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Six Flags Great America is the Chicago area's premiere amusement park. It is home to a medley of exhilarating roller coasters, rides and even a water park. It's also incredibly busy and can be very, very expensive. We spent a day at the park and figured out some great ways to make a trip there painless. Here are eight hacks to help you during your next trip to Six.
Pack your lunch and eat it in the parking lot
The food at Six Flags is expensive and pretty bad. A plate of chicken strips or a burger and fries will cost you upwards of $11. There's no point in paying that much for a less-than-mediocre meal. Instead, you should bring a cooler and pack your own lunch. Keep it in your car and dip out when your tummy starts rumbling. Be sure to get a stamp on your way out, though, otherwise you won't be allowed to re-enter.
Buy a Flash Pass and use it on the rides with the longest lines
Waiting in line is definitely the worst part about going to Six Flags. On a busy day, you'll spend most of your time in the park waiting for a ride that lasts only a few minutes. Flash Passes cost anywhere from $45 to $120. They'll let you skip a good chunk of the lines and send you almost to the front. If you want to ride Goliath, the park's best coaster, you'll have to cough up a lot of money for the Platinum Pass. We'll let you be the judge as to whether it's worth it.
Bring a poncho
It's never fun to be caught in line while a storm rolls through, but if you have a cheap poncho handy, you'll be just fine. You might need to share it with an unprepared friend, but you'll win some big brownie points for keeping them from getting soaking wet.
Wear sunscreen (and reapply)
There isn't much shade at Six Flags, and the sun can be a formidable opponent. You don't want exhilaration to come at the expense of a painful sunburn. Assuming you're wearing a shirt (please wear a shirt), you'll also be left with an awkward farmer's tan. Sunscreen is a must-have, and it's a good idea to bring a bottle with you so you don't have to pay the outrageous prices within the park.
Take Route 41 to avoid the tolls
This hack will only save you a few bucks, but it's worth it. If you're driving from the city, hop onto Route 41 and take the Washington Street exit. This will allow you to circumvent the tolls, and you'll be able to spend that extra money on a cheesy carnival game.
Bring a bag of rice
If your phone gets wet due to rain or mistakenly bringing it on a water ride, you're kind of screwed. If you bring a bag of rice, you might be able to save yourself from making a $300 mistake.
Pack Advil
Roller coasters whip your head and neck around in nearly every direction, and people are constantly screaming inches away from your ears. This can lead to a throbbing headache. Unless you've stashed some "heady medicine" in your car, you're going to need some over-the-counter painkiller to keep your day pleasant.
Have a way to secure your sunglasses
First of all, you should never bring a pair of sunglasses to an amusement park that cost more than $5. Still, you don't want to lose your eye shields. Bring some straps for your shades or a small bag to keep on the platform while you're on the rides.