Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Rockford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Rockford |
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| Location | Cherry Valley, Illinois, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 42°14′46″N 88°57′49″E / 42.2460°N 88.9637°E |
| Owner | Rockford Park District (1988-present) |
| Operated by | Six Flags Entertainment Corporation |
| Opened | 1984 |
| Previous names | Magic Waters (1984-2019) |
| Operating season | May through September |
| Status | {{{status}}} |
| Pools | 3 pools |
| Water slides | 11 (1 under construction) water slides |
| Website | Hurricane Harbor Rockford |
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Rockford is a fun water park in Cherry Valley, Illinois. It used to be called Magic Waters. The park is owned by the Rockford Park District and run by Six Flags. You can find it near the highways Interstate 39, U.S. Route 51, and Interstate 90.
Contents
Park History: From Magic Waters to Hurricane Harbor
The water park first opened in 1984 as Magic Waters. It was a private business back then. The Rockford Park District helped with the plans for the park.
In 1986, the park had some money troubles because not enough people visited. A bank took over the property. But then, the Rockford Park District stepped in to help. They worked hard to make the park better, and soon, 50% more people started visiting! By 1988, Magic Waters was very popular, with 370,000 visitors.
New Rides and Fun Additions
Over the years, the park added many exciting attractions:
- In 1993, a relaxing ride called Splash Magic River was added. It's a lazy river where you can float along.
- In 1997, Splash Magic Island opened. This area was made for families to enjoy together. It's now called Tiki Island.
- In 2000, a tall water coaster named Splash Blaster was built. It was 80 feet high! However, this ride was later removed in 2015 because some riders got back injuries. The park decided to take it down to keep everyone safe.
- In 2004, The Abyss was added. This is a dark tube slide that's five stories tall. You twist and turn in the dark before splashing into a pool.
- In 2009, the park announced Typhoon Terror. This is a 65-foot-tall tube slide where 2 to 4 people can ride together.
- In 2012, Double Dare Drop opened. This is a super-fast speed slide that's 75 feet tall! Its name was chosen in a contest.
- In 2017, an exciting new slide called Screaming Lizard opened. It's an AquaLoop slide, which means it has a loop that's tilted at a 45-degree angle!
Six Flags Takes Over
On October 9, 2018, a big change happened! Six Flags made a deal with the Rockford Park District. Six Flags would operate Magic Waters for 10 years, starting in 2019. They pay the park district $425,000 each year.
Then, on August 29, 2019, Six Flags officially changed the park's name to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Rockford. This brought it under the famous Hurricane Harbor brand. They also announced a brand-new slide called Tidal Wave, which would be the first "tailspin" slide in the Midwest!
Opening During Challenging Times
In 2020, the park's opening was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was supposed to open in May but finally reopened on July 20, 2020. The new Tidal Wave slide, which was planned for 2020, had to wait and opened in 2021 instead.
Slides and Attractions
Here are some of the fun slides and attractions you can find at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Rockford:
| Name | Description | Opened | Height Requirement | Thrill Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Abyss | A dark tunnel tube slide | 2004 | Over 42" | Max |
| Double Dare Drop | A 75-foot speed slide | 2012 | Over 48" | Max |
| Tsunami Bay | A huge 707,000-gallon wave pool | 1984 | Moderate | |
| Typhoon Terror | A tube slide for multiple riders | 2009 | Over 48" | Max |
| Paradise Pipelines | Four-story inner tube slides | 1984 | Over 42" | Max |
| Splash Magic River | A relaxing lazy river | 1993 | Moderate | |
| Tropical Twisters | Five-story body slides | 1984 | Over 42" | Max |
| Wipeout | A thrilling trap-door slide, formerly called Screaming Lizard | 2017 | Over 48" | Max |
| Tiki Island | An interactive playground for children | 1997 | Mild | |
| Little Lagoon | A water playground designed for young children | Mild | ||
| Tidal Wave | A unique tailspin water slide, the only one in the Midwest | 2021 | Max |
Dining Options
When you get hungry, there are several places to grab a bite! You can even get Season Dining Passes at most restaurants.
- Beachside Funnel Cake: Enjoy delicious funnel cakes, sundaes, and root beer floats.
- Hawaiian Hideaway: A snack bar with treats like pretzels and churros.
- Surfside Café: Offers bigger meals like chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, chicken tenders, and salads.
- Dippin Dots: Try these tiny, flash-frozen ice cream pellets! There are two spots in the park to get them.
- Snack Shack: Another snack bar with pretzels, churros, and nachos.
- Tiki Tacos: Get tasty beef or chicken tacos and chips with salsa.
- Paradise Pizza: Sells pizza, meatball sandwiches, and salads.
