Great Adventure to open for 2014

JACKSON — Six Flags Great Adventure and Safari’s 40th year will begin April 12 with the debut of three lion cubs, new shows and special events — and a countdown to the opening of the world’s tallest drop ride, Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom.

Guests can see the park’s three newest lion cubs — Kanu, Kondo and Kiume — on the Safari Off-Road Adventure in Camp Aventura beginning April 12, weather permitting, according to a press release.

Entertainment abounds this season with the “Six Flags Street Party, We Got the Beat” character show, and “edu-tainment” presentations featuring California sea lions and Asian small-clawed otters beginning on April 12.

In mid-May, the Animal Training Team will debut “Paw and Disorder – Animals on Patrol,” a new show in the Safari Kids’ Adventure Theater. Detectives of all ages can help solve this caper while encountering hilarious hijinks along the way.

The park’s concert series kicks off with chart-topper Jason Derulo on Easter Sunday, April 20, presented by Coca Cola. The concert is free with park admission in the Plymouth Rock Assurance Arena, formerly the Northern Star Arena, at 4 p.m.

The special-events series begins April 26-27 with a new event, the Fast Tracks and Food Trucks Festival. Guests can enjoy a variety of cuisines ranging from barbecue and tacos to hibachi and sliders, plus sweets such as gourmet waffles and cupcakes.

More than 20 trucks will be available from noon to 7 p.m., and seven award-winning New Jersey wineries will also be on hand from 1-6 p.m. for sampling and wine purchases.

The festival is included with theme park admission; wine sampling and food require an additional fee. Tickets may be purchased online with the promo code TRUCK.

To expand the park’s everyday dining options, the new Garden State Grill opens April 12 in the boardwalk section and features specialty burgers, including turkey and veggie burgers with a variety of toppings.

The Great Character Café goes “retro,” nearly returning to its original theme from 1974. Renamed the Yum Yum Café, the restaurant serves traditional fare plus ice cream.

Six Flags Great Adventure will shatter the world record for tallest drop ride with the addition of the 41-story Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom, slated for a Memorial Day weekend opening.

Zumanjaro will hoist riders 415 feet into the sky and rocket them back to Earth at 90 mph, while Kingda Ka trains launch right toward them at speeds of up to 128 mph. Three Zumanjaro towers will be built on the face of the massive Kingda Ka coaster. Each drop tower will feature a gondola with eight riders.

For more information, visit www.sixflags.com/greatadventure.