Six Flags Great America
Gurnee, Illinois
Hollywood director Randall Duell designed Great America. Located north of Chicago, Illinois, the park was originally built and owned by the Marriott Corporation. It opened May 29, 1976. In May of 1984, the Park was purchased by the Six Flags Corporation and became the seventh park in the Six Flags family. The name quickly changed from Marriott's Great America to Six Flags Great America. The park is nearly 300 acres in size. Carousel Plaza is the entrance of the park and is home to an impressive double-deck carousel.
Past coasters include:
- Rolling Thunder (1989-1994) It was Sarajevo Bobsled at Six Flags Great Adventure before and is now Alpine Bobsled at Great Escape in New York.
- Tidal Wave (1978-1991) This Schwarzkopf shuttle was replaced by Batman. It ran as Viper from 1992 to 2001 at Six Flags Over Georgia. In 2003, it opened as Greezed Lightnin' at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom.
- Z-Force (1985-1987) A one of a kind 'Space Diver' from Intamin. It ran at Six Flags Over Georgia from 1988 to 1991, then went to Six Flags Magic Mountain where it was renamed Flashback.
- Shockwave (1988-2002) Removed to make room for a the park's fourth B&M ride. After sitting in pieces for two years, it was scrapped in late 2004. (See pictures below.)
- Déjà Vu (2001-2007) After several seasons of operational problems, the Giant Inverted Boomerang was moved to Silverwood in Idaho. (See pictures below.)
- Iron Wolf (1990-2011) Headed to Six Flags America where it is called Apocalypse. (See pictures below.)
- Ragin' Cajun (2004-2013) This spinning mouse also went to Six Flags America but it is has not been renamed. (See pictures below for more details.)
