American Eagle Coaster Goes Backwards

Gurnee, Ill. (August 2, 2011) – Go Big, Go Backwards. Get ready to race down the tallest, fastest and longest racing wooden roller coaster in the world, facing the opposite direction. Six Flags Great America announces plans to run the blue side of the American Eagle coaster backwards, Monday, August 8 through Saturday, September 17. For thirty years, the racing wooden coaster has given passengers a vast, eagle's-eye view of the park.  Now fans of the double-tracked coaster can experience the 147-foot drop at 66 miles per hour from a different view. 

“No matter how many times you have been on the American Eagle nothing compares to the thrill of racing down the 15 story drop facing the other direction.  Riding the coaster backwards, not knowing what turn or drop is coming next, it’s a completely different experience,” said Hank Salemi, Six Flag Great America Park President.  “The last time American Eagle went backwards was in 2005.  Due to popular demand, we brought back the experience to celebrate the coaster’s 30 year milestone.”

American Eagle is the tallest, fastest and longest racing wooden roller coaster in the world.  The iconic coaster features a 147ft drop, is 4,650 feet in length, travels at 66 mph and spans an area of 237,000 feet, nearly 5 football fields back-to-back. American Eagle has delivered over 45 million thrilling rides to families since it was built in 1981 and is home to “Tiny” the famous 200 lb. spider that makes her return to the side of the coaster every Fright Fest.

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.

Be the First to Know What’s Coming to the Park in 2012

Six Flags Great America Partners with Children’s Miracle Network to Announce Plans for Upcoming Season

Gurnee, Ill.  (June 22, 2011)  – Want to find out what’s new in 2012 at Six Flags Great America? Here is your lucky chance to help make miracles happen. The first 100 people who raise $100 or more for A Walk in the Park, a charity walk benefitting Children’s Miracle Network, will receive an email this fall notifying them of Great America’s 2012 plans, before the park makes an official announcement to the public. The person who raises the most money out of the first 100 will receive a personal phone call with the big news from Six Flags Great America’s Park President, Hank Salemi.

How it Works:

·   Visit:  http://bit.ly/WalkInThePark

·   Click “Support Me” on right of page

·   Fill out the form (select option to display your donation)

·   Click “Continue to Next Step” and add your payment information

·   The first 100 to raise $100 or more will receive an email notification the first week of July

·   The first 100 will then receive a second email from the park this fall with 2012 details, before the park makes an official announcement to the public

Walk in the Park:

On Saturday, June 25, Six Flags Great America opens its park gates in support of children and families whose lives have been impacted by life-threatening illnesses.  Now in its fourth year, A Walk in the Park has raised over 1 million dollars for Children’s Miracle Network. All proceeds from Six Flag Great America’s walk benefit the program at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago.  Participants who raise at least $50 will receive a complimentary ticket to the park following the walk. Those interested in registering for the walk should visit www.walkintheparks.org.

Celebrating its 35th incredible year, 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 20-acre water park, spectacular shows, a nighttime illuminated parade and three children’s themed areas.

             

 

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.

Coming in 2011 - Riptide Bay at Hurricane Harbor

Gurnee, Ill. (Sept. 2, 2010) – The Best Water Park in the Nation…Just Got Bigger!  Six Flags Great America announces plans to add a 3 acre water park expansion for the 2011 season.  Riptide Bay at Hurricane Harbor will boast more slides and attractions than any other in the state featuring the only place to surf on Lake Michigan.  The new double-sided surf simulator, Surf Rider, sends out 8 foot waves with 24,000 gallons of rushing water a minute.  Just like waves on a real ocean, now anyone can learn how to carve a bottom, do cut backs and learn amazing trick maneuvers as they build their surfing skills.  The water park expansion will also include a Caribbean-inspired activity pool with additional lounging areas, high-speed waterslides, luxury cabanas and more attractions still to be announced. Construction is expected to begin this Fall east of the existing water park. Riptide Bay at Hurricane Harbor is set to open Spring 2011.

"From our coasters and shows to our four children's areas and free water park, there is no other theme park in the world that offers the tremendous amount of thrills we do for one price." said Hank Salemi, Six Flags Great America park president. "Since opening Hurricane Harbor in 2005 the water park has grown in popularity.  We felt the Riptide Bay expansion was the best way to kick off the 2011 season.  The new double-sided Surf Rider is an amazing attraction that our guests will have just as much fun watching as participating.  Plus the new activity pool, speed slides and lounge area will make a great water park even bigger, better and wetter."

Hurricane Harbor, including the all-new Riptide Bay is free with park admission or season pass. 2011 Season Passes are now on sale for the lowest price in 20 years.  Buy yours today at $59.99 when you purchase 4 or more and get the rest of 2010 FREE.  Offer ends October 31, 2010.  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 four children’s themed areas. 

Viper Named Top 10 Best Coaster

Classic Wooden Coaster at Six Flags Great America Named One of the Best Coasters by USA Today  
                                                          
LOCATION: Southwest Territory at Six Flags Great America

BUILT: Opened in 1995                         

SPEED: 50mph
LENGTH: 3458 feet

HEIGHT: 100 feet tall
RIDE TIME:     2 minutes, 35 seconds                                                                                 

Gurnee, IL. (August 9, 2010) – USA Today names Six Flag Great America's Viper one of the top 10 coasters.  The wooden coaster features a 10-story lift hill and an 80-foot first drop.  The coaster was built in 1995 and was inspired by the classic Cyclone at Coney Island, NY.

Paul Ruben, the North American editor of Park World, a trade magazine for the amusement industry says "Everything that's good about the Cyclone is even better on the Viper.  It masterfully employs the picket-fence effect — rushing past stationary objects to add to the illusion of speed."

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 15-acre water park, spectacular shows and four children’s themed areas.  New in 2010 - the Glow in the Park Parade, a nighttime illuminated parade with over 60 performers and Little Dipper, a historic wooden roller coaster formerly of Kiddieland Amusement Park

Six Flags Great America & Goodwill Team Up for Opening Weekend

Gurnee, Ill. (April 15, 2010) – Six Flags Great America teams up with Goodwill Industries to kick off the 2010 season.

Bring a bag of gently-used clothing to Six Flags Great America opening weekend, April 24 and 25, and receive a buy one admission ticket, get one free. Plus get BOGO deals around the park on select treats and games, including the all-new MagiQuest. Donations will be sold in Goodwill Stores where the revenues fund training, employment and supportive services for people with disabilities or disadvantages.

Opening April 24 - MagiQuest is a live-action interactive game developed to bring families together and move children from the couch to physical play. Players immerse into a 10,000 square foot fantasyland powered by a “magical” wand.

The wireless remote technology unlocks more than 80 special effects allowing players to navigate through the levels of the game in their quest to defeat the Dragon and save the Princess.

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 15-acre water park, spectacular shows and three children’s themed areas. Also new in 2010, the Little Dipper, a historic wooden roller coaster formerly of Kiddieland Amusement Park and Glow in the Park Parade, a new nighttime illuminated parade with Cirque Du Soleil-style music and more than 60 performers.