Opposition to Six Flags Entertainment Village arose in 1998, with disapproval from the president of Long Grove, Illinois.

Described as "pedestrian-friendly," small shops, a theme park, resort, and a stadium were also included in the plans for the entertainment village.

Richard Welton recommended that the board should be updated on the project's status before trustees were appointed for the oversight committee.

[6] Prism Development proposed an interchange near Washington Street after stating that it was "absolutely required" for the project "to become a reality," as it would divert traffic from the main entrance at Grand Avenue and would allow guests to instead get into both properties from either side.

Additionally, the interchange would also require approval from the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, Lake County, and the village of Gurnee.

[8][9] In a letter to a Lake County board chair on June 10, 1998, village president of Long Grove, Illinois, Lenore Simmons, said Gurnee "failed to be a good neighbor" after concerns over Six Flags Entertainment Village's potential to deplete highway funds to work on the four-lane expansion on Washington Street.

[11] Changes to the initial proposition were announced at a joint meeting on June 18, 1998, with officials from Prism Development and Six Flags Great America, along with architect Richard de Flon, with the area of the project being reduced to 134 acres (54 ha) from the initial 136-acre (55 ha) size, and excluding the 8,000 to 12,000 seat stadium, and opting in for building a water park, hotels, housing for employees, restaurants, shops, a theater along with other buildings.

[15] In early-February 1999, the question of whether or not the entertainment village should be built was included in the ballot after the petition had reached its signature goal.