The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom

Infobox Amusement park
name = Six Flags The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom


location = Queensbury, New York (Advertised as in Lake George, New York)
area = approximately 150 acres
opening_date = 1954
previous_names = "Storytown USA", "The Great Escape Fun Park"
season = May through October
rides = 38 (excluding water park)
coasters = 7
water_rides = 2
owner = Six Flags
homepage = [http://www.gecentral.com Great Escape]

The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom: A Six Flags Park is an amusement park and water park located in Queensbury, New York (although is advertised as being in Lake George, New York) and is approximately 60 miles north of Albany. It is owned and operated by Six Flags.

History

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. [ Hirsch (2006), p.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 parks 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 1993. 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-foot tower and plunging into a ten foot deep pool.

Other milestones include:
*1954 — Charles Wood opens Storytown USA.
*1957 — Ghosttown section of the park is opened [ Hirsch (2006), p.61 ] .
*1960 — Jungleland section of the park is opened [ Hirsch (2006), p.69 ] .
*1967 — Alice in Wonderland walk through adventure is opened [ Hirsch (2006), p.72 ] .
*1982 — addition of about eight adult spinning rides.
*1983 — Name change from Storytown USA to Great Escape Fun Park along with the addition of Steamin' Demon looping rollercoaster and a few other adult rides.
*1986 — Opening of Raging River, a river-rapids water ride.
*1994 — A used wooden track and steel frame rollercoaster called the Comet was brought from Crystal Beach, Ontario 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 Flags.
*1997 — Addition of Boomerang Coast-to-Coaster(a very much duplicated ride), a forward and backward looping coaster. Was and currently is still the tallest rollercoaster at the park.
*1998 — Addition of Alpine Bobsled, an alpine themed bobsled type rollercoaster (Previously located at Six Flags Great America from 1990 to 1995 as Rolling Thunder and Six Flags Great Adventure as Sarejevo Bobsleds from 1984-1988).
*1999 — Addition of Nightmare at Crack Axle Canyon, a combination rollercoaster and dark ride featuring four-person cars, but only operated with two people. (Indoor Schwarzkopf Jet Star rollercoaster).
*2003 — Addition of Canyon Blaster (Family rollercoaster by Arrow Dynamics from defunct Opryland USA).
*2004 — The Great Escape's 50th Anniversary.
*2005 — Debut of Looney Tunes National Park: a Looney Tunes themed children's area which included eight new children's rides (including Road Runner Express, the park's seventh rollercoaster) 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 Rockets, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
*2009 - Sasquatch. A S&S Power Inc. Combo Tower. Relocated from Six Flags New Orleans.

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 foot waterpark exclusively for lodge guests. This is New York State's first indoor waterpark.

With the closure of Houston's Astroworld in 2005, the park has received the dismantled Serial Thriller (Vekoma SLC) coaster as well as their former Tidal Wave shoot-the-chutes water ride. The Great Escape's General Manager was quoted as saying, to the Queensbury Town Board, that the Tidal Wave ride was "too old" and would not be assembled in the park and to expect the Vekoma SLC to be assembled at the park.

During the 2005 season, the park introduced a new line queuing system, the "Flash Pass." For $10, guests can use Flash Passes an unlimited number of times on rides that often have long waits, including the Comet, Alpine Bobsled, Desperado (no longer Poland Springs) Plunge, Raging River, and Canyon Blaster. The park is also offering Flash Passes for free for guests wishing to ride the Nightmare, which has drastically reduced the ride's normally long wait time.

The park debuted several new features for the 2006 season. These included character greetings from the likes of the whole Justice League.

Admission prices since 2007 have been $39.99 for visitors over 48" tall at the gate ($32.99 if purchased online), $24.99 for visitors under 48" tall, $24.99 after 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 24.99 after 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and free for visitors aged two and under. Season passes and group rates are available. There is also a $10 fee for parking, which a season pass can also be purchased for $30.

New for the 2007 season, The Great Escape added a Proslide Tornado water attraction to Splashwater Kingdom. This is the first renovation/adding to Splashwater Kingdom in 10 years. The Tornado will take riders through short section of enclosed slide before coming out at the top of a giant funnel. The same ride is already featured at several Six Flags parks, including Six Flags New England & Darien Lake. Along with the addition of the Tornado, the park 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.

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 coaster, the lone exception.

*Alpine Bobsled — A toboggan-style coaster. 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. A POV (point of view) video of this ride can be found [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8OJSahrY3E HERE] .
*Boomerang Coast-to-Coaster — 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. A staple of many Six-Flags theme parks, this one was one of the first Boomerangs, which also has 46 clones.
*Canyon Blaster — A family-style, gentle steel roller coaster in the Ghost Town section.
*Comet — Originally known as the Cyclone in its first life, 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 and brings riders to a maximum speed of 55 MPH. An on-ride photo is available for purchase. For the 2007 Season, the Comet will be celebrating its 80th Anniversary.
*Road Runner Express — A simple child's roller coaster in the Looney Tunes National Park section.
*Steamin' Demon — The Steamin' Demon, the longest tenured roller coaster at the park, is a Steel Corkscrew Roller Coaster located near the front entrance. It contains one loop and 2 corkscrews after a chainlift and hill at the beginning of the ride.

Rides and attractions

The park is divided into several sections, each with it own theme.

*Fest Area - highlighting more modern rides, with a slight Bavarian theme, with the Alpine Bobsled, the Raging River water ride, the SkyCoaster, and the Comet.
*Ghosttown - an Old West village featuring three roller coasters: the Steamin' Demon, the Canyon Blaster, and Nightmare at Crack Axle Canyon.
*International Village and Storytown - which retains decorative elements from the old Storytown USA era, includes 3 of the park's many shops and features the Boomerang roller coaster.
*Looney Tunes National Park - kiddie ride area including the Road Runner Express rollercoaster. 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.
*North Woods Picnic Grove - an area for organized, large group picnics. Converted in the fall into a haunted house.
*Splashwater Kingdom - the internal waterpark with water slides, wave pool, and a children's play area.

Fest Area

This area typically features a more German theme. German style music can be heard being played throughout this area along with other 'German' food stands such as funnel cake.
*Blizzard - a scrambler ride with a winter theme. (This ride replaced the Magical Mystery Tour indoor scrambler
*Giant Wheel - A 90-foot high Ferris wheel providing a spectacular view of the Great Escape and surrounding area.
*Pirate Ship - a large swinging ship.
*Raging River - A water ride in a round boat holding six passengers simulating riding through white water rapids.
*Trabant - a spinning ride that tips on its side.
*Cannonball Express - A spinning ride that moves fast around a track, to music.
*Bumper Cars - Classic bumper car ride.
*Sky Coaster - Experience the thrill of sky-diving and hang-gliding after you pull your ripcord at 165 feet in the air (Additional fee required). Additional fee required.

Ghosttown

*The Condor - a gentle spinning ride that ascends a tall tower.
*Desperado Plunge - Water flume ride where passengers ride in boats modeled on logs. Was known for a while as the Poland Springs Plunge.
*Steamin' Demon - Steamin’ Demon takes you on a rampage through mind-wrenching loops and breathtaking corkscrews.
*Canyon Blaster - A mine train- themed roller coaster geared toward families.. 42" min. w/ adult. 48" min. to ride alone.

Shows in Ghosttown include:
*Marshal Wild Windy Bill McKay - the Marshal of Ghosttown thwarts a bank robbery with the assistance of guest children. 2007 will be his 50th year at the park.
*Red Garter Saloon Review - an indoor song and dance attraction themed to the Old West.

International Village and Storytown

*Cinderella Coach - Children under 54" ride with Cinderella in her pumpkin coach.

*Grand Carousel - Classic merry-go-round ride with both horses and fantastic creatures.
*Petting Zoo - Features llamas and goats that can be fed, along with other animals.
*Balloon Race - Ride featuring twirling gondolas made to look like hot air balloons. Goes in the air and tilts to the side slightly while spinning around.
*Storytown Train - Scenic train ride through Storytown and Looney Tunes National Park on an old 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 spins around.
*Alice in Wonderland - Walkthrough designed to make guests feel like that are following Alice in Wonderland through her mind-bending journey.
* Sky Ride - Chairlift that takes guests on a trip around part of the Great Escape in the air.

This part of the park features many of the theming elements from the Storytown USA era including miniature houses, Jack and the Beanstalk, and the Old Lady who lived in a Shoe. Six Flags has removed several of other elements over the years including Jonah's Whale and the Purple Cow.

Shows in this section of the park include:
*Jolly Tree Theater - Back for the 2007 season, Superstars and Legends: Elvis!
*Puppet Theater - Features Sassy Sally, a puppet chicken that insults passersby.
*Splash Theater - a team of divers put on both an athletic and comedic dive show, newly rethemed and renamed to Pirates!
*Shoe at the top of the hill - The old lady in the shoe has storytime with children

Looney Tunes National Park

Kiddie Rides Include:

*Bugs Bunny Ranger Pilots
*Daffy Duck Wilderness Bus Tour
*Elmer Fudd Scenic Railway
*Rabbit Season Walk-Through Adventure - combines elements of the "Rabbit Seasoning" cartoon with the old Jungleland safari walking tour.
*Speedy Gonzales Camptown Racers
*Taz Twister
*Tweety Tweehouse
*Water Popjet - a small splash pad.
*Yosemite Sam Shore Patrol

Entertainment:
*Looney Tunes Talent Show

Dining:
*Character Cafe

Wiggles World

Kiddie Rides Include:

*Big Red Planes
*Big Red Cars
*Dorothy's Rosy Red Tea Cups

Entertainment:
*It's Time To Wiggle!

Dining/Shopping:
*Yummy Yummy Cafe
*Wiggles Gift Shop

plashwater Kingdom

*Black Cobra - A pair of enclosed water slides that guests ride in small inflatable boats.
*Capt'n Hook's Adventure River - 850 ft. 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, 25,000 square foot wave pool with six wave patterns.
*Noah's Sprayground - Water fountains, pools, and body slides for children.
*Water Slides - Three tube slides guests ride, each with different names: Blue Typhoon, Twister Falls, and Bansee Plunge.
*Tornado - The [http://www.proslide.com/sub.php?mainRideID=1&rideID=4 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.
*Mega Wedgie - The Mega Wedgie, new for 2008, is a specially designed tube bowl made by ProSlide. Similar to the standard [http://www.proslide.com/sub.php?mainRideID=2&rideID=6 CannonBOWL] but a slightly smaller size making for faster rotations prior to the tube dropping to the catch pool. The most times someone has gone around the bowl is 3 rotations.

Upcharge attractions

"These rides are not included in the admission price. Cost varies from ride to ride."
*Go-Carts - Gas powered race cars with high speed turns. $6 (Adults) and $4 (Children)
*Matterhorn Rockwall - Outdoor climbing rock wall with safety harnesses. $5
*Pony Rides - New in 2006, children are offered pony rides for a fee. $5
*Sky Coaster - An intense skydiving-like attraction that pulls the riders 165 feet up in the air then swings them down toward the ground at speeds reaching 70 mph. 1 Person - $40, 2 Person - $25 each, 3 Person - $20 each.
*Turbo Bungy - A beefed-up version of the trampoline where riders are attached to bungee cords. $5

In Storage

From the closure of Six Flags AstroWorld these attractions were taken to The Great Escape in January 2006.
*Serial Thriller - A Vekoma Suspended Looping Coaster (SLC). Expected for 2009.
*Tidal Wave - An Intamin Shoot the Chutes water ride. This ride is not expected to be opened at the park.

pecial 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 during the weekends of October.

Oktoberfest is marginally a celebration of German heritage, but is expanded to include ethnic foods, beer slidesFact|date=April 2007, craft vendors and other activities. 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 Ghosttown and an elaborate haunted house, which is located near the Northwoods Picnic Grove.Glory Day also takes place every year early July.

ources

*

References

External links

* [http://www.sixflags.com/parks/greatescape/index.asp Official Six Flags Great Escape Web Site]
* [http://www.GECentral.com Great Escape Central - The "Official" Unofficial Fansite & Forums of The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom]
* [http://rcdb.com/pd68.htm Roller Coaster Database (Great Escape)]
* [http://st.sc83x.org/ Storytown USA; A Retrospective (fan site for original park)]