It’s been a hot minute since thrill seekers and roller coaster fanatics were able to head just an hour north of the city to nearby Gurnee to experience Six Flags Great America. But, despite the crippling closures to the park this season, they are still finding a way to put on a holiday experience for members and guests with the Holiday in the Park Drive Thru Experience.
Here’s what the park’s website says about the event:
“Enjoy the warmth of the holiday season from the safety of your own car! For a limited time, experience Holiday in the Park like never before. There’s no shortage of magic with 12 immersive areas of more than a million dazzling lights seasonal music favorites and even a sighting of Santa and Mrs. Claus! Don’t miss out on one of the largest holiday drive-through events in the Northeast, running Monday through Thursday evenings November 30 through December 17, beginning at 6pm.’
The best part is, admission is not limited to just Six Flag season pass holders. Though some enjoy the unlimited access every summer for rides like the Raging Bull, Superman, Batman, and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, admission tickets for the holiday lights extravaganza are available on a first come first serve basis and are only $14.99 per person. You do need a reservation, unlike a normal day at the park. As an ode to the park’s attractions, guests will be able to drive the entire park and pass their favorite rides and themed areas with holiday joy lacing the entire journey.
The Six Flags Great America Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru experience will include
- Jolly Jamboree: The journey begins in this new section for 2020 which features live entertainment, twinkling trees, and a red sky pathway;
- Holiday Heroes: Patriotic colors and projected stars signify the start of Holiday Heroes, a section home to some of the most iconic, hero-themed thrill rides. Guests cross the Metropolis-Narrows Bridge adorned with shimmering garland, and pass a dazzling and bold red, white and blue-wrapped tree.
- Holiday Memories: Traditional red, white, and green décor evokes the warm memories of the holidays in this charming section featuring a glistening tree, festive wreaths, and glowing mistletoe balls swinging gently from the trees above.
- North Pole: This section transforms into a kaleidoscope of color with Santa’s House – completely engulfed in lights – anchoring the center while two massive nutcrackers stand guard outside, and dancing lights travel around the Bumper Cars pavilion.
- Polar Point: Guests pass the 15-story Big Wheel, illuminated in lavender, to enter a world of brilliant, ice-blue trees offering the illusion of falling snow;
- A Main Street Christmas: Located in the heart of the park, this Main Street reminiscent of a colonial Christmas is home to a spectacular, five-story, LED tree and gently-falling snow;
- Gingerbread Junction: This feast for the eyes features the Carousel pavilion’s exciting light show, peppermint swirl-wrapped trees, and giant, peppermint light projections;
- Poinsettia Peak: The section is awash in bold red tones with a beautiful tree comprised of poinsettias. Poinsettia projection lights and Skull Mountain, illuminated in red, complete this area.
- Holly Jolly Christmas: Guests will feel the chill as they pass Polar Point on their way toward THE JOKER, where Holly Jolly Christmas offers traditional red and green decor and a massive Santa inflatable.
- Joy to the World: Next, the warm, yellow glow of wrapped trees frame tranquil luminaries highlighting religious holidays from around the world along the still, moonlit Great Lake. Then, guests will journey over massive snowflake light projections under dramatically illuminated trees and continue through the dazzling Twinkle Tunnel.
- Snowman City: Standing tall – extremely tall — the jolly, three-story inflatable snowman known as Stewey welcomes guests to Snowman City, punctuated by bright white lights and shimmering tinsel; and
- Deck the Halls: The journey draws to a close in the Boardwalk section as guests pass iconic roller coasters, larger-than-life illuminated presents, and twinkling, oversized tree trimmings.
The holidays are almost here! Celebrate safely with millions of twinkling lights and seasonal treats at select parks with Holiday in the Park and Holiday in the Park Lights!
#HolidayInThePark #HolidayInTheParkLights #holidays #christmas #sixflags pic.twitter.com/HhPo9CsYca
Advertisement— Six Flags (@SixFlags) November 9, 2020
Guests visiting the Six Flags Great America Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru Experience must:
- Drive SLOW – 3 mph speed limit
- If any of the windows on a vehicle is open, the occupants of the vehicles must wear a face covering when approached by Six Flags Personnel, Security, or Emergency Services.
- Participating vehicles cannot exceed their maximum occupancy and must follow motor vehicle laws.
- All vehicles and passengers in vehicles are required to follow New Jersey state driving laws, including wearing a seat belt at all times while driving through the park
- Maintain space between your car and others
- Remain in your vehicle and on a designated path at all times
- No smoking or littering
- No parking or stopping
- Restrooms are provided prior to entering the drive-thru route and at the conclusion of the route. In-Park restrooms are not available.
- All vehicles are subject to a search by Six Flags Personnel, Security, or Emergency Services.
- Due to the limited size of certain areas and terrain only cars, SUVs, vans, and pick-up trucks are permitted. No buses, RV’s, commercial vehicles, dually pick-up trucks, trailers, motorcycles etc.
- Please adhere to the direction of Six Flags Personnel, Security or Emergency Services.
- Alcohol, drugs, and illegal substances are not permitted. Individuals in possession or under the influence will be denied entry or ejected.
All in all, the entire Six Flags Great America Holiday in the Park Drive Thru Experience is another example of some of our favorite annual holiday traditions completely adapting to still entertain patrons amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s no real end in sight for when the things we know and love will be back to how we once knew them. However, knowing that activities like drive-thru holiday light shows and more are still available for us gives a small token of appreciation to the holiday season and those we get to spend them with.
Featured Image Credit: Six Flags Great America
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