Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Rockford

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Rockford (formerly known as Magic Waters) is a water park owned by the Rockford Park District and operated by Six Flags. It is located in Cherry Valley, Winnebago County, Illinois,[3][4][5] and located next to the interchange between Interstate 39/U.S. Route 51 and Interstate 90 near U.S. Route 20.[6]

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Rockford
SloganUltimate Water Park Destination
LocationCherry Valley, Illinois, U.S.
Coordinates42.246656°N 88.96271°W / 42.246656; -88.96271
OwnerRockford Park District (1988-present)
Operated bySix Flags (2019-present)
General managerHope Edwards
Opened1984 (1984)[1]
Previous namesMagic Waters (1984-2019)
Operating seasonMay through September
Area43[2] acres (17 ha)
Pools3 pools
Water slides12 water slides
WebsiteHurricane Harbor Rockford

History

Magic Waters, was built in 1984 under private ownership. Even though it was privately owned, the Rockford Park District was involved in planning. In 1986, Magic Waters private ownership filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to low attendance. Then, the property was seized by the now-defunct Amcore Bank. The Rockford Park District became involved with the park and increased park attendance by 50%. In 1988, Rockford Park District with marketing efforts by Midwest Marketing Inc, Magic Waters reached a peak attendance of 370,000.

In 1993, Splash Magic River, a lazy river ride was added to the park. In 1997, 4 years after Splash Magic River was added, Splash Magic Island, now Tiki Island was added to the park. The attraction was geared towards families.[7]

In 2000, a water coaster named Splash Blaster was added. The ride was 80 feet tall.[7] The ride cost $3 million to build.[8] It would be removed in 2015 due to 12 lawsuits against the park from back injuries.

In 2004, The Abyss, a dark tunnel tube slide 5 stories high was added to the park. The ride twists and turns multiple times before it splashes the rider into a pool of daylight.[9]

On May 23, 2009, a few years after The Abyss was added, a new water slide was announced. The ride would be called Typhoon Terror. The ride is a tube slide that is 65 foot tall and can fit 2-4 people in the tube.[10]

On May 30, 2012, Double Dare Drop, a speed slide ride was added. The name was picked after a contest in October 2011. The ride is 75 feet tall and was built by Rockford Structures Construction Co.[11]

In July 2014, a dozen lawsuits were filed against Magic Waters and the Rockford Park District due to the now removed ride Splash Blaster over back injuries. The Rockford Park District has settled the suits, totaling $2.53 million. This led the park to remove the ride on September 3, 2015.[12]

On February 15, 2017, Magic Waters announced that their AquaLoop water slide would be called Screaming Lizard. It would open the following summer. The ride features a 45 degree inclined loop.[13]

On October 9, 2018, Six Flags announced that they had reached an agreement with Rockford Park District to operate Magic Waters Waterpark starting in the spring of 2019 for 10 years.[14] Six Flags will have to pay $425,000 to the Rockford Park District annually. On August 29, 2019, Six Flags renamed Magic Waters to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Rockford, and will enforce the Hurricane Harbor name for the 2020 season. It was also announced that Tidal Wave would be added to the park as the first "tailspin" slide in the Midwest by WhiteWater West.[15]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Six Flags suspended all parks on March 13, 2020.[16] Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Rockford was expected to open mid-May, but was delayed. It was announced on July 9, 2020, along with Hurricane Harbor Chicago, that the park would reopen on July 20, 2020. [17] Tidal Wave was delayed to 2021.

In 2021, Tidal Wave soft opened to the media on May 28 and officially opened on May 29.[18] The ride is the parks' first waterpark addition under Six Flags' operation.

Slides and attractions
NameDescription OpenedHeight RequirementThrill Rating
The AbyssA dark tunnel tube slide 2004Over 42"Max
Double Dare DropA 75-foot speed slide 2012Over 48" Max
Tsunami Bay707,000 gallon wave pool 1984Moderate
Typhoon TerrorA tube slide 2009Over 48"Max
Paradise PipelinesFour story inner tube slide 1984Over 42"Max
Splash Magic RiverLazy river, formerly named Splash Magic River 1993Moderate
Tropical TwistersFive story body slide 1984Over 42"Max
WipeoutTrap-door slide, formerly named Screaming Lizard 2017Over 48"Max
Tiki IslandChildren interactive playground 1997Mild
Little LagoonWater playground for children Mild
Tidal WaveA WhiteWater West tailspin water slide, the only in the Midwest 2021Over 42"Max

Dining

Season Dining Passes are available at most restaurants. [19]

  • Beachside Funnel Cake, a funnel cake restaurant with funnel cake sundaes and root beer floats.
  • Hawaiian Hideaway, a snack bar with snacks such as pretzels and churros
  • Surfside Café, a restaurant with chicken sandwiches, Italian beef, hot dogs, chicken tenders and salads.
  • Dippin Dots, Flash-frozen ice cream pellets. There are 2 Dippin Dots in the park.
  • Snack Shack, a snack bar with pretzels, churros and nachos.
  • Tiki Tacos, beef tacos, chicken tacos and chips and salsa.
  • Paradise Pizza, sells pizza, meatball sandwiches, and salads.

See also

References
  1. "Rockford Park District to lease Magic Waters to Six Flags". Rockford Register Star. October 9, 2018. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  2. "Six Flags 2021 Annual Report" (PDF). Six Flags. March 29, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  3. "Magic Waters water park - Magic Waters waterpark in Illinois". Themeparks.about.com. 2010-06-19. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  4. "Magic Waters - Cherry Valley, Illinois". Ultimatewaterpark.com. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  5. "The Magic Waters Waterpark in Cherry Valley, Illinois". City-data.com. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  6. "Directions". Magic Waters. Rockford, Illinois: Rockford Park District. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  7. Water Technology Inc. "WTI | Magic Waters Waterpark". WTI. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  8. Rockford's #1 For New Country Q98.5. "Magic Warers Pays Millions For Injuries On Splash Blaster". Q985. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  9. "The Abyss". Magic Waters. Retrieved 2019-12-15.
  10. "Magic Waters Unveils New Ride, Typhoon Terror". 23 WIFR. 22 May 2009. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  11. Haas, Kevin (31 May 2012). "New Magic Waters slides: Take the drop, if you 'Double Dare'". rrstar.com. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  12. "Back breaking rides? WGN Investigates water park safety after lawsuits filed over injuries". WGN. September 2, 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  13. "Magic Waters Waterpark waterslide named Screaming Lizard". rrstar.com. 15 February 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  14. "Six Flags to Manage Magic Waters Waterpark". Six Flags. October 9, 2018. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  15. "New in 2020 - Tidal Wave". Six Flags. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  16. "BRIEF-Six Flags Entertainment Says Made Decision To Delay Opening Or Temporarily Suspend Operations For Certain Parks In Response To Coronavirus Outbreak". Reuters. March 13, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  17. "Hurricane Harbor Rockford to open". Rockford Register Star. July 9, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  18. "Midwest's First and Only Tailspin Waterslide Tidal Wave Makes a Splash at Hurricane Harbor Rockford". www.businesswire.com. 2021-05-28. Retrieved 2021-05-29.
  19. "All Park Restaurants". Magic Waters. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
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