Great Escape Announces Opening Day, New Upgrades for 2026

If you're already starting to plan out your summer adventures, you're definitely not alone.

Some Hudson Valley families are counting down the days until beach vacations, road trips, or flights out of the country, but for plenty of us, summer fun still means one thing...amusement parks.

One of New York’s most popular family destinations is officially getting ready to open its gates for another season.

Great Escape Opens in Queensbury, New York

The Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor in Queensbury will officially open for the 2026 season on Friday, May 22nd, just in time for Memorial Day weekend.

According to WTEN, both parks are scheduled to begin daily operations starting June 18, giving families plenty of opportunities to ride rollercoasters and cool off on water slides all summer long.

For more than 70 years, Six Flags Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor has been a longtime favorite destination for Hudson Valley residents looking for a quick summer getaway without traveling too far from home.

Upgrades at the Great Escape

This year, guests will notice several upgrades throughout the park, including freshly repainted water slides inside Hurricane Harbor, track improvements being made to The Comet rollercoaster, and a new floating loading platform debuting at Raging River.

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Park officials also announced continuing renovations at the Lodge along with updated food options, a simplified ticketing system, and reduced daily parking rates for guests.

There’s also some good news for military families this Memorial Day weekend.

Free Admission on Memorial Day Weekend

Active and retired members of the U.S. military, National Guard, reserves, and veterans will receive free admission from May 23 through May 25 with a valid military ID.

Eligible military members can also purchase up to six additional single-day tickets for friends and family members at 40% off the regular gate price.

The 2026 season also marks a new chapter for the park after Enchanted Parks purchased Great Escape earlier this year as part of a deal involving seven amusement parks.

Despite the ownership change, all existing tickets and passes will continue to be honored through 2026, and the Great Escape branding will remain in place.

For many families across the Hudson Valley, it just wouldn’t feel like summer without at least one trip to Great Escape.