California Great America (CGA) Discussion Thread

[rolercstrluvrBonafide Donkey Expert]

Spinning wheel enthusiasts, here you go!

Ok, now I have to try this a few times at least. Must get to the front of the line.

[Angry_GumballIt's All About Quality!]

Another fun day at CGA (Wow, I've been there like...every weekend since GS has opened!). Group consisted of JeffyJosephNorcal, my neighbor, cousin, Blue Fire Guy, and myself. Crowds were moderate and Gold Striker had about an hour wait throughout the day. Definitely worth its wait in gold. So the new tunnel, what we all think of it? I personally don't mind it, love blasting downward though it at a higher speed. When you ride in the back, it immediately becomes an Oh sh** moment as it provides a great head/hand chopper effect. It definitely helps contain the screams too.

Notable highlights:
-After riding Gold Striker twice this morning, we ventured to FD which was a walk-on. Keep in mind, this was around 11:20.
-The wheel spinner was a hit among guests and many were winning front-of-the-line passes.
-My neighbor (who is now a TPR member) has been unable to ride coasters for the past 6 weeks as she did some damage to her coccyx on V2, trying to hop into the seat and missing her landing...today was her 'welcome back' visit and her first official ride since GS opened to the public.
-Checked out On Broadway again, a pretty enjoyable show!
-Don't know what possessed us, but we decided to ride Vortex in the back row, with head firmly planted against rest...hello ear smashing! I usually extend my neck forward to get a decent ride but today, we were deciding to be masochists and punish ourselves.
-A lot of issues with the GS queue were addressed. I'm glad the park decided to go with heavier grade metal fencing where it got severely damaged. Now let's see some idiots try bending the wires...they'll end up hurting their hands before the wire even comes close to thinking of bending
-Spotted some Haunt maze construction (see pix)
-Lastly, final ride on GS...came to be quite brutal. TPR member Blue Fire Guy and I were riding with 1 arm up and the other holding lap bar to prevent becoming heavily stapled. I was sitting on the right side. We both had right arms up and on the double up before one of the final turns, BFG accidentally elbow punches me full force in the cheek...ouch! This is just a reminder how crazy this coaster can be. I'm fine now but it completely caught both of us off guard.

[jray21Why do I still have a donkey title???]

Vortex was actually running pretty smooth today.

Vortex smooth? I will never believe it!

[laqueefa"Excuse me, miss, may I pound my large rooster into your donkey?"]

Vortex was actually running pretty smooth today.

Vortex smooth? I will never believe it!

Yeah, I call shenanigans!

[Jew"It's not small, but it is very 'average.'"]

The wheel is a brilliant idea: $2 to either win a front of line pass that costs the park nothing, or discounts that encourage guests to spend in the park!

[TmcdllrWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

Vortex was actually running pretty smooth today.

Vortex smooth? I will never believe it!

Yeah, I call shenanigans!

Yeah me too, ULTRA shenanigans!

[giscoStarbucks Enthusiast]

The wheel is a brilliant idea: $2 to either win a front of line pass that costs the park nothing, or discounts that encourage guests to spend in the park!

40% chance of getting a front of line pass. Doesn't mean much if it is just for one and you are with a group.

[rcdudeI prefer to mate with donkeys over humans!]

The wheel is a brilliant idea: $2 to either win a front of line pass that costs the park nothing, or discounts that encourage guests to spend in the park!

Totally agree. I don't usually play carnival games, but as this is a guaranteed win and it's a prize I would most likely use I might have to give it a spin or two when I visit next week.

[JeffyJosephNorCalI know more about donkeys than women!]

Had another great time with the gang yesterday! Got to ride Goldy 6 times. Was happy to see the new sturdier wire fencing replacing the flimsy ones the jeeps destroyed in the queue line. The $3 Spin Wheel was a big hit, as most of the people I saw kept winning the front of the line passes which everyone kept using for Gold Striker as the Fast Lane Line was all the way down the stairs practically the whole day. And Vortex smooth yesterday? Tell that to my head!

[Blue Fire GuyDon't let this donkey melt you with its laser eyes!]

Yesterday was a blast! Clench-n-squish Logger's ride, lots of Goldy action, and just overall lots of fun. Goldy was running a little sluggish in the morning but got faster as things warmed up. Train B (peanut butter) was running slightly slower than Train A (red) throughout the day, and on the turnaround after the double up I could briefly hear the guide wheels screeching...looks like she might need a little lube!

Vortex? Smooth? Sometimes it is...early in the season it was ok, but today it was utter Ship High In Transit. We also decided to be complete idiots and ride with our heads against the headrest instead of being defensive and tilting them forward out of range of headbanging. Rough as hell, Vortex tried to kill us!