GREATAMERICAparks.com

Hi, JW! http://www.greatamericaparks.com/highwaysign001.jpg That's the original Santa Clara sign (now replaced with a different sign). I also have a photo of the original Gurnee sign. I'll put it up soon along with photos of the park signs at the parking lot entrances. Thanks for your participation ...

You can listen to that one here: http://www.greatamericaparks.com/mga01.ram

It's also in a remix here: http://www.greatamericaparks.com/MGAmix1976.mp3

Steven

Actually, when Six Flags bought the Gurnee park, it became "Six Flags GREAT AMERICA". So the "Six Flags" was above "GREAT AMERICA" and "A Bally Company" was below. After the sale of the Santa Clara park to the City of Santa Clara, its name became just plain &q...

The main "scripted" phrase that I remember was "And have a GREAT day here at Marriott's GREAT AMERICA" that was usually announced over the PA system as guests were exiting a ride.

Steven

One Alfredo is a member of this discussion forum. I'm sure that he can give us an authoritative answer whenever he sees this topic.

Steven

I'll try to find those photos, although it's easier said than done. I remember that the Yankee Clipper's boats were lined up along the edge of the parking lot. There were shots from many angles, but I don't recall seeing parts for anything other than Clipper. A look at the photos should resolve any ...

Hi, They very likely did have the intro that you mention. I just didn't see it. I imagine that while they were making that Marriott IMAX film, they probably took more footage of more rides than what went into the actual film. They could have used some of that to put together the brief feature that y...

That's how the Santa Clara bone yard WAS. All of that stuff has been cleared out of there. The water park expanded this year into part of that area. Regarding the parking lot, the Yankee Clipper, was put out there -- in pieces -- after its removal for STEALTH. I have photos of it in the parking lot,...

Hi,

The catwalks on the spiral lifts were added later at both parks. I don't know exactly when they were added, though. Some detective work looking through dated old photos might reveal the answer. Or maybe someone who knows will post the info!

Steven

Mat, I believe you may be thinking of "A La Burger". It was in Orleans Place, but was next the the back end of the TIDAL WAVE. "Burgers on the Run" was in County Fair. I used to work next door at the Eagle's Flight skyride in Gurnee. We were often up wind from "Burgers on th...

I did not see that intro. I wonder if it was taken from footage for the IMAX film that Marriott had made. I think it was called "An American Adventure" or something like that. I never saw that film, but I understand that it did include some footage from one of the park's coasters.

Steven

The site's primary focus for now is on the Marriott years right now. I don't expect to include photos of the Hanna-Barbera characters in the Santa Clara park for the time being. Also, Marriott did not sell the Santa Clara park directly to Kings Entertainment Company (KECO). The buyer was the City of...

These were not genuine examples of Farrell's and Roy Rogers. They simply renamed existing facilities in each park to promote these Marriott brands. In a way, this extended the concept of having the Hot Shoppe in Hometown Square -- the original Marriott brand.

Steven

The patriotic costume for Bugs was in keeping with the patriotic theme of Marriott's GREAT AMERICA.

Steven

1978 and 1979 were more like "We've got a GREAT day just waiting for you". Among the Marriott's GREAT AMERICA advertising campaigns, I like those from "The Fun Country" through "Maybe a great day is just what you need this year" the best. I also like "Get Carried A...