As much as I think a new Kids Area is needed and the Go-Karts need to drive off into the sunset, is anyone else a little disappointed that we're not getting something bigger for the park's 50th Anniversary?
Rumor Project 2027 (?): New Kids Area
- Thread starter Zachary
- Start date
but hey, having a new kids area with all the kiddie rides from other areas into one area (along with possibly new ones) is at least better
We just got Rakshasa, I'm happy with that tbh as long as they clean up the park and make it look great for the 50th.
I wish there was a larger coaster going in where the go karts are now (maybe a larger single rail like Wonder Woman at Magic Mountain or something similar), but I think consolidating all the kids rides to one area might give more room for other kinds of expansion. They could definitely plop something in the kids area by American Eagle (hopefully not one of those dang Zamperla nebulas). I'd love to see them redo Roaring Rapids if they insist on keeping it. Maybe expand it into the area by the Yukon kids area and build one of those newer Intamin rapids rides like Infinity Falls at SWO. I think the next coaster will either be something with a small footprint or it's going to replace something (could see this being vertical velocity because this is a dying model, or potentially Demon). As much as I'd like to see Joker go just because it's a nightmare to load I think they're going to keep it because it occupies such a slim chunk of land. They also need to put something in the Mardi Gras area and just conjoin it with DC Universe. Actually, something really cool would be a launch coaster similar to Alpenfury that starts in Mardi Gras and winds around through some of the smaller open areas. Fun to dream lol
Yes I'm aware I've ridden it lol I'm saying consolidate the kids area to where the go carts are now, maybe throw a vekoma family coaster in there and then put in another thrill coaster in one of the areas that freed up from consolidating the kids rides.
Don't know if this is a hot take or not, but I hate major CapEx investments for anniversary years. I think they're bad for customers, I think they're bad for thoosies, and I think they're bad for parks—financially, reputationally, and quality-wise.
Big anniversary years provide ample opportunities to market and capitalize upon the legacy of and improvements made to existing park facilities. During a normal off-season, drawing attention to and hence turning a profit with these types of elements and investments is FAR harder. I believe it's far better from every angle for parks to utilize that built-in opportunity rather than squander it by turning a cold shoulder to the anniversary in favor of marketing a significant Cap-Ex investment like a coaster.
There are examples of parks managing to balance these things well in the past, but I think it's difficult, unnecessary, and, given what looks to be an increasingly slow period for the industry, especially unwise to attempt right now.
Big anniversary years provide ample opportunities to market and capitalize upon the legacy of and improvements made to existing park facilities. During a normal off-season, drawing attention to and hence turning a profit with these types of elements and investments is FAR harder. I believe it's far better from every angle for parks to utilize that built-in opportunity rather than squander it by turning a cold shoulder to the anniversary in favor of marketing a significant Cap-Ex investment like a coaster.
There are examples of parks managing to balance these things well in the past, but I think it's difficult, unnecessary, and, given what looks to be an increasingly slow period for the industry, especially unwise to attempt right now.
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I’m with you. I would love to see some park for an anniversary to a tribute to the era’s.
Do retro themes to areas. Make a few snacks have “retro pricing”. Put the money of cap-ex for a ride into cleaning, repainting, things like that.
My novel idea for a park would be to have the ride open the year after the anniversary and use that celebration year to highlight it going in for the advancement of the next era.
Did Six Flags Great America announce anything today? I checked the website and social media pages and did not see any updates... 
Really... the 7-31-25 teaser was for the MVP pass? 
. Just saw it on FB
Oh well. Hopefully we get a 2026 ride announcement in August
. Just saw it on FBOh well. Hopefully we get a 2026 ride announcement in August
I was starting to think this is one of the 2026 projects that was cut, but I guess announcements are just going to be late this year.
From a post about the Sunday SFGAm Junkies Picnic on /r/sixflagsgreatamerica:
"The park gave out their massive Wrath vinyl banners that hung around the park while it was being built to junkie members.
They also gave everyone a preview of the new 2026 kids area, where it is going, and what rides will be included. They didnt show the theming though.
They also shared some of the plans for the parks 50th and what will be all the new surprises will be at Fright fest.
The first 75 people into the picnic also got free one day flash pass."
Source:
Direct Link to Embedded Media Source
From a post about the Sunday SFGAm Junkies Picnic on /r/sixflagsgreatamerica:
"The park gave out their massive Wrath vinyl banners that hung around the park while it was being built to junkie members.
They also gave everyone a preview of the new 2026 kids area, where it is going, and what rides will be included. They didnt show the theming though.
They also shared some of the plans for the parks 50th and what will be all the new surprises will be at Fright fest.
The first 75 people into the picnic also got free one day flash pass."
Source:
Direct Link to Embedded Media Source
Did any of the folks at the picnic give any details about the new kids' area?
Screamscape is reporting that his sources are saying the New Kids' Area is delayed to 2027, but that would be really disappointing for the park's 50th anniversary if true.
50th Anniversary mess up spoil by merge wtf!!!
I think a delay would be good here.
The park just got major cap-ex this year and has an anniversary to market with nostalgia for families next year. Save the cap-ex for an otherwise dry year. It will be more valuable in '27 than in '26.
The park just got major cap-ex this year and has an anniversary to market with nostalgia for families next year. Save the cap-ex for an otherwise dry year. It will be more valuable in '27 than in '26.
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I'm OK with taking an off year after a new coaster ... but this serves a completely different demographic. Not to mention, this park's kiddie rides are generic and well below their average offerings, even for a legacy Six Flags park.
Even if they refurbed a few of the Camp Cartoon flats and the Roller Skater they already had, it would still be an upgrade.
What happened to the rumor that they'd be getting the play structure from Cedar Point's Forbidden Frontier? Surely that can't cost much to move, if it's still in good shape.
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I get that, but major anniversary years, when done well, already normally cater to a more family-accessible-oriented demographic and doubling up on a single season like that almost certainly results in diminished returns for each. I'd rather see a robust 50th celebration to draw crowds in '26 and then a family-focused Cap-Ex investment for '27. Otherwise each sorta steals some of the other's thunder in my opinion.
I feel like there should be a middle ground, and SF unfortunately missed it.
Personally I would love to see parks celebrate a big milestone with an area redesign (even if it keeps a similar theme), major work on a parks historic ride, and a new ride with a historic name. It’s nothing major to take away from the celebration but its more than relying on that along as the selling point to come.
Banners for the 50th anniversary are up in the park.
