Six Flags Great Adventure continued its cycle of growth as the 1980s began with multiple new attractions to accommodate the increasing crowds.

The big new ride for 1980 was the Buccaneer swinging ship.  One of the first installations of this type of ride, the Buccaneer was considered a real thrill and would have lines in excess of one hour at peak times.

The Buccaneer along with the Adventure Theater replaced the Grand Prix ride which was one of the park's original attractions. The new Adventure Theater offered a (then) state of the art 70 millimeter film on a 180 degree screen. The films offered an immersive experience with exciting action scenes that surrounded the audience.  Two attractions, the Super Round Up and Swiss Bob, were replaced with newer model rides.

Other new features in the park included new games like the Fireball Express, which used a radar gun to measure the speed of guests pitches. This was very popular as guys tried to show off their pitching skills and crowds would often stand and watch as the speed popped up on the digital display.

Additional facilities included a new treats stand named "Kiss My Cookies" which was located near the fountain, and a gas station positioned near the property's entrance/exit to alleviate concerns of the gas shortage issues of the time.

To try and extend the park's season and keep guests coming into the fall, the park introduced Oktoberfest. The centerpiece of the festival was an authentic fest halle transported from Hanover, Germany and added to the Garden of Eatin' picnic grove.

 



 
         

 

 

COLOR KEY:
 
 

CLICK IMAGE FOR SPOTLIGHT ORIGINAL NAME WHEN ADDED NAME IN 1980 LATEST NAME
BUCCANEER - 1980 BUCCANEER BUCCANEER
CALYPSO - 1974 CALYPSO CALYPSO
(REMOVED FOR 1988)
CAROUSEL - 1974 CAROUSEL CAROUSEL
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS - 1978 SCRAMBLER  CENTRIFUGE G-FORCE
(REMOVED FOR 2002)
ENTERPRISE - 1979  ENTERPRISE  SPIN MEISTER
(REMOVED FOR 2007)
 
FLUME - 1974  LOG FLUME SAW MILL LOG FLUME
FLYING WAVE - 1974 FLYING WAVE FLYING WAVE
(REMOVED FOR 2008)
GIANT WHEEL - 1974 GIANT WHEEL BIG WHEEL
GRAN PRIX - 1974 GRAN PRIX GRAN PRIX
(REMOVED FOR 1980)
GREAT TRAIN - 1974 SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE RAILROAD SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE RAILROAD
(REMOVED FOR 1981)
HAUNTED CASTLE ACROSS THE MOAT - 1979 HAUNTED CASTLE ACROSS THE MOAT HAUNTED CASTLE
(REMOVED FOR 1985)
HYDRO FLUME - 1975  RIDE THE RAPIDS RIPTIDE
(REMOVED FOR 2007)
 
MATTERHORN - 1974 MATTERHORN MATTERHORN
(REMOVED FOR 1987)
MONSTER SPIN - 1978 MONSTER SPIN MONSTER SPIN
(REMOVED FOR 1988)
MUSIK EXPRESS - 1976 MUSIK EXPRESS MUSIK EXPRESS
(REMOVED FOR 2015)
PANORAMA WHEEL  - 1975 LIL' WHEEL PHILEAS FOGG'S BALLOON RIDE
(REMOVED FOR 1997)
 
ROTOR  - 1975 ROTOR  TAZ TWISTER
(REMOVED FOR 2006)
 
ROUND UP - 1974 SUPER ROUND UP SUPER ROUND UP
(REMOVED FOR 1980)
SCHWABINCHEN  - 1975 SCHWABINCHEN  EL SOMBRERO
(REMOVED FOR 1987)
SKOOTER - 1975 FENDER BENDER FENDER BENDER
(REMOVED FOR 1988)
SKYRIDE - 1974 SKYRIDE SKY WAY
SUPER ROUND UP - 1980 SUPER ROUND UP SWASHBUCKLER
SUPER SIDEWINDER - 1976 SUPER SIDEWINDER SUPERSIDEWINDER
(REMOVED FOR 1984)
SWISS BOB - 1974 SWISS BOB SWISS BOB
(REMOVED FOR 1980)
SWISS BOB - 1980 SWISS BOB SWISS BOB
(REMOVED FOR 1992)
TILT A WHIRL - 1979  TILT A WHIRL TILT A WHIRL
(REMOVED FOR 1988)
TRAFFIC JAM - 1974 TRAFFIC JAM TRAFFIC JAM
(REMOVED FOR 1993)


CLICK IMAGE FOR SPOTLIGHT ORIGINAL NAME WHEN ADDED NAME IN 1980 LATEST NAME
LIGHTNIN' LOOPS - 1978 LIGHTNIN' LOOPS LIGHTNIN' LOOPS
(REMOVED FOR 1993)
ROLLING THUNDER - 1979  ROLLING THUNDER ROLLING THUNDER
(REMOVED FOR 2014)
RUNAWAY MINE TRAIN - 1974 RUNAWAY MINE TRAIN RUNAWAY TRAIN
WILD RIDER - 1978 WILD RIDER WILD RIDER
(REMOVED FOR 1982)


CLICK IMAGE FOR SPOTLIGHT ORIGINAL NAME WHEN ADDED NAME IN 1980 LATEST NAME
CARS! CARS! - 1974 HAPPY HOTRODS ROAD RUNNER'S BEEP BEEP BUGGIES
(REMOVED FOR 2005)
CRAZY CARS - 1979  CRAZY CARS LOONEY TUNES LOG JAM
(REMOVED FOR 2005)
DUNE BUGGIES - 1974 DUNE BUGGIES DAFFY DUCK'S MAGIC MOTORCADE
(REMOVED FOR 2005)
KIDDIE KAROUSEL  - 1979 KIDDIE KAROUSEL BUGS BUNNY CAMP CAROUSEL 
LADY BUG - 1976 LADY BUG BUGABOO
LITTLE BIG WHEEL - 1979  LITTLE BIG WHEEL ELMER FUDD FERRIS WHEEL
(REMOVED FOR 1988)
MINI SWINGS  - 1979 MINI SWINGS MONKEY AROUND
(REMOVED FOR 2011)
RED BARON - 1976 RED BARON BUGS BUNNY BARNSTORMERS
(REMOVED FOR 2005)
ROUNDABOUT BOATS - 1974 KIDDIE BOATS PEPE LEPEW'S PLEASURE CRUISE
(REMOVED FOR 2005)
SCREAMER - 1976 LIL' THUNDER LIL' THUNDER
(REMOVED FOR 1984)
       
KIDDIE CLIMB - 1976 KIDDIE CLIMB KIDDIE CLIMB
(REMOVED FOR 1984)
PET-A-PET - 1976 PET-A-PET PORKY PIG'S PETTING FARM
(REMOVED FOR 1988)


CLICK IMAGE FOR SPOTLIGHT ORIGINAL NAME WHEN ADDED NAME IN 1980 LATEST NAME
       
       
       
 

CLICK IMAGE FOR SPOTLIGHT ORIGINAL NAME WHEN ADDED NAME IN 1980 LATEST NAME
BEST OF THE WEST BARBEQUE - 1974 BEST OF THE WEST BARBEQUE BEST OF THE WEST
GINGERBREAD FANCY - 1974 GINGERBREAD FANCY GRANNY'S COUNTRY KITCHEN
YUM YUM PALACE - 1974 YUM YUM PALACE YUM YUM CAFE


CLICK IMAGE FOR SPOTLIGHT ORIGINAL NAME WHEN ADDED NAME IN 1980 LATEST NAME
AQUA COTTON CANDY - 1980 AQUA CANDY COTTON AQUA CANDY COTTON
(REMOVED FOR 1996)
AUNT JEMIMA WAFFLES - 1978 AUNT JEMIMA WAFFLES VILLAIN'S CAFE
CONESTOGA WAGON - 1974 CONESTOGA WAGON CONESTOGA WAGON
(REMOVED FOR 2013)
EAT! EAT! - 1974 FAIRGROUND HAMBURGERS
RENAMED
WHEELBURGER CHEESESTEAKS
MAMA FLORA'S CUCINA
FORTUNE FESTIVAL HOT DOG - 1975  H.P.HOOD YOUGURT STAND
RENAMED
POTATO FACTORY
GARDEN STATE GRILL 
FOUNTAIN CAFE - 1974 GREAT AMERICAN HAMBURGERS JOHNNY ROCKETS
GAMES COTTON CANDY - 1980 GAMES COTTON CANDY GAMES COTTON CANDY
(REMOVED FOR 1992)
GOYA FOOD STAND - 1979  GOYA FOOD STAND
RENAMED
RANCHO GOYA TACOS
KINGDOM GYRO 
HOT DOGS! HOT DOGS!  - 1975 THE TOP DOG MAMA FLORA'S GRILL 
JUNCTION INN  - 1975 JUNCTION INN  SUBWAY HOT DOGS
 (REMOVED FOR 2000)
KISS MY COOKIES - 1980 KISS MY COOKIES COCA-COLA FREESTYLE
LA CANTINA - 1979  LA CANTINA MACHO NACHO 
LIGHTNIN' LOOPS CAFE - 1978 LIGHTNIN' LOOPS CAFE NITRO PIZZA & JOHNNY ROCKETS
MIDWAY TREATS  - 1975 MUSTARDS LAST STAND BOARDWALK STEAK & FRIES 
PIZZA FILLING STATION  - 1975 LA PIZZERIA  MACHO NACHO EXPRESS
SEAFOOD STAND  - 1975 LIBERTY HOT DOGS
RENAMED
LIBERTY PIZZA
LIBERTY SQUARE PIZZA 
TOWER OF PIZZA - 1974 BANDSTANZA LOONEY TUNES CAMP KITCHEN
WEE DONUTS - 1979  WEE DONUTS COLD STONE CREAMERY
(REMOVED FOR 2009)


CLICK IMAGE FOR SPOTLIGHT ORIGINAL NAME WHEN ADDED NAME IN 1980 LATEST NAME
DRINK STAND - DREAM STREET - 1978 DRINK STAND - DREAM STREET VILLAGE SODA & SNACKS
(REMOVED FOR 2014)
DRINK STAND - FORT - 1978 DRINK STAND - FORT FRONTIER DRINK STAND
DRINK STAND - KIDDIE KINGDOM - 1978 DRINK STAND - HERNANDO'S HIDE-A-WAY PLAZA DEL CARNAVAL DIPPIN' DOTS
DRINK STAND - NEPTUNE'S KINGDOM - 1978 DRINK STAND - NEPTUNE'S KINGDOM FORT INDEPENDENCE DRINK STRAND
(REMOVED FOR 2008)
DRINK STAND - ROLLING THUNDER - 1979 DRINK STAND - ROLLING THUNDER EL TORO DRINKS
       
       


CLICK IMAGE FOR SPOTLIGHT ORIGINAL NAME WHEN ADDED NAME IN 1980 LATEST NAME
ADVENTURE THEATER - 1980 ADVENTURE THEATER LAKESIDE THEATRE
(REMOVED FOR 1999)
AQUA SPECTACLE - 1974 CAP N' CRUNCH
AQUA SPECTACLE
RENAMED
AQUA SPECTACLE
FORT INDEPENDENCE
(REMOVED FOR 2016)
AMERICANA MUSIC HALL - 1978 AMERICANA MUSIC HALL SHOWCASE THEATRE
BANDSTAND - 1974 BANDSTAND BY THE LAKE WILDERENESS THEATER
ENCHANTED BANDSTAND - 1976 ENCHANTED BANDSTAND BATMAN THE RIDE PREVIEW CENTER
(REMOVED FOR 1993)
FESTHALLE - 1980 FESTHALLE FESTHALLE
(REMOVED FOR 1981)
FLYING BAUERS SWAY POLES - 1976 FLYING BAUERS SWAY POLES FLYING BAUER SWAY POLES
(REMOVED FOR 1982)
FORT FIREWORKS - 1978 FORT FIREWORKS FORT FIREWORKS
(REMOVED FOR 1983)
GREAT ARENA - 1974 GREAT ARENA NORTHERN STAR ARENA
LIBERTY SQUARE GAZEBO - 1976 LIBERTY SQUARE GAZEBO LIBERTY SQUARE GAZEBO
PUPPET THEATER - 1977 PERTHY P. PELICAN'S
PUPPET SHOW STAGE
REEL TIME STAGE
(REMOVED FOR 1995)
 
 


CLICK IMAGE FOR SPOTLIGHT ORIGINAL NAME WHEN ADDED NAME IN 1980 LATEST NAME
AIRBRUSH ART & CUSTOMS WOOD SIGNS - 1980 AIRBRUSH ART & CUSTOMS WOOD SIGNS AIRBRUSH OUTFITTERS
AQUA SOUVENIRS - 1977 SHIRT BARN SHIRT BARN
(REMOVED FOR 1989)
BICENTENNIAL PHOTOS - 1976 LIBERTY SQUARE PHOTOS MY SIX FLAGS PHOTOS
DECLARATION OF GIFTS - 1976 DECLARATION OF GIFTS M-PORIUM
DREAM STREET PORTRAIT ARTIST - 1976 DREAM STREET PORTRAIT ARTIST FANTASY FARMER MARKET
(REMOVED FOR 1995)
EMPORIUM - 1978 EMPORIUM MAIN STREET MARKET
ENCHANTED FOREST GIFTS - 1979  ENCHANTED FOREST GIFTS  SANTA'S HOUSE 
FAIRYTALES - 1974 FAIRYTALES FLAGS
FLUME PHOTOS - 1976 FLUME PHOTOS FLUME PHOTOS
FORT SHOP - SIGN MAKER - 1976 FORT SHOP - SIGN MAKER
RENAMED
FORT SHOP - OLD WEST CANDLE CO.
FORT MASSAGE CHAIRS
(SBNO)
GAF PHOTO FAIR - 1976 FILM FAIR MEMBER SERVICES CENTER 
HATS - 1974 PAUL REVERE'S HATS PAUL REVERE'S HATS
(REMOVED FOR 1998)
HATS & HATS - 1974 HAT STAND SEASON PASS PROCESSING
(REMOVED FOR 2013)
HOCUS POCUS GAG & MAGIC SHOP - 1980 HOCUS POCUS GAG & MAGIC SHOP RIDE INFORMATION CENTER
JEWELRY BOX - 1976 JEWELRY BOX
RENAMED
DUG OUT SPORTS SHOP
SNACKS AND SOUVENIRS
KANDY KITCHEN - 1980 KANDY KITCHEN COASTERS & CANDY
LIBERTY SQUARE NOVELTIES - 1980 LIBERTY SQUARE NOVILTIES SAND ART
(REMOVED FOR 2001)
LOS SOMBREROS - 1979  LOS SOMBREROS DRY GULCH SHOOTING GALLERY
(REMOVED FOR 2006) 
MAIN ENTRANCE BALLOONS - 1977 MAIN ENTRANCE BALLOONS MAIN ENTRACE RESTROOMS
OLD MAIN CARICATURE ARTIST - 1977 OLD MAIN CARICATURE ARTIST HAND DRAWN CARICATURES
OLD TIME PHOTOS - 1976 OLD TIME PHOTOS OLD TIME PHOTOS
PAST & PRESENT - 1974 THE IMPORT BAZAAR BIG TOP TERROR TRAIL
SCHULTZ'S GREENHOUSE - 1979  SCHULTZ'S GREENHOUSE SCHULTZ'S GREENHOUSE
(REMOVED FOR 1980)
SNAKES - 1974 MAD HATTER BAVARIAN HAT WORKS
(REMOVED FOR 2018)
SOUVENIRS & CRAZIES - 1974 SOUVENIRS & CRAZIES ATTITUDES
SUPER TEEPEE - 1974 SUPER TEEPEE SUPER TEEPEE
(REMOVED FOR 2008)
SWEET TOOTH CANDY - 1979  SWEET TOOTH CANDY SNACKS AND SOUVENIRS
       
       
       


CLICK IMAGE FOR SPOTLIGHT ORIGINAL NAME WHEN ADDED NAME IN 1980 LATEST NAME
FIREBALL EXPRESS - 1980 FIREBALL EXPRESS CLOWN AROUND BALLOON RACE
(REMOVED FOR 2001)
FORT REMOTE BOATS - 1980 FORT REMOTE BOATS FORT REMOTE BOATS
(REMOVED FOR 1992)
FORTUNE FESTIVAL - 1975 GOODTIME ALLEY GOODTIME ALLEY
(REMOVED FOR 1982)
FORTUNE FESTIVAL BELL RINGER - 1978 FORTUNE FESTIVAL BELL RINGER GOODTIME ALLEY BELL RINGER
(REMOVED FOR 1988)
FORTUNE FESTIVAL STANDS - 1977 GOODTIME ALLEY STANDS GOODTIME ALLEY STANDS
(REMOVED FOR 1982)
HERNANDO'S HIDE-A-WAY  - 1979 HERNANDO'S HIDE-A-WAY  FIESTA GAMES
INTERNATIONAL BAZAAR - 1974 DREAM STREET ARCADE & FASCINATION PARLOR BOARDWALK GAMES CENTER
LIGHTNIN' STRIKIN' BELL RINGER - 1980 LIGHTNIN' STRIKIN' BELL RINGER LIGHTNIN' STRIKIN' BELL RINGER
(REMOVED FOR 1988)
MINIATURE MARVELS
CHIP SHOT MNIATURE GOLF - 1979 
MINIATURE MARVELS
CHIP SHOT MNIATURE GOLF 
MINIATURE MARVELS
CHIP SHOT MNIATURE GOLF
(REMOVED FOR 1990)
PARA SHOOTER - 1976 PARA SHOOTER PARA SHOOTER
(REMOVED FOR 1982)
PEDRO'S PITCH - 1980 PEDRO'S PITCH PEDRO'S PITCH
(REMOVED FOR 2006)
SHOOTING GALLERY - 1976 SAFARI SHOOTOUT SAFARI SHOOTOUT
(REMOVED FOR 1981)
SKEEBALL BARN - 1978 SKEEBALL BARN STUDIO 28 ARCADE
SHOOTOUT - 1974 WESTERN SHOOTOUT WESTERN SHOOTOUT
(REMOVED FOR 2013)
       
       


CLICK IMAGE FOR SPOTLIGHT ORIGINAL NAME WHEN ADDED NAME IN 1980 LATEST NAME
DREAM STREET BLOCKADE - 1978 DREAM STREET BLOCKADE DREAM STREET BLOCKADE
(REMOVED FOR 1999)
FORT - 1974 FORT FORT
FOUNTAIN - 1974 LIBERTY FOUNTAIN FOUNTAIN
(REMOVED FOR 1994)
FROG POND - 1974 POND POND
G.A.PLANTER - 1976 G.A.PLANTER G.A.PLANTER
(REMOVED FOR 1980)
KOI POND - 1974 KOI POND SHOCKWAVE POND
(REMOVED FOR 1997)
WOODLAND GARDENS - 1974 WOODLAND GARDENS LAKEFRONT AREA
       
       


CLICK IMAGE FOR SPOTLIGHT ORIGINAL NAME WHEN ADDED NAME IN 1980 LATEST NAME
GARDEN OF EATIN' - 1975 GARDEN OF EATIN'  CATERING PAVILIONS
GARDEN OF EATIN' - PICNIC GROVE - 1979 GARDEN OF EATIN' - PICNIC GROVE OLD COUNTRY CATERING - PICNIC GROVE
GARDEN OF EATIN' - PICNIC PAVILION - 1980 GARDEN OF EATIN' - PICNIC PAVILION OLD COUNTRY CATERING - PICNIC PAVILION
GASOLINE STATION - GETTY - 1980 GASOLINE STATION - GETTY GASOLINE STATION - LUKOIL
(SBNO)
LOST PARENTS - 1976 LOST PARENTS/LOST & FOUND LOST PARENTS
MAIN ENTRANCE TICKET BOOTHS - 1976 MAIN ENTRANCE TICKET BOOTHS MAIN ENTRANCE TICKET BOOTHS
MAIN ENTRANCE TICKET TAKERS - 1976 MAIN ENTRANCE TICKET TAKERS MAIN ENTRANCE TICKET TAKERS
MAIN ENTRANCE GROUP SALES/GUEST RELATIONS - 1976 MAIN ENTRANCE GROUP SALES/GUEST RELATIONS/SEASON PASS MAIN ENTRANCE GUEST RELATIONS
PARKING LOT - 1974 FIRESTONE PARKING LOT PARKING LOT
PUBLIC STORAGE - 1979  PUBLIC STORAGE PUBLIC STORAGE
(REMOVED FOR 1984)
SECURITY OFFICE/FIRST AID - 1976 SECURITY OFFICE/FIRST AID SECURITY OFFICE/FIRST AID
       

CLICK IMAGE FOR SPOTLIGHT ORIGINAL NAME WHEN ADDED NAME IN 1980 LATEST NAME
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING - ORIGINAL - 1974 ADMINISTRATION BUILDING - ORIGINAL SUPERMAN TENT
ADMINISTRATION ANNEX -ORIGINAL - 1976 ADMINISTRATION ANNEX -ORIGINAL TRAINING OFFICES
       


CLICK IMAGE FOR SPOTLIGHT ORIGINAL NAME WHEN ADDED NAME IN 1980 LATEST NAME
AQUA SPECTACLE - 1974 AQUA SPECTACLE JOKER
FORT - 1974 FORT FORT
FUN FAIR  - 1975 FUN FAIR BAT MOBILE
(REMOVED FOR 1993)
MAIN ENTRANCE - 1976 MAIN ENTRANCE MAIN ENTRANCE
OLD MAIN ENTRANCE - 1974 OLD MAIN ENTRANCE FOUR TENTS
PRETTY MONSTER - 1974 BIG WHEEL BIG WHEEL
STRAWBERRY FAIR  - 1975 STRAWBERRY FAIR JOLLY ROGER
WESTERN SHOOTOUT - 1974 WESTERN SHOOTOUT SAFARI OFF ROAD ADVENTURE QUEUE
(REMOVED FOR 2013)
       
     

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