Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago#Riptide Bay
{{Short description|Water park in Gurnee, Illinois}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox water park
|name=Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago
|opening_date={{Start date and age|2005|05|28|df=no}}
|season=May to September
|status=Operating
|children_areas=2
|homepage=[https://sixflags.com/hurricaneharborchicago Official website]
|slogan=Chicago's Most Thrilling Water Park
|owner=Six Flags
|area_acre=20
|pools=2
|logo=Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago Logo.png
|slides=25
|coordinates={{Coord|42|22|06|N|87|56|19|W|type:landmark_region:US-IL|display=inline,title}}
|image=Six_Flags_Hurricane_Harbor_Chicago_-_Front_Gate.jpg
|caption=The main entrance to the waterpark.
|location=Gurnee
|location2=Illinois
|location3=United States
|theme=Caribbean island
|previous_names=
|alt=refer to caption|logo_alt=The Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago logo since 2021}}
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
{{Main articles|Six Flags Entertainment Village}}
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.{{Cite web |last=Warmbir |first=Steve |date=May 18, 1996 |title=Six Flags, Gurnee discuss water park |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A69162987/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=ae4bdce6 |access-date=December 9, 2022 |website=Daily Herald |page=8 |via=Gale OneFile}} These plans later became part of a bigger plan called Six Flags Entertainment Village,{{Cite news |last=Silvestri |first=Scott |date=November 4, 1997 |title=Gurnee creates committee to keep tabs on Six Flags Plan |work=Daily Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111364715/ |via=Newspapers.com}} which was announced on October 29, 1997.{{Cite news |last=Flink |first=John |date=October 29, 1997 |title=Residents view plans for huge resort 'village' near Six Flags |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111364148/ |access-date=December 12, 2022}} The entertainment complex would be built across Interstate 94 and construction was planned to begin in 2000.{{Cite web |last=Silvestri |first=Scott |date=December 9, 1998 |title=Gurnee moves on to next entertainment phase Village approves plans for Six Flags project |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A68879224/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=751a9317 |access-date=December 9, 2022 |website=Daily Herald |via=Gale OneFile}} 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.{{Cite news |last=Silvestri |first=Scott |date=March 22, 1999 |title=Gurnee group, officials debate what vote on Six Flags village will mean |pages=1 |work=Daily Herald |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A68798993/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=c815c170 |access-date=December 9, 2022 |via=Gale OneFile}} Six Flags Entertainment Village was later derailed after more than half of Gurnee residents opposed the project following the referendum.{{Cite news |last=Spencer |first=Mark |date=1999-10-04 |title=Lake County tourism tidbits |work=Daily Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111373144/ |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |last1=Bukro |first1=Casey |last2=Beeler |first2=Amanda |date=1999-04-14 |title=Forest preserve request wins; school vote mixed |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111373037/ |via=Newspapers.com}}
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.{{Cite web |last=Susnjara |first=Bob |date=September 14, 2004 |title=Great America plans not seen as a threat Municipal water parks don't expect to lose business |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A122594839/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=ebsco&xid=2651c4a4 |access-date=December 9, 2022 |website=Daily Herald |via=Gale OneFile}}{{Cite news |date=September 11, 2004 |title=Is the water park race on? |page=1 |work=Daily Herald |quote=Village officials said Friday that besides the first proposed park, Six Flags Great America is ready to dive in, too.}} Six Flags Great America officially announced the Caribbean-themed water park on September 16, 2004.{{Cite news |date=September 17, 2004 |title=Six Flags plans large water park |pages=7 |work=The Pantagraph |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102537488/six-flags-plans-large-water-park/ |access-date=December 12, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} Plans for the water park included twenty-five water slides, an entrance plaza, and admission separate from the theme park.{{Cite news |date=September 17, 2022 |title=Making a splash |pages=C6 |work=Antioch News |url=https://archive.org/details/AntiochNews09172004/page/n29/mode/2up |access-date=December 9, 2022 |via=Internet Archive}} On January 19, 2005, it was announced admission would be included with a regular ticket.{{Cite journal |date=January 19, 2005 |title=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! |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A127286348/AONE?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=32172b13 |access-date=December 9, 2022 |journal=PR Newswire |type=Press release |via=Gale OneFile}} The new water park was expected to compete with others in Wisconsin Dells and the Chicago metropolitan area,{{Cite web |last=Masse |first=Ryan |date=2005-04-28 |title=Dells owners express little concern with Six Flags park |url=https://badgerherald.com/news/2005/04/28/dells-owners-express/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=The Badger Herald}}{{Cite news |last=Tsouderos |first=Trine |date=2005-04-18 |title=Water parks aim to saturate market |pages=1 |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113683033/chicago-tribune/ |access-date=2022-11-26 |via=Newspapers.com}} and would be the biggest expansion in Six Flags Great America history.{{Cite news |date=May 20, 2005 |title=Online Hurricane Harbor auction to benefit Super Jake Foundation |pages=S5-3 |work=Daily Herald}}
Construction on the US$42 million{{Cite news |last=Filas |first=Lee |date=January 15, 2006 |title=Tornado to swirl into Gurnee |pages= |work=Daily Herald |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A140968997/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=4e4bee58 |access-date=December 12, 2022 |via=Gale OneFile}} water park began in November of that year, and the water park opened to the public on May 28, 2005.{{Cite news |date=June 2, 2005 |title=Great America opens Six Flags Hurricane Harbor water park |pages=78 |work=Southtown Star via Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109641225/great-america-opens-six-flags-hurricane/ |access-date=September 16, 2022}}{{Cite news |date=2005-05-18 |title=Feeling light-headed |pages=2–3 |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113683188/chicago-tribune/ |access-date=2022-11-26 |via=Newspapers.com}} 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.{{Cite news |last=Susnjara |first=Bob |date=September 16, 2004 |title=Water park to have Caribbean theme |pages=S1-5 |work=Daily Herald |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A122633867/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=1b540172 |access-date=December 12, 2022 |via=Gale OneFile}}{{Cite news |date=April 23, 2005 |title=Great America joins waterpark wars |pages=1D |work=Capital Times |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A131845658/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=7d5c4400 |access-date=December 9, 2022 |via=Gale OneFile}} Almost a month following the opening of Hurricane Harbor, a man had a heart attack in Hurricane Bay and died on June 22, 2005.{{cite news |date=2005-06-30 |title=Chicago man dies at water park |website=Chicago Sun-Times |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1581181.html |url-status=dead |access-date=2010-05-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104013629/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1581181.html |archive-date=2012-11-04}} 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".
= 2006–2011: Early incidents and expansion =
File:Six Flags Great America-Tornado 2006.jpg
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.{{Cite web |date=January 14, 2006 |title=Six Flags Great America Adds Giant Tornado Attraction To Hurricane Harbor Water Park |url=https://www.ultimatewaterpark.com/news/stories/2006-01-14_18.html |access-date=July 4, 2022 |website=Ultimate Waterpark}} The ride opened on Memorial Day weekend in 2006.{{Cite news |last=Pang |first=Kevin |date=August 3, 2006 |title=It's the Tornado! 1st clue is a fast cool-off |pages=5A–6 |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109641240/its-the-tornado/ |access-date=September 16, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} A few weeks later, a girl was slightly injured and required stitches after she fell off of her tube.{{Cite web |date=June 10, 2006 |title=Girl gets stitches after ride fall at Six Flags |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2006-06-10-0606100219-story.html |access-date=August 27, 2022 |website=Chicago Tribune}}
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.{{Cite web |last=John |date=2010-07-11 |title=No Chang for Six Flags Great America |url=https://www.coaster101.com/2010/07/10/no-chang-for-six-flags-great-america/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Coaster101 |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=September 3, 2010 |title=Six Flags to expand water park |pages=1 |work=Daily Herald |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A236349913/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=ebsco&xid=e1906181 |access-date=December 10, 2022 |via=Gale OneFile}} Instead, the {{Convert|4|acre|ha|adj=on|abbr=out|spell=in}} Riptide Bay area was added to the park, opening on June 3, 2011.{{Cite web |date=2011-06-03 |title=Waterparks: Riptide Bay Debuts at Six Flags Great America |url=https://blooloop.com/uncategorised/news/waterparks-riptide-bay-debuts-at-six-flags-great-america/ |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=Blooloop |language=en-GB}} Riptide Bay initially included a surf simulator, five water slides, a Caribbean-inspired activity pool, and cabanas.{{Cite news |last=Kunzer |first=Jami |date=June 23, 2011 |title=American Eagle celebra logro |language=Spanish |pages=3 |work=Northwest Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114533893/american-eagle-celebra-logro/ |access-date=December 12, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} 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.{{cite news |last=McCoppin |first=Rober |date=2017-06-02 |title=Court upholds $1.5M judgement for Six Flags Great America waterslide injury |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-six-flags-great-america-waterslide-lawsuit-damages-met-20170602-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423144529/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-six-flags-great-america-waterslide-lawsuit-damages-met-20170602-story.html |archive-date=April 23, 2019}}
= 2019–present: Separation from Six Flags Great America =
File:Construction of Tsunami Surge at Hurricane Harbor Chicago.jpg during construction in July 2020|alt=refer to caption]]
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.{{Cite web |last=Newton |first=Jim |date=August 29, 2019 |title=Tsunami Surge: Six Flags Great America plans new 86-foot-tall water ride in Gurnee |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/ct-lns-great-america-tsunami-surge-st-0830-20190829-piqy3i77zrgatkgya6agsdzv4q-story.html |access-date=2020-11-30 |website=Chicago Tribune}} Ground was broken for Tsunami Surge in January 2020,{{Cite twitter|number=1218568757771108355|user=marcusleshock|title=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.|author=Marcus Leshock of WGN-TV|date=January 18, 2020|access-date=December 12, 2022}} but the ride did not open due to the park's closure and construction delays during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |last=Coleman |first=Emily K. |date=June 2, 2022 |title=Hurricane Harbor may reopen soon, but Six Flags Great America still questionable |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/ct-lns-six-flags-coronavirus-st-0703-20200702-lalei7qm4ffj5pta6qrcrhium4-story.html |access-date=August 22, 2022 |website=Chicago Tribune}}{{Cite web |last=Baldwin |first=Tim |date=2021-07-08 |title=Hurricane Harbor anchored by WhiteWater West's Tsunami Surge |url=https://amusementtoday.com/hurricane-harbor-anchored-by-whitewater-wests-tsunami-surge/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Amusement Today |language=en-US}} 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";{{Cite news |last=Luc |first=Karie Angell |date=June 21, 2020 |title=Hurricane Harbor opens in Gurnee with coronavirus measures in place |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/ct-lns-hurricane-harbor-reopens-st-0721-20200720-rmk3d7xcovhzrnldljwmypcibi-story.html |access-date=August 22, 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Valade |first=Paul |date=June 20, 2020 |title=Hurricane Harbor's reopening in Gurnee makes a splash |work=Daily Herald |url=https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200720/hurricane-harbors-reopening-in-gurnee-makes-a-splash |access-date=August 26, 2022}} attractions at Six Flags Great America stayed closed throughout the season.{{Cite news |last=Graham |first=Doug T. |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Six Flags Hurricane Harbor to open May with world's tallest water coaster |work=Daily Herald |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A657892983/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=ebsco&xid=9c40fe46 |access-date=December 12, 2022 |via=Gale OneFile}}
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.{{Cite web |last= |date=2021-04-02 |title=Hurricane Harbor to Open This Spring Separate From Six Flags |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/hurricane-harbor-to-open-this-spring-separate-from-six-flags/2477329/ |access-date=2022-08-16 |website=NBC Chicago |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2021-04-08 |title=You'll need separate tickets for Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, Great America this summer |url=https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20210408/youll-need-separate-tickets-for-six-flags-hurricane-harbor-great-america-this-summer |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=Daily Herald |language=en-US}} The change was made to allow guests to choose which park to enter.{{Cite web |last=Alleman |first=Annie |date=April 14, 2021 |title=They're back! Six Flags Great America opens April 24 and Hurricane Harbor opens May 29 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/ct-lns-ent-six-flags-opens-st-0423-20210414-toejpglxerfyjhonsu3ub5dvsi-story.html |access-date=August 22, 2022 |website=Chicago Tribune}} Previously, the park had charged visitors an additional fee to enter the water park. On May 29, 2021, Tsunami Surge officially opened to the public as the tallest water coaster in the world.{{Cite news |last=Kunzer |first=Jami |date=July 8, 2021 |title=Interest surges in 'tallest water in the world' at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor |pages=a3 |work=Lake County Journal |url=https://www.shawlocal.com/lake-county-journal/news/local/2021/07/08/interest-in-worlds-largest-water-coaster-at-hurricane-harbor-surges/ |access-date=September 5, 2022}}
List of attractions
File:TsunamiSurgeWaterCoaster.jpg|alt=Tsunami Surge water slide]]
File:Bahama Mama and Bubba Tubba.jpg
File:Dive Bomber and Mega Wedgie.jpg
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.{{cite magazine |last=Baldwin |first=Tim |year=2006 |title=Amusement Today's 2006 Golden Ticket Awards |url=http://goldenticketawards.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/AT_Golden_Ticket_2006.pdf |magazine=Amusement Today |access-date=September 15, 2022}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Coates |first=Charlotte |date=October 27, 2021 |title=WhiteWater recognised with three WWA Leading Edge Awards |url=https://blooloop.com/water-parks/news/whitewater-leading-edge-awards-2021/ |access-date=August 26, 2022 |website=Blooloop}}{{Cite web |last=Whittaker |first=Adam |date=November 4, 2021 |title=WWA Show returns to form with trade show and awards |url=https://blooloop.com/water-parks/news/wwa-show-2021-returns/ |access-date=August 26, 2022 |website=Blooloop}} One month later, Tsunami Surge was placed third place in the category "Best New Water Slide" on Amusement Today{{'s}} Golden Ticket Awards.{{Cite web |title=Golden Ticket Awards 2021 |url=https://amusementtoday.com/issues/2021/2021GTA/ |access-date=September 11, 2022 |website=Amusement Today}}
See also
{{Portal|Chicago|Illinois}}
- Incidents at Six Flags parks
- Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Rockford, a Six Flags Hurricane Harbor water park in Rockford, Illinois
References
External links
- [https://sixflags.com/hurricaneharborchicago Official website]
- {{Commons category-inline}}
{{Six Flags}}
{{Six Flags Great America}}
Category:Six Flags water parks
Category:Water parks in Illinois
Category:Six Flags Great America