Six Flags Great America
Encyclopedia : S : SI : SIX : Six Flags Great America
Six Flags Great America is a large theme park in Gurnee, Illinois that opened in 1976 as Marriott's Great America for America's Bicentennial. The park includes roller coasters, entertainment, family rides, and two sections specially designed for children. Great America is considered by theme park enthusiasts to be the best of the Six Flags parks in terms of operations and appearance [[Citing sources citation needed]].
The Six Flags franchise is celebrating 45 years of family entertainment in 2006 (the first park opened in Arlington Texas in 1961). Despite the fact that Great America opened in 1976, they, like other Six Flags parks, are also participating in the celebration of 45 Years of Family Entertainment even though the Great America branch is only 30 years old.
Marriott Era
Marriott Corporation began construction on the park in 1974, and opened it in 1976 as "Marriott's Great America". The park was an immediate success due, in part, to its Americana themes and grand opening during the American Bicentennial. It originally consisted of six themed areas: Carousel Plaza which served as the main entry area, Hometown Square and its rustic theme, County Fair with its Turn of the Century rural fair theme, Yankee Harbor with a 19th Century New England port theme, Yukon Territory a logging camp Canadian/Alaskan theme, and Orleans Place with its New Orleans French Quarter theme. A seventh area, The Great Southwest was planned, but was not built until 1996 when it opened as Southwest Territory.
Marriott's attention to detail was very apparent and maintaining the illusion of each theme was insisted upon by management. Each themed area had its own elaborate costumes with different variations for male and female staff members. The buildings, shops and restaurants were also all unique to each theme and could not be found in other themes. As an example the Klondike Cafe in Yukon Territory was a very popular restaurant with high quality made-to-order beef dishes served in large pans like those used while panning for gold -- all emblematic of the Klondike area of the Yukon. The menu at most of the restaurants could not be found anywhere else in the park and the same was true for most of the merchandise as well.
Marriott, with a significant reputation in the hotel industry also ensured that hospitality was at the forefront for its customers who were referred to as "guests". Staff members had a strict code of personal appearance, upkeep of the required costume (despite variations in the weather), as well as the trademark sendoff of all ride operators, "Thank you for riding and we hope you enjoy the rest of your day here at Marriott's Great America".
Rides & Attractions
Originally the park consisted of very few roller coasters, Willard's Whizzer, Turn of the Century, and the Gulf Coaster with Tidal Wave being added two years later. The Gulf Coaster left after only one season due to a small fire and from being very unpopular. The park's signature attractions became the elaborate double-decker Columbia carousel, the Sky Whirl, a 110-foot tall "triple ferris wheel" custom designed for Marriott and visible from the adjacent Tri-State Tollway as well as from miles away, and well as the two one-way gondola sky car rides Delta Flyer and Eagle's Flight. "Eagle's Flight" was a very commercially successful rides and was considered a top 10 ride by "Roller Coaster Weekly" magazine.
An original 1976 Marriott's Great America ride, the Orleans Orbit still spins today in Gurnee. Originally the ride was installed in Orleans Place, however, the ride has since been relocated to Hometown Square. There it occupies the former home of the Bottoms Up ride. It made way for White Water Rampage, now known as Roaring Rapids. The Orleans Orbit is now known simply as "The Orbit".
While the Orleans Orbit may resemble a Ferris wheel, it delivers a far different ride experience. The entire wheel rests flat, just above ground level, to allow simultaneous loading and unloading of all passenger cabins. Once riders are locked in, the wheel begins to rotate. The spinning wheel picks up speed and is lifted on an arm to a nearly vertical position, sending riders upside-down as they go over the highest point.
1977 was a big year for Great America, with the installation of several new rides. The 315 foot tall Sky Trek Tower opens in Carousel Plaza, while a few new spinning rides were added such as Big Top, Davy Jones' Dinghies, and Hay Baler. Also, the Southern Cross, a third much taller and round-trip gondola skyride also made its debut in 1977 with its station located where the Gulf Coaster stood. The park's first kids section dubbed Fort Fun opens in Yukon Territory, which causes Saskatchewan Scrambler to be relocated to Hometown Square, and renamed Hometown Fun Machine.
The Tidal Wave was added in 1978 and was Great America's first new roller coaster.
The Pictorium, an IMAX theatre opened in 1979 and claimed to have the world's largest screen at 64.5 x 88.25 feet (19.6 x 26.9 meters).
The Turn of the Century roller coaster closed and took on a new look in 1980. Two loops were added, along with three tunnels and the "new" ride was re-themed and renamed the Demon.
In the summer of 1980 the park broke ground for a massive new wooden roller coaster called The American Eagle. This racing roller coaster stands at 127 feet (38 m) tall and reaches speeds of 66 mph (105 km/h). The new ride broke the world record for tallest roller coaster. The ride opened for the 1981 season and was a hit. It still stands today and is still extremely popular. The Southern Cross skyride was removed this year.
No new rides were added in 1982. In fact, several were removed, but in 1983 The Edge, an Intamin AG freefall ride was added.
Marriott's final ride added to the park was the White Water Rampage, an Intamin rapids ride. This ride took over the spot occupied by several rides including the 'Davy Jones' Dinghies, Le Bump (a children's bumper car ride), Traffique Jam and the original Orleans Orbit (although it would re-open the next season in the Hometown Square area simply as The Orbit). Forever known by Six Flags enthusiasts as the "Final Ride of The Crow", Roaring Rapids remains one of the Park's premiere attractions.
Bally's Six Flags Era
Marriott sold the park to Six Flags, then owned by Bally Manufacturing in 1984. Thus the "Bally's Six Flags Great America" era began. It started darkly when a software failure caused the car for the Edge to be stalled at the top of the lift shaft before moving forward into its drop position. The car was stuck in this position for a short period of time before the car dropped back down the lift shaft causing serious injuries to all three occupants. Despite many attempts to reopen the Edge, and installation of anti-rollback devices by Intamin, the ride was never able to escape the stigma of its 1984 accident. The ride was removed in 1986 and sold to Rocky Point Amusement Park before reaching its current location at Six Flags Worlds of Adventure (now under new ownership and known as Geauga Lake) as Mr. Hyde's Nasty Fall. The ride is to be dismantled and scrapped over the offseason in 2006.
In 1985 Six Flags' first new addition to the park was the Z Force, a one-of-a-kind Intamin space diver roller coaster followed by Splash Water Falls in 1986 in the County Fair theme area.
The Power Dive was added in 1987 to take over the spot where the Edge stood. Power Dive was an Intamin Looping Starship ride, in which it swung back and forth before eventually rotating a complete 360 degrees a few times. Z Force was relocated to Six Flags Over Georgia as part of Six Flags' (now discontinued) Ride Rotation Program. At the end of 1989, the ride went to Six Flags Magic Mountain where it stands (and rusts) to this day.
Wesray Six Flags Era
Many programs and quick acquisitions attempted in the mid-80s were a failure and Bally looked to sell the company. In 1987 the company was purchased by Wesray Capital and a group of Six Flags managers. Several acquisitions were re-sold or closed while a focus was returned to attractions. This ushered in an era of new major attractions at the park and a transformation of focus from the park's themes to its roller coasters.
Most of the original themed staff costumes began to be retired at this point in favor of more modern unisex garments more akin to uniforms -- basic short sleeve shirts with slacks or walking shorts during the warmer months. Some of the costumes survived longer than others with the Yankee Harbor striped crew shirts and clamdiggers pants being retired last. Also the restaurants became more aligned and offered basic fast food cuisine and lost the dishes that were unique to individual themed areas. While a few specialty restaurants survived, almost all were abandoned in favor of cheaper mass produced food items. Similarly merchandise throughout the park became homogenized at this point as well.
1988 saw the first of the new coasters with the addition of the massive Shockwave Rollercoaster, an Arrow Dynamics mega-looper added to the Orleans Place section of the park. Shockwave was the parks tallest roller coaster and featured several inversions. White Water Rampage was renamed to Roaring Rapids.
Rolling Thunder, an Intamin bobsled coaster was added for 1989 and was built between the Demon and the Whizzer.
The Iron Wolf was built in 1990 and was Bolliger & Mabillard's first ever roller coaster. Iron Wolf was a very compact steel stand-up roller coaster that took over Z Force's spot in County Fair.
The Condor took to the skies in 1991 in Orleans Place next to the Shockwave. The IMAX screen was upgraded to allow 650 people to view 3D movies. People said good-bye to their beloved Tidal Wave at the end of the season. Tidal Wave Currently operates at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville, Kentucky.
Time-Warner Six Flags Era
The major attractions did not come without their cost, and by 1991 Six Flags was close to bankruptcy. Time-Warner, a major influence at Great America since the beginning with the featuring of Looney Tunes characters, and a minority owner in the company purchased an additional share of the company for a controlling interest of 50 percent. With the purchase came additional prominence of Time-Warner properties.
The first of these was the historic ride built in 1992 -- Batman the Ride, a B&M inverted roller coaster to replace Tidal Wave. Batman was unlike any other roller coaster on Earth. It was a very tightly squeezed ride but was so popular the lines stretched past East River Crawler (formerly The Lobster, the new name in accordance with a retheming of the area around Batman), through the bridge to Yankee Harbor and all the way to the bridge by Power Dive, across from Shockwave.
The Batman Stunt Show opened in 1993.
Space Shuttle America, a motion simulator ride was built in 1994 near the Sky Trek Tower. "Shuttle" re-created the inter-planetary escapade provided via "Space Shuttle America". Since its introduction, Space Shuttle America has been home to five different films. "Space Shuttle America," "Escape from Dino Island," "Escape from Dino Island 2- 3:D," "Stargate- SG:3000," and "Superstition," during the yearly Fright Fest Event. The original Space Shuttle America film returned for the 2006 season.
In 1995, Viper, a wooden roller coaster based off the Coney Island Cyclone was built next to Rolling Thunder, which was removed later that year.
In September of 1995, The Rolling Thunder was removed to make way for the new theme area "Southwest Territory". The new area, a western themed area, was originally proposed in 1976, but took nearly twenty years to resurface. Three new rides were added (River Rocker, Chubasco, and TrailBlazer) while Big Top was moved in from County Fair and rethemed as Ricochet. It opened for 1996. The Rolling Thunder Roller Coaster currently operates at Six Flags' Great Escape in New York as Alpine Bobsled. Also in this year, the Batman Stunt Show was replaced with a stunt show following the Southwest theme.
Premier Parks Six Flags Era
Time-Warner sold its stake in Six Flags in 1995 and in 1996 Premier Parks had its IPO and became the parent company of Six Flags. Premier Parks opts to follow the trend set by Bally's and begins acquiring more properties.
The Giant Drop, an Intamin drop tower, and Dare Devil Dive, a skycoaster, were added in 1997.
The park's original kids area was modified, and a new kids rides were added in 1998; including the Spacely's Sprocket Rockets junior roller coaster. An accident occurred on the Demon, stranding 23 passengers upside-down for nearly three hours.
1999 saw the rise of the Raging Bull, a B&M hyper-twister roller coaster.
Great America celebrated its Silver Season (25th Anniversary) in 2000. This was the last year for the much-loved Sky Whirl, as well as the Hay Baler ride. An accident involving a guest occurred on the Cajun Cliffhanger ride, which caused its removal and began a dark time for the Orleans Place section of the park.
In 2001 Great America added two new roller coasters. First was an Intamin impulse coaster named Vertical Velocity. Riders are launched at speeds over 55 mph (88 km/h) up a twisted vertical tower, then fall backwards and climb up another straight tower. The ride repeats, but on the second time up the back tower, riders are held facing straight down for a few seconds before being released. The park's second ride for 2001 was Deja Vu, a Vekoma Giant Inverted Boomerang ride to replace Sky Whirl and Hay Baler. On Deja Vu, the riders are pulled backwards up a vertical tower and are dropped into a cobra roll inversion, followed by a loop over the station and up another vertical tower. The ride then repeats it, only backwards.
Besides the blue trains on American Eagle being turned backwards, 2002 was a quiet year for the park. Power Dive was removed due to maintenance problems and the Shockwave Rollercoaster was removed in October for a new attraction. For the 2006 season, the American Eagle now has both sides (blue and red) running forward.
Superman: Ultimate Flight took to the skies in 2003 in Shockwave's place and was the Midwest's first flying roller coaster. However, it was a clone of a similar Superman ride at Six Flags Over Georgia, which did not satisfy some roller coaster enthusiasts. The historic Ameri Go Round was removed at the end of the season.
The area where the Power Dive and Cajun Cliffhanger stood was transformed into Mardi Gras for 2004. A wild-mouse roller coaster Ragin' Cajun, was added, along with a HUSS Top-Spin named King Chaos; Zamperla Rockin' Tug named Jester's Wild Ride; and a Zamperla Balloon Race named Big Easy Balloons. Also, a HUSS Frisbee named Revolution, opens in County Fair, replacing Ameri Go Round
After sitting on a hill unused since 2002, ShockWave was scrapped at the end of the 2004 season.
In 2005, Six Flags Great America got its own Hurricane Harbor waterpark. The massive waterpark features several water slides; a large wave-pool, a lazy river and an interactive play area. The new waterpark was a huge success and boosted attendance up by 24% in 2005.
Six Flags Great America announced the addition of a ProSlide Tornado water slide for Hurricane Harbor for the 2006 season. Great America will celebrate its 30th season on May 29.
The classic Triple Play ride was dismantled prior to the start of the season because another Six Flags park needed a part from Triple Play for their ride; both rides are HUSS Trioka rides. It is rumored that Triple Play will return for the 2007 season, although nothing is confirmed at this point. Some park maps show Triple Play on the map, some do not.
The Flash Pass
The Flash Pass, named appropriately after the Justice League character, is a way for guests to skip lines for four of the parks most popular rides for an additional fee. You get a card which you can use at four of any of the following rides: Superman Ultimate Flight, Roaring Rapids, Batman The Ride, Vertical Velocity, Loggers Run, Iron Wolf, Whizzer, Raging Bull, and Giant Drop. The Flash Pass sales center is in Hometown Square, across from the Whizzer and next to the Grand Music Hall. Maximum 1,000 are sold on each operating day.- Note: Other Six Flags parks use The Flash Pass with a "q-bot" reservation system, Great America does not use this system.
Designated Smoking Areas
To make the family environment of the park more comfortable, Six Flags Great America does not allow smoking in the park except for designated areas.Designated smoking areas are located in Hometown Square next to Hometown Funnel Cakes, in Southwest Territory next to the Crazy Buffalo Saloon, in County Fair next to Daredevil Dive, in Yukon Territory behind Claimjumpers Beef House, in Mardi Gras outside of the Bayou Grill, and in Orleans Place next to Bourbon Street Cafe.
Shows and Entertaiment
Several new attractions were added in the shows department for the 45th anniversary. A Listing and desciption will follow:Six Flags Party: Every morning, the reflection pond in front of the columbia carousel lights up with the looney tunes in patriotic outfits dancing do the Spirit Of America song from the long-running parade, as well as the Six Flags Party Song.
Marvin the Martian in the Third Dimension: The Pictorium welcomes its newest attraction. Rumors abound regarding this 12 minute presentation which opens to the public on Thursday June 1st.
The Six Flags Block Party Bash- Featuring the JUSTICE LEAGUE: This Parade, featuring the Six Flags First Family, The Justice League, the Two Trolleys and the Lead float of the regular nighttime parade, with bead throwing and more, makes its way through Hometown Square, Carousel Plaza, Orleans Place, and Mardi Gras, Featuring a special anniversary song.
Tribute to the Stars: Elvis, Brittney, Madonna, Tina, No one is safe in this spectacular new show premiering in the Grand Music Hall on May 27th.
Mariachi Ameca: This group of mariachi's performs at the Reflection pond, the Entrance to Hurricane Harbor, and the Mariachi stage next to Chubasco.
Wild World of Animals- Close encounters of the Animal Kind: This new show in the A T & T Southwest Territory Amphitheatre will premeire on June 12th.
Brunch With Bugs: This new experience in the Mooseburger Lodge will leave families with fond memories of all the looney tunes friends.
Great American Idol: D.J. Bob is back for this new karaoke show.
LOONEY TUNES Tonight: Previously known as the TOONite Show, This wacky show in Theatre Royale will has you clapping the whole show, as Bugs and Foghorn host a light night talk show, with KC the Floor Manager, Sylvester the Executive Producer, Taz the sound engineer, and Guests Daffy Duck, Pepe le Pew, and Porky and Petunia Pig.
Bands and Street Performers: this year JPM Productions, the Company that provides the creature crew for fright fest is working with the park again for STREETmosphere characters in the streets. Plus don't miss Jugglers, Magicians, and Several Bands including "Mad Hornet After Hour" "Manny B. and the Rhythm Knights" and "38 Acres".
LOONEY TUNES: Plus don't miss your favorite characters all day long. The JUSTICE LEAGUE OF SUPERHEROES Has a secret base below Yankee Harbor, home, incidently, to the BATMAN: THE RIDE Roller Coaster. The Superheroes can be seen making appearances here all day long, and the FLASH has been known to make a quick appearance outside the FLASH PASS building in Hometown Square. Meanwhile The Looney Tunes now have special areas for a quick picture in Carousel Plaza, Behind the Columbia Carousel, in Southwest Territory, Just to the left of Trailblazer, in County Fair, outside Totally Tweety, in Yukon Territory across from Bugs Bunny National Park, and in Mardi Gras in front of the old Recording Studio. And of course Looney Tunes, the JUSTICE LEAGUE, and cartoon network characters can be seen roaming the streets all day long.
Crowds
Six Flags Great America is the only major theme park in the Chicago area, which results in large crowds during the summer and during Fright Fest. In 2005, Great America had over 3 million guests. Even though Great America is one of the best parks in the industry with operations, these days can still result in long lines.The park opens the last weekend in April for 2006. The first few weekends in which the park is open are usually are far less crowded than the weekends during the summer.
Hurricane Harbor usually has a very long entry line on summer days. As the park becomes populated, guests are allowed in until the park reaches 9,000 guests, at which point entry is denied. After waiting to get into the park, guests still have to wait in very long lines for attractions.
In the summer months, weekdays are usually less crowded than weekends, which get very crowded. The most crowded days are Saturdays and Sundays during Fright Fest. The park can get up to 49,000 guests in the park on these days.
Related parks
Marriott also opened a sister park in 1976 in Santa Clara with an identical layout and attractions. The Santa Clara park is now known as Paramount's Great America. A third park was intended to be opened in Virginia, but numerous problems were encountered with building the park and getting the correct permits, so it never advanced past deep planning stages.
External links
- [SixFlags.com] Official Six Flags Website
- *[Six Flags Great America] Official Great America Website
- *[Hurricane Harbor Chicago] Official Hurricane Harbor Website
- [SFGAm News] Fan Site
- *SFGAm News [History of SFGAm]
- *SFGAm News [Park maps throughout the years]
- [SFGAm World] Fan Site
- [Great America Parks] Unofficial History Site
- [Six Flags Great America Unlimited] Pictures of Rides and information about SFGAm
- [Satellite view of the park]
- [Six Flags Great America Pictures]
- [GREAT AMERICA videos]
- [Entry] at rcdb.com showing all coasters past and present
- [Six Flags Great America Zone] (forum only)
| Roller coasters at Six Flags Great America |
|---|
The American Eagle -
-Déjà Vu - The Demon – Iron Wolf - Ragin' Cajun - Raging Bull - Spacely's Sprocket Rockets - -Vertical Velocity - Viper - Whizzer |
From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License See Wikipedia Copyrights for details.