Six Flags Great Adventure is betting big on thrill seekers. The New Jersey park just announced a new roller coaster called Bakunawa that is designed to set six world records when it opens in 2027.
The numbers are eye-popping. The track stretches 3,163 feet, and each train carries 20 riders.
Two trains will run at once, keeping lines moving. A single ride lasts about two minutes and 17 seconds.
To get on, you need to be at least 48 inches tall.
The coaster's name comes from a sea serpent in Philippine folklore - a creature that rises from the ocean. The ride might feel a lot like that.
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Park president Mike Fehnel described the experience to USA Today. "You're going to climb 90 degrees straight up to the top of the 382-foot-tall tower, reaching the top and kind of sliding around the outside, which looks terrifying and amazing at the same time, before losing speed. And then you get to do it all again in reverse."
That reverse part is key. Bakunawa has three launches, including one that goes upside down. The park says that upside-down launch is a world first - no other coaster has pulled that off.
In Philippine mythology, the Bakunawa is a giant sea serpent that rises from the sea, causing eclipses as it attempts to swallow the moon. The coaster's designers have drawn on this legend to craft a ride that mimics the serpent's powerful, twisting movements - rising vertically, sliding around the tower's exterior, and reversing direction.
The Boardwalk area renovation, part of a broader investment strategy, aims to create a themed environment around the Bakunawa legend, enhancing the visitor experience beyond the ride itself.
Six Flags is a publicly traded company. When a park invests heavily in a new attraction, it is usually trying to draw more visitors and boost ticket sales. Bakunawa is the centerpiece of a renovated Boardwalk area at Great Adventure, though the park has not shared specific opening dates or renovation details yet.
For investors, the takeaway is straightforward. A record-breaking coaster can be a powerful draw in a competitive industry. People travel long distances for a chance to ride something that sets new marks. It drives season pass sales, food and merchandise spending, and media attention.
On the other hand, big attractions come with big costs. Building a 382-foot coaster with a never-before-tried upside-down launch takes serious cash. And there is always a risk that the hype fades before the ride opens, especially since 2027 is still years away.
For now, this announcement tells you one thing: Six Flags is willing to spend money to win the arms race of thrills.
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