California Great America (CGA) Discussion Thread

[Angry_GumballIt's All About Quality!]

GCI added a couple photos to their Facebook, though no real changes, just some clearer views as to what's gone up!

[rolercstrluvrWhen I grow up, I want to breed donkeys!]

It's really awesome seeing the coaster rise at such a rapid pace, really hoping it's ready for opening day. Since it is Great America I think some type of landscaping will be done since the park is really well maintained landscape wise.

I've even seen cga doing alot of painting and landscaping doing while I was there. Mainly just getting rid of weeds, but also taking out old plants and replacing them with more lively ones. It really does impress me to see cga doing all these subtle improvements.

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

I'm still so amazed and glad that they are getting a new ride! For a long while I thought they were done for. I'm glad the stadium fiasco is done. I can't wait for when I'll be able to ride some coasters, then see one of my students play quarterback for my favorite team all in the same day, at virtually the same place!

[JeffyJosephNorCalI teach at the school of donkey!]

I'm still so amazed and glad that they are getting a new ride! For a long while I thought they were done for. I'm glad the stadium fiasco is done. I can't wait for when I'll be able to ride some coasters, then see one of my students play quarterback for my favorite team all in the same day, at virtually the same place!

Thank You Matt Ouimet!

Can't wait for this Sat, seeing that giant Xmas Tree lantern in the reflection pool is gonna be surreal

I'm still so amazed and glad that they are getting a new ride! For a long while I thought they were done for. I'm glad the stadium fiasco is done. I can't wait for when I'll be able to ride some coasters, then see one of my students play quarterback for my favorite team all in the same day, at virtually the same place!

I know..the thought definitely occurred to me that I would be able to stop by CGA in the morning and then catch a Niners game before heading home, and I plan on doing that frequently

[Blue Fire GuyWhat would donkeys be like on the moon?]

Definitely coming along Saturday evening! Finally getting GoldPorn after Haunt will be exciting. Folks, bring an extra change of clothes! We'll take over Dizzy Dragons and the flyers as well, one can only know how those two rides will end up with TPR members on them.

[SwornenemyFull Fledged Donkey Enthusiast!]

Goldstriker is really coming along. I can't wait for spring to get here. On another note the stadium next door has really shot up too, I drove by today and am amazed at how much progress has been made since they laid the foundation back in July.

[Angry_GumballIt's All About Quality!]

So, my off-season ended a bit...early I'm heading to GWW this Saturday, and have a 'season pass' for it. For the cost of the admission, they had a promo for a season pass for the cost of a single day. They are also running a promo for half off on a rides wrist band (I really wish rides were included) but it will still be fun...really excited to try Dizzy Dragons, but at the same time I'm nervous. Also since I'm a sucker for light displays, I'm sure I'll thoroughly enjoy this!

Anyone else interested in doing GWW? Order your $18 season pass here, tomorows your last chance to get it:
https://www.vendini.com/e/viewEmail.php?documentID=05c0ded1d361da654b4c5e8a87b75e89
Code: GWWSP12


And their "Black Friday" promo good for Fri, Sat and Sun this weekend:
https://www.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?e=4f30a43a86359bfec183e11de89a9314&t=tix
Code: HalfOffWB

Sorry if I'm coming off as an advertisement but this is definitely a pretty good deal if you're itching to hit up a 'diet' CGA.

[Angry_GumballIt's All About Quality!]

Good morning guys!
I'm back with some new CGA hotness, that is Global Winter Wonderland! It was definitely an interesting night out with the group and there were plenty of insane moments to be had, and some great "WTF" moments that could rival my normal CGA season highlights! The night started off a bit rough as we had the e-tickets for the wrist bands we were supposed to exchange for a voucher so we can exchange it for a wristband...confusing? I say so. Since it's the first weekend, I'll cut them some slack and since this was the first time rides were involved, it's a fresh experience for all of us.

After getting the tickets squared away, we headed off and got our first ride on the Flyers, where we got some good rides off of it...until we were told that we were 'jerking the eagles, and we can hurt someone.' After that, we headed into the Picnic Pavilion area where most of the carnival rides live! In the carnival area we were treated to a surprise ride that wasn't listed on their site: the classic Tilt-a-Whirl! This ride provided some wtf moments later in the evening, more on that later. In the mean time I took my own pod and got some nice twirls out of it. I think I timed a 3-minute ride cycle on this! Next was the face-ripping sinus-popping Starship/Gravitron! I had not ridden one of these since I was little and I forgot how forceful these things really are! Then what was originally to be our holy grail of carnival rides, the Dizzy Dragons! However, we found out that we can't really spin these too much as it will trigger the ride to e-stop, which we found out the hard way. Honestly, it felt like the whole thing was going to rip apart, so I'm glad it did e-stop!

And then we found our hidden gem...situated right to the left of the bumper cars, this simple, non-mechanical contraption kept us busy and we provided plenty of entertainment for attendants and GP waiting for their kids...this was the yellow wavy Super Slide of Death (or what we call the "Meat Slapper" or what I call the "Tail Bone Smasher" or the "Fart Knocker" which I will not go into detail). Let's just say I rode this thing probably close to 10 times, possibly more...my poor coccyx hurts now, but was totally worth it! The final hump gave me a foot of air. Blue Fire Guy was flying down so fast that he smashed into the gate so he had to figure out a way to stop himself at the end. So yea, insane moments to be had racing each other and hearing nothing but *thump...thump...thump....ow!* In the end we made a name for ourselves when we went back for some final rides and the ride op asks "You're back to smash your tailbones again?" Gotta love carnie ride ops...really, they have a lot of character!

The light displays were pretty amazing to see in person! Also it felt weird being in CGA while Xmas music is playing throughout the park...and the park felt like as though a 'ghetto fair' had moved in as most of the food places were what you'd find at the fair! Unfortunately we missed the shows as we were too busy riding death machines, catching up on Gold Striker stuff, and riding 'real' CGA rides.

Other insane highlights:
-4 person 'clench 'n squish' on Tilt-a-whirl...don't ask how we did it but we did...and got strange looks! Totally worth it!
-Several awkward moments in the "Raiders of the Lost Ark" funhouse (like the pink 'bung hole' slide and the almost toy factory butt cheek squeezing action in the punching bag area)
-Ferris Wheel that felt and sounded like it was going to fall apart
-Foamy snowball fights (from their artificial snow machines)

I'd definitely check it out, I thought it was definitely worth a visit!

And I have some videos of the insanity that happened, but will have them up later. Anyway, enjoy the many photos!

[RAWKIN_coaster38Jar-Jar Binks smells like Donkey]

Wow... all of those lights and lanterns and lighted displays and all are really beautiful. Truly stunning. Great photo TR!