Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago
The Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago logo since 2021
refer to caption
The main entrance to the waterpark.
SloganChicago's Most Thrilling Water Park
LocationGurnee, Illinois, United States
Coordinates42°22′06″N 87°56′19″W / 42.36833°N 87.93861°W / 42.36833; -87.93861
ThemeCaribbean island
OwnerSix Flags
OpenedMay 28, 2005 (2005-05-28)
Operating seasonMay to September
StatusOperating
Area20 acres (8.1 ha)
Pools2 pools
Water slides25 water slides
Children's areas2 children's areas
WebsiteOfficial website

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago is a 20-acre (8.1 ha) water park located in Gurnee, Illinois, United States. Six Flags owns and operates the park, which is located within the Chicago metropolitan area. The park opened on May 28, 2005, as part of a US$42 million expansion of the adjacent amusement park Six Flags Great America, from which it has been separately gated since 2021.

In the late 1990s, interest in building a water park close to Six Flags Great America was proposed; residents of Gurnee opposed these plans. A later water-park plan succeeded in 2004, when Gurnee officials confirmed a water park would be built. In its first year of operation, the park received 1.3 million visitors.

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago has 25 water slides and a themed area named Riptide Bay. The most recent addition, Tsunami Surge, is the world's tallest water coaster, which received accolades from the World Waterpark Association and Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards.

Background

Discussions about a water park near Six Flags Great America began in May 1996, when representatives from Six Flags met with officials of Gurnee to obtain permission to build a water park across from Interstate 94. A spokesperson for Six Flags Great America later called the plans "extremely premature" and said the park may not proceed.[1] These plans later became part of a bigger plan called Six Flags Entertainment Village,[2] which was announced on October 29, 1997.[3] The entertainment complex would be built across Interstate 94 and construction was planned to begin in 2000.[4] Gurnee residents opposed the plans, and a group called the Citizens United for a Residential Village of Gurnee campaigned for a referendum about the project's approval to be included in an election ballot on April 13, 1999.[5] Six Flags Entertainment Village was later derailed after more than half of Gurnee residents opposed the project following the referendum.[6][7]

History

2004–2005: Announcement and opening

On September 10, 2004, Gurnee officials confirmed plans for a water park opening on Six Flags Great America's existing site.[8][9] Six Flags Great America officially announced the Caribbean-themed water park on September 16, 2004.[10] Plans for the water park included twenty-five water slides, an entrance plaza, and admission separate from the theme park.[11] On January 19, 2005, it was announced admission would be included with a regular ticket.[12] The new water park was expected to compete with others in Wisconsin Dells and the Chicago metropolitan area,[13][14] and would be the biggest expansion in Six Flags Great America history.[15]

Construction on the US$42 million[16] water park began in November of that year, and the water park opened to the public on May 28, 2005.[17][18] The park's centerpiece attraction was the Skull Island interactive playground, which was billed as the largest of its kind, and had 500 gadgets and eight water slides.[19][20] Almost a month following the opening of Hurricane Harbor, a man had a heart attack in Hurricane Bay and died on June 22, 2005.[21] During the water park's first year of operation, it was reported 1.3 million people had attended it, which park officials regarded as a "huge success".[16]

2006–2011: Early incidents and expansion

The Tornado water slide pictured in 2006
Tornado in 2006

Following the initial opening of Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, a funnel water slide named Tornado was announced on January 14, 2006, at the American Coaster Enthusiasts "No Coaster Con" convention. It would open later in 2006 and be located above the Castaway Creek lazy river.[16][22] The ride opened on Memorial Day weekend in 2006.[23] A few weeks later, a girl was slightly injured and required stitches after she fell off of her tube.[24]

On May 26, 2011, a new roller coaster was planned for the adjacent Six Flags Great America amusement park; it was announced at a zoning board of appeals meeting for the site of Space Shuttle America. The planned roller coaster was Chang, which would have been acquired from the former Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom and was to be located near the park's entrance but the new ride was later canceled.[25][26] Instead, the four-acre (1.6 ha) Riptide Bay area was added to the park, opening on June 3, 2011.[27] Riptide Bay initially included a surf simulator, five water slides, a Caribbean-inspired activity pool, and cabanas.[28][29] In July 2011, a woman suffered injuries on Wahoo Racer and sued the park for negligently operating the attraction. A court upheld an award of US$1.5 million USD in June 2017.[30]

2019–present: Separation from Six Flags Great America

refer to caption
Footers for Tsunami Surge during construction in July 2020

On August 29, 2019, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor announced a new water coaster named Tsunami Surge, which was built by WhiteWater West. Tsunami Surge was billed as the tallest water coaster in the world, and was expected to open for the 2020 season.[31] Ground was broken for Tsunami Surge in January 2020,[32] but the ride did not open due to the park's closure and construction delays during the COVID-19 pandemic.[33][34] On July 20, 2020, the park re-opened with safety protocols regarding COVID-19 in place, and its name was changed to "Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago";[35][36] attractions at Six Flags Great America stayed closed throughout the season.[37]

Beginning on March 22, 2021, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor was separated from Six Flags Great America, and was officially named Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago.[38] A new entry gate for the water park was built in the parking lot, and a pathway between both parks was no longer accessible to the public.[39][37] The change was made to allow guests to choose which park to enter.[40] Previously, the park had charged visitors an additional fee to enter the water park.[37] On May 29, 2021, Tsunami Surge officially opened to the public as the tallest water coaster in the world.[41]

List of attractions

Tsunami Surge water slide
Tsunami Surge
Bahama Mama and Bubba Tubba water slides
Bahama Mama and Bubba Tubba
The Mega Wedgie, Dive Bomber and Wipeout water slides
Mega Wedgie, Dive Bomber (center) and Wipeout (right)
Name Opened Manufacturer Type Ref.
Wahoo Racer May 28, 2005 ProSlide Technology Multi-lane racer [42][43]
Hurricane Bay May 28, 2005 Aquatic Development Wave pool [44][45]
Castaway Creek May 28, 2005 Aquatic Development Lazy river [43][46]
Hurricane Mountain May 28, 2005 ProSlide Water slide complex [47][48]
Paradise Plunge and Riptide May 28, 2005 ProSlide Speed slide [49]
Skull Island and Buccaneer Bay May 28, 2005 ProSlide Interactive playground [50][51]
Hammerhead and Barracuda May 28, 2005 ProSlide Dual slide complex [52]
Vortex and Typhoon May 28, 2005 ProSlide Twin bowl slides [53]
Bahama Mama and Bubba Tubba May 28, 2005 ProSlide Two family rafting slides [54]
Tornado May 29, 2006 ProSlide Funnel slide [23]
Riptide Bay
Surf Rider June 3, 2011 Wave Loch Surf simulator [27][55]
Wipeout June 3, 2011 ProSlide Double funnel slide [27][56]
Monsoon Lagoon June 3, 2011 — Swimming pool [28]
Mega Wedgie June 3, 2011 ProSlide Drop-launch capsule [27]
Dive Bomber June 3, 2011 ProSlide Drop-launch capsule [27]
Tsunami Surge May 29, 2021 WhiteWater West Water coaster [57]

Awards

In 2006, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago's water slide Tornado was placed second for the category "Best New Water Slide", and tied with Noah's Ark's Time Warp attraction on Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards.[58] In August 2021, the water park, along with WhiteWater West and architecture firm Ramaker won the 2021 Leading Edge Award from the World Waterpark Association for their work on Tsunami Surge.[59][60] One month later, Tsunami Surge was placed third place in the category "Best New Water Slide" on Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards.[61]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Warmbir, Steve (May 18, 1996). "Six Flags, Gurnee discuss water park". Daily Herald. p. 8. Retrieved December 9, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  2. ↑ Silvestri, Scott (November 4, 1997). "Gurnee creates committee to keep tabs on Six Flags Plan". Daily Herald – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ Flink, John (October 29, 1997). "Residents view plans for huge resort 'village' near Six Flags". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  4. ↑ Silvestri, Scott (December 9, 1998). "Gurnee moves on to next entertainment phase Village approves plans for Six Flags project". Daily Herald. Retrieved December 9, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  5. ↑ Silvestri, Scott (March 22, 1999). "Gurnee group, officials debate what vote on Six Flags village will mean". Daily Herald. p. 1. Retrieved December 9, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  6. ↑ Spencer, Mark (October 4, 1999). "Lake County tourism tidbits". Daily Herald – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ Bukro, Casey; Beeler, Amanda (April 14, 1999). "Forest preserve request wins; school vote mixed". Chicago Tribune – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ Susnjara, Bob (September 14, 2004). "Great America plans not seen as a threat Municipal water parks don't expect to lose business". Daily Herald. Retrieved December 9, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  9. ↑ "Is the water park race on?". Daily Herald. September 11, 2004. p. 1. Village officials said Friday that besides the first proposed park, Six Flags Great America is ready to dive in, too.
  10. ↑ "Six Flags plans large water park". The Pantagraph. Associated Press. September 17, 2004. p. 7. Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Making a splash". Antioch News. September 17, 2022. pp. C6. Retrieved December 9, 2022 – via Internet Archive.
  12. ↑ "New Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Water Park Will Be Free With Six Flags Great America Theme Park Admission! It's two great parks for one great price!". PR Newswire (Press release). January 19, 2005. Retrieved December 9, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  13. ↑ Masse, Ryan (April 28, 2005). "Dells owners express little concern with Six Flags park". The Badger Herald. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  14. ↑ Tsouderos, Trine (April 18, 2005). "Water parks aim to saturate market". Chicago Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved November 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "Online Hurricane Harbor auction to benefit Super Jake Foundation". Daily Herald. May 20, 2005. pp. S5-3.
  16. 1 2 3 Filas, Lee (January 15, 2006). "Tornado to swirl into Gurnee". Daily Herald. Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  17. ↑ "Great America opens Six Flags Hurricane Harbor water park". Southtown Star via Newspapers.com. June 2, 2005. p. 78. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Feeling light-headed". Chicago Tribune. May 18, 2005. pp. 2–3. Retrieved November 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ Susnjara, Bob (September 16, 2004). "Water park to have Caribbean theme". Daily Herald. pp. S1-5. Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  20. ↑ "Great America joins waterpark wars". Capital Times. April 23, 2005. pp. 1D. Retrieved December 9, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  21. ↑ "Chicago man dies at water park". Chicago Sun-Times. June 30, 2005. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
  22. ↑ "Six Flags Great America Adds Giant Tornado Attraction To Hurricane Harbor Water Park". Ultimate Waterpark. January 14, 2006. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  23. 1 2 Pang, Kevin (August 3, 2006). "It's the Tornado! 1st clue is a fast cool-off". Chicago Tribune. pp. 5A–6. Retrieved September 16, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ↑ "Girl gets stitches after ride fall at Six Flags". Chicago Tribune. June 10, 2006. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  25. ↑ John (July 11, 2010). "No Chang for Six Flags Great America". Coaster101. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  26. ↑ "Six Flags to expand water park". Daily Herald. September 3, 2010. p. 1. Retrieved December 10, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 "Waterparks: Riptide Bay Debuts at Six Flags Great America". Blooloop. June 3, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  28. 1 2 Craig, Megan (April 28, 2011). "'Mega Wedgie,' more coming to Great America". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ↑ Kunzer, Jami (June 23, 2011). "American Eagle celebra logro". Northwest Herald (in Spanish). p. 3. Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ↑ McCoppin, Rober (June 2, 2017). "Court upholds $1.5M judgement for Six Flags Great America waterslide injury". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  31. ↑ Newton, Jim (August 29, 2019). "Tsunami Surge: Six Flags Great America plans new 86-foot-tall water ride in Gurnee". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  32. ↑ Marcus Leshock of WGN-TV [@marcusleshock] (January 18, 2020). "Construction began on Tsunami Surge a few weeks ago at @SFGreat_America. Here are some pictures, it will be located right next to Maxx Force. Opening this summer" (Tweet). Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Twitter.
  33. ↑ Coleman, Emily K. (June 2, 2022). "Hurricane Harbor may reopen soon, but Six Flags Great America still questionable". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  34. ↑ Baldwin, Tim (July 8, 2021). "Hurricane Harbor anchored by WhiteWater West's Tsunami Surge". Amusement Today. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  35. ↑ Luc, Karie Angell (June 21, 2020). "Hurricane Harbor opens in Gurnee with coronavirus measures in place". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  36. ↑ Valade, Paul (June 20, 2020). "Hurricane Harbor's reopening in Gurnee makes a splash". Daily Herald. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  37. 1 2 3 Graham, Doug T. (April 9, 2021). "Six Flags Hurricane Harbor to open May with world's tallest water coaster". Daily Herald. Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  38. ↑ "Hurricane Harbor to Open This Spring Separate From Six Flags". NBC Chicago. April 2, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  39. ↑ "You'll need separate tickets for Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, Great America this summer". Daily Herald. April 8, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  40. ↑ Alleman, Annie (April 14, 2021). "They're back! Six Flags Great America opens April 24 and Hurricane Harbor opens May 29". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  41. ↑ Kunzer, Jami (July 8, 2021). "Interest surges in 'tallest water in the world' at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor". Lake County Journal. pp. a3. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  42. ↑ "Wahoo Racer". Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  43. 1 2 Filas, Lee (May 26, 2005). "Six Flags expects a big splash New Hurricane Harbor water park will officially open Saturday morning". Daily Herald. Retrieved December 9, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  44. ↑ Tsouderos, Trine (June 16, 2005). "H2oh!". Chicago Tribune. pp. 5A-1, 5A-12. Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. ↑ "Hurricane Bay". Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  46. ↑ "Castaway Creek". Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  47. ↑ "Water park under construction at Six Flags". Rock Island Argus. Associated Press. April 24, 2005. p. 9. Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  48. ↑ "Hurricane Mountain". Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  49. ↑ "Paradise Plunge and Riptide". Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  50. ↑ "Skull Island". Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  51. ↑ "Buccaneer Bay". Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  52. ↑ "Hammerhead and Barracuda". Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  53. ↑ "Vortex and Typhoon". Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  54. ↑ George, Doug (June 9, 2013). "Get ready for Great America". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  55. ↑ "Surf Rider". Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  56. ↑ "Wipeout". Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  57. ↑ Tuttle, Brittani (May 29, 2021). "World's tallest water coaster Tsunami Surge now open at Hurricane Harbor Chicago". Attractions Magazine. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  58. ↑ Baldwin, Tim (2006). "Amusement Today's 2006 Golden Ticket Awards" (PDF). Amusement Today. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  59. ↑ Coates, Charlotte (October 27, 2021). "WhiteWater recognised with three WWA Leading Edge Awards". Blooloop. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  60. ↑ Whittaker, Adam (November 4, 2021). "WWA Show returns to form with trade show and awards". Blooloop. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  61. ↑ "Golden Ticket Awards 2021". Amusement Today. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
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