Marriott’s Great America history

In 1976, the Marriott Corporation opened two Marriott’s GREAT AMERICA parks. The two parks represented the state of the art in theme park design and attractions at that time. First to open was Marriott’s GREAT AMERICA in Santa Clara, California. Shortly after the Santa Clara park began operations, Marriott’s GREAT AMERICA in Gurnee, Illinois celebrated its grand opening. A third park in the Washington, DC metropolitan area was also to have opened in 1976. Local opposition, however, at two proposed sites prevented the third park from becoming a reality.

Simultaneously building two major theme parks and opening them just over two months apart was an unprecedented achievement in the theme park industry.  The Marriott’s Great America parks were designed and constructed with great dedication to authentic theming that was reflected in the rides, entertainment, food, merchandise, and more.  The goal was to provide a top-quality theme park experience for families to enjoy together.

press information

View a selection of Marriott’s Great America press releases:

• 1981 Marriott’s Great America press releases

photo albums:

• aerial photos
• design office
• park models

Marriott’s Great America rides

Amusement rides were the key ingredient for fun at Marriott’s GREAT AMERICA. In the rides section of GREATAMERICAparks.com our focus for now is on all the rides from the Marriott years.

Carousel Plaza

• Columbia
• Sky Trek Tower / Sky Tower

County Fair

• Ameri-Go-Round
• American Eagle
• Barney Oldfield Speedway
• The Demon
• Eagle’s Flight
• The Edge
• Fiddler’s Fling
• GREAT AMERICA Scenic Railway
• Sky Whirl
• Turn of the Century
• Whirligig

Hometown Square

• Bottoms Up
• GREAT AMERICA Scenic Railway
• Triple Play
• Whizzer

Orleans Place

• Cajun Cliffhanger
• Delta Flyer
• The Edge
• Gulf Coaster
• Orleans Orbit
• Southern Cross
• Traffique Jam

Yankee Harbor

• Buzzy Bee
• Davey Jones Dinghies
• The Lobster
• Tidal Wave
• Yankee Clipper

Yukon Territory

• Loggers Run
• Yukon Yahoo

Shows at Marriott’s GREAT AMERICA parks

Marriott’s GREAT AMERICA put a lot of emphasis on shows and performers. There were lavish musical shows, parades, marching bands, street performers, and even a circus. Here we will take a look back at the variety of shows and performers featured at Marriott’s GREAT AMERICA.

Visit the Circus Fantastic photo album.

Visit the Grand Music Hall photo album.

Visit the GREAT AMERICA band photo album.

Visit the Merry Mardi Gras Parade photo album.

Visit the Theatre Royale photo album.

Food

Shops

Games

Video

Photo Albums

See photo albums of Great America submitted by site visitors here. If you’d like to submit photos for a Great America photo album, please send a message via the contact page.

Discussion Forums

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