Six Flags Great America 2011 Trip Report
Sept. 20, 2011
Here it is, the last of the Season Pass "Wheels on I-80" trip reports, our final day at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, IL. This was the only park on the trip I'd never been to, and I was excited about a bunch of new credits and seeing this former Marriott themer in the flesh. (Especially since it may be the ONLY former Marriott park in the not-too-distant future...)
The weather was gorgeous and many of the rides were delightful, but the day had a melancholy edge. Darrell and Deanna couldn't be with us, I was leaving for the airport later in the afternoon, everyone was getting a wee bit tired, and the start of a nasty cold had gripped me (that cold moved through almost everyone during the trek.) All things considered, though, I came away with favorable impressions of this Flagger.
Shannon drove Doug and I to the park while the others slept in a bit longer (check-in at the hotel the night before was well past 1:00 AM), and we stopped to fuel up with some Dunkin' Donuts grub and coffee. Just through the main gates, a very polite park officer asked us to finish drinking said coffee before proceeding any further. We did so, a tad chagrined.
But this view of the grand double-decker carousel and reflecting pool improved our dispositions in no time.
What a greeting, really beautiful. Love this. Kind of sorry I didn't get a chance to ride, especially on the upper level.
I'm also sorry we didn't make it up in the observation tower. Ah, well, all the more reason to make a return visit (X-Flight, baby!).
Like most Six Flags parks, the "theming" here is somewhat mishmosh, but there are still remnants of the distinct "lands" Marriott originally commissioned. And the landscaping is very nice.
A goodly quantity of trees in the forward section was most welcome on this warm, sunny day.
It all made me sorry I hadn't been to either of the Great Americas back in those first seasons, when they were still the parks Randall Duell had designed.
All Rights Reserved
home random notes ride reviews special features photo shoppe privacy policy