Jersey Devil Coaster Breaks Records

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Six Flags Great Adventure just unveiled the world’s tallest, fastest, and longest single rail roller coaster in the world. The Jersey Devil Coaster adds more thrills to New Jersey’s “Ultimate Thrill Park.”

I was lucky to get a preview before it officially opens on June 13th.

The Inspiration for the Jersey Devil

It’s a bit surprising that it took this long for Six Flags Great Adventure to embrace the legend of the Jersey Devil outside of Fright Fest.

Growing up in New Jersey, I heard stories of the Jersey Devil, especially around Halloween. As a young child I took comfort in the fact that he seemed to be a South Jersey monster and didn’t prowl around our neighborhood. As I grew older and more fascinated with ghosts and mythology, I was disappointed that the Jersey Devil was just a myth.

Maybe I’m biased, but the Jersey Devil is still one of the cooler myths. So it’s very cool to have a ride named after it at our Six Flags park.

Jersey Devil Coaster Highlights

• Single Rail design
• 130-foot lift hill (13 stories tall)*
• Speeds up to 58 mph*
• Over 3,000 feet of track*
• 12 inline seats per train
• 87-degree first drop
• 3 inversions: 180-degree stall, raven dive, and zero-gravity roll.

*world records for single rail roller coasters

Now, at first glance, the Jersey Devil coaster’s record-setting stats don’t seem impressive. After all, there are roller coasters that are much faster (150mph), much taller, (450 feet), and much longer (1.5 miles). But we’re only talking about single rail roller coasters, which are unique.

How Are Single Rail Roller Coasters Different?

Most roller coasters have two rails that are parallel to one another, like train tracks. A Single Rail coaster has one rail that the cars straddle, like a monorail. While examples of single rail coasters date back to the 1960s, modern single rail coasters have debuted in only the last decade. There are currently less than 10 operating in the world.

Having only one rail means the cars are designed differently. On most single-rail coasters, the seats will be inline, one behind the other. The other difference is that the cars straddle the beam, bringing riders closer to rail.

Overall, single rail design allows the track to do things that traditional tracks can’t. It also gives the rider a lower center of gravity and overall perspective. The design allows for tighter banking and results in a more compact track.

You can think of it this way: It’s like riding in a car vs. riding a motorcyle.

First Impressions of the Jersey Devil Coaster

The single rail design definitely makes for a sleek-looking track. And the Jersey Devil face at the front of each train is a nice touch. I was surprised to see the seats were upright. In my head I had imagined that riders would sit in a forward-leaning position. I don’t know where I got that idea from.

Loading is different because the train doesn’t stop unless they have to. When a train pulls in and the restraints go up, riders get out and the next riders start to board as the train moves slowly through the station. Once on board, the attendant will lower and lock the restraints as the train moves past him/her. By the time you hit the incline, everyone should be good to go.

I liked the restraint system. I was very comfortable.

Right out of the gate, the lift was faster than many roller coasters I’ve been on. The first drop was steep and had good speed. From there, the Jersey Devil smoothly transitioned from one element to the next. There were multiple times where I felt weightless. Having nothing on either side of me really added to the thrill of the banks and inversions.

The only part of the Jersey Devil coaster that underwhelmed was the ending. The last two hills before finishing had the slightest bank to them as you got to the top. I’m not sure what the intended effect of those are, but it felt to me like it didn’t bank you enough to make it worth it.

That said, the overall experience was fantastic. Jersey Devil is super smooth and packs a lot of great thrills into a compact and tight ride that you’ll want to ride again and again.

Know Before You Go

• Riders must be 48″ tall to ride the Jersey Devil Coaster
• As of May 22, 2021, Reservations are no longer required for park entry.
• Single Day tickets are now on sale at a discounted rates.
• Reservations are required for the Wild Safari Drive-Thru + Dino Xpedition Drive-Thru
• Visit the Six Flags COVID-19 page for the latest updates on policies.

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