Jackson, New Jersey: Great Adventure in New Jersey was one of three Six Flags parks to hold a grand opening for the new Wiggles World theme areas on Memorial Day weekend. In true Wiggles fashion, some very special children had a very special day, thanks in part to the Children’s Miracle Network and Six Flags. Despite the heat, families enjoyed the new Wiggles-themed section of the park, a parade featuring the Australian children’s entertainers, and a concert.
Children and parents invited by the Children’s Miracle Network were guests at a morning meet and greet with the Wiggles. Sam, Anthony, Murray, Jeff, and Captain Feathersword got one of the new rides with the children, and joined a parade that went through the park to the Northern Star Arena. Tickets for the show were ten dollars, with proceeds going to the Children’s Miracle Network. The Wiggles performed to a packed arena for about thirty minutes.
Our Experience
When we arrived at the park that morning it was already crowded. We could see the Wiggles in an area separated from the crowd where the meet and greet was taking place. My daughter spotted them, but wasn’t too concerned. She wanted to get on the rides. We knew we only had a short time before we had to walk over to the arena for the concert, so my daughter, and some friends we had met at the park, rode two of the rides. We decided to skip the parade so we could get decent seats for the show.
The doors opened very early at the arena, and because it was general admission, people chose their spots and stayed here. This was a huge mistake on the part of Six Flags, as it was easily 90 degrees that day, and there was no shade in the arena at all. Though my daughter held up rather well, I was worried I was going to have to take her and leave before the show started. Luckily, the concert started on time, and was over in about thirty minutes. She was fine, but my friend and I were not doing so well.
I soon remembered why I do not spend a lot of time in amusement parks. We had decided we needed to find some food and then we would make our way back to Wiggles World, which was on the other side of the park. We could not find any shade, nor could we find a line that was not obscenely long. After a long, hot walk, we finally found shade in a performance area, and my daughter found a water spout to help her cool off. We continued the long walk back towards Wiggles World and met up with more friends. Along our way, we found an indoor place to eat that was cool, had great food, and the prices were surprisingly affordable for being located inside a theme park.
Once we arrived back in Wiggles World, we found the place to be extremely crowded, but that is to be expected on opening day and a holiday weekend. Everyone was in the Wiggly spirit though, and there was no pushing or complaining, and the wait times for the rides were reasonable. While I can say that my daughter and her new friends loved all of the rides, the Big Red Car ride was by far the biggest hit. From an adult point of view, the ride was nothing spectacular. However, any child who has grown up with the Wiggles, and has watched them ride in the Big Red Car, will be overjoyed to have the chance to take a ride, even if it is an extremely short one. I have to admit, I enjoyed it too.
The Wiggles World section of the park features the Big Red Plane ride, Bouncin’ With Wags ride, Dorothy’s Racing To The Rainbow ride, the Big Red Car ride, a splash fountain featuring Henry the Octopus, an SS Feathersword play area, the Yummy Yummy Café, and a Wiggles World merchandise shop. Parents can accompany children on any of the rides with the exception of the Bouncin’ with Wags ride, which is for children only. Wiggles World also includes a small stage area with seating. Captain Feathersword, Wags, Henry, and Dorothy will be featured in performances on a regular basis.
Before we left, we visited the Yummy Yummy Café. The food selection was pretty good, but I was dismayed to see sugary items on the menu. There are healthy options there however, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find something that children will love to eat while there. We also stopped in the Wiggles World Shop. They had a selection of Wiggles merchandise including videos, shirts, dinnerware, wall stickers, hats, tails, and a variety of other Wiggly items. The shop was not as big as I thought it would be, but there was a decent selection from which to choose.
Other parents seemed to enjoy the day as well. Nancy Griggs, who traveled from Lexington, South Carolina to visit Wiggles World with her family said, “Being in Wiggles World was a dream come true for our family of big Wiggles fans. It was thrilling that most of the rides were open to the entire family and not just to the kids. We love to Wiggle and have fun together, so doing both at once was fantastic.”
Christine Riccardo of Cresskill, New Jersey said, “My boys have always wanted to ride in the Big Red Car. So did I, for that matter. At Wiggles World, we all had the chance to ride in the Big Red Car and the Big Red Plane. We even got to choose our favorite color seats. My boys were so excited to be in a totally ‘Wiggly’ environment!”
Overall, our experience at Wiggles World in Six Flags was a good one. Though I know there is nothing the park can do about the sun and the heat, they could do more to provide relief for the tiny visitors. Children who love the Wiggles will love this section of the park. Wiggles World is not a long way from the entrance, but I would recommend anyone with small children bring a stroller or rent one from the park, and to bring plenty of sunscreen with them.
