Six Flags Hurricane Harbor vs Mayan Adventure
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 | Mayan Adventure |
|---|---|---|
| Parking |
Only at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
- gift shop
- swimming pool
- picnic areas
- season passes
Both parks share 1 amenities including Parking.
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 →Mayan Adventure
Illinois
Mayan Adventure brings ancient temple vibes to indoor water fun in suburban Elmhurst. The park transforms a standard indoor facility into something that feels like exploring a lost civilization, complete with temple-themed structures and jungle-inspired landscaping throughout the space. The theming works better than you'd expect for an Illinois indoor park. The slide selection covers all the basics without going overboard. You'll find a few mid-sized body slides that twist through fake rock formations, plus a couple tube slides that families can ride together. The kids area gets the most attention here, with a multi-level play structure that looks like a miniature Mayan pyramid. Little ones love climbing around the various levels, dumping buckets, and going down the smaller slides built right into the structure. The lazy river winds around most of the park and moves at a decent pace. It's not the longest you'll find, but it hits the spot when you want to float and take in the temple decorations. The wave pool generates solid waves every 15 minutes or so, though it's sized more for families than serious body surfing. This place works best for families with kids under 12. Parents can actually relax a bit since the layout keeps everything visible from the pool deck seating areas. Teens might find it a little tame compared to the mega parks, but younger kids think it's perfect. Get there right when they open if you're visiting on weekends. The facility fills up fast, especially during Chicago's cold months…
Read the full Mayan Adventure guide →Ready to visit Six Flags Hurricane Harbor?