Six Flags Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor facts for kids

Great Escape, officially known as Six Flags Great Escape, is a super fun amusement park and water park located in Queensbury, New York. It's a place where you can find exciting rides and cool water slides! The park is currently owned by EPR Properties and managed by Enchanted Parks. Even though it's not owned by Six Flags anymore, it still uses the Six Flags name and brand for now, thanks to a special agreement.

Quick facts for kids
Great Escape

Previously known as Storytown USA (1954–1982), The Great Escape Fun Park (1983–1994), The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom (1995–2018)
Logo used since 2022 utilizing Six Flags branding and official name
Location	89 Six Flags Drive Queensbury, New York
Coordinates	43°21′04″N 73°41′24″W / 43.350991°N 73.690112°W / 43.350991; -73.690112
Opened	1954; 72 years ago (1954)
Owner	EPR Properties
Operated by	Enchanted Parks
Slogan	New York’s Most Thrilling Theme Park
Operating season	May through October
Area	351 acres (142 ha)
Attractions
Total	34 (excluding water park) 47 (including water park)
Roller coasters	6
Water rides	13

Discovering Great Escape's Past

Logo used until 2012

The park first opened its doors in 1954. Back then, it was called Storytown USA. It was a magical place themed around Mother Goose stories! A smart businessman named Charles Wood and his wife bought the land to create this park.

In 1957, they realized older kids wanted more excitement. So, they added a new area called Ghost Town, which was like stepping into the Old West! Later, in 1960, Jungleland joined the fun. The park got its very first roller coaster in 1971, bringing even more thrills.

In 1983, the park changed its name to The Great Escape Fun Park. This new name showed how much the park had grown!

A new roller coaster, Steamin' Demon, arrived in 1984. Then, in 1994, The Comet roller coaster found its new home here. The Comet had a long history, having thrilled riders at another park for 41 years before coming to Great Escape. Charles Wood, the park's owner, brought this classic coaster to New York.

The park became even more exciting in 1995 when it opened a water park called Splashwater Kingdom. Imagine having both a theme park and a water park in one place! In 1996, Charles Wood sold the park to a company called Premier Parks. This company later bought Six Flags. Great Escape kept its original name for a while, only officially becoming "Six Flags Great Escape" in 2019.

In 2005 and 2006, popular characters like the Looney Tunes and DC Comics heroes started appearing in the park. In February 2006, the Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark opened nearby. This lodge has a huge indoor water park just for its guests!

In 2010, the park brought back some of its original Mother Goose themes, celebrating its roots.

The park added a new family wooden roller coaster called The Bobcat in 2024.

A big change happened recently. On April 6, 2026, EPR Properties became the new owner of the park. However, Great Escape will continue to use the Six Flags name for the 2026 season.

Besides all the amazing rides, Great Escape also has many live shows for everyone to enjoy!

Exploring Great Escape's Themed Lands

Great Escape is divided into several fun themed areas, each with its own unique style!

• Fest Area – This area feels like a lively Bavarian festival!
• Ghost Town – Step back in time to the Old West in this exciting area, first opened in 1957.
• Storytown – Rediscover classic Mother Goose stories in this charming area, brought back in 2010.
• Hot Rod USA – Get ready for some high-speed fun in this race car-themed zone, opened in 2016.
• Timbertown – A special area just for kids! It used to be Jungleland and then Looney Tunes National Park.
• Hurricane Harbor – This is the park's amazing water park! It used to be called Splashwater Kingdom. Your ticket to Great Escape includes entry to Hurricane Harbor.

Thrilling Roller Coasters at Great Escape

Get ready for some twists, turns, and drops on these awesome roller coasters!

Name	Area	Picture	Manufacturer	Type	Year opened	Fun Facts
Canyon Blaster	Ghost Town		Arrow Development	Steel mine train coaster	2003	This coaster used to be at another park called Opryland USA!
Flashback	Hot Rod USA		Vekoma	Steel shuttle coaster (Boomerang style)	1997	It was once known as Boomerang: Coast to Coaster.
Frankie's Mine Train	Timbertown		Zamperla	Steel children's coaster	2005	From 2005 to 2010, it was called Road Runner Express.
Steamin' Demon	Ghost Town		Arrow Development	Steel coaster	1984	This ride also came from another park, Pontchartrain Beach.
The Bobcat	Fest Area		The Gravity Group	Wooden coaster	2024	A brand new wooden coaster for the whole family!
The Comet	Fest Area		Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters	Out-and-back wooden coaster	1994	A classic coaster that first opened way back in 1948!

Fun for Everyone: Family Rides

These rides are perfect for families to enjoy together!

Heart-Pounding Thrill Rides

For those who love a rush of adrenaline, these rides are for you!

Extra Fun: Upcharge Rides

These special rides offer even more excitement for an additional fee!

Splashing Fun: Water Rides

Cool off and get wet on these exciting water adventures!

Little Adventures: Rides for Younger Kids

These rides are perfect for the park's youngest visitors!

Making a Splash at Hurricane Harbor

Hurricane Bay wave pool in 2006

Dive into fun at Hurricane Harbor, the park's amazing water park!

Past Adventures: Rides We Remember

Over the years, Great Escape has had many different rides. Here are a few that are no longer here, but were once part of the park's history: