Six Flags, Gurnee IL

[OhMari]

Anyone been to Great America Six Flags recently. I was just wondering about the crowds. There coke can adds ended in July and I just heard on the radio of another discount, which is very unlike Great America advertising this far away, I live 130 miles north.

 

[KarenC]

I worked there when it opened back in 1976, but haven't been in ages (except for when my employer buys out the park). I did see an interview of the general manager recently and he said they have been very successful with their promotion that includes the dancing bald guy with glasses. I don't think their attendance is down...I think they've found advertising to be more effective for them than it has in the past.

 

[geffric]

we were there last Sunday and it was very crowded. Lines for Superman/batman etc were about 1 hour.

 

[luvdzny]

Good question - DD want to go with her BF next Friday, but we may have to wait until Saturday. We are hesitant to go on a Saturday because the crowds may be worse. Anyone have any idea what the typical busy days are?

 

[Jeafl]

EVERY day is busy there for the most part. We've waited 1 1/2-2 hours in the past for some of the bigger coasters. We typically go on a Wednesday or Thursday to avoid the crowds, but it's still crowded. Also, they are checking bags/fanny packs/backpacks etc. at the entrance which slows things down a little. I would get there no later than 9:15. They will let you in the park before 10, but they have ropes across the "lands" so you can't line up for the rides. If you want to do Superman without a 90-minuite wait, line up at the left side of the carousel and run like crazy when the rope drops. If you don't go right away, the lines are horrendous.

Jewel always sells discount tickets. They are about 1 mile west of the park on Rt. 120 (Grand Ave) & Hunt Club Road if you don't find a discount somewhere else.

 

[Misty89]

we were there in 3 weekend of july....like someone else said, it is ALWAYS packed. ( we go everyyear that weekend, for 4 years so far) BUT- no where near the crowds at state fair 2 weekends ago( aug 14th) now THAT was unbearable

my girls would like to go one more time this year....and we are thinking about fright fest( yes, i know one month before WDW-i am crazy)
the crowds are smaller then ...and we will go on a sunday, probly the last one 31th oct, or the sunday before....
next year we will probly buy an AP since my youngest will be 6 and she really enjoys that park

ps...i like the six flags great america- i dont have any problems with it at all. we are not coaster people, but rather enjoy "enjoying" and having a realxing day eating, and going on some rides


Tina

 

[OhMari]

Fright Fest is OK, my older teens always went, but I didn't.

They only open the major roller coasters and each ride is typically 2 hour wait. It is mostly h.s. age teens.

In my opinion, I think the price of the ticket should be less, because less attractions are open.

Sunday would probably be the best time to go to Fright Fest, cause the teens generally like to go on Fridays & Saturdays.

 

[las3888]

We went last year with tickets from Jewel that were buy one get one free. We made the big mistake of going on a Saturday and just wandering in around lunchtime. We knew better (after all we are big Disney veterans!)...we should have gone an hour before opening - hit all the big new roller coasters and then just did stuff that didn't require much in the way of lines. Well, big mistake because the roller coaster lines were at BEST CASE 90 minutes. Some were well over 2 hours. There were lines just everywhere in the walkways so far away from the roller coasters themselves. It was ridiculous. We rode the Eagle backwards after waiting about 90 minutes (the BEST line available) and then saw the movie in the Pictorium. We then went home. I'm glad we didn't pay full price.

I think we are a little spoiled at Disney because they have really done some good things with line management (fastpass, etc.), but Great America seems light years behind this. I don't think there is much they could do though...it's just way too crowded.

Maybe pick a day that looks like rain and go REALLY early and hit the big rides. That might help. Good luck!

 

[Jasminesmommy]

I go everyyear in may. there is a chicago Radio station called B96 and they always have a party there and limited tickets so lines are only 10 minutes long. I would never go during summer. Some lines can be 2 hours long.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by KarenC
I worked there when it opened back in 1976...

I wonder if we saw you, Karen, we went there the year it opened!!!

 

[Catzeyes]

I was there 2 weeks ago on a Friday. The weather was crummy and it was still crowded by noon. I still love going there every summer when I come up for my visit.