New in 2011 – Riptide Bay at Hurricane Harbor

Construction Begins on Six Flag Great America’s Massive Water Park Expansion

WHAT: Construction begins on Riptide Bay at Hurricane Harbor, a 4 acre water park expansion

FEATURES: 10 new attractions including a double-sided surf simulator, 2 free-fall speed slides, 2 free-fall looping slides, activity pool and additional retail and dining locations. (fact sheet attached)

WHERE: Six Flags Great America / 542 N. Route 21 / Gurnee, IL 60031 / Employee Entrance

VISUALS: Assembling 5-story tall water slides, digging massive activity pool, pouring concrete foundations, building new restaurant and retail facilities.

INFORMATION: http://www.sixflags.com/greatAmerica/RiptideBay/riptidebay.html   (live webcam, fact sheet and high-resolution images available for download)

Gurnee, Ill.  (April 14, 2011)  – New in 2011, The Best Water Park in the Nation…Just Got Bigger!  Construction crews at Six Flags Great America are hard at work to make this summer Bigger, Better and Wetter!  Construction is underway on Riptide Bay, an all-new 4 acre water park expansion of Hurricane Harbor, Six Flags Great America’s water park that initially opened in 2005.  With the new expansion, Hurricane Harbor will span 20 acres and boast more rides and attractions than any other in the state.  The expansion will also create 80 new jobs at the Gurnee theme park.

Riptide Bay at Hurricane Harbor will feature five new daring slides including first-of-its-kind Skybox drop slides.  Bomb’s away as the floor drops out from beneath you and you free-fall 5 stories into the all-new Dive Bomber looping slides.  Count to three inside Mega Wedgie’s launching capsule and feel the trap-style door under your feet drop, sending you shooting down an 80 degree plunge at 40 mph.  Even race your friends on twin versions. New Riptide Bay features also include the only place to surf on Lake Michigan with our 5 foot wave-in-a-box Surf Rider, a double-funnel family raft slide, massive lagoon, luxury cabanas, gift shop and tiki snack bar.  Riptide Bay at Hurricane Harbor opens Memorial Day weekend.  Best of all, it’s FREE with a season pass or park admission. 

Six Flags Great America is located between Chicago and Milwaukee and offers fun for the entire family with 14 heart-pounding roller coasters, a FREE water park, spectacular shows and three children’s themed areas.