The Forgotten Six Flags Park: Great Escape (Queensbury, NY)

[@CozmoNurse]

I road the Comet every summer from age 10 to age 21. It was a HUGE part of my childhood. I'm so glad it survived. It is still the BEST wooden coaster I ever rode, and I'm 60 years old now.

[@wacobob56dad]

The Comet is an old school classic in company with the Coney Island Cyclone and Knoebles Phoenix.

[@analogstickler]

The idea that this park is more popular with locals than tourists is pretty accurate. Great Escape puts a lot of emphasis on Season Passes and memberships, and always have deals where they are dirt cheap. Getting them through the right means, I can visit the park ONCE in a season and the pass was paid for. So if I was bored one day, I could just go and do whatever. It's surprisingly relaxing for an amusement park. Bobsled is the must do cause for those who only visit once a year, it's pretty hard to get on it. Because of the dangers of a free track ride, it's only open early afternoon to early evening and there can't be ANY rain. I think this park is great for young kids to experience their first roller coasters. It's very memorable when you're that young. My dad and I both had the Steamin' Demon as our first upside roller coaster when we were kids and that was nice to share.

[@falloutfan6649]

I think Great Escape is Six Flags’ Michigan’s Adventure. They don’t need to make major investments because the people in the area that will come to the park will still come even if nothing new opens. Plus it’s close enough to another Six Flags park that they won’t wanna take away from that. Just like how Cedar Fair doesn’t make huge investments into Michigan’s Adventure because they don’t wanna take away from Cedar Point

[@falloutfan6649]

@WaterishDog Kings Island is a solid 3 hours away from Cedar Point and they’re in 2 different metropolitan areas. They invest in Kings Island because they know it won’t draw people away from Cedar Point. But part of Cedar Point’s clientele is Detroit. Heavily investing in Michigan’s Adventure could take people from Detroit away from Cedar Point and they don’t want that

[@grobble8954]

@@falloutfan6649 MIA gets no investment b/c it produces little revenue & Cedar Fair will not see the proper ROI they want by putting money into it. The talk about pulling from Cedar Point is nonsensical, it's just pure finances. MIA is a small locals park & spending big & getting poor ROIC isn't going to change that. Cedar Fair can get far better ROIC & have from investing in Wonderland, Carowinds, etc..beyond Cedar Point, Knotts, & KI(the big 3). Cedar fair did market studies after the KD I-305 debacle. That has guided Capex since thus that KD has gotten less, Wonderland & Carowinds have gotten multi phased development plans that are eventually designed to make them multi day parks with lodging. Wonderland hotel is on indefinite hold b/c of Covid, closing the park all of 2020 & till July 2021. They are having to extend passes originally for 2020 thru Labor Day 2022 making them miss out on a lot of pass & all season product renewal revenue

[@coasterhockygamingboy9549]

Chris should do a park battle between Great Escape and Michigan's Adventure.

[@littlemisslizilon]

It’s so funny to hear someone else say this bc Michigan’s Adventure & Great Escape are the two parks I grew up going to as a kid and they always felt SO similar to me. I didn’t realize until I was an adult & went to some bigger parks that they’re both pretty tiny compared to their sibling parks.

[@Henacii]

Exactly. I love my hometown park

[@LeighPhillips78]

My home park, my hometown. I have amazing memories of this place, back from when it was 'The Great Escape' sans Six Flags. The park has character and charm from its past, but still retains the thrills coaster junkies are looking for. I actually stumbled on this video after dreaming I was on the Rainbow Ride! Hopefully, I can visit the new, updated park the next time I visit family. It's been on my recent bucket list. ❤️ Great Escape Six Flags Lake George, NY!

[@RafisOasis]

I also grew up near great escape and it was my home park for a while but I live closer to new england now and I haven’t been able to get back to my roots in amusement parks

[@gregorybosford5117]

I still live here and the park is how it always will be

[@PaulyC8879]

We went there in the early 80s when I was young and I still have good memories of the trip. We went in 2010 and it was a rush of nostalgia; Definitely a fun park.

[@someguyontheinternet872]

This is a great video! I’m glad to see my home park getting a quality video from a quality channel. You highlighted a lot of great points: staff shortages, ride closures, clones galore. There’s a lot of potential for the Great Escape and I’m still blown away from another one of your videos detailing how GE is the largest plot of land out of the Six Flags parks. The Great Escape Lodge across the street is actually great and I’m happy you mentioned it! Rest in peace Nightmare. Next to the log flume entrance, you’ll see the entrance to this defunct indoor dark coaster, likely blocked off by some trash cans.

[@AirtimeThrills]

I saw that, it would be such an asset to the park if it was still there

[@shaelan]

@@AirtimeThrills I just found your channel a day or so ago. I rode the dark coaster when it first opened and every year at least once a year until it closed. It was an asset and my favorite ride in the park,. I live about 75 miles up I-87 from the park. It's a shame they closed it. Nightmare at Crack Axle Canyon was just simple, it was just a simple two seater car inside a dark warehouse with red tracer lights and a little fog (when it worked), reminded me almost of a go cart car. But it was a big deal when it was open. We'd wait hours unless we ran up to Ghost Town and got on first thing in the morning. I'm glad you made it up this way. I just wish Six Flags realized the history of the park that they have. They've neglected it so badly since I was a kid. Also, I whole heartedly agree with the buzz bars on The Comet, but I don't know if they'll ever spend the money to revamp it. I think the staff knows what a treasure they have in that roller coaster and take exceptional care of it.

[@kyler9996]

Same here

[@amandapratt1851]

I loved the nightmare! There was a rumor that they closed this coaster because too many people were getting hurt on it, but I don't think it's true

[@Crazycartoonist8679]

Yeah

[@charleysmusic6596]

I've been going to this park since I was a kid and it was called "Storytown USA." I have experienced it as it has grown. Hence the weird set up of the park. I remember the summer that Steamin' Demon came to the park. It was my first rollercoaster! As an 11 year old kid, it was awesome and it will always hold a special place in my heart. The Great Escape is also the first theme park my kids went to and an annual summer fun spot. There aren't many attractions for locals in the Adirondacks like this. We drove one and a half hours from Essex, NY for a day at that "little park." It might not be one of the best or biggest around, but it was our park. The only one we had within a reasonable drive and didn't break the bank. Criticize it all you want, but I have, for 40 years, loved that place and always will.

[@coreyzachrj]

I work at this park! Wish we could get more attention from the higher-ups. There's not a lot we can do to be honest, though. The park started off as a tiny, locally-owned theme park and management has attempted to keep the storybook theming/tiny-park feeling- sort of. Plus, there's height restrictions around the park from 200' down to 135' limit, and a lot of the land owned by the park is protected wetland. Still, it's a lot of fun- moving onto my 10th season next year! Fun Fact: We have the only SkyCoaster with a 50' freefall before the swing

[@hedgehogcoasters7239]

Is the 50ft freefall higher than freefalls on other sky coasters?

[@coreyzachrj]

@@hedgehogcoasters7239 As far as I've been told, we're the only one because of something that happened during the construction of the towers. Where all the others are just a giant swing, on ours when you pull that ripcord, you fall straight down 50 ft. until the wires "catch" you, and THEN you swing like normal.

[@marilynrosemesiacastillo3218]

@@coreyzachrj Are you still working there? Could you tell me a little about the swimming pools and the work of the lifeguard if you know something? I am a J1 student

[@MWorsa]

How is it working there, would be interested. 🙂

[@coreyzachrj]

@@MWorsa I can only speak from the perspective of the Rides and Admissions/Guest Relations departments, but some key points: •Yes, there are some really insufferable guests that you WILL have to deal with •The positive interactions you have with the good guests and the fun you have with operating and friends you make from coworkers more than makes up for it •The hours are standard/on the longer side on average with standard/slightly below standard hourly pay •It’s amazing meeting international students from around the world •You continue to learn so much extra stuff after starting, whether it’s the business side, engineering/mechanical side, or just the operational side •Working outside is so much nicer for happiness and mental health than being trapped indoors (mostly) Does it still have a number of downsides? Yes. That being said, there’s not much I would trade my time working here for, although I will admit it’s not for everyone.

[@pureawkwardness415]

"It runs great compared to other coasters that were newer and not relocated" *shows Roar* THE SHADE 👏

[@thequackenscoasterchannel2927]

Roar is a pile of crap. I'd like to phone a friend to RMC and help fix that ride

[@RY30DM]

@@thequackenscoasterchannel2927 They’re going to retrack it for next year.

[@pcfllms]

@@thequackenscoasterchannel2927 RMC did in fact pitch a design and price after being asked but SFA didn’t want to pay because it was too expensive lol

[@kennorcott7074]

The staffing issues were so bad that they were begging SFNE employees like me to go out and work there for a pretty good bonus.

[@wrestlingandamusementparkl7789]

Wow that’s insane

[@frenchy1224]

Omg. I worked with the jump team from SFNE opening weekend on Comet lol Staffing was wildin the whole season at Great Escape

[@hino2611]

woah

[@hino2611]

A few times when I was at the great escape, there were signs saying "National six flags hiring week"

[@kendallbedford2523]

Well if nothing new comes to the park it can get pretty boring

[@JuzNyc]

Great Escape was my first Six Flags and first amusement park. I still remember the long drive up from NYC with my family when I was 7. This was before we knew about Great Adventure and going up state seemed like the greatest thing ever. I haven't ever been back but I look back at it with nostalgia.

[@jac_238]

I’m a little surprised you lived in the city and didn’t know about Great Adventure, I’ve lived in the Hudson Valley all my life and I always saw Great Adventure commercials on TV as a kid, especially around the time Kinda Ka and El Toro opened up

[@zyx7478]

I live in upstate NY. I truly enjoy going here with my wife and son, we go at least once a week

[@paulozogamingandsirens4860]

It is mainly a family tradition to go to the great escape every week during the summer's I've been there. When covid hit in 2020 if felt upset that I was not going to the great escape. But in 2021 it was a wierd experience from the virus in all. Love the comet and the steami'n demon. My mom went there when story town was there, But all I can say is that the great escape is the only six flags park and theme park I've been to. It is a blessing to have great escape near me and my family.

[@josh726nyy]

The Great Escape has been my home park for my entire life. It’s a love/hate relationship due to the fact that this park literally introduced me roller coasters but the selection is sooooo lackluster. Lake George is a major tourist destination and it’s 5 minutes away, so that’s the reason they only do maintenance and never truly invest in new roller coasters. During normal operations, the park gets so busy it’s almost unbearable in the summer. Everyone packs the water park to the seams and all the major rides will have long waits due to slow operations (not Covid related). The resort is the main draw because tourist families will stay over there and make a weekend between that and the theme park. Locals are left with a park that the chain uses as an easy cash cow with minimal investment. I’m sure you saw all the land out there behind the desperado plunge and canyon blaster. They could build a world class terrain coaster out there and actually become a theme park destination, but they are content with what they have. A mediocre theme park sitting on a premium piece of real estate luring families away from the nearby tourist destination. I still hope for that terrain coaster (there’s height restrictions due to local zoning, Outlaw was almost cancelled). But I see no reason for them to change what they’ve been doing for 30 years.

[@insert_rad_username_here]

i'm going to Lake George this week :'D

[@athing8523]

We finally get a new coaster after 21 years and it's essentially a wooden canyon blaster. (The last coaster put in the park) REPLACING the alpine bobsled. Like wtf six flags. I can understand getting rid of alpine bobsled but replacing it with a family coaster is so rude 😭😭

[@brandontylerproductions2202]

Great escape just holds lots of summer memories! Going to lake George, and six flags is a tradition of ours. I hope they add more coasters, the park has so much potential!!!

[@benjaminc.5862]

The Great Escape was my childhood. I've live on MA my whole life with SFNE as my home park, but my grandpa lives just about a 10 minute walk from the Great Escape so it was always the amusement park I would go to. The Steamin Demon was my first big looping coaster, and it just has a lot of memories for me. It's overlooked and not really on anyone's map but It will always have a special place in my heart

[@simonw1523]

I went back in 2016 with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. La Ronde is my home park, and I struck up a conversation with a father and son from upstate NY while waiting in line for Goliath, and they had said Great Escape wouldn't be worth the drive. Couple that with a local calling it "The Great Mistake" when we stopped to ask for directions during the day trip, and I wasn't expecting much. Comet was a gem back then with loads of airtime, by far my favorite ride in the park. Managed to get on Alpine Bobsled, though it did break down briefly while I was in line, but it was a unique and fun experience. Enjoyed some of the flat rides, too. Extreme Supernova was fun and I prefer the ride experience over the giant Discovery model. Small detail, but theming a S&S combo Drop Tower to Sasquatch does add something to the sound of the operation of the compressed air system. The Great Escape has its own special charm. Was worth the drive IMHO. Comet alone was worth the drive!

[@amandapratt1851]

The sasquatch tower ride is actually the batman tower ride relocated from six flags new Orleans after Katrina devastated the park. Due to its height, it was the only ride they could salvage. Also, the area surrounding this park is loaded with other entertainment factors like outlet shopping, arcades, jet skiing and paragliding, so they don't make huge investments on a constant basis. As for the comet, it has a smooth track now but I used to go to this park every season for years and I can tell you that final turn on the double back was a killer!!! It Gave me whiplash every time! FINALLY, last year they fixed it after almost 30 years of going to this park and punishing myself with the comet! Thats how much I love that coaster!!! Also--- Martha's creamee across the street from the park has the BEST creamees (which is northeastern speak for ice cream) in the entire state of NY!!!!!!

[@spunkyb5249]

The best way to describe this place is that it was a mom 'n pop kiddie park in the 50s with a nursery rhyme storybook theme, taken over by Six Flags who put some hand me down adult rides in. Don't expect much, but it's still a fun day in a beautiful forest setting.

[@mmocken]

So many smaller parks have disappeared, I am so glad Great Escape is around. Great review

[@al0742]

I come here every Canadian Thanksgiving (I'm Canadian) and it's a very pleasant park. Since I always come in October, they have the fright fest and they do it pretty well actually. I'm surprised you didn't get any airtime on Comet since I've always gotten but yeah, it could definitely use buzz bars instead.

[@AirtimeThrills]

Apparently it used to have better airtime but not anymore

[@frenchfrey65]

ATT is a channel that will never worry about getting dislikes.

[@StamfordBridge]

Yeah. Currently 138 likes and 0 dislikes. Not many channels regularly have ratios like that.

[@AirtimeThrills]

There's always that one...or two..or 9

[@thequackenscoasterchannel2927]

@@StamfordBridge one exception is okaycoasters, for good reason. His last video nearly 3 months ago has 400 likes and 0 dislikes😳

[@StamfordBridge]

@@thequackenscoasterchannel2927 Those are amazing numbers. Even this video now has one dislike for some crazy reason. I’ve heard that eventually larger channels get some dislikes at the very least through bots, but I won’t pretend that makes any sense to me.

[@kevinammann5042]

I'm not sure if the maker of the video is aware but sasquatch at great escape was a relocated ride from six flags new Orleans. If he would have rode it it would have been a rare credit for him as it was one of the few rides to survive hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

[@saleonard79]

That’s so interesting, thanks for sharing.

[@Coyotek4]

It's tempting for me, if only because I remember riding the Bobsled slide back when it was at SFGA. Wouldn't mind experiencing that again (particularly as I'm *still* waiting for Flying Turns to reopen at Knoebels).

[@boardwalker1997]

Once that reopens, I’m going to take a camping trip there 🙂

[@sadiewoods3853]

I rode flying turns in the front, it was painful. I heard back was much better, so get & ride there

[@Angel-kv3ht]

i appreciate the review but this park is definitely more for making memories, not pushing limits haha. this park in particular has restrictions on how high they can build, etc. so thats good to keep in mind. upstate NY is more family, less thrill seeker. however i will say the boomerang is really good. far beyond canyon blaster. too bad you missed the inside coaster when it was there, that was pretty good. your comet comment surprised me, however it is an old wooden coaster, this is upstate NY not universal hahaha. heres to hoping their staff issues get better!

[@swordofseals33]

I've been going to the Great Escape since I was a toddler. I have SO many memories of the park's big Fright Fest around Halloween. It was big deal in the area up until about 2014 because they had all the coasters open for Nighttime operations and added a few new attractions for the season. It's the best park if you're on a budget and are tired of going to Enchanted Forest Water Safari every summer but like if you're downstate, you may as well go to SF New England.

[@melissanassetta9626]

I grew up going to Great Escape as we would vacation near Lake George every summer when I was younger. I actually remember before Six Flags took it over. So many great memories there with unique experiences. Once Six Flags got involved the park lost a lot of its charm. Definitely more of a family park.

[@billclay9489]

OMG the Rock n rollercoaster has survived. My childhood coaster growing up. WOW that coaster is almost 50 years old

[@amybeth323]

This is my home park and i actually love it for what it is. It is a great park for introducing younger kids to thrill rides since they are kinda tame. I like that it isn’t so big that you don’t feel like you’re missing out or have to make choices over what to do and what to skip. The staffing shortage does suck. But this year they’ve opened rides that were closed last year and closed rides that were open last year. I wish there was more variety of food choices, but it is what it is.

[@AmusementArchitect]

I have actually been here and being a bottom of the chain park it was actually really pleasant and had good atmosphere. Also, Comet is an underrated gem!

[@Geo-jj5wl]

This is my home six flags, and let me tell ya, if people say this is the worst six flags park, the others must be off the charts great. I love the GE!

[@hino2611]

I never saw comet without 2 trains, it always runs 2 trains even when the park is a ghost town. And I have been here tons of times since it is my homepark. Sometimes we even get re-rides because there isnt any sort of line.

[@ChiefScarneck]

The same day you were there, I was at Kings Island for my first time and got my 70th credit (I know, long way to go...), which was The Beast, one of my biggest bucket list coasters. Next year, I should be able to hit 100 credits, but not sure what it's going to be yet. Small parks fascinate me, despite being a low priority for someone like me right now, but I have been debating whether or not to visit it when I eventually do my New England trip. Adirondack Outlaw looks really intense and might be my biggest reason to go, in all honesty.

[@UnlikelyHiker]

This park is basically in my backyard, but after I started using membership passes I changed my home park to 6FNE. I have fond memories of this park when it was called “Storytown”. I even still have a map from it. It’s sad that it’s forgotten. Upstate Ny is not very population dense but we do get a lot of tourists from Montreal. We keep wishing they will add a coaster. Comet is definitely the best ride. Steamin Demon kinda sucks. I stopped riding it a decade ago lol. It’s good for the water park. That’s about it.

[@ashleywilliams2523]

OMG!! That's me attending comet at time stamp 3:11 rubbing my eye LOL

[@zoegagnon3918]

I'm from a nearby state. Been there twice. I'll never forget for our 8th grade field trip the teacher accidentally bought tickets for a different six flags and as we were going in early April the park was not open for the season yet. They allowed us to go to the indoor water park instead. Which was okay. Some cool water slides and a surf simulator. But wasn't what we kids were hoping for.

[@aztrosistfan]

I remember going to the lodge with my family when I was very young. It was during the fright fest, and all I can really remember was being terrified of the scare actors and crying on the alpine bobsled. Overall I like the more rustic feel that the other six flags parks don't really have and also the ferry tale theming is cool.

[@bulbies3010]

This is my home park. I really dont go there anymore, but this video is making me want to go ride those rides for nostalgia. Hope you enjoyed your time there!

[@rymosey174]

This was my childhood home park, thank you for giving it the time of day!

[@fallonfish190]

I used to visit every summer with my family as a kid, so this park has a special place in my heart :) Alpine Bobsled has always been an on-and-off ride, not sure how much has changed but seeing it open was a rarity. The kids area actually used to be Looney Tunes themed! And I believe there was a Wiggles area too, by Bobsled.

[@dsmoove1736]

My family and I have visited this park twice. We stayed at the resort because you get more bang for your buck. If you go during park season you get the amusement park as an add on to the resort. 2 for 1. The park is really small but for my kids it was definitely worth it. One time we went it rained so we spent one day in the indoor water park. The next day we spent in the amusement park. Win, win in my book. Great Escape isn’t going to win any awards but it was simple fun for my family and I.

[@stephentuday651]

This is one of the few SF parks I have yet to visit, and I really want to see it! The park looked amazing in the video even if the thrills are not as big. I have learned its not always all about the coasters but the other things like scenery and aesthetics. And I believe the reason the name "Go Fast Pass" is used there is because the Flash is a DC character / property and the SF chain does not have the licensing rights to them at non "Six Flags" parks, similar to Frontier City and La Ronde. Great video!

[@justinmaybach6388]

Here is what I’ll say about Great Escape. Having lived near Darien Lake and going to that park for years I was always curious what Great Escape was like but never got there until a couple of years ago. I had been on a family vacation to Lake George and got to experience the indoor water park but never walked through the actual theme park. To me, it felt like some of smaller parks I had been to in Western New York and Southern Ontario such as Fantasy Island, Seabreeze and Marineland based on the rides they have. I was unable to get a ride on Alpine Bobsled and Adirondack Outlaw hadn’t even been announced to the public yet but otherwise I think I rode every ride and coaster that I wanted to ride while I was there in just a few hours. My friend and I even managed to beat the rain since it started pouring right as we left the park. As far as the most notable coaster goes, Comet was actually in storage for a few years at Fantasy Island in between operation at Crystal Beach and Great Escape. Fantasy Island actually built Silver Comet, which you rode a few years ago, in an effort to pay homage to the original coaster that operated just across the Niagara River. Even though Comet originally opened in 1948, it technically began as the Crystal Beach Cyclone in 1927. Won’t go too much into detail but I’d recommend you look up the history of that coaster because it was intense enough to the point where a nurse was needed in the station. I believe there was wood and steel from that coaster utilized in the process of constructing Comet and the rest is history. Overall, I believe you picked the best possible coaster to have at 500 on your credit list based on where you were on your trip at the time. I’d agree with you that this is a park that’s only worth visiting once to see what it is. There’s a lot to do at Lake George in the summer so unless you live in the area I imagine this gets ignored by local residents who have already had enough of the park. Really enjoy watching your recap videos and can’t wait to see what else you do. Also, you didn’t miss out on anything with Flashback. It’s just another basic Vekoma Boomerang model and it didn’t have the new train when I was at the park.

[@Blast2224]

I remember going to this park from 1996-2000 because my parents owned a vacation home in Bolton Landing. We also used to stay at the Sagamore Hotel. By the time I was 48 inches at age 8, and tall enough to ride most of the coasters I wanted to, we’d sold the house and instead shifted to going to Dorney, as we lived in NJ and it was closest. I really wanted to ride Nightmare at Crackaxle Canyon. The TORNADO dark ride was also a classic creepy ride.

[@AirtimeThrills]

I really wish they still had the Nightmare at Crackaxle Canyon. Would have been a great asset to the lineup

[@Davice0512]

@@AirtimeThrills Tornado was great but they ripped it out to but in canyon Blaster. Back when you had Nightmare and Tornado it was nice to be in that part of the park becuase you could cool off on indoor rides pretty easily.

[@mikerossi3137]

I worked there 2003-2004. I was an EMT as well as a certified ride operator. Had a lot of fun working there as well as great employee discount. Miss those times but will never forget.

[@joshuaschertzer7133]

Yay i’m glad this video finally dropped. I work here, however I was stuck in Timber Town the day you came…. Just know all of us enthusiast employees were going a little crazy once word got around you were in that park that day

[@kyleantonini]

I had a pleasantly surprising visit here in 2017, and despite the lack of major thrills, I was impressed because it's the only Six Flags park I had visited in about 20 years (other than Great Adventure, my home park, which I've had many many chances to attend) that was actually operating every roller coaster at the time of attendance. Of course, the world has changed in the last 5 years, but it's nice to show up to a place and have everything working again.

[@thisoldcub100]

I had a great time there, but it was a LONG time ago. I also remember Comet as having tons of air.

[@TheCycloneHunter]

2:10 So is nobody gonna talk about how high the guy in the blue shirt’s lap bar is? It doesn’t even look like it’s touching him

[@paulozogamingandsirens4860]

OMFG

[@rebeccaschmitt9685]

2:12 that’s me lol, im the ride operator standing there. i like this video, you went very much into detail about the park, and i wish we had more to offer to you. thank you for coming!! p.s - i apologize for canyon blasters line, it’s stressful and tiring to get through

[@austinharrison3806]

The Great Escape is worth going to as a park as part of a weekend attraction. Although it lacks the attractions as New England or Great Adventure, there is much more to do in the area which might be Great Escape greatest advantage. My parents live up there and since I have Great Adventure passe, I go for a couple of hours and ride the rides. Going there in peak fall is also a treat as the views from some the bigger rides give amazing views.

[@llljb.l]

I visited lake George over 8 times before realizing there was a six flags park there 😂

[@kiaraunderfell]

I went to this park all of the time as a child, it will never be forgotten to me

[@Glibzer]

i like how its "forgotten." it has charm and isnt just a same ole same ole

[@kristinhotaling5132]

SFGE was the park I grew up in (despite not being anywhere near it). My first roller coaster was The Comet, as my family would gather for a week at Lake George every summer, and to see it suffering the way it is, is heartbreaking to say the least.

[@robertsmithshobbyproductions]

Comet was made out of supports and track from a Hary. G Traver Cyclone Safety Coaster, which was a disaster, and it was said to be so painful, that a registered nurse was stationed on the ride

[@sredmond916]

The Great Escape has been my home park for my whole and i’ve seen the park grow for years, the park is definitely due for a new coaster, but other than coaster, this park is charming with its aesthetics, and the lodge would be great for Sophie! ADK outlaw was a great edition but the park is due for something bigger. Overall, this park is definitely family-friendly and SFNE is definitely better, but you shouldn’t skip The Great Escape. it is an underrated gem in the Six Flags chain!

[@Mxyz]

I grew up going to great escape every year because where my dad worked had their company picnic there. Loved going there. Great video.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Comet has run noticeably slower in the past 3 years than it used to. Prior to 2019, all my rides had airtime on pretty much every hill. In 2019, the blue train ran a little worse than normal but the red train had barely any air. In 2021, both trains ran weaker than usual. While the ride is still smooth, it is running as a shell of its former self right now.

[@AirtimeThrills]

Dang, too bad i missed its prime

[@KIorio809]

Yeah I rode this thing for the first time in a long time this year. No airtime anywhere. That wasn't the case back in the early aughts. It used to have great airtime everywhere. Very strange. It must be the trains dragging. Doesn't even seem it was brakes.

[@swegs1]

Wont ever been forgotten to me. This place was my childhood.

[@ZontarDow]

Ednor was stored here for a few years too and was intended to open, but was later moved to La Ronde instead to replace our tea cups ride. I can't say I don't understand why, but I feel a park as small as Great Escape should have had it while La Ronde get something new instead but it is what it is. Given the current situation you didn't get a typical visit and I can tell you that in normal times there are a lot of us French Canadians down there because from Montreal it's a day trip or a good first day stop on a week long road trip, so much so that Six Flags advertises the hell out of the season pass platinum tier allowing admission to Great Escape and New England, and Great Escape gets ads for both the park and resort year round because it's a popular place to go in winter for a weekend of skiing with the indoor water park being a good bonus. I personally quite enjoy the park as a small local park that I like to view as a free addition to my Six Flags pass rather then a regional park in its own right, since it's perfectly located to fill the gap during a trip around New England that allows for constant stops without the need to backtrack on the way home. Not the type of park someone from more then a daytrip distance drive should stop to unless it's a real road trip, but for my type of trips it's a good way to fill the gap when going down to new york.

[@carsonmasoncole1840]

I always wondered where they would have put Ednor.

[@mattdubrey]

As a kid, I preferred Great Escape to Riverside (SFNE). I grew up in this area, and as kids, we would literally go to this park 4-5 times a summer between the ages of 7-12 or so. We spent so much time here. It was the "Great Escape" to me, but my older brother remembered when it was still Story Town USA. I remember when the Steamin' Demon was new (and was always disappointing, because the ride was just so damn short, and you had to wait forever for it). I miss/loved a lot of the more standard rides, like the Rotor, the Sea Dragon, the Rainbow, the Octopus... I think the only rides still here from my childhood are like, Desparado Plunge, Steamin Demon, Cannonball Express (though they don't blast the tunes like they used to), and a kids ride like Convoy. I guess Raging River counts as well. Anyway, - When I Was a teenager, I went to Six Flags New England (then known as Riverside Park) - And it was so hyped up to me, and I remember being so thoroughly disappointed. I haven't been back, but in the late 80's when I went, the park (Riverside) was soooo ugly, and hot compared to Great Escape. There was like no scenery, green spaces or decent shade. I have no idea what it's like now, but other than riding the Cyclone, I don't really have any memories of the place other than how I didn't really enjoy my time there, I much preferred Great Escape. Now that I am older and have kids, we've only been to the Great Escape once (though we've done the water lodge several times) - However, with the new Bobcat opening up, I think it may be time for another trip. Maybe, just maybe, I'll give SFNE another try at some point too.

[@NotAJosh]

My home park is Darien lake , but whenever we went to the Adirondacks we would visit GE using our season pass. It was always a fun small park, and where I rode my first coaster as a kid

[@MikeGetsLost]

I live 4 hours away, but Steamin' Demon was my first steel coaster as a child.

[@Empire__Ants]

Great Escape is legendary

[@hino2611]

Its better than magic mountain

[@dano1307]

Im so glad I found this video. I am a contractor doing a door at the great escape and I forgot which color it was supposed to be on the Chicken Chalet. You just happened to have a clip of it on the perfect day when they were short staffed so the doors were closed! lol!

[@hyabusa1]

I absolutely LOVED this place as a kid, I need to go again when I come back to NY!

[@carsonmasoncole1840]

For what I heard it’s been running slower over the years. Used to be a bigger deal back then. It was 4th in the original golden ticket poll

[@Persephonova]

This is my home park! It’s very neglected by six flags but it’s very sentimental to me, I’ve been going with my family since I was a kid, the Comet was my very first coaster! It may not have the biggest and best rides but I think the park has a lot of heart and some nice history with the story town theming 💕

[@StamfordBridge]

I live in NYC and Great Escape is still nearly four hours away. I once did it as a day trip and it felt like quite an effort getting there and back.

[@AirtimeThrills]

I imagine getting anywhere from NYC is a challenge (from my experience)

[@StamfordBridge]

@@AirtimeThrills Yeah, driving into and out of NYC can feel pretty hectic. On the other hand, getting around inside NYC is much easier than it is in most U.S. cities because of the subway. And the city’s very walkable, unlike L.A., where we both grew up (if you consider Valencia to be greater L.A.).

[@hedgehogcoasters7239]

@@StamfordBridge I live in Albany, and for me to visit NYC it takes 2.5 hours on a perfect day. To drive five hours in one day just to spend 8 hours in the city was excessive, so now we just stay for the night/weekend. I love the great escape, but I'd recommend just staying at a hotel for the night. To drive 8 hours in one day to spend less time at the park than time spent driving is hectic and wasteful. Plus lake George is a great area with lots to do and explore

[@YurtFerguson]

Last place me and my family all went to before my mother's passing in 97-98 Comet has the privilege of being my first roller coaster ever and the ride photo showing my utter terror is solidified in our family album.

[@Trentin_Halp]

Been to this park multiple times. It is a good park when they have staffing and they do a great job during fright fest/holiday in the park. Out of the many times I’ve been there the bobsled is never open. You sir are very lucky. I’d considered that a good day.

[@bethd.6670]

Loooove the Comet. I have found that sitting in the middle actually gets you some airtime. Bobsled is almost never open, I've only been able to go on it once. I loved it! Steamin' Deamon was the first coaster I went on that goes upside down (8th grade class trip), but when I went on it last year, well... being a larger woman, the restraints basically gave me a mammogram. I remember visiting before it was a Six Flags and remember it being a very charming park. Now, it just feels weird. instead of investing some money into updating/refreshing the park (hello, peeling paint on the little castle!) it feels like a strange mashup of a charming local park and a Six Flags. But I do enjoy it, especially since it is the closest park to me. And yes, the gift shops are terrible. A lot of generic merch. I think the only thing I've gotten there was a magnet. I'm glad that it is here, I just wish it was shown a little more love by the powers that be.

[@MsYugioh20]

I've been coming to this park since I was a little kid and before six flags bought it. Comet was my very first roller coaster. I was like 9 or 10 when I was finally tall enough to ride it. I've been on all their coasters at least once and it's still a good time even now almost 30 years later

[@maxpowr90]

It's more of a "family park" akin to Canobie Lake that got snagged up by Six Flags. Not surprised the park has been neglected either; as you saw, it's in the middle of nowhere.

[@DaanBruins]

I love indoor water parks more than outdoor water parks, because they usually have heated water.

[@MrBdobb]

It's good to see that Great Escape is now getting a Gravity Group coaster.

[@kyler9996]

This park is childhood for me. I went there when I was 2-3 and got season passes when I was 10 and we went nearly every weekend. I went on every single ride even the kiddie ones. Every one besides the flashback and bobsled. Flashback too scared, bobsled never open. And also that new one. There is a part of the park you've missed and would've enjoyed

[@призрак999]

Bro , great video! I really like how you just get to the point. You are fast but still annunciate well. I am heading down that way in a few weeks and am super psyched now! Hope this environment is better than darken even if the coasters are not. Cheers man 👍

[@sampalmer4434]

Great Escape is my home park, and I was a ride op there in the summer of 2021. They are having major staffing issues resulting in rides like supernova, bobsleds, or flashback being closed a lot of the time, or even the drop tower for Sasquatch. It’s cool to see my home park in a video like this, and although the ride collection isn’t anything to gawk at, the locals are crazy about this park. I go a lot during the summers, especially for ADK Outlaw since it’s a pretty fun addition to the park.

[@sixflagsgreatescapedance]

I love the Great Escape. Maybe its forgotten, but I feel if Six Flags pay's a little more attention to it, it may be a great park. There really is more historical factors to the Great Escape as before it was open as a Six Flags park it was Storytown, a place with just houses made by someone who lived in a house a few minutes down. I think the size of the Park is great. It's also kind of cool that they we're all shipped in. I just think that it would be so interesting to ride the same ride, in two different locations. I think of Six Flags Great Escape to be a simple park most days, great for familys and you can easily spend 6+ hours there. The raging river, cars, deperado plunge, are all great that weren't mentioned in this video. The sky ride is a great calming ride aswell. I would hope for another roller coaster soon, which they may add something maybe this season. They took/taking down the Ferris wheel, by the Bobsleds incline. Very upsetting its not there anymore. Other than that its a great park. Fright fest is ok there. Small number of creatures just means you have more of a targetable chance from them. All the workers there are very freindly.

[@nancylynch2515]

I get a kick out of watching the kids still get all excited running through the little houses today just like my siblings did when it was Story Town. Going there brings back so many memories of summers past.

[@ferretmom76]

Whoa.... back when that was The Rock-N-Rolleecoaster at Opryland in the 1980's that was my first ever real roller coaster. I never knew it had been relocated. I assumed it was scrapped.

[@AirtimeThrills]

Well now you get to relive it....if you want

[@Kirokishin913]

Love going to Great Escape for the day and then going just up the road to Glen Twin Drive in to catch a double feature!

[@FryGuy909]

I'm surprised that you got no airtime on comet. I always get ejector

[@LightningEthan]

I've gone to this park every single summer because I live only about a half hour away from it. Its fun locally on a boring summer day, but maybe not as much for tourists. The bobsled is almost always closed, and as a matter of fact, it just got replaced by a new wooden coaster called the Bobcat.

[@Thoroden8]

The alpine bobsled closed this year

[@MidnightUmbra]

I've gone to the Great Escape all my life and I always found it a good time, though I kind of feel we and most people only go there because it's the only thing to do. I did a year of the college that's literally right behind The Great Escape. I never liked the Canyon Blaster, during the spiral part when I was a kid the force was too much and I bashed my head on the metal bar, the random teenager next to me was laughing. I also tripped on the weirdly places cement ledge, I'm always injured going near that coaster. Comet was my first "big coaster" so I have a soft spot for it. Though yall went on it after the renovation, it ran so rough and looked like it was falling apart before, you would literally be lifted out of your seat almost out. There's 0 air time because the roller coaster was dangerous otherwise. The Alpine Bobsled is always closed, always felt dangerous, always a scary experience in a bad way. It's closing down for good this year I just have a lot of random memories from this park that I feel many people from the area have as well which is what keeps the park running. The nostalgia and basically no competition, but at the same time people not from the area go there and it's just boring. Yall missed when TimberTown was Looney Toons the park had a lot more personality. This video kind of made me realize I don't really know what a true amusement park is, only small corporate ones lmao

[@coockabura8685]

As we locals call it, "The Great Mistake" My main draw there was to get a cheaper season pass than the rest of the six flags parks, but the changes they made to the season pass system will no longer allow my exploit....

[@amandavumbaco1308]

I love the great escape. We have been going here every summer for the past 20 years!

[@carsonmasoncole1840]

3:15 When at Chrystal beach it originally had buzz bars and during its construction it was on site but they were two damaged to run so they got new trains. Makes me wonder what happened to them. Also remember hearing about they were gonna get Morgan trains but idk why they changed their minds.

[@jamesrooney1484]

The original trains are still on property in bad shape sitting on the ground

[@carsonmasoncole1840]

@@jamesrooney1484 for some reason I was thinking they were under the station of comet I notice that there’s a garage door under there. Though that’s we’re the new trains go now. I kinda thought they were both down there.

[@Michaelsdevelopment]

airtime thrills they are taking down the bobsled and making it into the bobcat

[@DemonAngels7]

Definitely will be hitting up this park at some point in the future great video man keep up the great work

[@thequackenscoasterchannel2927]

I was watching my clock at 5:00 wondering when the new Airtime Thrills video was coming out then I realized I'm in the eastern time zone🤣

[@AirtimeThrills]

Its the clocks fault, im never late

[@thequackenscoasterchannel2927]

@@AirtimeThrills lol it's what I get for going to Pigeon Forge and visiting Dollywood for Smoky Mountain Christmas. Small price to pay but 6 rides on Lightning Rod makes up for it (including a few at night).

[@hyperbean4326]

I went for my senior trip. (Which a lot of the students were pushing for hershy so def not easy on expectations.) My graduating class had been to Darien Lake several years back for 8th grade. It felt like a complete downgrade. There wasn't many enjoyable rides and we got all the thrill rides done before noon. The water park was also closed which was the main thing everyone was excited for. personally I belive we should have done Darien again. However I did enjoy finding all the tiny houses and looking inside them.

[@Henacii]

Great escape is my hometown park, only live 20 mins away. Yeah it’s basic, doesn’t get upgraded, but we all love it

[@menace845]

This park is very kid friendly and a "GREAT ESCAPE" for adults who want to get away and ride some decent coasters with short lines in a beautiful background.

[@Rhythmmical]

When your newest coaster acquisition is almost 20 years old.

[@VarietyEntertainmentStudios]

I’ve heard is has a lot of charm. I’ll probably be here at some point just to try to get to every Six Flags park. Almost feels like Six Flags’ Gilroy Gardens, where they just don’t care to invest in new rides because rides almost aren’t the point. Idk. Great video as always!

[@timeforcoasters8446]

This is my home park and i feel that the reason they don’t recieve any love is because of its location in Lake George. Lake George is a tourist spot in the upstate New York area and most people will spend a day or two at the park just because of its location. There are many things that I would like to see changed, but the odds of that happening are slim to none. Although it is very unfortunate, Comet is still a decent ride and I am nearing 100 rides on it which will be a nice achievement.

[@skitraindance]

I visited the park a few years ago and was disappointed. The Lake George region has many hotels and campgrounds packed with vacationers eager to find something fun to do. SFGE could be a very happeneng place. The day I went all of the coasters were only running one set of cars so the lines were very long. I guess that was done intentionally to promote sales of their fast pass. Another interesting feature was the lack of anyplace to sit down to eat. With one exception none of the food cocessions had any seating which meant you had to eat standing up in the middle of the busy pathways. Drainage was a major issue. There was a quick thunderstorm while I was there and it flooded several of the main walkways which maintained large pools of water long after the rainn stopped. The Bobsled also closed for the day since according to a park worker, there was no effective drainage on the ride and water had to be cleared from low spots in the track manually. The other issue was the parks extremely short hours. It closes at 6:00 PM every night except Saturday when it is open to 8:00 PM. Compare to Knoebels which is located in the middle of nowhere and is open until 8:00 PM every night. Regarding staffing, I checked the jobs section of their website. There was nothing about accomodations for young people to spend their summer working and playing in the Adirondacks. They appear to be depending purely on local kids to staff the place. Lake George is a ghost town except during the summer. I doubt there are many local kids looking for a sunmmer job.

[@Sinc3r3ly]

While not my “hometown park” considering it was still a drive for me, The Great Escape was the Six Flags park I would always go to and because of that I feel like my nostalgia clouds my judgement lol. I still remember trying to make myself seem taller for the Steamin Demon, being terrified of the Desperado Plunge (cause of those creepy log cutters), and going on the Sasquatch for the first time. Not to mention the wiggles themed rides. I’m having a hard time remembering what exact kind of cars they were but I think they used to have these M&M either bumper cars or race cars which were cool. By the way, after you visit you should totally go to Martha’s that’s right next to it! It has amazing ice cream and it’s been a tradition to go there after for my family and I (make sure to get something that’s smaller than what you think you want though, they make large LARGE.)