UPDATE August 8 - We reported back at the beginning of July that Buccaneer Battle at Six Flags Great America is closed for the season. There has now been a rumor from Screamscape that Buccaneer Battle will be removed in the next 6-18 months with a replacement attraction potentially opening in 2024.
The proposed new attraction could be a RMC Raptor style coaster that would stretch from the Buccaneer site over the backroad to the Go-Kart site. Due to its proximity to the DC Universe area, it is expected that this rumored RMC Raptor style coaster could have a DC Comics theme rather than a custom theme. Nothing has been confirmed from Six Flags regarding this rumor but we will be sure to update you when an announcement is made.
July 10 - In the heat of the summer, it is certainly not the time for water rides to be closed at any theme park. Well, it has come to our attention that one popular water attraction is closed at Six Flags Great America.
Buccaneer Battle which opened in 2009 and is located in the Coutry Fair area of the park is now labelled as "Closed for the season" on the official website. Buccaneer Battle certainly aims to get guests very wet! Each 8-person boat has water guns to shoot at the passing boats as well as extra guns at the edge of the attraction for waiting or spectating guests to use. It is certainly a great attraction to cool off on in the hot weather.
There hasn't be any word from Six Flags Great America of the reason for this long term closure and we are unsure whether it is due to refurbishment or for cost cutting. Both seem badly thought out as Buccaneer Battle is one of the key attractions for guests during the summer months.
Although Roaring Rapids is labelled as open on the official website, a reader has commented that it is still closed and undergoing mainenance. Roaring Rapids which is the white-water river raft experience is expected to open this season and we are hoping there won't be too much longer to wait until it reopens.
Six Flags Great America is conveniently located between Chicago and Milwaukee, off I-94 and for guests looking to cool off in the summer they can visit Hurricane Harbor Chicago.
Are you disappointed to see these closures? Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.
Comments
My guess is staffing issues, if I remember correctly from past visits the ride requires a 3-4 person crew to run and I'm sure they'd rather keep those operators on coasters or the kids area flat rides.
We went on July 9, 2022 and all the water rides were closed. It was my 10 and 12 year olds first time at Great America. I was a little disappointed.
The Sky Trek Tower hasn't been open in years. And it has been at least three years since Buccaneer Bay was open. They just did the cheap overlay of the Yankee Clipper, so perhaps that is the water ride that is open this year after being closed for years.