Mechanic

I welcome an update to the Plaza Gardens area. For so many years it's just been kind of "there". It sounds like they're planning for a more immersive experience, something Disney does so well. I can understand those that have an attachment to the area as it is now from memories of playing music there, but I'd be willing to bet the changes will be more than worth it once eveything is complete.

^ I received the same "out of office" form email. I'm glad you liked my message enough to use it as well. I have no idea if emailing will help or not, but if it does, so much the better. All of us here know how desperately the park really does need a new coaster. Personally, I'm more a fan of steel than wood, but that's mainly because most of the admittedly few woodies that I've ridden have declined in ride experience pretty significantly over time. That said, Im fairly certain that I'd enjoy the new ride for at least a few years. Hopefully, with new leadership in place at the upper levels of CF, they might see their way clear to add another coaster by the time the new woodie begins to fade. Although I don't want to get my hopes too high, I feel better about the future of this park than I have in quite some time. I honestly went to last year's CGA day of the TPR Bay Area Bash expecting that it might be my last visit to CGA ever, since I really did feel the park's days were numbered. I don't see the park as being turned around by any means, but the new woodie would be a huge step in the right direction.

I just sent an email to the mayor and council as well: Subject: Support for California's Great America's proposed new wooden coaster Dear Mayor and council, I wish to convey my support for the park installing a major new attraction. My family and I used to often visit this park, but have found ourselves less inclined to visit, and therefore spend money in Santa Clara, over the past several years. The declining frequency of our visits has been primarily due to the fact that the park has not added a new roller coaster for over a decade. While they have added some attractions, none have the same draw as a roller coaster. It is my understanding that Prudential owns a building in close proximity to Great America and has voiced opposition over noise concerns. I believe it would be appropriate to point out to those raising concerns over noise from a coaster that their building was built with full knowledge that a theme park was right next door and that a certain amount of noise is to be expected from such a venue. Having visited this theme park since its opening year, I can clearly recall when the park was in fact the only thing of any substance in its immediate area. The "NIMBY" cries from neighbors have no merit when they moved into the area already fully aware of what existed in "their back yard" so to speak. I hope that my comments will be given reasonable consideration. Respectfully, John Welch and family.

X2 most certainly did NOT operate on coaster enthusiast day when it was raining, but not windy.

I can't speak for the original poster, but my definition would be some time this summer or fall. The new Superman coaster at SFDK is my primary interest, but I'm not certain it's enough to warrant a Bay Area Bash on its own. I did enjoy last year's scaled back BAB, even without any large-scale new attractions at either SFDK or CGA, but it just wasn't quite the same without R&E present. The two of them have become something of an attraction in and of themselves. In any case, I would definitely be interested in a TPR bay area parks event, scaled back a bit like last year, or a full-blown TPR bash.

Jennifer, I honestly can't remember if I've posted in any of your threads before, but I just wanted to say Thank You for sharing your Disney adventures. I always enjoy how amazingly comprehensive your trips report are. I'll be looking forward to following this one as it develops.

So this ride is only going to be operated by females?

I realize that is says "Artist concept only", but who thought it would be a good idea for kids to be shooting arrows in the park?

With a minor re-theme to make the ride not such an obvious knock-off of ToT, I could see this ride working at a park like SCBB. Plenty of the rides there already are your standard carnival fare.

The completed investigation found that neither Scandia or the crane company knew the weight of the ride before attempting to lift it out of place. Sacramento CBS 13 report here: Screamer Crane Collapse Investigation

Carsland gets a big thumbs up. That Tea party deal looks like a rave gone wrong.

^ Is a masochist.

I'm suddenly reminded of stickdeath... It is kind of a cool idea though. But, while I haven't actually measured the tunnel, I also think it's unlikely that the track could pass through twice.

Sounds like a good reason to buy a Flash Pass, or Fast Lane pass.

A ride with an inversion or 2 would be nice. An El Loco fits the bill in that department.

Being an avid snowmobiler, I absolutely LOVE that train.

I am actually proud to say that I had to google "NKOTB" since I had no idea what it stood for.

I'm back home in NorCal now. I was half-tempted to use our comp tickets from the failed Coaster Enthusiast Day at the park today as we drove by on our way home. That would made for a later arrival home, and considering I have to be at work at 6:00 AM tomorrow it just didn't seem like a great idea. We'll just use the comp tickets some time later this summer. We also got Hurricane Harbor "bounce back" tickets to use any operating day in September. Since I've never been to HH, maybe we'll combine a visit between the 2 some time in September. Overall, the rainout definitely put a damper on things, but we knew what the weather forescast was before leaving home. Unfortunately, the special event tickets and the room I booked through Priceline were non-refundable, so we just had to cross our fingers and hope that maybe the weather would clear out. Obviously, it didn't. C'est la vie. A gold Flash Pass is pretty darn close to your own personal ERT session. Maybe people would have accepted a voucher towards a FP as a better compensation than a comp park ticket? Either way, it was just one of those days that didn't work out. It happens from time to time.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk might be interested in Pandemonium as a replacement for Hurricane. That's, of course, if the internal swap from one SF park to another isn't already a done deal

It started raining again shortly after I posted. We went to the group lunch and then decided to call it a day. It was just a really bad weather day. The park did give us comp passes without us having to ask for them (not that I would have) Sure, it was a crappy day, but it wasn't the fault of anything other than the weather.

I'm posting from the cyber cafe right now. I ran into the Bebes and Justin, and their other firend (I apologize other friend, but I already forgot your name) It was raining lightly right before the park opened and has ranged from sprinkles to heavy rain since then. The rain has let up for the moment. We're looking forward to them opening more rides soon. Green Lantern, Riddlers, and Scream did not open for morning ERT due to the rain. To answer Robb's question: I'm terrrible at guessing numbers, but I'd venture to say there were somewhere close to 100 people here for morning ERT. Other than it taking a little while to get Golaith opened, lines weren't an issue during ERT. Staying dry was quite an issue though. They announced at the beginning of the day that operations may be cut short unless the weather clears out. They've repeated that around the park as well. I'm hoping the weather clears out, but I don't have a lot of faith it will. Lunch is coming up soon. I'll try to report back afterward.

I'll be at coaster enthusiast day tomorrow along with my son, Charlie. I'm also hoping the rain stays light, or at least lets up enough at times that we can get some rides in. Be sure to say HI! if you see us. I'll be wearing a grey TPR hoodie.

Is that the same type of "bouncey - bouncey" ride of TPR fame?

I've got to imagine that part of the issue is that the park wasn't originally designed as a "rides" park. It was all about animal exhibits and shows, with the rides coming much later. I honestly don't recall the exact changes in the layout over the years, and I become somewhat confused between my very old memories of the Redwood City Marine World and the park now in Vallejo when I think back on it.

I'll be interested to see how the 7:11 PM ERT is going to work as well. I visited the slurpee.com site and couldn't find any mention of six flags at all. I did go ahead and register for the slurpee rewards deal though. My wife and kids are always getting slurpees at the local 7-11 so I should have plenty of codes to enter.