I noticed in this MGA park map that Gurnee had a rapids ride while the park was still Marriott's:
<http://www.themeparkbrochures.com/maps/ ... m1984.html>
Was a rapids ride for the Santa Clara park in the planning stages when the park was sold to the city? If so, are there any differences between the PGA's Rip Roarin' Rapids and SFGA's White Water Rapids?
White Water Rapids/Rip Roarin' Rapids
- coasterfan71555
- Gulf Coaster
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2005 7:06 pm
- Location: Evanston, IL
"White Water Rampage" was opened in Gurnee for the 1984 season. This was the last attraction ordered and added by Marriott, because the sale to Six Flags took effect on June 1, 1984. It took the place of the car ride, "Traffique Jam" and I believe it was the first rapids ride to utilize a turntable loading station. The structure over the loading area is still quite amazing, and was a work of art in its early days with the beautiful polished wood for the ceiling covering the station. I can also remember riding "The Edge" during the 1983 season and watching the bulldozers and workers carving out the course for the rapids. Also, the rides are not identical. Gurnee's has 12-passenger rafts, Santa Clara's has 6-passenger rafts, the courses are different, and not quite in the same location.
What a day, what a place! What a smile on my face! My first visit was June 21, 1976, when I was less than a month from turning 21!