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Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago

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Coordinates: 42°22′06″N 87°56′19″W / 42.36833°N 87.93861°W / 42.36833; -87.93861
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Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago
The Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago logo since 2021
refer to caption
An aerial view of the water park in 2008
LocationGurnee, Illinois, United States
Coordinates42°22′06″N 87°56′19″W / 42.36833°N 87.93861°W / 42.36833; -87.93861
ThemeCaribbean island
OwnerSix Flags
OpenedMay 28, 2005; 20 years ago (2005-05-28)
Previous namesSix Flags Hurricane Harbor (2005-2021)
Operating seasonMay to September
StatusOperating
Area20 acres (8.1 ha)
Pools2 pools
Water slides25 water slides
Children's areas2 children's areas
WebsiteOfficial website

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago is a 20-acre (8.1 ha) water park located in Gurnee, Illinois, United States. It is located near Interstate 94 between Chicago and Milwaukee. Owned and operated by Six Flags, the water park opened on May 28, 2005. It was built as part of a US$42 million expansion of its adjacent amusement park Six Flags Great America, and originally opened as just Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. Since 2021, it has been gated separately from Six Flags Great America.

The water park has 25 water slides, and one themed area named Riptide Bay. Its most recent addition, Tsunami Surge, was added in 2021, and is North America's tallest water coaster as of 2025, and formerly the tallest water coaster in the world. The park has received accolades from the World Waterpark Association and Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards.

Background

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Main article: Six Flags Entertainment Village

Discussions about a water park near Six Flags Great America began in May 1996, when representatives from Six Flags met with officials of Gurnee, Illinois, to obtain permission to build a water park. It would be located on a plot of land owned by Six Flags, located west of Six Flags Great America and across of Interstate 94. The water park was planned to open by 1998.[1] A spokesperson for Six Flags Great America later called the plans "extremely premature" and said the park might not proceed. Additionally, the land was zoned for office use, and would require a permit to build a water park.[2]

Plans to build a water park later became part of a larger plan called Six Flags Entertainment Village, which was announced on October 29, 1997.[3][4] The entertainment complex would be built west of Six Flags Great America and across Interstate 94. Construction was planned to begin in 2000.[5]

A citizens group called the Citizens United for a Residential Village of Gurnee (CURV) was formed, which opposed the park due to concerns of overdevelopment, congestion, and rising property values.[6] A referendum about the project's approval was included in an election ballot on April 13, 1999. It concluded that more than half of Gurnee residents had voted against the project on the referendum, derailing the project.[7][8][9]

History

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2004–2005: Announcement and opening

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On September 10, 2004, Gurnee officials confirmed plans that a water park would be built on Six Flags Great America's existing plot.[10][11] Six Flags Great America officially announced a 15-acre (6.1 ha) Caribbean-themed water park on September 16, 2004, named Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, to open for the 2005 season.[12][13] It was expected to compete with other water parks in Wisconsin Dells and the Chicago metropolitan area, and would be considered the largest expansion in Six Flags Great America history.[14][15][16] The water park would be built on the former far west side of the parking lot.[17]

Hurricane Bay, a 500,000 gallon wave pool, pictured in 2008.

The water park was planned to open with 25 water slides and include an interactive water structure named Skull Island, which would feature 500 gadgets and eight water slides, and a 500,000 gallon wave pool. Admission would be included with a regular ticket for the theme park.[18][19][20] The water park was expected to generate 700 new jobs.[13]

Construction on the US$42 million[21] water park began in November 2004, lasting seven months. The water park opened to the public on May 28, 2005.[17][22] Almost a month following the opening of Hurricane Harbor, a man had a heart attack in the Hurricane Bay wave pool and died on June 22, 2005.[23] During the water park's first year of operation, it was reported 1.3 million people had visited, which park officials regarded as a "huge success".[21]

2006–2011: Further expansion

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The Tornado water slide pictured in 2006
Tornado in 2006

Following the initial opening of Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, a funnel water slide named Tornado was announced on January 14, 2006, at the American Coaster Enthusiasts "No Coaster Con" convention. It would open later in 2006 and be located above the Castaway Creek lazy river.[21] The ride opened on Memorial Day weekend in 2006.[24]

For the 2011 season, a new Bolliger & Mabillard roller coaster was planned for the adjacent Six Flags Great America amusement park, speculated to be a relocation of the roller coaster Chang from Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. It would stand on the former site of Space Shuttle America. After receiving a recommendation of approval from the Gurnee zoning board, the park backed out of the expansion.[25][26] Instead, the park opted to build the four-acre (1.6 ha) Riptide Bay area, opening on June 3, 2011.[27][28] Riptide Bay initially included a surf simulator, five water slides, a Caribbean-inspired activity pool, and cabanas.[29][30]

In July 2011, a woman suffered injuries on the Wahoo Racer racing water slide and sued the park for negligently operating the attraction. A court upheld an award of US$1.5 million USD in June 2017.[31]

2019–present: Operations as a separate park

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refer to caption
Footers for Tsunami Surge during construction in July 2020

On August 29, 2019, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor announced a new water coaster named Tsunami Surge manufactured by WhiteWater West. It would be the tallest water coaster in the world at 86 feet (26 m) tall, and was expected to open for the 2020 season.[32] Groundbreaking for the ride began in January 2020,[33] but the ride did not open due to the water park's closure and construction delays as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[34][35]

On July 20, 2020, the park re-opened with safety protocols regarding COVID-19 in place and the water park was referred to as Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago;[36][37] attractions at Six Flags Great America remained closed for the entire season.[38]

The front gate for Hurricane Harbor Chicago, seen in 2022.

Beginning on March 22, 2021, the water park was separated from Six Flags Great America, and was officially named Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago, making it the 27th park in the Six Flags chain.[39] As a result, the entrance to the water park via the theme park was no longer accessible, and a separate entry gate would be built.[38][40] Park officials say the change was made to allow guests to choose to enter the theme park or the water park.[41]

On May 29, 2021, Tsunami Surge officially opened to the public as the tallest water coaster in the world.[42] It would later be surpassed by Surreal at Beach Park in Brazil when it opened in March 2025. Surreal stands 28 metres (92 ft) tall; Tsunami Surge still remains the tallest water coaster in North America. [43][44]

List of attractions

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Tsunami Surge water slide
Tsunami Surge
Bahama Mama and Bubba Tubba water slides
Bahama Mama and Bubba Tubba
Name Opened Manufacturer Type Ref.
Wahoo Racer May 28, 2005 ProSlide Technology Multi-lane racer [45][46]
Hurricane Bay May 28, 2005 Aquatic Development Wave pool [47][48]
Castaway Creek May 28, 2005 Aquatic Development Lazy river [46][49]
Hurricane Mountain May 28, 2005 ProSlide Water slide complex [50][51]
Paradise Plunge and Riptide May 28, 2005 ProSlide Speed slide [52]
Skull Island and Buccaneer Bay May 28, 2005 ProSlide Interactive playground [53][54]
Hammerhead and Barracuda May 28, 2005 ProSlide Dual slide complex [55]
Vortex and Typhoon May 28, 2005 ProSlide Twin bowl slides [56]
Bahama Mama and Bubba Tubba May 28, 2005 ProSlide Two family rafting slides [57]
Tornado May 29, 2006 ProSlide Funnel slide [24]
Riptide Bay
Surf Rider June 3, 2011 Wave Loch Surf simulator [27][58]
Wipeout June 3, 2011 ProSlide Double funnel slide [27][59]
Monsoon Lagoon June 3, 2011 — Swimming pool [29]
Tsunami Surge May 29, 2021 WhiteWater West Water coaster [60]

Awards

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In 2006, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago's water slide Tornado was placed second for the category "Best New Water Slide", and tied with Noah's Ark's Time Warp attraction on Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards.[61]

In August 2021, the water park, along with WhiteWater West and architecture firm Ramaker won the 2021 Leading Edge Award from the World Waterpark Association for their work on Tsunami Surge.[62][63] Tsunami Surge placed third place in the category "Best New Water Slide" on Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards.[64]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Tannenbaum, Fred (May 21, 1996). "Talks under way on water park bid". Chicago Tribune.
  2. ^ Warmbir, Steve (May 18, 1996). "Six Flags, Gurnee discuss water park". Daily Herald. p. 8. Retrieved December 9, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  3. ^ Silvestri, Scott (November 4, 1997). "Gurnee creates committee to keep tabs on Six Flags Plan". Daily Herald – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Flink, John (October 29, 1997). "Residents view plans for huge resort 'village' near Six Flags". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  5. ^ Silvestri, Scott (December 9, 1998). "Gurnee moves on to next entertainment phase Village approves plans for Six Flags project". Daily Herald. Retrieved December 9, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  6. ^ Grano, Laurie (November 16, 1998). "GREAT AMERICA EXPANSION NOT AMUSING TO ALL". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  7. ^ Silvestri, Scott (March 22, 1999). "Gurnee group, officials debate what vote on Six Flags village will mean". Daily Herald. p. 1. Retrieved December 9, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  8. ^ Spencer, Mark (October 4, 1999). "Lake County tourism tidbits". Daily Herald – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Bukro, Casey; Beeler, Amanda (April 14, 1999). "Forest preserve request wins; school vote mixed". Chicago Tribune – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Susnjara, Bob (September 14, 2004). "Great America plans not seen as a threat Municipal water parks don't expect to lose business". Daily Herald. Retrieved December 9, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  11. ^ "Is the water park race on?". Daily Herald. September 11, 2004. p. 1. Village officials said Friday that besides the first proposed park, Six Flags Great America is ready to dive in, too.
  12. ^ "Six Flags plans large water park". The Pantagraph. Associated Press. September 17, 2004. p. 7. Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ a b Susnjara, Bob (September 16, 2004). "Water park to have Caribbean theme". Daily Herald. pp. S1-5. Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  14. ^ Masse, Ryan (April 28, 2005). "Dells owners express little concern with Six Flags park". The Badger Herald. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  15. ^ "Online Hurricane Harbor auction to benefit Super Jake Foundation". Daily Herald. May 20, 2005. pp. S5-3.
  16. ^ Tsouderos, Trine (April 18, 2005). "Water parks aim to saturate market". Chicago Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved November 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ a b "Great America opens Six Flags Hurricane Harbor water park". Southtown Star via Newspapers.com. June 2, 2005. p. 78. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  18. ^ "Great America joins waterpark wars". Capital Times. April 23, 2005. pp. 1D. Retrieved December 9, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  19. ^ "Making a splash". Antioch News. September 17, 2022. pp. C6. Retrieved December 9, 2022 – via Internet Archive.
  20. ^ "New Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Water Park Will Be Free With Six Flags Great America Theme Park Admission! It's two great parks for one great price!". PR Newswire (Press release). January 19, 2005. Retrieved December 9, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  21. ^ a b c Filas, Lee (January 15, 2006). "Tornado to swirl into Gurnee". Daily Herald. Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  22. ^ "Feeling light-headed". Chicago Tribune. May 18, 2005. pp. 2–3. Retrieved November 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ "Chicago man dies at water park". Chicago Sun-Times. June 30, 2005. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
  24. ^ a b Pang, Kevin (August 3, 2006). "It's the Tornado! 1st clue is a fast cool-off". Chicago Tribune. pp. 5A–6. Retrieved September 16, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ John (July 11, 2010). "No Chang for Six Flags Great America". Coaster101. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  26. ^ Murphy, Anthony (June 13, 2010). "Six Flags Great America gets the OK to install a new roller coaster". Theme Park Insider. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  27. ^ a b c "Waterparks: Riptide Bay Debuts at Six Flags Great America". Blooloop. June 3, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  28. ^ "Six Flags to expand water park". Daily Herald. September 3, 2010. p. 1. Retrieved December 10, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  29. ^ a b Craig, Megan (April 28, 2011). "'Mega Wedgie,' more coming to Great America". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ Kunzer, Jami (June 23, 2011). "American Eagle celebra logro". Northwest Herald (in Spanish). p. 3. Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ McCoppin, Rober (June 2, 2017). "Court upholds $1.5M judgement for Six Flags Great America waterslide injury". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  32. ^ Newton, Jim (August 29, 2019). "Tsunami Surge: Six Flags Great America plans new 86-foot-tall water ride in Gurnee". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  33. ^ Marcus Leshock of WGN-TV [@marcusleshock] (January 18, 2020). "Construction began on Tsunami Surge a few weeks ago at @SFGreat_America. Here are some pictures, it will be located right next to Maxx Force. Opening this summer" (Tweet). Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Twitter.
  34. ^ Coleman, Emily K. (June 2, 2022). "Hurricane Harbor may reopen soon, but Six Flags Great America still questionable". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  35. ^ Baldwin, Tim (July 8, 2021). "Hurricane Harbor anchored by WhiteWater West's Tsunami Surge". Amusement Today. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  36. ^ Luc, Karie Angell (June 21, 2020). "Hurricane Harbor opens in Gurnee with coronavirus measures in place". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  37. ^ Valade, Paul (June 20, 2020). "Hurricane Harbor's reopening in Gurnee makes a splash". Daily Herald. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  38. ^ a b Graham, Doug T. (April 9, 2021). "Six Flags Hurricane Harbor to open May with world's tallest water coaster". Daily Herald. Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  39. ^ "Six Flags Announces Reopening of Six Flags Great America Parks". investors.sixflags.com. March 22, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  40. ^ "Hurricane Harbor to Open This Spring Separate From Six Flags". NBC Chicago. April 2, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  41. ^ Alleman, Annie (April 14, 2021). "They're back! Six Flags Great America opens April 24 and Hurricane Harbor opens May 29". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  42. ^ Kunzer, Jami (July 8, 2021). "Interest surges in 'tallest water in the world' at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor". Lake County Journal. pp. a3. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  43. ^ Liau, Harmony (March 21, 2025). "Surreal—World's Tallest Water Coaster Opens at Beach Park in Brazil". WhiteWater. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  44. ^ "Hurricane Harbor Chicago". WhiteWater. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  45. ^ "Wahoo Racer". Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  46. ^ a b Filas, Lee (May 26, 2005). "Six Flags expects a big splash New Hurricane Harbor water park will officially open Saturday morning". Daily Herald. Retrieved December 9, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  47. ^ Tsouderos, Trine (June 16, 2005). "H2oh!". Chicago Tribune. pp. 5A-1, 5A-12. Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  48. ^ "Hurricane Bay". Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  49. ^ "Castaway Creek". Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  50. ^ "Water park under construction at Six Flags". Rock Island Argus. Associated Press. April 24, 2005. p. 9. Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  51. ^ "Hurricane Mountain". Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  52. ^ "Paradise Plunge and Riptide". Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  53. ^ "Skull Island". Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  54. ^ "Buccaneer Bay". Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  55. ^ "Hammerhead and Barracuda". Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  56. ^ "Vortex and Typhoon". Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  57. ^ George, Doug (June 9, 2013). "Get ready for Great America". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  58. ^ "Surf Rider". Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  59. ^ "Wipeout". Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  60. ^ Tuttle, Brittani (May 29, 2021). "World's tallest water coaster Tsunami Surge now open at Hurricane Harbor Chicago". Attractions Magazine. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  61. ^ Baldwin, Tim (2006). "Amusement Today's 2006 Golden Ticket Awards" (PDF). Amusement Today. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  62. ^ Coates, Charlotte (October 27, 2021). "WhiteWater recognised with three WWA Leading Edge Awards". Blooloop. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  63. ^ Whittaker, Adam (November 4, 2021). "WWA Show returns to form with trade show and awards". Blooloop. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  64. ^ "Golden Ticket Awards 2021". Amusement Today. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
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