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:

• 1954 — Charles Wood opens Storytown USA.
• 1957 — Ghosttown section of the park is opened.^[3]:61}
• 1960 — Jungleland section of the park is opened.^[3]:69
• 1967 — Alice in Wonderland walk through adventure is opened.^[3]: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 a few other adult rides.
• 1984 — Addition of Steamin' Demon, an Arrow Dynamics 3-inversion roller coaster, which was previously installed at Pontchartrain Beach as Ragin' Cajun.
• 1986 — Opening of Raging River, an Intamin river rafting ride.
• 1994 — A used wooden track and steel frame roller coaster called the Comet was brought from Crystal Beach, Ontario and reassembled at Great Escape and opened, giving the park three roller coasters.
• 1995 — Great Escape opens its water park, 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 Vekoma Boomerang. Was and currently is still the tallest roller coaster at the park.
• 1998 — Addition of Alpine Bobsled, an Intamin alpine themed bobsled roller coaster (Previously located at Six Flags Great America from 1990 to 1995 as Rolling Thunder and Six Flags Great Adventure as Sarajevo Bobsleds from 1984–1988).
• 1999 — Addition of Nightmare at Crack Axle Canyon, an indoor Schwarzkopf Jet Star featuring four-person cars, but only operated with two people. Building still standing. The coaster was previously located at Beech Bend Park, Kentucky Kingdom and Darien Lake, respectively as Starchaser, Starchaser and Nightmare at Phantom cave.
• 2003 — Addition of Canyon Blaster, a Mine Train roller coaster built by Arrow Dynamics and transported 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 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 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 — Addition of Sasquatch, an S&S Power Combo Tower. Relocated from Six Flags New Orleans. 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 Park (Christmas event) during the weekends in November and December.

Alpine Freefalls

• 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.^[4] The Holiday In The Park (Christmas event) has been cancelled for the 2010 season.^[5] 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 Wiggles, Looney Tunes, and DC Comics. Wiggles' World will be renamed and rethemed to KIDZOPOLIS, 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.^[6][7][8][9]
• 2012 - Alpine Freefalls opened in Splashwater Kingdom. It features Twisted Racer (a ProSlide KrakenRacer) and Cliffhanger (a trapdoor released ProSlide speed slide).^[10] Name change from The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom to its former name, Great Escape.
• 2013 - Screamin' Eagles a new Flying Scooters family ride, located in Fest Area next to Alice in Wonderland attraction.^[11] It Replaces the former Cinema 180/Arcade attraction^[12] The Bumper Cars are relocated to Ghost Town. 'Blizzard' is relocated into the old dome to once again become an indoor scrambler ride. In July 2013, The Pink Whale (removed in 2005) returns with a new location, only to take photos in. The Canyon Blaster's train is turned around in July, forcing riders to face the back of the ride. Animals from a shelter come and perform a show called Pet's Overboard for June 22 to July 7.
• 2014 - Extreme Supernova^[13] Six Flags buys full ownership of the lodge. New suites introduced.
• 2015 - Buccaneer Beach, a children's pirate themed water area, is opened.
• 2016 -Greezed Lightnin', opens across from Thunder Alley, Boomerang, Greezed Lightnin' and Boomerang become Hot Rod USA, Boomerang gets renamed to Flashback

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, Flashback (Formerly Boomerang) and Sasquatch.

Rides and attractions

Themed areas

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		Von Roll	Chairlift	1994	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 .
The New Revolution: Virtual Reality Coaster		Samsung / Arrow Dynamics	Virtual Reality Coaster	2016	part of Six Flags' line up of Virtual Reality Coasters at, La Ronde, Six Flags Over Georgia, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Six Flags Over Texas & Six Flags St. Louis; Located on Steamin' Demon
Steamin' Demon		Arrow Dynamics	Corkscrew coaster	1984	The longest tenured roller coaster at the park. Ride was relocated from Pontchartrain Beach where it opened in 1983 as Ragin' Cajun.
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, Storytown, and Hot Rod USA

Name	Picture	Manufacturer	Type	Year Opened	Notes
Flashback		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. Formerly known as Boomerang: Coast to Coaster
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. Relocated from Six Flags Great Adventure.
Sheldon’s Speedway		Zamperla		2005	Horizontally-revolving car-type ride. It was known as Speedy Gonzales Camptown Racers from 2005–2010. Relocated from Six Flags Great Adventure.
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.

Splashwater Kingdom

Lumberjack Splash wave pool in use.

Upcharge attractions

These rides are not included in the admission price. Cost varies from ride to ride.

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

References

External links

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

• Official Six Flags Great Escape Web Site
• Park Map
• Great Escape at the Roller Coaster DataBase
• Great Escape Online
• Storytown USA; A Retrospective
• Legends of the amusement park industry: Charley Wood