The Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor
The Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor is an amusement and water park owned and operated by Six Flags Entertainment Corp. It is located approximately north of Albany, in Queensbury, New York. It is one of three Six Flags parks not to be officially branded with the "Six Flags" name, with La Ronde in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and Frontier City in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma being the two others.
History
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. 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.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 attaching cardboard versions with wire. This was back in the day when a car bumper was separate from the body and you could get all the way around it with wire. In 1983, the park officially changed its name from Storytown USA to The Great Escape.
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. 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 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 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 tower and plunging into a deep pool. This also features a fire diver.
Other milestones include:
- 1954 — Charles Wood opens Storytown USA.
- 1957 — Ghosttown section of the park is opened.
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 | 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 | high providing views 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 International | Flying Scooters | 2013 | The ride is a new model built by Larson in 2013. Ride is located where the former 180 Dome once stood. | |
| Pandemonium | Chance Rides | Freestyle | 2018 | This ride is located where the former Trabant ride stood. | |
| Balloon Race | Zamperla | Balloon Race | 1989 | Relocated from Storytown for 2013. Where Blizzard once stood. | |
| Extreme Supernova | Zamperla | Midi Discovery | 2014 | Opened 2014. Located next to The Comet. | |
| Flying Trapeze | Chance Rides | Yo-Yo | 1993 | A Yo-Yo wave swinger ride. | |
| Sky Ride | Universal Design Ltd. | Chairlift | A chairlift ride that is located within the Fest Area of the park. |
Ghosttown
| Name | Picture | Manufacturer | Type | Year Opened | Notes |
| Adirondack Outlaw | Funtime | Vomatron | 2020 | ||
| Canyon Blaster | Arrow Dynamics | Mine Train roller coaster | 2003 | The coaster was relocated from the defunct Opryland USA. | |
| The Condor | Huss | Spinning tower ride | 1990 | High speed, rotating aerial ride reaching heights of 100 feet. | |
| Desperado Plunge | Arrow Dynamics | 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 . | |
| 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. VR Opened on this ride during the 2017 Season | |
| Marshal's Stampede | Mac Duce | 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 and 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 | Horse-drawn carriage rides were discontinued in 2011, however, the pumpkin coach is available for pictures 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 in diameter. | |
| Storytown Train | Chance C.P. Huntington | 1956 | Scenic train ride through Storytown and Timbertown on a Chance C.P. Huntington. | ||
| Swan Boats | 1954–1956 | Motorized, swan-themed boats take passengers on a water-borne tour of Storytown. | |||
| Thunder Alley | Arrow Dynamics | 1970s | 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. In 2017, Drop of Doom VR was temporarily added to the attraction. |
Timbertown
This section opened in 2005 as Looney Tunes National Park.| 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. | |
| Oakley'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 and be accompanied by a guest under if over. 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, or accompanied by a Guest under. It was known as Daffy Duck Wilderness Bus Tour from 2005–2010. |
Hurricane Harbor
| Name | Opened | Notes |
| Typhoon Twister | 1995 | A pair of enclosed water slides that guests ride in small inflatable boats. Previously Called Black Cobra |
| Adventure River | 1995–1997 | long, deep river. Riders may travel in tubes or swim freely. Features waterfalls, geysers, strong current and continuous waves. Located in Upper Splashwater Kingdom. Formally Capt'n Hook's Adventure River from 1995-2018 |
| Splashwater Island | 1997 | A treehouse featuring spraying water, 5 body slides, and a water bucket that drenches the area every 8 minutes. Located in Lower Splashwater Kingdom. Previously Paul Bunyan's Bucket Brigade from 1997-2018. |
| Hurricane Bay | 1997 | , wave pool with six wave patterns. Located in Lower Splashwater Kingdom. Previously called Lumberjack Splash. |
| Buccaneer Beach | 2015 | New for 2015, pirate themed water fountains, pools and body slides for children. Located in Upper Splashwater Kingdom. Formerly known as "Noah's Sprayground". |
| Bamboo Shoots | 1995 | Three thrilling water slides including. Previously called Kingdom Cascades |
| Tornado | 2007 | A ProSlide Tornado that takes riders through a short section of enclosed slide before coming out at the top of a giant funnel where riders slide back and forth before gently landing in a splash pool. Installed in 2007. Located in Upper Splashwater Kingdom. |
| Big Kahuna | 2008 | A specially designed tube bowl made by ProSlide. Similar to the standard but a slightly smaller size. Installed in 2008. Located in Upper Splashwater Kingdom. Previously called Mega Wedgie. |
| Island Air Adventures | 2008 | A rotating plane ride, operated as Big Red Plans and ZoomJets in the former Wiggles World and Kidzopolis respectively. The ride operates with the water park operations. |
| Alpine Freefalls | 2012 | This slide complex features a Wahoo Racer and a Paradise Plunge. It opened in 2012. Located in Lower Splashwater Kingdom. Previously called Alpine Freefalls, Twisted Racer, and Cliffhanger. |
| Bonzai Pipelines | 2017 | Thrilling body slide complex. |
| Bucket Blasters | 2019 | Zamperla Watermania - Spinning flat ride where riders are equipped with water blasters. |
| Shipwreck Cove | 2019 | A fun activity pool with interactivewater sprays, geysers, and fountains |
Upcharge attractions
These rides are not included in the admission price. Cost varies from ride to ride.| Name | Location | Notes |
| Go-Carts | Fest Area | Gas powered race cars with high speed turns. $8 and $4. Riders must be to drive alone. Riders also must be 18 to have a passenger. |
| Dare Devil Dive | Fest Area | An intense sky-diving-like attraction that pulls the riders up in the air then swings them down toward the ground at speeds reaching. 1 Person - $40, 2 Person - $25 each, 3 Person - $20 each. Formerly known as "Skycoaster." |
Other attractions
- Alice in Wonderland - A walk-through attraction based on the Lewis Carroll classic of the same name, located in Fest Area, which opened in 1967.
Special events
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..
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 4 elaborate haunted houses, which are located near the North-woods Picnic Grove and in the Ghost Town.
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.
Defunct rides and attractions
| Ride | Year opened | Year closed | Description |
| Ghost Town Railroad | 1957 | 2002 | Arrow Dynamics train. Removed in 2002 for the addition of Canyon Blaster |
| Tornado | 1967 | 2002 | Dark ride that brought riders through the eye of a tornado in the west. Originally created for Freedomland U.S.A. in The Bronx. Removed after the 1962 season and sent to Kennywood Park before it settled at Storytown. Removed at the end of the 2002 season for Canyon Blaster. |
| Magical Mystery Tour | 1971 | 2004 | Indoor scrambler. Re-installed in 2013 as Blizzard Indoors |
| Skylab | 1986 | 2000 | Huss Skylab |
| Danny the Dragon | 1965 | 1996 | Motorized scenic ride with cars shaped as a dragon's body. Built by Arrow Dynamics and purchased from Freedomland U.S.A. in The Bronx when the park closed after the 1964 season. Replaced by Flashback |
| Carousel | 1965 | 1989 | Classic Carousel that was originally at Freedomland U.S.A. in The Bronx and purchased by Storytown when Freedomland closed |
| Screamer | 1982 | 1986 | Huss Ranger. Rethemed and modified into Rainbow ride |
| Pirate Ship | 1995 | 2013 | Huss Pirate Ship |
| Rainbow | 1987 | 2007 | Huss Rainbow- dismantled in 2007 |
| 99 Trains | 2006 | Children's train ride | |
| Flying Bobs | 1993 | 1998 | Matterhorn style ride. Replaced by Boomerang |
| AstroWheel | 1969 | 1992 | Chance AstroWheel. Replaced by Flying Trapeze |
| Sea Dragon | 1980 | 1994 | Pirate Ship style ride. Replaced by Boomerang |
| Storytown Railroad | 1956 | Unknown | The original engine is defunct. However the station is used for the current train. |
| Jungle Land USA | 1965 | 2004 | African themed land. With animatronics animals Re-themed to Looney Tunes National Park in 2005 and later to Timbertown in 2011 |
| Dragon Ride | Unknown | 2009 | Kiddie Dragon ride |
| Noah's Ark | Unknown | 2009 | Kiddie Pirate Ship |
| Motorcycles | Unknown | 2009 | Kiddie motorcycle ride |
| Rotor | 1983 | 2001 | Rotor ride |
| Tip Top | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Starship Kaleidoscope | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Tumble Weed | 1979 | 1988 | Chance Sky Diver, Replaced by Condor |
| Nightmare | 1999 | 2006 | Indoor roller coaster located in GhostTown. The building still stands and is used as a haunted house during Fright Fest |
| Cinema 180 | Unknown | late 1990s | Theatre later converted to an arcade then used as storage. Removed for addition of Screamin' Eagles |
| Octopus | Unknown | early 90s | Classic Octopus ride |
| Trabant | 1969 | 2010 | Chance Trabant |
| Petting Zoo | 1954 | 2010 | Classic petting zoo |
| Cinderella Coach | 1954 | While the coach is no longer pulled by live horses, it is still available for stationary pictures with Cinderella | |
| Wiggles World | 2008 | 2011 | Rethemed to Kidzopolis; fully closed 2018 |
| Bucky's Shore Patrol | 2005 | 2014 | Horizontally-revolving boat ride. It was known as Yosemite Sam Shore Patrol from 2005–2010 |
| Balloon Ferris Wheel | 1980s | 2014 | |
| Kidzopolis | 2011 | 2018 | Originally themed as Wiggles World. Closed in October 2018, to make way for water park expansion |