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 Review of El Toro @ Six Flags Great Adventure
6 Rating Posted by: PhantomNik on 9/22/2006 5:23:00 PM
This summer I decided that it was finally time to take a trip out to New Jersey and visit a park I had always wanted to check out, Six Flags Great Adventure. To be perfectly honest, although I don’t like to hype up rides or coasters (being that it can lead to disappointment), El Toro was the driving force that sent me East. When I saw the specifics released for this coaster, I simply decided that this was a MUST-RIDE!! I pondered to myself if it would live up to what I was expecting, and then as my trip approached, it became apparent that it might not matter what I expected, as Toro sat idly by unopened. Folks, it was approaching mid-June, and this beast was still sitting in the garage! I have my opinions on that matter, but those are park-related and not for a ride review.

During our first day at the park, El Toro sat closed, with an opening slated for the following week. My thoughts upon learning this were made famous by a Six Flags character – Yosemite Sam: "Razza, frazza, riggle, diggle, fraggle...." LOL Oh well, I guess pictures were the best I was gonna do. I was not the happiest of park-goers initially, but I made the best of it and enjoyed the other rides and coasters. Then, while in line for Kingda Ka, I saw it – the bull was out of his pen!!! A train full of riders hurtled down the first drop! Could it be?? Then the DJ announced the surprise – today was a soft opening! I bolted there as soon as I exited Kingda Ka, only to discover an estimated 4 HOUR wait!! (Thanks in large part to slow dispatches and single train operation) No thanks, I figured I’d roll the dice that El Toro would be open for day 2 at the park.

I got in line outside the actual queue entrance the next day for the slated opening of 1:30. It must be said here that the physical look of El Toro is stunning! This is one of the most magnificent looking coasters I have ever seen in person. While in line, I examined that first drop and it just towered into the air with that ridiculously steep angle! Ole!! I was READY! The train would fly by every few minutes and I started to realize that this coaster hauls some serious tail!! As a side note, I must comment that the coaster’s queue and general theming, I thought, was very well done. Nothing overkill, but just a perfect complementing Spanish flavor to the surrounding area. Frankly, overwhelming theme is not necessary on this, because this bull makes all the statement it needs to all by himself!!

And now, on to the ride itself. I’ve read the other El Toro reviews and I thought to myself, how can I say what I need to in my review without being overly redundant? It’s difficult, thanks to the many magnificent reviews that sit below mine here! Nice reviews, everyone!! Well kids, have you ever wondered what it’s like to be in a rodeo? You know, the kind with the maniacal bull that you’d swear is on speed because he has one sole purpose and it is to launch the bull-rider into orbit! I will tell you what – one of those bulls now sits in a pen in New Jersey, and every several minutes he saddles up 36 bull-riders with the same purpose – to hurtle every one of those lucky souls into outer space!! For my lone ride on this magnificent creation, I sat in the next to last row of the train. The ops certainly staple you into your seat, but believe me, this is absolutely necessary!!

The lift hill is amazingly quick (and quiet!), and before you know it, your turning around towards that sadistically wonderful first drop. I was apparently unaware of the apparent red cape that gets flashed in front of this bull, because once you drop, all you-know-what breaks loose!! The first drop is absolute world-class and feels almost straight down! The airtime going down the drop is SEISMIC!!! Even with the stapling, I was thrown from my seat before even starting down the drop and remained there throughout the ENTIRE plummet! Add the beautifully placed headchopper at the bottom, and folks, you’ve got a first drop to re
 

Review Comments

psu_dude on 9/27/2006 1:53:01 PM said:
Wow! Just an AMAZING review for what looks to be an out of this world coaster!! You know, we at TPC dont see much of you, Phantom, but when you do swoop by, you deliver these epic and eloquent reviews that I find to be top notch! Theyre like stories, telling not just of the ride itself, but your whole ride experience. Very cool! I want to run out to Great Adventure right now after reading this and hop on this beast!!
PhantomNik on 9/28/2006 12:48:47 PM said:
Thank you, psu_dude! Im glad that you enjoy my approach to writing reviews here. I dunno, I just feel that sharing the whole experience helps paint a good picture for the readers. Sometimes I probably babble on a bit too much, but riding roller coasters is a passion of mine, so its very easy to just write longer reviews! And yes, you definitely need to head out and hop aboard this incredible creation!!
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