JACKSON-Six Flags Great Adventure began demolishing the Fort Independence arena, the former home of the theme park’s Dolphin Discovery program, last week to make way for a new attraction at the park.
Built in 1974, it was one of the largest original structures at the theme park. It was originally named “Aqua Spectacle” and seated nearly 2,000 guests. It featured a 16 foot deep pool for dolphins, seals and sea lions. It was once the centerpiece attraction for the park.
Once the home of dare-devil aquatic high divers, it was the centerpiece attraction for decades. During its heydey there were six dolphin shows and six high-diving shows each day.
“The original shows at the Aqua Spectacle were really unique. While most parks that had dolphin shows at the time had two or three performing animals, Great Adventure featured ten performing at one time,” according to GreatAdventureHistory.Com, “The diving shows featured an array of dives from platforms of varying heights, with multiple divers performing stunt dives. The show was capped with the dive from the 100 foot high platform high above the pool.”
The diving shows ended back 2001. In 2002, the more recent Dolphin Discovery programs were established. The dolphin shows came to an end after the 2011 season when Cody, one of dolphins starring in the shows died.
Avalon, the last living performing dolphin at the time was sent back to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California according to Kristin Siebeneicher, spokeswoman for the park.
The arena will make way for a new rollercoaster named Total Mayhem.
“We are thrilled to unveil one of the newest concepts in roller coaster engineering with Total Mayhem,” said Park President John Fitzgerald. “Six Flags Great Adventure’s world-renowned coaster collection will expand into the realm of insanity – or spinsanity – with this new, vertical coaster that delivers gravity-defying somersaults with utter unpredictability. It is the perfect addition to our dynamic line-up of award-winning roller coasters because this ride delivers next generation, cutting-edge thrills.”
Total Mayhem features a twisting and floating experience onboard 4-D wing vehicles that seat up to 8 passengers per car. Face-off seats will allow riders to face each other as they tumble head over heels. A 120-foot-tall, 90-degree hill that is ascended by an elevator-style, chain link lift is accompanied by two beyond 90-degree “raven” drops giving the sensation of free-falling.
Total Mayhem is expected to open in the spring of 2016.
“We are thrilled to unveil one of the newest concepts in roller coaster engineering with Total Mayhem,” said Park President John Fitzgerald. “Six Flags Great Adventure’s world-renowned coaster collection will expand into the realm of insanity – or spinsanity – with this new, vertical coaster that delivers gravity-defying somersaults with utter unpredictability. It is the perfect addition to our dynamic line-up of award-winning roller coasters because this ride delivers next generation, cutting-edge thrills.”
For more information on the history of the arena and Six Flags Great Adventure, GreatAdventureHistory.Com.
Photos by http://www.greatadventurehistory.com/.
