Six Flags Hurricane Harbor vs Great Wolf Lodge Gurnee
A side-by-side look at two water parks — rides, prices, amenities, and which one fits your trip.
Which Park Is Right for You?
Quick verdicts based on what each park offers.
Amenities Compared
What each park offers, side by side.
| Feature | Six Flags Hurricane Harbor | Great Wolf Lodge Gurnee |
|---|---|---|
| Wave Pool | ||
| Lazy River | ||
| Water Slides | ||
| Kiddie Area | ||
| Tube Rentals | ||
| Surfing Simulator | ||
| Cabanas | ||
| Food & Dining | ||
| Gift Shop | ||
| Parking | ||
| Picnic Area | ||
| Birthday Parties | ||
| Hot Tubs / Spa | ||
| Season Passes | ||
| Swimming Pool | ||
| Arcade |
Only at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
- Swimming Pool
- Picnic Area
- Season Passes
Only at Great Wolf Lodge Gurnee
- Surfing Simulator
- Hot Tubs / Spa
- Arcade
- wifi
Both parks share 10 amenities including Wave Pool, Lazy River, Water Slides, and 7 more.
About Each Park
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
Illinois
Hurricane Harbor Chicago sits on 25 acres in Gurnee, right next to Six Flags Great America. This is Six Flags' take on a water park, and they've packed it with some serious attractions. The Tornado is the centerpiece - a massive funnel slide that drops your four-person raft through a giant bowl before spitting you out. It's wild and gets long lines, so hit it early. The Bonzai Pipelines are their speed slides where you race friends down side-by-side drops that'll make your stomach flip. For families, Splashwater Falls has smaller slides and a huge tipping bucket that dumps hundreds of gallons every few minutes. Kids lose their minds over it. The lazy river here is actually lazy, unlike some parks where it feels like a water highway. You can float for 20 minutes without getting kicked or splashed by teenagers. The wave pool creates decent waves every 15 minutes, though it gets packed during peak hours. What sets Hurricane Harbor apart is the Six Flags efficiency - they know how to move crowds and keep lines reasonable. The staff actually enforces safety rules without being jerks about it. Food is typical theme park fare but better than most water parks. The pizza isn't half bad. Parking costs extra, which is annoying but expected for Six Flags. Rent a locker early because the free changing areas get disgusting by noon. If you're visiting with little ones, the shallow play areas have mini slides and water features that'll keep them busy…
Read the full Six Flags Hurricane Harbor guide →Great Wolf Lodge Gurnee
Illinois
Great Wolf Lodge Gurnee brings the indoor water park resort experience to the Chicago suburbs with a massive 38,000-square-foot water park that stays a toasty 84 degrees year-round. The centerpiece is Fort Mackenzie, a four-story interactive water fort with tipping buckets, water cannons, and slides that'll keep kids entertained for hours. The Howlin' Tornado is their signature funnel slide that sends rafts swirling through a massive bowl before splashing down into the pool below. For families with younger kids, Cub Paw Pool offers gentle slides and shallow water that's perfect for toddlers. The Alberta Falls is their lazy river, though it's more of a winding adventure than a relaxing float since it weaves through caves and past waterfalls. Their FlowRider surfing simulator draws crowds of teens and adults trying to master the artificial wave. Parents love that everything is contained under one roof, so you don't have to worry about weather or losing track of kids across a sprawling outdoor park. The water park is exclusively for hotel guests, which keeps crowds more manageable than typical day-use parks. Book your stay well in advance, especially for weekends and school breaks, because this place fills up fast. The rooms aren't fancy, but they're clean and functional with bunk beds that kids love. Bring water shoes since the pool decks can get slippery, and don't forget goggles for the kids. The arcade and other dry activities give you options when you need a break from the water. Food inside is typical resort…
Read the full Great Wolf Lodge Gurnee guide →Ready to visit Six Flags Hurricane Harbor?