Major Attractions: the Marriott Years

All about the rides at Marriott's GREAT AMERICA and post-Marriott rides, too
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jimmy gimbels
Yankee Clipper
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Major Attractions: the Marriott Years

Post by jimmy gimbels »

1976:
Marriott's Great America opens on May 29, 1976, in Gurnee, IL, north of Chicago. The themed areas are:

Carousel Plaza, the first section beyond the main gates, which features the Columbia Carousel.

Orleans Place with the Gulf Coaster (removed after first year), Traffique Jam, the Rue Le Dodge and The Orbit.

Hometown Square has Willard's Whizzer, Bottoms Up, Triple Play, Hometown Fun Machine and a station for the Scenic Railway.

Yankee Harbor has Whirligig, Lobster, the Yankee Clipper and Spinnaker.

Yukon Territory has Logger's Run.

Country Fair offers Turn of the Century, Fiddler's Fling, Barney Oldfield Speedway, Ameri-Go-Round and a station for the Scenic Railway.

Additional rides in the park: Sky Whirl, Delta Flyer/Eagle's Flight and Hilltopper.

More attractions appeared in 1977:
- Southern Cross
- Sky Trek Tower
- Davey Jones Dinghies
- Hay Bayler
- Big Top

1978: The great Tidal Wave.
1979: Pictorium in 1979
1980: Turn of the Century is transformed into the Demon.
1981: American Eagle
1982: Davey Jones Dinghies is removed.
1983: The Edge is added. Bottoms Up and Traffique Jam are removed.
1984: White Water Rampage is added. Park is sold to Six Flags. :(
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