Great Escape (amusement park)

Great Escape
Location Queensbury, New York, U.S.
Coordinates 43°21′04″N 73°41′24″W / 43.350991°N 73.690112°W / 43.350991; -73.690112Coordinates: 43°21′04″N 73°41′24″W / 43.350991°N 73.690112°W / 43.350991; -73.690112
Owner Six Flags
Opened 1954
Previous names Storytown USA, The Great Escape Fun Park, The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom
Operating season May through October
Area 351 acres (142 ha)
Rides
Total

35 (excluding water park)

3 (upcharge)
Roller coasters 6
Water rides 10
Website Great Escape

Great Escape (sometimes referred to as Six Flags Great Escape) is an amusement and water park owned and operated by Six Flags Entertainment Corp. It is located approximately 60 miles (97 km) north of Albany, in Queensbury, New York,[1] but is advertised as being in Lake George, New York,[2] a popular tourist and vacation spot nearby. It is one of two Six Flags parks not to be officially branded with the "Six Flags" name (La Ronde in Montreal, Quebec, Canada being the other).

History

Great Escape logo used up until 2012

The Great Escape was opened in 1954 as Storytown USA, a Mother Goose themed amusement park by businessman Charles Wood who bought the land with his wife for $75,000.[3]:47 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, and employees switched to offering bumper stickers free of charge to any willing customer.

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 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 38,000 square feet (3,500 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.

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 m) tower and plunging into a 10 feet (3.0 m) deep pool.

Entrance sign to the Alice in Wonderland walkthrough.

Other milestones include:

Alpine Freefalls

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 $45, 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.

Rides and attractions

Themed areas

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 National Park from 2005–2010 and 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 water park located within the main park. The water park is located at the back of the park. There is no additional charge to visit Splashwater Kingdom.
KIDZOPOLIS Opened in 2008 with three rides and a show as Wiggles World; 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 Picture Manufacturer Type Year Opened Notes
Alpine Bobsled Intamin Bobsled roller coaster 1998 Introduced in 1998 in honor of the Winter Olympics, each bobsled car is decorated with the flag of a different country which participated in the games.
Blizzard Indoors' Eli Bridge Indoor Scrambler Ride. 1971 This ride opened in 1971 and was originally Chipper's Magical Mystery Tour indoor scrambler, but was moved outside in 2005. In 2013, the ride was relocated back inside the dome to become Blizzard Indoors with lighting, sound effects, and air conditioning.
Convoy Zamperla Convoy 1987 Miniature trucks where kids can control the truck around a guided path.
Comet Herbert Paul Schmeck and Philadelphia Toboggan Company Wooden Coaster 1994 Previously the Crystal Beach Cyclone and the Crystal Beach Comet, the Comet was re-opened by the Great Escape in 1994. Often rated one of the top roller coasters in the world, it features a 2-minute ride with large drops.
Giant Wheel Chance Rides Ferris wheel 1989 90-foot (27 m) high providing a spectacular view of the Great Escape and surrounding area.
Raging River Intamin White Water Rapids 1986 A water ride in a round boat holding six passengers simulating riding through white water rapids.
Cannonball Express Mack Rides Musik Express 1985 A spinning ride that moves fast around a track in a forward direction featuring music.
Screamin' Eagles Larson Flying Scooters 2013 The ride is a new model built by Larson in 2013. Ride is located where the former 180 Dome once stood.
Balloon Race Zamperla Balloon Race 1989 Relocated from Storytown for 2013. Where Blizzard once stood.
Extreme Supernova Zamperla Midi Discovery 2014 Announced on August 29, 2013. Opened 2014. Located next to The Comet.
Flying Trapeze Chance Rides Yo-Yo 1993 A Yo-Yo wave swinger ride.
Sky Ride Chairlift A chairlift ride that is located within the Fest Area of the park.

Ghosttown

Marshal McKay before his daily show.
Name Picture Manufacturer Type Year Opened Notes
Canyon Blaster Arrow Dynamics Mine Train roller coaster 2003 The coaster was transported from the defunct Opryland USA. Canyon Blaster ran with its last 3 cars reversed from July thru the end of the season in 2013. Canyon Blaster, built in 2003, is a family roller coaster. In early July in 2013 riders could ride forwards or backwards on this ride
The Condor Huss Spinning tower ride 1989 You ascend the tower spinning at a medium speed giving great views of the park, but when you reach the top it's a high speed thrill ride until you make your way back down the tower.
Desperado Plunge Water Flume Ride 1979 Water flume ride where passengers ride in boats modeled on logs. Relocated from Busch Gardens Los Angeles after it closed in 1979 .
Steamin' Demon Arrow Dynamics Corkscrew coaster 1984 The longest tenured roller coaster at the park.
Marshal's Stampede Mac Duce sqq Bumper Car ride. 1985 Relocated to Ghost Town in 2013 from Fest Area. Located where Ghost Town arcade once stood. Ride features lights and music.

International Village and Storytown

Name Picture Manufacturer Type Year Opened Notes
Boomerang Coast-to-Coaster Vekoma Boomerang 1997 A steel roller coaster with various spikes, loops, and a cobra roll, before repeating the sequence backwards. First Boomerang at a Six Flags Park.
Cinderella Coach 1954 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 Chance Carousel 1989 Classic merry-go-round ride with both horses and fantastic creatures.
Greezed Lightnin' Larson International 22m Giant Loop 2016 A larger, park version of a Larson Ring of Fire, measuring 22 meters (72 ft) in diameter.
Storytown Train Chance C.P. Huntington 1956 Scenic train ride through Storytown and Timbertown on an old engine.
Swan Boats 1954-1956 Motorized, swan-themed boats take passengers on a water-born tour of Storytown.
Thunder Alley Arrow Dynamics 1993 Guests drive 1950s-styled electric cars.
Sasquatch S&S Power Combo Tower 2009 Added in 2009. Includes a drop tower and a launch tower. Each tower has its own queue line. The ride was previously named Bayou Blaster and Sonic Slam when the ride was located at Six Flags New Orleans, which closed due to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
A girl and Cinderella getting out of her pumpkin coach.

Timbertown

This section opened in 2005 as Looney Tunes National Park.[8]

Name Picture Manufacturer Type Year Opened Notes
Frankie’s Mine Train Zamperla Steel Kiddie Coaster 2005 Known as Road Runner Express from 2005–2010, rethemed in 2011.
Oakey's Honey Swings Zamperla 2005 Flying swings type ride. It was known as Taz Twister from 2005–2010.
Hootie’s Treehouse Zamperla 2005 Drop tower type ride. It was known as Tweety Treehouse from 2005–2010.
Ranger Randy’s Railway Zamperla 2005 Small train-type ride. Must be over 36 inches (91 cm) and be accompanied by a guest under 54 inches (140 cm) if over 54 inches (140 cm). It was known as Elmer Fudd Scenic Railway from 2005–2010.
Rocky’s Ranger Planes Zamperla 2005 Revolving Planes for Guests under 54". It was known as Bugs Bunny Ranger Pilots from 2005–2010.
Sheldon’s Speedway Zamperla 2005 Horizontally-revolving car-type ride. It was known as Speedy Gonzales Camptown Racers from 2005–2010.
Spruce’s Wilderness Bus Tours Zamperla 2005 Vertically-revolving bus for guests under 54 inches (140 cm), or accompanied by a Guest under 54 inches (140 cm). It was known as Daffy Duck Wilderness Bus Tour from 2005–2010.

KIDZOPOLIS

This section opened in 2008 as Wiggles World; and now rethemed in 2011.

See also: KIDZOPOLIS
Name History
Krazy Kars It was known as Big Red Cars from 2008–2010.
Krazy Kups It was known as Dorothy's Rosy Red Tea Cups from 2008–2010.
ZoomJets It was known as Big Red Planes from 2008–2010.

Splashwater Kingdom

Lumberjack Splash wave pool in use.
Name Opened Notes
Black Cobra 1996 A pair of enclosed water slides that guests ride in small inflatable boats.
Capt'n Hook's Adventure River 1995-1997 1,050 ft (320 m) long, 28 in (0.71 m) deep river. Riders may travel in tubes or swim freely. Features waterfalls, geysers, strong current and continuous waves. Located in Upper Splashwater Kingdom.
Paul Bunyan's Bucket Brigade 1997 A treehouse featuring spraying water, 5 body slides, and a 500 US gal (1,900 L) water bucket that drenches the area every 8 minutes. Located in Lower Splashwater Kingdom.
Lumberjack Splash Wave Pool 1997 500,000 US gal (1,900 kL), 25,000-square-foot (2,300 m2) wave pool with six wave patterns. Located in Lower Splashwater Kingdom.
Buccaneer Beach 2015 New for 2015, pirate themed water fountains, pools, and body slides for children. Located in Upper Splashwater Kingdom. Formerly known as "Noah's Sprayground".
Kingdom Cascades 1995 Three thrilling water slides including (Twister Falls, Banshee Plunge & Blue Typhoon)
Tornado 2007 A ProSlide Tornado that 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. Located in Upper Splashwater Kingdom.
Mega Wedgie 2008 A specially designed tube bowl made by ProSlide. Similar to the standard CannonBOWL but a slightly smaller size. Installed in 2008. Located in Upper Splashwater Kingdom.
Alpine Freefalls 2012 This slide complex features a Twisted Racer (a ProSlide KrakenRacer) and a Cliffhanger (a trapdoor released ProSlide speed slide). It opened in 2012.[10] Located in Lower Splashwater Kingdom.

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. $8 (Drivers) and $4 (Passengers). You must be 58 inches (1.5 m) to drive alone. You must be 18 to have a passenger.
Dare Devil Dive Fest Area An intense sky-diving-like attraction that pulls the riders 175 feet (53 m) up in the air then swings them down toward the ground at speeds reaching 70 mph (110 km/h). 1 Person - $40, 2 Person - $25 each, 3 Person - $20 each. Formerly known as "Skycoaster".

Special events

After Labor Day 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 Fridays thru Sundays in 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 2 elaborate haunted houses, which are located near the North-woods Picnic Grove and in the Ghost Town Saloon.

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.[5]

Defunct rides and attractions

Defunct Rainbow's pieces stored
Ride Year opened Year closed Description
Ghost Town Railroad 1957 2002 Arrow Dynamics railroad journey around Ghost Town. Removed for the addition of Canyon Blaster.
Tornado 1967 2002 Dark ride. Removed for Canyon Blaster. (Flipper Version)
(Chipper's) Magical Mystery Tour 1971 2004 Indoor scrambler. Re-installed in 2013 under a different name and theme, Blizzard Indoors.
Skylab 1986 2000 Huss Skylab.
Italian Roller Coaster 1971 1988 Thought to be a Pinfari Z40.
Nightmare at Crack Axle Canyon 1999 2006 Indoor Schwarzkopf Jet Star. Building still stands.
Danny the Dragon 1965 1996 Motorized scenic ride with cars shaped as a dragon's body. Replaced by Boomerang
Carousel 1965 1996 Classic Carousel.
Screamer (Ranger) 1982 1986 Huss Ranger. Replaced with Rainbow ride.
Pirate Ship 1995 2013 Huss Pirate Ship.
Rainbow 1987 2007 Huss Rainbow. Replaced by Sasquatch.
99 Trains 2005 Kiddie train ride.
Thunderbolt 1993 1996 Matterhorn style ride. Replaced by Boomerang.
AstroWheel 1969 1992 Chance AstroWheel. Replaced by Flying Trapeze.
Sea Dragon 1980 1994 Pirate Ship style ride. Replaced by Boomerang.
Storytown Railroad 1956 Original park train defunct. Station and tracks still in use.
Jungle Land USA 1960 2004 African themed land. Re-themed to Looney Tunes National Park, and later Timbertown.
Dragon Ride Mid-2000s Kiddie Dragon ride.
Noah's Ark Mid-2000s Kiddie Pirate Ship.
Motorcycles Mid-2000s Kiddie motorcycle ride.
Rotor 1983 Late 1990s. Rotor ride.
Tip Top
Starship Kaleidoscope (Tea Cups)
Tumble Weed 1979 1988 Replaced by Condor.
Sky Flyer
Cinema 180 Theatre later converted to an arcade. Removed in 2013 for addition of Screamin' Eagles.
Octopus Classic Octopus ride.
Trabant 1969 2010 Chance Trabant
Petting Zoo 1954 2010 Classic petting zoo.
Cinderella Coach 1954 Pumpkin Coach is no longer pulled by live horses, but instead available for stationary pictures.
Wiggles World 2007 Rethemed to Kidzopolis.
Bucky's Shore Patrol 2005 2014 Horizontally-revolving boat ride. It was known as Yosemite Sam Shore Patrol from 2005–2010. Closed in 2014.

References

  1. "Recreational Opportunities (Map)" (PDF). Department of Community Development, town of Queensbury. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
  2. "Directions: The Great Escape". Retrieved 2009-05-04. Enjoy a memorable visit to beautiful Lake George, New York.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Hirsch, Rose Ann (2006). Kiddie Parks of the Adirondacks. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 0-7385-4470-1.
  4. Jones, Blake. "Great Escape to debut new Storytown features". Post Star. Retrieved 08-10-2010. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  5. 1 2 Donnelly, Scott. "Great Escape cancels Holiday in the Park 2010". Post Star. Retrieved 08-10-2010. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  6. MacDonald, Brady (25 November 2010). "Six Flags amusement parks prepare for thematic makeovers". LA Times. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  7. "Kids Rides". The Great Escape.
  8. 1 2 "All Attractions". The Great Escape.
  9. "Great Escape". The Great Escape.
  10. 1 2 The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom. "Alpine Freefalls". Six Flags. Archived from the original on August 25, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
  11. "Screamin’ Eagles Have Landed at The Great Escape". Great Escape. May 30, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
  12. "Screamin’ Eagles Soar into The Great Escape in 2013". SixFlags.com. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  13. "New for 2014". August 29, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.

External links

Media related to Great Escape (amusement park) at Wikimedia Commons

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