the family, so bring them all!

Disclosure: Diane Sullivan/3decades3kids is a Six Flags Great Adventure partner blog. All opinions are that of Diane Sullivan and do not reflect the views of the parent company represented. No compensation was given for this post. Information provided by Six Flags Great Adventure. A media preview invite is generally provided to our family to experience Six Flags first hand. Contact me at Diane@3decades3kids.net

Will You Brave The Joker On Your Next Trip To Six Flags Great Adventure?Six Flags Great Adventure has been a great a family fun zone for our family for years. The park was one of my favorite childhood memories with my own mom and dad that I am so happy to share with my own hubby and kids. Recently our family had the chance to test out the newly opened ride- The Joker! Since we are also big Batman fans, we were counting down the minutes. We had watched the preview videos that we shared earlier and anticipated just what the ride would actually be like when it opened. It totally lived up! Although everyone in the family did not take the challenge, the ones that did, LOVED IT! We had the chance to ride it two times!

The new 4D, free-fly coaster is the park’s 14^th scream machine, and arguably the most insane among its world-renowned collection. The unique design of The Joker features:

• Massive, imposing, floating and twisting I-box track frame in a unique purple and green two-tone design
• One-of-a-kind onboard magnetic technology featuring smooth head-over-heels free-fly flips providing guests the feeling of weightlessness as they soar outside the confines of a traditional track
• 4D wing vehicles that seat up to 8 per vehicle with a total of 5 vehicles
• Seats that allow riders to face each other as they tumble head over heels
• A 120-foot-tall, 90-degree hill that is ascended by an elevator-style, chain link lift
• Two beyond 90-degree “raven” drops creating the sensation of free-falling

Needless to say, The Joker was our first ride! After discussing the ride over and over our family headed into the rest of the park.( Check out our post on the full day here, this one is just dedicated to The Joker!!) I really loved how The Joker is the first ride you see now when you look past the center fountain. So, if you are heading to Six Flags Great Adventure, you cannot miss seeing or riding this new ride! The best part is, you can stand right there in front of it and see the entire ride! While you are waiting in line check out all the detailed signs that surround the ride- they are all Joker based. Also, remember to check out The Joker gift shoppe at the exit of the ride! There is something for everyone in there including some old favorites that were already available and some newly themed The Joker tees, mugs and much more! Meet me at The Joker! Ride on coaster fans, ride on! Check out our video below of The Joker.

Check out more about  Six Flags Great Adventure here: www.sixflags.com/greatadventure

Disclosure: Diane Sullivan/3decades3kids is a Six Flags Great Adventure partner blog. All opinions are that of Diane Sullivan and do not reflect the views of the parent company represented. No compensation was given for this post. Information provided by Six Flags Great Adventure. A media preview invite is generally provided to our family to experience Six Flags first hand. Contact me at Diane@3decades3kids.net

Six Flags Great Adventure- June Looks Amazing In NJ! Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Now Open for the 2016 Season – Weekends beginning June 4

Celebrate summer at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. The 45-acre, elaborately-themed water park is one of America’s largest, and features a million-gallon wave pool, one of the country’s longest “lazy rivers,” a giant, two-story family water playground, and more than 25 high-speed thrill slides. Hurricane Harbor welcomes the addition of the all-new Caribbean Cove water play area for families later this summer. The water playground includes 55 interactive features including water jets, spray nozzles and a dumping bucket. Hurricane Harbor is open on weekends and begins daily operation June 18.

 

Ronald McDonald® House Walk for Kids – June 5

Six Flags Great Adventure hosts the 17th annual Walk for Kids at Six Flags Great Adventure June 7. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Walk begins at 9:00 a.m. and proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald Houses of Central and Northern New Jersey. Individuals under 18 who raise $50 or more and adults over 18 who raise $75 or more and are pre-registered will receive a free “Walk for Kids” T-Shirt as well as a ticket to Six Flags Great Adventure for the day.

 

Action Sports World Tour – June 11 & 12

See the world’s best BMX and skateboard pros from the X Games team up on the biggest half-pipe in the world for a unique team competition. Root for a team of one skateboard and one BMX pro as they compete against other teams in contests including individual runs, highest air, best trick and team doubles. The competition takes place in the Movietown Stunt Show Arena. Entrance to the event requires a ticket and is not included with theme park admission.

 

Discover Exclusive Ride Time – June 12

Discover invites card members and Six Flags Season Pass holders to exclusive ride time events at Six Flags, every second Sunday this summer. Stay late and enjoy big thrills with Discover and Six Flags. Participating rides will be communicated in-park on the event dates.  Event wristbands will be available beginning two hours prior to scheduled park closing time at the designated event table. Guests must present a valid Discover card or Six Flags Season Pass to receive a wristband.  

 

Job Fair – June 12

Six Flags Great Adventure is hiring smiling faces for Four Seasons of Thrills at the World’s Largest Theme Park. Work where you love to play, plus get the opportunity to make great friends, earn competitive wages, tickets for friends and perks throughout the park.

Job fair will be held at the park Sunday, June 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with on-the-spot interviews. The job fair takes place in the Employment Center accessed by entering through the Employee Entrance on Route 537 East.

 

Praise in the Park – June 18

Six Flags Great Adventure celebrates Praise in the Park featuring Anthony Brown & Group therAPy, Maurette Brown Clark and Brian Courtney Wilson Saturday, June 18. The show takes place at 6 p.m. in the Plymouth Rock Assurance® Arena and is free with theme park admission or Season Pass.

 

Central Jersey Blood Center Blood Drive – June 25

The Central Jersey Blood Center will host a blood drive at Six Flags Great Adventure’s Employment Center from 8 a.m. through 4 p.m. Each donor will receive one theme park ticket valid for Six Flags Great Adventure. Blood supplies are typically low in the summer months and one donation can save up to three lives.

Disclosure: Diane Sullivan/3decades3kids is a Six Flags Great Adventure partner blog. All opinions are that of Diane Sullivan and do not reflect the views of the parent company represented. No compensation was given for this post. Information provided by Six Flags Great Adventure. A media preview invite is generally provided to our family to experience Six Flags first hand. Contact me at Diane@3decades3kids.net

 

Kids Create Their Ultimate Skylanders In New Skylanders Imaginators! 

Since the launch of Skylanders®, kids around the world have sent Toys For Bob, the pioneers of the toys-to-life category, hand-drawn Skylanders with one special request – please bring my Skylander to life. This October, Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) will make that wish a reality. For the first time, Skylanders® Imaginators will empower Portal Masters to unleash their imaginations by giving them the freedom to create their own Skylander.

 “Since we launched the very first Skylanders game, we have received countless letters and drawings from kids all over the world sharing their vision for their own Skylanders. No matter how in touch with our ‘inner kids’ we might think we are as adults, nothing comes close to the endless creativity that springs from the mind of an inspired kid,” said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing, Inc. “We’ve turned this year’s game into the ultimate blank canvas for kids’ imaginations so they can create and play their own Skylanders.” Skylanders Imaginators gives players immense possibilities — including appearance, powers, abilities, names, catchphrases, musical themes and much more — to create the wildest Skylanders imaginable. The amazing depth of the creation system could allow for more than a googol distinctive characters. With the evil Kaos on a new quest to take over Skylands, it’s up to Portal Masters everywhere to create their own Skylanders – known as Imaginators – using the new elementally-aligned toy type called the Creation Crystal. Creation Crystals allow players to transport their Imaginators to consoles at anytime, anywhere!

Skylanders Imaginators introduces Skylanders Senseis, all-new heroes who represent 10 powerful Battle Classes such as Knight, Sorcerer, Bowslinger, Brawler and more. Skylanders Senseis help train created Imaginators by offering a range of benefits including unlocking super-cool Imaginator weapons, providing access to special areas in the game, as well as bestowing Secret Techniques across the Battle Classes. Senseis also have their own unique benefits including the extraordinary ability to unleash Sky-Chi – the ultimate Battle Class super move. There are a total of 31 Senseis, which include some fan-favorite villains who have been reformed and now fight for good! “Skylanders consistently delivers on innovative gameplay experiences. With customization a dominant trend in the consumer market, the fact that Skylanders Imaginators will allow kids to bring their own creations to life is a game changer and one our customers will enjoy,” said Richard Barry, Global Chief Merchandising Officer, Toys“R”Us, Inc. “We are proud to continue to serve as a marquee Skylanders destination, and look forward to fans’ excitement when the new Skylanders Imaginators game arrives this holiday season.”

 

To celebrate imaginations coming to life, Activision is kicking off the “Skylanders Art-to-Life Contest.” Starting today, Portal Masters are invited to submit drawings of their own created Skylanders for a chance to have their characters represented in the Skylanders Imaginators game at launch! To participate, fans simply draw their imagined Skylander and submit it via Instagram or Twitter with the dedicated hashtag #SkylandersArtContest, or to us directly at SkylandersCommunity@Activision.com. The judging panel will include Toys For Bob who will determine a grand prize winner. For more information, including rules, visit: Skylanders.com/SkylanderArtContest. Starting today, fans can pre-order Skylanders Imaginators Starter Packs which include two new Skylanders characters, a Creation Crystal, Portal of Power^® and the full AAA game. Skylanders Imaginators will be available on Xbox 360^™ and Xbox One^™ video game and entertainment systems from Microsoft, PlayStation^® 3 and PlayStation^® 4 computer entertainment systems and Nintendo’s Wii U^™ system. Developed by Toys For Bob, Skylanders Imaginators supports all 300+ Skylanders toys from previous games. The game will be available on October 16 in North America for the suggested retail price of $74.99. For more information, fans can check out the debut of the Skylanders Snapchat channel or watch the story unfold here and here.

 Disclosure: Diane Sullivan/3decades3kids is an Activision Partner blog. All opinions are that of Diane Sullivan and do not reflect onto the parent company represented. Contact me at Diane@3decades3kids.net

 

You Are Invited To A Very Special Screening Event of Now You See Me 2! #NYSM2

You are invited to a very special screening event for the movie Now You See Me 2. You will be one of the very first audience’s to see the film that premieres on June 10th in theaters.

When: June 2, 2016
Time:  7:00 PM

Where: Regal E-Walk Stadium 13 & RPX
247 W. 42nd St.
New York, NY 10036

Click on this link to claim passes: http://www.lionsgatescreenings.com/zYOhJ51848

You can download a pair of tickets to enjoy this special advanced screening of Now You See Me 2. Please remember to arrive early. Screenings are overbooked in order to ensure a full house. The line will be cut when the theater is to capacity. If you arrive early you won’t have a problem. Please tweet me at @3decades3kids and let me know what you think of the movie!

The Four Horsemen[Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Lizzy Caplan] return for a second mind-bending adventure, elevating the limits of stage illusion to new heights and taking them around the globe. One year after outwitting the FBI and winning the public’s adulation with their Robin Hood-style magic spectacles, the illusionists resurface for a comeback performance in hopes of exposing the unethical practices of a tech magnate. The man behind their vanishing act is none other than WALTER MABRY [Daniel Radcliffe], a tech prodigy who threatens the Horsemen into pulling off their most impossible heist yet. Their only hope is to perform one last unprecedented stunt to clear their names and reveal the mastermind behind it all.

In Theaters June 10th, 2016. fThis film is rated PG-13 for violence and some language

Disclosure: Diane Sullivan/3decades3kids is a Lionsgate Films partner blog. No compensation was given for this post. All opinions are mine and completely honest. They do not reflect the opinions of the parent company represented. We love the movies and love to offer free screening passes to our readers. Media invite was also presented. Contact me at Diane@3decades3kids.net and @3decades3kids across all social media platforms. See you at the movies!