Six Flags Great Adventure and Wild Safari closed at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 23, after weather shortened the Memorial Day weekend operating day in Jackson, New Jersey.
The change covered the main theme park and Wild Safari, the 350-acre drive-through safari next door. Six Flags Great Adventure's broader resort area also includes Hurricane Harbor New Jersey, Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa, and the main theme park's coaster lineup.
The National Weather Service forecast for Jackson called for rain through late afternoon, east wind around 15 mph, gusts as high as 30 mph, and a 100% chance of precipitation.
Sunday does not look much cleaner. The Philadelphia/Mount Holly forecast calls for rain and a slight chance of thunderstorms early May 24, then showers and thunderstorms through the day.
The early close lands on one of the first major regional-park weekends of the summer season. Memorial Day weekend often brings a mix of passholders, day-ticket guests, school-year countdown trips, and water-park opening plans across the Northeast.
For guests in Jackson, the important change was the afternoon. A Six Flags Great Adventure day that started with the park and safari available ended before the dinner-hour stretch, when weather can erase reride plans fast.
Sources: Six Flags Great Adventure, National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly, and CrowdLevels Hurricane Harbor New Jersey coverage.