Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois announced on November 25, 2009 that they have purchased a vintage wooden roller coaster from Kiddieland Amusement Park, The Little Dipper. The coaster operated at Kiddieland Amusement Park from 1950 until September, 2009 when the amusement park closed. The Little Dipper will retain its original name and become the 14th coaster in Six Flags Great America’s impressive line-up of roller coasters.
Kiddieland in Melrose Park, Illinois, which operated from 1929 through 2009, closed in September, 2009 after 81 seasons of family oriented fun in the Chicago area. Six Flags Great America purchased the vintage roller coaster, which helps to preserve a piece of Chicago history.
The Little Dipper roller coaster was designed by Herbert Schmeck and built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1950. The family-friendly coaster features a three story tall lift hill and is designed as a figure eight track which runs 700 feet in length. It has been honored with the ACE Coaster Classic award by the American Coaster Enthusiasts.
“The Little Dipper has been a fond family tradition for over 50 years,” said Hank Salemi, Six Flags Great America’s park president. “We wanted to preserve this important piece of Chicago history for families to experience for many more years to come.”
Six Flags Great America in Gurnee is closed for the winter season, but will reopen in the spring of 2010. Guests can create a season of memories on The Little Dipper with a 2010 Season Pass which is on sale now at sixflags.com for the low price of $64.99. Season Passes include admission to the best water park in the nation, Hurricane Harbor; as well as discount-packed value book with more than $500 dollars worth of offers including four Bring-A-Friend-Free tickets.
Six Flags Great America is a family friendly amusement park located between Chicago and Milwaukee. The entire family can enjoy the with heart-pounding roller coasters including Raging Bull, a free 15-acre water park, spectacular shows and parades, three children’s themed areas including Wiggles World and meet and greets with Six Flags’ world-famous cast of characters, including Mr. Six.
About Six Flags, Inc:
Six Flags, Inc., is a publicly-traded corporation headquartered in New York City and is the world's largest regional theme park company with 20 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
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Comments
Very sad about Kiddieland. I was hoping it would be saved at the last minute like a movie script happy ending. It's just a symbol of so much more in our society (loss of a simpler, more innocent time, etc.). Good to hear that the Little Dipper at least will live on. I hope Six Flags puts up a little historical marker at the Little Dipper's entrance in honor of Kiddieland and its legacy.
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