Just back from Six Flags Great Escape-horrible

[Melct]

My family just got back from a trip to Lake George, NY. While there we went to Six Flags Great Escape. We went on a Monday, thought the crowds would be moderate but they were extremely heavy. we got there at park opening and were able to go on three rides with just about no wait. At around 11am the crowd level became almost shoulder to shoulder. We only went an one more ride after that because the lines were at least an hour long. We left the park around 12:30. Out of all of our vacation days this was the worst and a total waste of money. The ticket prices were $54 but I managed to get for $32 with AAA discount, still way to much in my opinion.

Another thing that really bothered me was that they would not allow any outside water bottles in the park. I brought some for the kids and they made me dump them out before letting me in. I had to pay $3.50 a bottle to hydrate the kids! Don't even get me started about the food prices.

I will not be going back to Six Flags again. I have been to Disney 3 times, the last time was a few years ago. Each visit to Disney just seemed "magical" even when having to wait in lines. I hope Disney hasn't changed much because we are going for 9 days in December and hoping it is still magical there.

Thanks for listening to my rant.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

One things I LOVE about disney in the fact they let you bring in food. Bush gardens here doesn't either BUT at least they let you bring in water but you can't bring in anything else.

 

[handinpocket]

I would drink my water bottles and I would drink my beer. No way would I dump them!! That just irks me beyond belief...I would never visit that park (yes, I know beer is NOT allowed, I'm just equating that with the rogue water...LOL)

 

[LuLuO]

We are near St. Louis and I spent so many days going to Six Flags as a kid and had a blast. Now, I hate it. I don't know if I am just seeing things through different eyes now that I'm an adult, but I loathe going there.

The food is so expensive and not at all good. You can't bring water bottles in here either or any snacks, unless you can prove you have a food allergy or other dietary restrictions. It is dirty and gross. Everything seems like it is covered in a film of filth. Last time we were there I was barked at by several employees because myself, my kids, ages 5 and 3, and my 3yo nephew, and my elderly mom walking with a cane weren't moving fast enough. Getting haggled by the game people is another thing that gets to me.

My mom got us season passes this year and wants to do the same next year but I'm going to pass on her offer. I don't expect a Disney experience at Six Flags, but I do expect a pleasant, fun experience.

 

[Nolcrest]

I miss Storytown. It should go back to old fashioned Storytown before it became the Great Escape.

 

[kirstenb1]

One things I LOVE about disney in the fact they let you bring in food. Bush gardens here doesn't either BUT at least they let you bring in water but you can't bring in anything else.

We have season passes to BG Williamsburg, and I've always been able to bring in fruit chews or something small for the kids. Lots of families pack picnics, and go out to the parking lot to eat them. We buy lunch there, and have a cooler packed with drinks/snacks for the trip home. OP, I'd be mad too, if they didn't let me bring water in.

 

[Rylee]

We vacationed in Lake George last week, and we didn't even bother going to the Great Escape. We go every few years, and after last year, we didn't find it worth returning. It was extremely crowded with long lines. A couple of the coasters repeatedly broke down and we didn't get to ride them, (we'd wait in line, only to have it break and close, then when we saw it was running again, it would be broken by the time we made it across the park.) The food, yikes... $55 for the family bucket of nuggets and fries... yuck, no thanks. The overall experience just wasn't a good value compared to the admission prices.

We drove by twice last week and our kids didn't even ask to go.

 

[pixiewings71]

We have passes to our 6 Flags, mostly for the kids. We can't take in food or drinks either but we can take a picnic and go to our car to eat it....lol I don't really like it there but the kids have fun so we go.

 

[Rylee]

I miss Storytown. It should go back to old fashioned Storytown before it became the Great Escape.

Ooh, I went to Storytown, USA, as a kid! We also visited, The North Pole, Gaslight Village, Enchanted Forest, and Frontier Town. (All were located in the Adirondacks.)

 

[DeltaDiamond001]

I absolutely HATE Six Flags! It's SO over priced, and I'm not just talking about the ticket to get in!

The food and beverage prices are astronomical, not to mention the food is complete garbage!

The lines are always too long, and the way they have their "Fastpass-like" system set up is horrible, not to mention over the top in terms of cost.

The parks are unbelievably filthy. Candy wrappers, straw wrappers, napkins, cigarette butts, gum, price tags, etc., EVERYWHERE! The bathrooms are even worse! I don't think I've ever been in one that was more than sort of clean.

I bought a season pass this year because it was the same price as a one-day ticket, but needless to say, I will not be using it again. I just can't stand Six Flags anymore.

I used to go at least twice each summer, but have watched the prices skyrocket while the quality has gone down the toilet, almost literally.

NEVER AGAIN!

I'll get off my soapbox now...

 

[CurlyJo224]

I miss Storytown. It should go back to old fashioned Storytown before it became the Great Escape.

This is how I feel about Six Flags America. I miss Adventure World. I had season passes to Adventure world for several years, It became Six Flags, and went downhill fast!

 

[pat fan]

Yup, when people say "How can you afford Disney, it's so expensive?" I just ask them to do a breakdown and it's the same or cheaper than a 6 Flags vacation and SO much more bang for the buck!

 

[kellydizfan]

I am with you with Six Flags Great Escape. It has really become very boring. Rides are lame. We like Six Flags over New England. We take lunch in a cooler and come out to the car to eat then go back in. I refuse to pay their prices for food. I agree about the drinks. It is crazy the cost. It is actually cheaper in Disney to drink water than at Six Flags. Pretty sad.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

My husband hyped up Great Escape so much to me before moving here. I was excited when we finally went, especially since we get in super cheap with a discount the comapny he works for gives.

I was SO disappointed! I think DH remembers it as he saw it as a kid/teen.

It was horrible IMO. Even though the lines were short on the day we visited, it was dirty, and very run down. Paint chipping everywhere and really bad attractions.

 

[ditsypixie]

I absolutely HATE Six Flags! It's SO over priced, and I'm not just talking about the ticket to get in!

The food and beverage prices are astronomical, not to mention the food is complete garbage!

The lines are always too long, and the way they have their "Fastpass-like" system set up is horrible, not to mention over the top in terms of cost.

The parks are unbelievably filthy. Candy wrappers, straw wrappers, napkins, cigarette butts, gum, price tags, etc., EVERYWHERE! The bathrooms are even worse! I don't think I've ever been in one that was more than sort of clean.

I bought a season pass this year because it was the same price as a one-day ticket, but needless to say, I will not be using it again. I just can't stand Six Flags anymore.

I used to go at least twice each summer, but have watched the prices skyrocket while the quality has gone down the toilet, almost literally.

NEVER AGAIN!

I'll get off my soapbox now...

I feel exactly the same way! We went a few weeks ago to Six Flags over Georgia and your post describes our visit, word for word. The only thing I will add is the employees and how they treat park guests. The staff at the lunch place didn't look up from register to take our order, which they got wrong(and cost us $80!,) they just continued to talk to other staff about personal lives. Everyone that we encountered was rude and seemed bothered that we were there. But to top it off, the 2 girls working a roller coaster making fun of a larger teenager that couldn't fit in the ride. They had to stop our coaster from coming back in loading area so the teen could get out. They made fun of the teen as he was walking away. We were in the first car and witnessed everything with our kids. It was heartbreaking. I went straight and found someone to complain to but I don't know if anything happened. I did receive a survey from Six Flags which I happily filled out but I doubt I will ever hear from them. We will not be going back in the future. The whole day just made me miss Disney even more...

 

[nancycg56]

I miss Storytown. It should go back to old fashioned Storytown before it became the Great Escape.

I loved Storytown, too!!!

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I loved Storytown, too!!!

Is this what all of the little houses are left over from? I kind of remember DH telling me about it.

 

[Phatoomch]

My family just got back from a trip to Lake George, NY. While there we went to Six Flags Great Escape. We went on a Monday, thought the crowds would be moderate but they were extremely heavy. we got there at park opening and were able to go on three rides with just about no wait. At around 11am the crowd level became almost shoulder to shoulder. We only went an one more ride after that because the lines were at least an hour long. We left the park around 12:30. Out of all of our vacation days this was the worst and a total waste of money. The ticket prices were $54 but I managed to get for $32 with AAA discount, still way to much in my opinion.

Another thing that really bothered me was that they would not allow any outside water bottles in the park. I brought some for the kids and they made me dump them out before letting me in. I had to pay $3.50 a bottle to hydrate the kids! Don't even get me started about the food prices.

I will not be going back to Six Flags again. I have been to Disney 3 times, the last time was a few years ago. Each visit to Disney just seemed "magical" even when having to wait in lines. I hope Disney hasn't changed much because we are going for 9 days in December and hoping it is still magical there.

Thanks for listening to my rant.

We went to Six Flags GA when my daughter was 3 - she was in a stroller with a juicebox and half a sandwich that she was eating ... but you know how long it takes a 3yr old to eat.

Anyway, at the gate, they told me she would have to leave her juicebox & sandwich and the juiceboxes in my bag would have to be dumped - at the time, it was the only drink my daughter would have. I was polite "come on, shes only 3 seriously?" my 3yr old decided she wouldn't let go of her juicebox ... long story short, I practically begged the guy to turn a blind eye because it was a toddler and I didnt know if the park sold juice boxes (he didn't either) and he told me if I didn't follow rules, he would call security. It was ridiculous

 

[luvmy3]

Is this what all of the little houses are left over from? I kind of remember DH telling me about it.

Yes they are left-overs

We used try to go every year when we are up in LG, but haven't in the last couple because its just too darn expensive to spend a day there when you have to eat and drink.

I also don't think you can compare it to other 6 Flags parks because its really just a cousin to them. Most of the rides there have been there since I was a kid/teen and they haven't really added alot of BIG coasters and stuff that the other parks have. We would rather travel to MA or NJ and go to the 6 Flags there.

 

[padams]

I feel exactly the same way! We went a few weeks ago to Six Flags over Georgia and your post describes our visit, word for word. The only thing I will add is the employees and how they treat park guests. The staff at the lunch place didn't look up from register to take our order, which they got wrong(and cost us $80!,) they just continued to talk to other staff about personal lives. Everyone that we encountered was rude and seemed bothered that we were there. But to top it off, the 2 girls working a roller coaster making fun of a larger teenager that couldn't fit in the ride. They had to stop our coaster from coming back in loading area so the teen could get out. They made fun of the teen as he was walking away. We were in the first car and witnessed everything with our kids. It was heartbreaking. I went straight and found someone to complain to but I don't know if anything happened. I did receive a survey from Six Flags which I happily filled out but I doubt I will ever hear from them. We will not be going back in the future. The whole day just made me miss Disney even more...

Thanks for the reminder why we don't go to Six Flags over Georgia.