The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom
Encyclopedia
The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom (sometimes called Six Flags Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom) is an amusement
and waterpark located in Queensbury, New York
. It is advertised as being located in Lake George, New York
. It is approximately 60 miles (96.6 km) north of Albany
, and is owned and operated by Six Flags
.
themed amusement park by businessman Charles Wood
who bought the land with his wife for $75,000. In 1957, realizing that the park was geared only toward small children, the park opened its Ghosttown area, the first of many themed areas opened in the park's history.
In 1983, the park officially changed its name from Storytown USA to The Great Escape. For publicity, the park placed bumper stickers on every car in the parking lot. This practice stopped a few years later due to complaints.
In 1984, the Great Escape opened the Steamin' Demon
, the first of its eventual seven roller coasters. The showpiece attraction at The Great Escape is the Comet
. Re-opened at The Great Escape in 1994, this roller coaster already had a 41-year history as The Comet at Crystal Beach
(an amusement park near Niagara Falls, Ontario
). It was saved shortly after the park closed down forever after the 1988 season. Charley Wood, the owner of Great Escape Fun Park and Fantasy Island
in Grand Island, New York
successfully bid for The Comet and it sat in storage for a few years in Fantasy Island before making its way to the park in Queensbury, NY and reopening in 1994. Roller coaster enthusiasts recognize it as one of the best wooden roller coasters in North America.
In addition to typical amusement park rides, the Great Escape offers a variety of unique shows, most notable of which is a high dive show featuring a team of divers scaling an 80 feet (24.4 m) tower and plunging into a 10 feet (3 m) pool.
Other milestones include:
During the 2005 season, the park introduced a new line queuing system (used to be called the Flash Pass from 2005–2010), the "Go Fast Pass". For $15, guests can use Go Fast Passes on certain rides including the Comet, Alpine Bobsled, Desperado Plunge, Raging River, Canyon Blaster, Thunder Alley, Swan Boats, Bumper Cars, Steamin Demon, Boomerang and Sasquatch.
In February 2006, The Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark opened up with positive reviews and sold out weekends throughout the first month. This major addition includes a 38000 square feet (3,530.3 m²) waterpark exclusively for lodge guests. This is New York State's first indoor waterpark.
The park debuted several new features for the 2006 season. These included character greetings from the likes of the whole Justice League
.
For the 2007 season, The Great Escape re-themed their dive show to a pirate themed show, branded their pizza
restaurant a Papa John's, and brought back the Superstars and Legends: Elvis! Show (Which featured throughout the summer not only Elvis, but also Buddy Holly, and Billy Joel) to JollyTree Theatre.
Admission prices for the 2011 season are $45.99 for visitors over 48" tall at the gate ($35.99 if purchased online), $34.99 for visitors under 48" tall, $45.99 for a two-day ticket, and free for visitors aged two and under. Season passes and group rates are available. Season passes are accepted at all Six Flags locations. There is also a $12 fee for parking, and a season parking pass can also be purchased for $40. The parking pass is valid at The Great Escape only.
There are also $199 VIP Tours and a $99 "VIP Lite" ticket option that includes admission, preferred parking, an unlimited GO FAST pass, a complimentary meal, free drink refills, and a combined $20 ($10 to each) to spend at select game and retail locations.
, the lone exception.
the Great Escape has two special events, Oktoberfest
and Fright Fest, before closing for the winter. Oktoberfest is held during the weekends in September, while Fright Fest is held during the weekends of October.
Oktoberfest is marginally a celebration of German heritage, but is expanded to include ethnic foods, various beer games, ethnic music and dancing and other activities. (In the past, vendors were included, but none since 2006).
Fright Fest has the entire park decorated for Halloween
, while many of the usual shows are changed over to Halloween events as well including trick or treating among the miniature houses in Ghost-town and an elaborate haunted house
, which is located near the North-woods Picnic Grove along with a haunted walk-through in the Rabbit Season/Duck Season area.
In 2009 The Great Escape experimented with a late-season festival named "Holiday in the Park
". It included live entertainment and holiday themed shows, lights adorning the park, and a sledding hill making it the winter equivalent of the Fright Fest autumn event. Though Six Flags called the 2009 event successful, it also claimed a "business decision" was the reason behind the cancellation of the "Holiday in the Park" for the 2010 season.
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
and waterpark located in Queensbury, New York
Queensbury, New York
Queensbury is a town in and the county seat of Warren County, New York, United States. The town is located in the southeastern part of the county. The population was 25,441 at the 2000 census. The town is named in honor of Queen Charlotte, the consort of George III of Great Britain and Ireland. It...
. It is advertised as being located in Lake George, New York
Lake George (New York)
Lake George, nicknamed the Queen of American Lakes, is a long, narrow oligotrophic lake draining northwards into Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence River Drainage basin located at the southeast base of the Adirondack Mountains in northern New York, U.S.A.. It lies within the upper region of the...
. It is approximately 60 miles (96.6 km) north of Albany
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
, and is owned and operated by Six Flags
Six Flags
Six Flags Entertainment Corp. is the world's largest amusement park corporation based on quantity of properties and the fifth most popular in terms of attendance. The company maintains 14 properties located throughout North America, including theme parks, thrill parks, water parks and family...
.
History
The Great Escape was opened in 1954 as Storytown USA, a Mother GooseMother Goose
The familiar figure of Mother Goose is an imaginary author of a collection of fairy tales and nursery rhymes which are often published as Mother Goose Rhymes. As a character, she appears in one "nursery rhyme". A Christmas pantomime called Mother Goose is often performed in the United Kingdom...
themed amusement park by businessman Charles Wood
Charles Wood (businessman)
Charles R. "Charley" Wood was an American businessman.-Biography:Wood was born in Lockport, New York, in 1914.After seeing the amusement park Knott's Berry Farm in southern California he was inspired in 1954 to open his own park in Queensbury, New York, which he named Storytown USA. In order to do...
who bought the land with his wife for $75,000. In 1957, realizing that the park was geared only toward small children, the park opened its Ghosttown area, the first of many themed areas opened in the park's history.
In 1983, the park officially changed its name from Storytown USA to The Great Escape. For publicity, the park placed bumper stickers on every car in the parking lot. This practice stopped a few years later due to complaints.
In 1984, the Great Escape opened the Steamin' Demon
Steamin' Demon
Steamin' Demon is a steel roller coaster located at The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom in Queensbury, New York.-Ride experience:The ride is located at the front of the park in the Ghosttown area, although the theme of the coaster doesn't match the rest of the park section. The single blue train...
, the first of its eventual seven roller coasters. The showpiece attraction at The Great Escape is the Comet
Comet (Great Escape)
The Comet is a wooden roller coaster located at The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom, Lake George in Queensbury, New York, in the United States.-History:...
. Re-opened at The Great Escape in 1994, this roller coaster already had a 41-year history as The Comet at Crystal Beach
Crystal Beach, Ontario
Crystal Beach is a community within Fort Erie, Ontario with a population of 3,800. It was named for the "crystal-clear" water conditions present when it was founded on the northeast shore of Lake Erie, across from Buffalo....
(an amusement park near Niagara Falls, Ontario
Fort Erie, Ontario
Fort Erie is a town on the Niagara River in the Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada. It is located directly across the river from Buffalo, New York....
). It was saved shortly after the park closed down forever after the 1988 season. Charley Wood, the owner of Great Escape Fun Park and Fantasy Island
Martin's Fantasy Island
Martin's Fantasy Island is an amusement park located in Grand Island, New York.- History :Fantasy Island opened in 1961 and went bankrupt in 1982. It was acquired out of bankruptcy by Charles Wood, the original owner of Storytown USA. He sold the park to International Broadcasting Corporation in...
in Grand Island, New York
Grand Island, New York
Grand Island is a town and an island in Erie County, New York, USA. As of the 2010 census, the town population is 20,374. This represents an increase of 9.41% from the 2000 census figure . The current town name derives from the French name La Grande Île, as Grand Island is the largest island in...
successfully bid for The Comet and it sat in storage for a few years in Fantasy Island before making its way to the park in Queensbury, NY and reopening in 1994. Roller coaster enthusiasts recognize it as one of the best wooden roller coasters in North America.
In addition to typical amusement park rides, the Great Escape offers a variety of unique shows, most notable of which is a high dive show featuring a team of divers scaling an 80 feet (24.4 m) tower and plunging into a 10 feet (3 m) pool.
Other milestones include:
- 1954 — Charles Wood opens Storytown USA.
- 1957 — Ghosttown section of the park is opened.
- 1960 — Jungleland section of the park is opened.
- 1967 — Alice in Wonderland walk through adventure is opened.
- 1982 — Addition of about eight adult spinning rides.
- 1983 — Name change from Storytown USA to Great Escape Fun Park along with the addition of a few other adult rides.
- 1984 — Addition of Steamin' DemonSteamin' DemonSteamin' Demon is a steel roller coaster located at The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom in Queensbury, New York.-Ride experience:The ride is located at the front of the park in the Ghosttown area, although the theme of the coaster doesn't match the rest of the park section. The single blue train...
, an Arrow DynamicsArrow DynamicsArrow Dynamics was a roller coaster and amusement ride design company based in Clearfield, Utah, United States. In 2002, the company went bankrupt but was quickly bought by fellow amusement ride manufacturer S&S Power to form S&S Arrow. During its peak, Arrow Dynamics was responsible for some of...
3-inversion roller coaster. - 1986 — Opening of Raging River, an Intamin river rafting rideRiver rafting rideA river rafting ride is an amusement ride that simulates whitewater rafting.-History:The river rapids ride concept was proposed by Bill Crandall and developed by Intamin AG...
. - 1994 — A used wooden track and steel frame roller coaster called the CometComet (Great Escape)The Comet is a wooden roller coaster located at The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom, Lake George in Queensbury, New York, in the United States.-History:...
was brought from Crystal Beach, OntarioCrystal Beach, OntarioCrystal Beach is a community within Fort Erie, Ontario with a population of 3,800. It was named for the "crystal-clear" water conditions present when it was founded on the northeast shore of Lake Erie, across from Buffalo....
and reassembled at Great Escape and opened, giving the park three rollercoasters. - 1995 — Great Escape opens its waterpark, Splashwater Kingdom.
- 1996 — Acquisition by Premier Parks, which later bought and changed its name to Six FlagsSix FlagsSix Flags Entertainment Corp. is the world's largest amusement park corporation based on quantity of properties and the fifth most popular in terms of attendance. The company maintains 14 properties located throughout North America, including theme parks, thrill parks, water parks and family...
. - 1997 — Addition of Boomerang Coast-to-Coaster, a VekomaVekomaVekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V. is a roller coaster and thrill ride designer with its facilities based in the Netherlands. The company was founded in 1926 by Hendrik op het Veld under the name "Veld Koning Machinefabriek" and had first manufactured agricultural machinery and mining equipment...
BoomerangBoomerang (roller coaster)Boomerang is a model of roller coaster built by Vekoma, and named after the hunting implement based on the traditions of the Indigenous Australians...
. Was and currently is still the tallest roller coaster at the park. - 1998 — Addition of Alpine BobsledAlpine BobsledAlpine Bobsled is a steel roller coaster of bobsled design. It has been at three places:* From 1984 to 1988, named Sarajevo Bobsled, at Six Flags Great Adventure* From 1989 to 1996, named Rolling Thunder, at Six Flags Great America...
, an Intamin alpine themed bobsled roller coasterBobsled roller coasterA Bobsled roller coaster is the generic name given to any roller coaster that uses a track design that is essentially a "pipe" with the top half removed and has cars that are sent down this pipe in a freewheeling mode...
(Previously located at Six Flags Great AmericaSix Flags Great AmericaSix Flags Great America is a Six Flags theme park in the Chicago metropolitan area, located in Gurnee, Illinois. It first opened in 1976 as Marriott's Great America. Six Flags purchased the park from the Marriott Corporation in 1984, making it the seventh park in the chain...
from 1990 to 1995 as Rolling Thunder and Six Flags Great AdventureSix Flags Great AdventureSix Flags Great Adventure is a theme park in Jackson Township, New Jersey, owned by Six Flags Entertainment Corp., the world's largest amusement park corporation...
as Sarejevo Bobsleds from 1984–1988). - 1999 — Addition of Nightmare at Crack Axle CanyonNightmare at Crack Axle CanyonNightmare at Crack Axle Canyon was a steel roller coaster of twister at The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom in Queensbury, New York. This simple steel coaster was enclosed in a warehouse-like building allowing the cars to run in the dark giving a heightened sense of disorientation as the cars go...
, an indoor SchwarzkopfAnton SchwarzkopfAnton Schwarzkopf was a German engineer of amusement rides, and founder of the Schwarzkopf Industries company, which built numerous rides and large roller coasters for both amusement parks and travelling funfairs....
Jet Star featuring four-person cars, but only operated with two people. Building still standing. - 2003 — Addition of Canyon BlasterCanyon Blaster (Great Escape)Canyon Blaster is a steel roller coaster located at The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom, Lake George in Queensbury, New York.-Ride experience and theming:...
, a Mine Train roller coasterMine Train roller coasterA Mine Train roller coaster is a steel roller coaster whose trains depict a set of mine carts, sometimes pulled by the reproduction of a steam locomotive which is often designed in a cartoon style...
built by Arrow DynamicsArrow DynamicsArrow Dynamics was a roller coaster and amusement ride design company based in Clearfield, Utah, United States. In 2002, the company went bankrupt but was quickly bought by fellow amusement ride manufacturer S&S Power to form S&S Arrow. During its peak, Arrow Dynamics was responsible for some of...
and transported from defunct Opryland USAOpryland USAOpryland USA was an amusement park located in suburban Nashville, Tennessee. It operated seasonally from 1972 until 1997...
. - 2004 — The Great Escape's 50th Anniversary.
- 2005 — Debut of Looney Tunes National Park: a Looney TunesLooney TunesLooney Tunes is a Warner Bros. animated cartoon series. It preceded the Merrie Melodies series and was Warner Bros.'s first animated theatrical series. Since its first official release, 1930's Sinkin' in the Bathtub, the series has become a worldwide media franchise, spawning several television...
themed children's area which included eight new children's rides,including Road Runner Express, the park's seventh roller coaster, and a re-themed restaurant as well as a cartoon walk-through. Replaces the old Jungleland area. Accompanying Looney Tunes National Park are the Looney Tunes characters. The Flash Pass system is introduced. - 2007 — The Tornado opens in the Splashwater Kingdom.
- 2008 — Wiggles World Children's Theme Area and The Mega Wedgie, a Proslide Bowl. At the Great Escape Lodge, The Trapper's restaurant is converted to a Johnny RocketsJohnny RocketsJohnny Rockets is an American restaurant franchise whose concept is to create a classic American restaurant atmosphere. The theme is the diner-style restaurant that had become a common sight by the 1950s...
, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. - 2009 — Addition of Sasquatch, an S&S PowerS&S PowerS&S Worldwide is a company known for its pneumatically powered amusement rides and roller coaster designing.-History:S&S Worldwide was founded by Stan Checketts as S&S Sports, Inc. S&S Sports manufactures bungee jumping and trampoline equipment. S&S Sports was sold in 1996...
Combo Tower. Relocated from Six Flags New OrleansSix Flags New OrleansSix Flags New Orleans was an amusement park in New Orleans, Louisiana, which has been closed after Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005.The park was located in Eastern New Orleans, in the Ninth Ward of the city off Interstate 510...
. This ride is located at the previous site of the Rainbow. Martha's Dandee Creme sold back to original owners. The park hosted the first Holiday in the ParkHoliday in the ParkHoliday in the Park is a Christmas-oriented event that takes place at several Six Flags parks.-General Information:Six Flags began the tradition at Six Flags Over Texas in 1985 that ran through late November to early January...
(Christmas event) during the weekends in November and December. - 2010 — Old theme elements from the park's Storytown USA era, including PoPo the Purple Cow and a rebuilt Cinderella's castle, were restored and placed back into the park. The Holiday In The Park (Christmas event) has been cancelled for the 2010 season. In late 2010, Six Flags began the process of removing licensed theming from attractions. The Great Escape terminated several licenses including their license with The WigglesThe WigglesThe Wiggles are a children's group formed in Sydney, Australia in 1991. Their original members were Anthony Field, Phillip Wilcher, Murray Cook, Greg Page, and Jeff Fatt. Wilcher left the group after their first album...
, Looney TunesLooney TunesLooney Tunes is a Warner Bros. animated cartoon series. It preceded the Merrie Melodies series and was Warner Bros.'s first animated theatrical series. Since its first official release, 1930's Sinkin' in the Bathtub, the series has become a worldwide media franchise, spawning several television...
, and DC ComicsDC ComicsDC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
. Wiggles' World will be renamed and rethemed to KIDZOPOLISKIDZOPOLISKIDZOPOLIS is a themed kid's area with various rides at several Six Flags amusement parks.-History:Before being named KIDZOPOLIS, these themed areas were named Wiggles World from 2007 - 2010....
, Looney Tunes National Park will be renamed and rethemed to Timbertown, and the Flash Pass system will be renamed to Go Fast Pass, all in time for the 2011 season. - 2012 - Alphine Freefalls will open at Splashwater Kingdom. It will feature Twisted Racer (a ProSlideProSlideProSlide Technology is a Canadian manufacturer of water rides and water park resorts. They manufacture both traditional slides and innovative rides such as water coasters with conveyor belts, funnel-shaped Tornado slides, and Bowl slides...
KrakenRacer) and Cliffhanger (a trapdoor released ProSlide speed slide).
During the 2005 season, the park introduced a new line queuing system (used to be called the Flash Pass from 2005–2010), the "Go Fast Pass". For $15, guests can use Go Fast Passes on certain rides including the Comet, Alpine Bobsled, Desperado Plunge, Raging River, Canyon Blaster, Thunder Alley, Swan Boats, Bumper Cars, Steamin Demon, Boomerang and Sasquatch.
In February 2006, The Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark opened up with positive reviews and sold out weekends throughout the first month. This major addition includes a 38000 square feet (3,530.3 m²) waterpark exclusively for lodge guests. This is New York State's first indoor waterpark.
The park debuted several new features for the 2006 season. These included character greetings from the likes of the whole Justice League
Justice League
The Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
.
For the 2007 season, The Great Escape re-themed their dive show to a pirate themed show, branded their pizza
Pizza
Pizza is an oven-baked, flat, disc-shaped bread typically topped with a tomato sauce, cheese and various toppings.Originating in Italy, from the Neapolitan cuisine, the dish has become popular in many parts of the world. An establishment that makes and sells pizzas is called a "pizzeria"...
restaurant a Papa John's, and brought back the Superstars and Legends: Elvis! Show (Which featured throughout the summer not only Elvis, but also Buddy Holly, and Billy Joel) to JollyTree Theatre.
Admission prices for the 2011 season are $45.99 for visitors over 48" tall at the gate ($35.99 if purchased online), $34.99 for visitors under 48" tall, $45.99 for a two-day ticket, and free for visitors aged two and under. Season passes and group rates are available. Season passes are accepted at all Six Flags locations. There is also a $12 fee for parking, and a season parking pass can also be purchased for $40. The parking pass is valid at The Great Escape only.
There are also $199 VIP Tours and a $99 "VIP Lite" ticket option that includes admission, preferred parking, an unlimited GO FAST pass, a complimentary meal, free drink refills, and a combined $20 ($10 to each) to spend at select game and retail locations.
Roller coasters
There are currently six operating roller coasters at The Great Escape. Five of the six coasters are steel, with The Comet, a wooden roller coasterWooden roller coaster
A wooden roller coaster is most often classified as a roller coaster with laminated steel running rails overlaid upon a wooden track. Occasionally, the structure may be made out of a steel lattice or truss, but the ride remains classified as a wooden roller coaster due to the track design...
, the lone exception.
| Name | Opened | Type | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steamin' Demon Steamin' Demon Steamin' Demon is a steel roller coaster located at The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom in Queensbury, New York.-Ride experience:The ride is located at the front of the park in the Ghosttown area, although the theme of the coaster doesn't match the rest of the park section. The single blue train... |
1984 | Arrow Dynamics Arrow Dynamics Arrow Dynamics was a roller coaster and amusement ride design company based in Clearfield, Utah, United States. In 2002, the company went bankrupt but was quickly bought by fellow amusement ride manufacturer S&S Power to form S&S Arrow. During its peak, Arrow Dynamics was responsible for some of... Corkscrew coaster |
Ghosttown | The longest tenured roller coaster at the park. |
| Comet Comet (Great Escape) The Comet is a wooden roller coaster located at The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom, Lake George in Queensbury, New York, in the United States.-History:... |
1994 | Herbert Paul Schmeck Herbert Paul Schmeck Herbert Paul Schmeck was an American roller coaster designer. From 1923 to 1955, Schmeck designed 84 coasters for the Philadelphia Toboggan Company... and Philadelphia Toboggan Company Philadelphia Toboggan Company The Philadelphia Toboggan Company is one of the oldest existing roller coaster manufacturing companies in the world.Mack Rides of Germany dates back to 1781, but it did not start building coasters until 1921 Based in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, it was established in 1904 by Henry B... Wooden Coaster |
Fest Area | Originally known as the Crystal Beach Cyclone Crystal Beach Cyclone The Crystal Beach Cyclone is one of a 'Terrifying Triplet' of highly extreme and vicious Roller Coasters designed and built by Harry G. Traver in the late 1920s. The Cyclone was located at the Crystal Beach Amusement Park in Ontario, Canada.-History:... and rebuilt into the Crystal Beach Comet, the Comet was resurrected and re-opened by the Great Escape in 1994. Often rated one of the top roller coasters in the world, the Comet features a 2-minute ride over several hills. The first and largest hill contains a drop of 87 feet (26.5 m) and brings riders to a maximum speed of 55 mi/h. For the 2007 season, the Comet celebrated its 80th Anniversary. |
| Boomerang Coast-to-Coaster | 1997 | Vekoma Vekoma Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V. is a roller coaster and thrill ride designer with its facilities based in the Netherlands. The company was founded in 1926 by Hendrik op het Veld under the name "Veld Koning Machinefabriek" and had first manufactured agricultural machinery and mining equipment... Boomerang Boomerang (roller coaster) Boomerang is a model of roller coaster built by Vekoma, and named after the hunting implement based on the traditions of the Indigenous Australians... |
Storytown | A steel roller coaster that goes forward, up an inclined spike, then back through the station into a cobra roll, then down into a loop. It then goes up another spike and repeats the sequence backwards, all in one trip. First Boomerang at a Six Flags Park. |
| Alpine Bobsled Alpine Bobsled Alpine Bobsled is a steel roller coaster of bobsled design. It has been at three places:* From 1984 to 1988, named Sarajevo Bobsled, at Six Flags Great Adventure* From 1989 to 1996, named Rolling Thunder, at Six Flags Great America... |
1998 | Intamin Bobsled roller coaster Bobsled roller coaster A Bobsled roller coaster is the generic name given to any roller coaster that uses a track design that is essentially a "pipe" with the top half removed and has cars that are sent down this pipe in a freewheeling mode... |
Fest Area | It was introduced in 1998 in honor of the Winter Olympics, and each bobsled-car contains the flag of a different country which participated in the games. |
| Canyon Blaster Canyon Blaster (Great Escape) Canyon Blaster is a steel roller coaster located at The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom, Lake George in Queensbury, New York.-Ride experience and theming:... |
2003 | Arrow Dynamics Mine Train roller coaster Mine Train roller coaster A Mine Train roller coaster is a steel roller coaster whose trains depict a set of mine carts, sometimes pulled by the reproduction of a steam locomotive which is often designed in a cartoon style... |
Ghosttown | Transported from the defunct Opryland USA Opryland USA Opryland USA was an amusement park located in suburban Nashville, Tennessee. It operated seasonally from 1972 until 1997... |
| Frankie’s Mine Train | 2005 | Zamperla Zamperla Zamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls.... Steel Kiddie Coaster |
Timbertown | It was known as Road Runner Express from 2005–2010; and now rethemed in 2011. |
Rides and attractions
| Park Section | Notes |
|---|---|
| Fest Area | Bavarian themed. |
| Ghosttown | An Old West village themed. |
| International Village and Storytown | Retains decorative elements from the old Storytown USA era. |
| Timbertown | In 2005 this area replaced the former Jungleland that featured an animal show and a walking tour of jungle-like conditions adorned with animatronic animals along with a wood and rope bridge. This section was known as Looney Tunes Looney Tunes Looney Tunes is a Warner Bros. animated cartoon series. It preceded the Merrie Melodies series and was Warner Bros.'s first animated theatrical series. Since its first official release, 1930's Sinkin' in the Bathtub, the series has become a worldwide media franchise, spawning several television... National Park from 2005–2010; and now rethemed in 2011. This section used to feature 10 rides themed to the Looney Tunes. |
| North Woods Picnic Grove | An area for organized, large group picnics. Converted in the fall into a haunted house. |
| Splashwater Kingdom | The Great Escape includes a separate water park adjacent to the main park. There is no additional charge to visit Splashwater Kingdom. |
| KIDZOPOLIS KIDZOPOLIS KIDZOPOLIS is a themed kid's area with various rides at several Six Flags amusement parks.-History:Before being named KIDZOPOLIS, these themed areas were named Wiggles World from 2007 - 2010.... |
Open in 2008 with three rides and a show as Wiggles World; and now rethemed in 2011. |
Fest Area
This area typically features a more German theme. German style music can be heard playing throughout this area along with other 'German' food stands such as funnel cake.| Name | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blizzard | Scrambler Ride. | This ride was originally the Magical Mystery Tour indoor scrambler, but was moved outside to its current location |
| Giant Wheel | Ferris wheel Ferris wheel A Ferris wheel is a nonbuilding structure consisting of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright, usually by gravity.Some of the largest and most modern Ferris wheels have cars mounted on... |
90 feet (27.4 m) high providing a spectacular view of the Great Escape and surrounding area. |
| Pirate Ship | Swinging Ship | |
| Raging River | White Water Rapids | A water ride in a round boat holding six passengers simulating riding through white water rapids. |
| Cannonball Express | A spinning ride that moves fast around a track in a forward direction. (The ride previously played music. and went in a reverse direction. The sound system has been removed for unknown reasons). | |
| Bumper Cars | Classic bumper car ride. | |
Ghosttown
| Name | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Condor Condor (ride) The Condor is the trade name of an amusement ride sold by HUSS of Bremen, Germany. It was debuted at the 1984 New Orleans World's Fair, under the name "Cyclo Tower".... |
A gentle spinning ride that ascends a tall tower. | |
| Desperado Plunge | Water Flume Ride | Water flume ride where passengers ride in boats modeled on logs. Relocated from Busch Gardens Los Angeles Busch Gardens Busch Gardens is the name of two amusement parks in the United States, owned and operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, a division of Blackstone Group. One of the parks is in Williamsburg, Virginia, and the other is in Tampa, Florida... after it closed in 1979 http://www.amazon.com/dp/0811732622http://newsplusnotes.blogspot.com/2009/10/sabrinas-brochure-spotlight-great.html. Was known for a while as the Poland Springs Plunge. |
International Village and Storytown
| Name | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cinderella Coach | For 2011 season, carriage will no longer be drawn by horses, but pumpkin coach will be available to guests to have their picture taken in with Cinderella. | |
| Grand Carousel | Carousel Carousel A carousel , or merry-go-round, is an amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular platform with seats for riders... |
Classic merry-go-round ride with both horses and fantastic creatures. |
| Balloon Race | Ride featuring gondolas made to look like hot air balloons. Goes in the air and slightly tilts to the side while spinning in a large circle. Was relocated from Action Park. | |
| Storytown Train | Scenic train ride through Storytown and Looney Tunes National Park on an old C.P. Huntington diesel engine. | |
| Swan Boats | Motorized, swan-themed boats take passengers on a water-born tour of Storytown. | |
| Thunder Alley | Guests drive 1950s-styled electric cars. | |
| Flying Trapeze | Swing ride that lifts riders into the air, and, along with the Balloon Race, spins in a large circle. | |
| Alice in Wonderland | Walkthrough designed to make guests feel like that are following Alice in Wonderland through her mind-bending journey. | |
| Sky Ride | Chairlift Chairlift An elevated passenger ropeway, or chairlift, is a type of aerial lift, which consists of a continuously circulating steel cable loop strung between two end terminals and usually over intermediate towers, carrying a series of chairs... |
Chairlift that takes guests on a trip around part of the Great Escape in the air. |
| Sasquatch Sasquatch (ride) Sasquatch is an S&S Power combo tower at The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom, in Queensbury, New York. Sasquatch was Great Escape's new ride for 2009. The ride is named after the cryptid Sasquatch.-Ride History:... |
A S&S Power Inc. Combo Tower | Added in 2009. Includes a drop tower and a launch tower. Each tower has its own queue line. |
Timbertown
This section opened in 2005 as Looney Tunes National Park; and now rethemed in 2011.| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Bucky’s Shore Patrol | Horizontally-revolving boat ride. It was known as Yosemite Sam Yosemite Sam Yosemite Sam is an American animated cartoon character in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons produced by Warner Bros. Animation. The name is somewhat alliterative and is inspired by Yosemite National Park... Shore Patrol from 2005–2010; and now rethemed in 2011. |
| Honey Swings | Flying swings type ride. It was known as Taz Tasmanian Devil (Looney Tunes) The Tasmanian Devil, often referred to as Taz, is an animated cartoon character featured in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes series of cartoons. The character appeared in only five shorts before Warner Bros... Twister from 2005–2010; and now rethemed in 2011. |
| Hootie’s Treehouse | Drop tower type ride. It was known as Tweety Tweety Tweety Bird is a fictional Yellow Canary in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of animated cartoons. The name "Tweety" is a play on words, as it originally meant "sweetie", along with "tweet" being a typical English onomatopoeia for the sounds of birds... Treehouse from 2005–2010; and now rethemed in 2011. |
| Ranger Randy’s Railway | Small train-type ride. Must be over 36", and be accompanied by a guest under 54" if over 54". It was known as Elmer Fudd Elmer Fudd Elmer J. Fudd/Egghead is a fictional cartoon character and one of the most famous Looney Tunes characters, and the de facto archenemy of Bugs Bunny. He has one of the more disputed origins in the Warner Bros. cartoon pantheon . His aim is to hunt Bugs, but he usually ends up seriously injuring... Scenic Railway from 2005–2010; and now rethemed in 2011. |
| Rocky’s Ranger Planes | Revolving Planes for Guests under 54". It was known as Bugs Bunny Bugs Bunny Bugs Bunny is a animated character created in 1938 at Leon Schlesinger Productions, later Warner Bros. Cartoons. Bugs is an anthropomorphic gray rabbit and is famous for his flippant, insouciant personality and his portrayal as a trickster. He has primarily appeared in animated cartoons, most... Ranger Pilots from 2005–2010; and now rethemed in 2011. |
| Sheldon’s Speedway | Horizontally-revolving car-type ride. It was known as Speedy Gonzales Speedy Gonzales Speedy Gonzales is an animated caricature of a mouse in the Warner Brothers Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons. He is portrayed as "The Fastest Mouse in all Mexico" with his major traits being the ability to run extremely fast and speaking with an exaggerated Mexican accent... Camptown Racers from 2005–2010; and now rethemed in 2011. |
| Spruce’s Wilderness Bus Tours | Vertically-revolving bus for guests under 54", or accompanied by a Guest under 54". It was known as Daffy Duck Daffy Duck Daffy Duck is an animated cartoon character in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons, often running the gamut between being the best friend and sometimes arch-rival of Bugs Bunny... Wilderness Bus Tour from 2005–2010; and now rethemed in 2011. |
KIDZOPOLIS
This section opened in 2008 as Wiggles World; and now rethemed in 2011.| Name | History |
|---|---|
| Krazy Kars | It was known as Big Red Cars from 2008–2010; and now rethemed in 2011. |
| Krazy Kups | It was known as Dorothy's Rosy Red Tea Cups from 2008–2010; and now rethemed in 2011. |
| ZoomJets | It was known as Big Red Planes from 2008–2010; and now rethemed in 2011. |
Splashwater Kingdom
| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Black Cobra | A pair of enclosed water slides that guests ride in small inflatable boats. |
| Capt'n Hook's Adventure River | 850 ft (259.1 m) long, 28" deep river. Riders may travel in tubes or swim freely. Features waterfalls, geysers, strong current and continuous waves. |
| Paul Bunyan's Bucket Brigade | A treehouse featuring spraying water, 5 body slides, and a 500 gallon water bucket that drenches the area every 8 minutes. |
| Lumberjack Splash Wave Pool | 500,000 gallon, 25000 square feet (2,322.6 m²) wave pool Wave pool A wave pool is a swimming pool in which there are artificially generated, reasonably large waves, similar to the ocean's. Wave pools are often a major feature of water parks... with six wave patterns. |
| Noah's Sprayground | Water fountains, pools, and body slides for children. |
| Twister Falls | Water slide with a waterfall toward the beginning that is partly in tube form. |
| Banshee Plunge | Water slide with a waterfall at the beginning with two slightly steep drops. |
| Blue Typhoon | Tube-water slide with a waterfall at the beginning and end. |
| Tornado | The Tornado takes riders through a short section of enclosed slide before coming out at the top of a giant funnel where riders slide back and forth before gently landing in a splash pool. Installed in 2007. |
| Mega Wedgie | A specially designed tube bowl made by ProSlide. Similar to the standard CannonBOWL but a slightly smaller size. Installed in 2008. |
| Alpine Freefalls | This slide complex will feature Twisted Racer (a ProSlide ProSlide ProSlide Technology is a Canadian manufacturer of water rides and water park resorts. They manufacture both traditional slides and innovative rides such as water coasters with conveyor belts, funnel-shaped Tornado slides, and Bowl slides... KrakenRacer) and Cliffhanger (a trapdoor released ProSlide speed slide) when it opens in 2012. |
Upcharge attractions
These rides are not included in the admission price. Cost varies from ride to ride.| Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Go-Carts | Fest Area | Gas powered race cars with high speed turns. $7 (Drivers) and $3 (Passengers). You must be 58" to drive alone. You must be 18 to have a passenger. |
| Matterhorn Rockwall | Fest Area | Outdoor climbing rock wall with safety harnesses. $5 |
| Skycoaster | Fest Area | An intense sky-diving-like attraction that pulls the riders 175 feet (53.3 m) up in the air then swings them down toward the ground at speeds reaching 70 mi/h. 1 Person - $40, 2 Person - $25 each, 3 Person - $20 each. |
| Turbo Bungy | Fest Area | A beefed-up version of the trampoline where riders are attached to bungee cords. $6 |
Special events
After Labor DayLabor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
the Great Escape has two special events, Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest, or Wiesn, is a 16–18 day beer festival held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, running from late September to the first weekend in October. It is one of the most famous events in Germany and is the world's largest fair, with more than 5 million people attending every year. The...
and Fright Fest, before closing for the winter. Oktoberfest is held during the weekends in September, while Fright Fest is held during the weekends of October.
Oktoberfest is marginally a celebration of German heritage, but is expanded to include ethnic foods, various beer games, ethnic music and dancing and other activities. (In the past, vendors were included, but none since 2006).
Fright Fest has the entire park decorated for Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
, while many of the usual shows are changed over to Halloween events as well including trick or treating among the miniature houses in Ghost-town and an elaborate haunted house
Haunted house
A haunted house is a house or other building often perceived as being inhabited by disembodied spirits of the deceased who may have been former residents or were familiar with the property...
, which is located near the North-woods Picnic Grove along with a haunted walk-through in the Rabbit Season/Duck Season area.
In 2009 The Great Escape experimented with a late-season festival named "Holiday in the Park
Holiday in the Park
Holiday in the Park is a Christmas-oriented event that takes place at several Six Flags parks.-General Information:Six Flags began the tradition at Six Flags Over Texas in 1985 that ran through late November to early January...
". It included live entertainment and holiday themed shows, lights adorning the park, and a sledding hill making it the winter equivalent of the Fright Fest autumn event. Though Six Flags called the 2009 event successful, it also claimed a "business decision" was the reason behind the cancellation of the "Holiday in the Park" for the 2010 season.
Defunct rides and attractions
- Ghosttown Railroad Tour - 1/2 mile long railroad. Two Arrow Dynamics engines ran on the track. The train traveled through a recreated old western city, past the Steamin Demon, into a large themed tunnel, and back to the station. The Ghosttown Railroad was removed due to the addition of the Canyon Blaster coaster. The train's track was completely removed, the station was torn down, and the railroad crossing was removed and paved over. One of the original two engines and cars are now being used as scenery in the Canyon Blaster coaster.)
- Tornado (Flipper Version)
- Chipper's Mystery Ride
- Skylab
- The Italian Roller Coaster
- Nightmare at Crack Axle CanyonNightmare at Crack Axle CanyonNightmare at Crack Axle Canyon was a steel roller coaster of twister at The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom in Queensbury, New York. This simple steel coaster was enclosed in a warehouse-like building allowing the cars to run in the dark giving a heightened sense of disorientation as the cars go...
- Danny The Dragon
- Screamer - replaced by the Rainbow Ride.
- Rainbow Ride - removed to make room for Sasquatch
- Ranger
- 99 Trains
- Thunderbolt - was located where the Boomerang sits today
- Astro Wheel
- Sea Dragon (was then replaced by the Thunderbolt) - Replaced with Pirate Ship, moved to current location.
- Storytown Railroad - original train is now defunct. The original tracks are still in place where they stood when the railroad opened, but now has a C.P. Huntington engine that does daily runs on the track.
- Jungle Land USA - removed to make room for Looney Tunes National Park.
- Dragon Ride
- Noah's Ark
- Motorcycles
- Children's Train
- Rotor
- Tip Top
- Tumble Weed - Replaced with Condor
- Sky Flyer
- Starship Kaleidoscope - Replaced by the Trabant
- Cinema 180
- The Octopus
- Trabant — Removed after completion of the 2010 season.
- Petting Zoo — Closed during the course of the 2010 season.
- Cinderella Coach — Cinderella's Pumpkin Coach is no long pulled by horses. Cinderella is now available for pictures in front and in the now stationary coach.