Search found 24 matches
- Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:24 pm
- Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
- Topic: Gurnee park POSSIBLY in trouble for 2009
- Replies: 9
- Views: 33724
The Gurnee park is opening on Friday, April 3. Have no fear, folks. I and several friends feel confident that should Six Flags go bankrupt, they will survive, by unloading some assets, including parks. Gurnee's Great America is so well established, and offers a well-rounded assortment of attractions...
- Wed Oct 24, 2007 8:17 pm
- Forum: Rides
- Topic: Z-Force Revisited
- Replies: 25
- Views: 71724
Count me in - I loved the Z-Force, too! I also remember waiting for it to open in 1985. It looked twisted and definitely unique. I remember so clearly, I was driving home from a job interview on July 10, 1985, and saw on the park sign that Z-Force had opened that day. I raced home (20 miles west of ...
- Sat Oct 20, 2007 8:02 pm
- Forum: Rides
- Topic: Tidal Wave vs. Vertical Velocity
- Replies: 22
- Views: 30938
I have very fond memories of Tidal Wave, as it was the ride on which my love of riding roller coasters began! My favorite seat was in the last car because of going so high up on the rear spike. I rode it on its last night in operation, Labor Day, 1991. I now list V2 as one of my top 3 coasters at SF...
- Tue Sep 11, 2007 5:15 pm
- Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
- Topic: Food at Marriott's Great America
- Replies: 41
- Views: 67710
For me, my favorite food memory is of the Hometown Grill, where the funnel cake place has been for many years now. The burgers and fries there were top-notch, the outdoor seating next to Willard's Whizzer was fun! I remember sitting there, eating lunch, and watching the trains going up on the spiral...
- Tue Sep 11, 2007 5:06 pm
- Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
- Topic: Loggers Run vs. Yankee Clipper
- Replies: 21
- Views: 40950
- Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:19 pm
- Forum: Rides
- Topic: Sky Whirls Replacment
- Replies: 52
- Views: 158295
The replacement of Sky Whirl at both parks was one of the worst decisions ever made! Sky Whirl was an icon of the park, as much a symbol as the Columbia Carousel. I bemoan its loss and wish it was still there. Thankfully this site has a wonderful photo gallery and I can always go back and relive the...
- Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:06 pm
- Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
- Topic: What GREAT AMERICA did you live near?
- Replies: 34
- Views: 54478
I lived near the Gurnee park. When it opened, I was 20 going on 21 and lived in Spring Grove, IL, which is about 15 miles west. The drive was through the countryside in those days, all farms and stop signs instead of today's subdivisions, shopping centers and traffic lights! Over the years I moved t...
- Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:00 pm
- Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
- Topic: Happy New Year 2006
- Replies: 5
- Views: 9730
- Fri Dec 16, 2005 7:11 pm
- Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
- Topic: 30th Anniversary Survey
- Replies: 19
- Views: 33214
My mind reels with things the park could do to celebrate its 30th anniversary. My home park is in Gurnee. I would love to see a new, state of the art coaster. I would also like to see a REAL music show in the Grand Music Hall, a retrospective of the 30 years of history that the park has given us. I ...
- Sat Oct 22, 2005 7:38 pm
- Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
- Topic: Fright Fest what if
- Replies: 3
- Views: 7742
My memory is very clear on this. Columbus Day (second Monday in October) was always closing day during the Marriott years. I was there many times on this day, and do not remember anything special for Halloween. Fright Fest started in 1991, well after Marriott sold the Gurnee park to Six Flags. Howev...
- Thu Sep 22, 2005 7:14 pm
- Forum: Rides
- Topic: Rides No Longer in Gurnee
- Replies: 42
- Views: 64060
The actual date of the change in ownership of the Gurnee park from Marriott to Six Flags was June 1, 1984. I remember that very well because it was just 9 days after the Edge accident. Hard to believe so much time has passed! I still have my season pass cards and the '84 is the last with the Marriot...
I am not sure if the cars from TOC were rethemed for the Demon, but my guess is yes. However, at least at the Gurnee park, I know Demon got new trains several years ago, maybe in the mid-90s. Back in those days my friends and I would go to the park nearly every weekend, and I do remember new trains....
- Thu Sep 15, 2005 6:11 pm
- Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
- Topic: Carousel Song
- Replies: 53
- Views: 109229
Rick and Brian: Thank you both for posting the songs. You have made the day for me! I have made a CD with both tracks (among others for a very satisfying mix) and I can't wait to play it for my Great America friends! Such wonderful memories. Does anyone remember that early in the Fright Fest years t...
- Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:31 pm
- Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
- Topic: First Visit Date and Memories
- Replies: 29
- Views: 45236
First Visit to Marriott's Great America
I remember the date clearly. It was June 21, 1976, about 3 weeks after the Gurnee park first opened. I remember it was a beautiful sunny day, and I went with a dear friend of mine from high school (we had graduated in 1973) and a friend of hers who she was sweet on. I was so impressed with the beaut...