My preschool daughter has never been a huge Wiggles fan. What’s more, she screams like a banchee every time I try to put her on an amusement park ride. And I’m not talking about those baby roller coasters that travel on a flat track, or those crazy toddler swings that spin around with modified reckless abandon. For the past three years my child has unleashed glass shattering, ear splitting, high-pitched shrieks each time I’ve tried to place her on merry-go-round horses (the paralyzed ones that don’t move up and down), baby boats (that barely move in a pool no bigger than a bathtub), and mini antique cars (which travel slower than wounded animals). So imagine my surprise when my anti-thrill seeker agreed to visit “Wiggles World” at Six Flags Great America a few weeks ago.
To say my expectations of a fun-filled day enjoying the theme park’s newest kiddie attraction were low, would be a severe understatement. I figured I’d be lucky if she’d humor me with a photo of her standing in front of the Wiggles Big Red Car ride, but to my utter amazement she actually asked to give it a try (after standing there for 15 minutes watching other kids have the time of their lives).
I can’t say what exactly sparked the transformation in my young daughter, but I wasn’t about to waste time analyzing it. I was much too busy snapping pictures of the momentous milestone while periodically examining her to see if she was really my kid. (Could it be that I mistakenly grabbed a ride-loving Wiggles fan look-alike on my way into the park?)
Frankly, I could care less how it happened; all I know is that the summer of 2009 will forever be remembered as a turning point in our lives. What’s more, it should serve as inspiration to other parents whose children would rather undergo painful vaccinations than board a rotating tea cup. If you parent one of those children, then I highly recommend visiting “Wiggles World” after reading my review:
WIGGLES WORLD
“Wiggles World” debuted at three Six Flags locations in 2007: Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, Six Flags New England in Springfield, Massachusetts and Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey. In April 2009, “Wiggles World” was added to Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio.
If your children are fans of Playhouse Disney, then you are likely familiar with “The Wiggles.” The goofy guys from Australia love to sing and dance around with their costumed pals, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog, and Henry the Octopus. “The Wiggles” are considered the most popular children’s entertainers in the world, and Six Flags has found a colorful way to capitalize on the group’s fame.
Great America’s “Wiggles World” is located near the back of the park and caters specifically to toddlers and preschoolers. It consists of several kiddie rides, including:
The Wiggles Big Red Car: Big red cars that seat up to four passengers (parents are allowed to ride) travel along a flat track. Kids can “steer” the car around four curves while looking at pictures of “The Wiggles” favorite vacation destinations, including New York, Honolulu and Tokyo. (My preschooler rode this one six times without getting tired.)
The Wiggles Big Red Planes: Bright crimson planes that fit up to two people each (parents are allowed to ride). The ride starts on the ground and moves in a circular pattern. Kids can press a black button on the plane’s control panel to make it take-off. Release the button and the plane returns to the starting position.
Dorothy’s Rosy Tea Cups: Pastel colored tea cups that rotate at a moderately fast pace.
Bouncin’ with Wags: A happy looking Wags the Dog bounces kids on his mechanical bone. Children take a seat on a horizontal bone-like structure and are lifted about 12 feet into the air before being dropped down in about four foot increments. (My daughter passed on this one: surprise, surprise.)
S.S. Feathersword Play Ship and Henry’s Splish Splash Fountain: The two attractions are located adjacent to each other and allow kids to climb on a gigantic plastic playground-type pirate ship structure complete with slides and cushioned “rocks.” The splash pad consists of ground nozzles that spray water upwards every three seconds.
Yummy Yummy Fruit Salad: Frankly, I’m surprised I was able to review the other rides given my daughter’s obsession with this one. We rode Yummy Yummy Fruit Salad 14 times. The vertical scrambler contains eight cars shaped like pieces of fruit. Each unit sits up to two kids and one adult. The ride spins as it rises roughly 30 feet into the air. Pro: You get a fantastic bird’s-eye view of the park. Con: “The Wiggles” hit tune “Yummy Yummy Fruit Salad” is played for the entire duration of the ride. If the ride doesn’t make you ill after the 14th time, being forced to listen to the wacky tune will.
Another big draw to “Wiggles World” is the “Get Ready To Wiggle” show. The action-packed musical takes place in a new outdoor mini amphitheater complete with kid-sized chairs. The show, which takes place five times a day, lasts about 30 minutes. It features some of the group’s most popular songs and dance moves. Noticeably missing: “The Wiggles” themselves. The pirate-themed show instead features the group’s cast of supporting characters: Dorothy the Dinosaur, Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog and Henry the Octopus. The pals sing, dance and interact with their pint-sized audience members while snap happy parents try to record the action with their cameras. The show encourages kids to get up and move, but discourages them from coming up on stage to shake it with the costumed characters.
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