My girlfriend was looking for some tips on visiting Six Flags Great America & Hurricane Harbor this week, and since I have noticed many inquiries on social media as well, I thought it most efficient to write an article.
We have been season pass holders for more than ten years. It started with a birthday gift from my brother when I could still bring the kids in for free. We got so much value out of it, that we decided to buy my daughter a season pass to accompany mine when she turned three.
Tip #1 - We have found that either around Labor Day or Black Friday, there tends to be a deal to buy the season pass with a free upgrade to the Gold level, which includes free parking, additional Bring-a-Friend-Free days, and other added benefits. Season Dining tends to go on sale at those times as well. Year after year, we have purchased two season passes, upgraded to Gold for free, and then only went on "Bring-a-Friend-Free" days, when we could bring my husband and son with us. We found we would still go three or four times a year like that.
Two things to note:
a. This year we actually bought three season passes, as the kids like to bring friends with us now.
b. They offered some "Bring-a-Friend-Free days" only very early in the season this year, and we haven't seen any since.
Tip #2 - If you are going to go more than once a year, the Season Dining is probably worth it. We used to get just one Premium Season Dining Pass which includes 2 meals and a snack, and a season drink bottle, which we refill over and over again. We would usually get a chicken finger basket for one meal, a pizza slice big enough to split as a second meal, and nachos or a hot pretzel as a snack. This year we added a Basic Season Dining Pass for an additional meal and snack, and to be honest, its been hard to get the full value of it.
Two things to note:
a. Mobile ordering is the only way to go - be sure to download the app. You pick a pick-up window and avoid the insane lines. We also noticed that while you are only supposed to be able to use your different meals during different meal windows, i.e. one meal at lunch and one at dinner, the app allows you to override this so that you can use both your meals at the same time.
b. While we only have one season drink bottle, we bring an extra from years past, pour the contents from the current season drink bottle into it, and get another refill immediately, to avoid getting on line yet again.
Tip #3 - Get to the park before it opens. I'd say at least 30 minutes. Particularly for Hurricane Harbor. Make a bee-line for whichever ride is most important to you.
This was not always the case before, but the crowds are bigger this year, every day of the week.
Note:
a. Reservations due to Covid are no longer needed.
b. One way to avoid the crowds is to go when the weather forecast isn't very good. If you are lucky, the forecast is wrong and you wind up with a great line-less day. This has happened to us many times.
c. There is now only one entrance to Hurricane Harbor from the parking lot (it is no longer included on the same ticket as Great America, unless you are a Season Pass holder or Member.) The entrance to Hurricane Harbor is much smaller than the one for Great America and currently it is running a metal detector, whereas Great America is not. It can take some time to get through the line. Also note, you can only exit Hurricane Harbor through the parking lot gate, and not through the Southwest territory of Great America as it was before.
Tip #4 - The great thing about Hurricane Harbor is that kids of all ages can enjoy the wave pool as well as Skull Island without any lines at all.
Note:
a. It is currently only $24.99 to get in and you'd pay close to that for a lot less at a town pool.
b. The ground gets hot. We wear our flip flops throughout the park and take them off just outside an attraction to retrieve when we are done.
c. The Lazy River at Hurricane Harbor was not operating this week at least
d. Tsunami Surge is a new water coaster at Hurricane Harbor - very fun
e. Another favorite of ours is the Surf Rider at Hurricane Harbor
f. There is less of a line on the water rides in the back corners of Hurricane Harbor
c. I recommend a product like this to avoid needing to use a locker
Tip #5 - Use the singles lines in Great America - particularly on the Battle for Metropolis ride. Very often you wind up with your group anyhow.
Other Things to Note Regarding Rides at Great America:
a. If you can't get on the ride you really want at beginning of the day, wait til the end of the day. As long as you are the line before the park closes, you will get on and probably in less time. (Assuming you don't have a Flash Pass)
b. Viper - Almost always has a shorter line than the other roller coasters
c. Demon - Will really knock you around. We've had enough bad experiences to say, avoid this one.
d. The Roaring Rapids ride is closed this year
Tip #6 - The ride wait times on the app are not accurate, but they are a directional indication of which lines are longer than others at both parks.
Tip #7 - We have always had good experiences with Customer Service. Anytime we have issued a complaint, they have been good about compensating us for our inconvenience. I wouldn't hesitate to contact them.
Tip #8 - They do offer KID SWAP at Great America (like they do at Disney) Parents of children under 54″ can notify a ride operator they’d like to participate in a Kid Swap. This allows one parent to stay with the child while the other rides. Then they swap places without going on line again! See the Ride Information Center in Mardi Gras for more information.
Tip #9 - Check with Guest Relations for complimentary pins celebrating birthdays, and also essential workers.
Tip #10 - If you plan to go in late August to either park, though the lines will be less, be aware that they tend to close many rides/water attractions because they become under-staffed when the employees go back to school.
Tip #11 - Go in the Fall or even the Winter. They really go all out with decorations and lights, and of course there are less crowds. There is also the added bonus of hot chocolate and smores fire pits. Bundle up, wear a ski mask, and pretend its still summer!
Tip #12 - For the covid-conscious, though masks are no longer required, there are sanitizer stations at every ride.
Feel free to share any additional tips you may have! debraf@macaronikid.com
