CGA_88

^Considering his last name is spelled Kaepernick, that's either a fake, or a real person that just so happens to have a similar last name.

The park is open to the public those two days. No idea why, but they are.

Centrifuge and Rue le Dodge have had magnetic gate locks for a while now...give or take 7+ seasons.

^ If you're waiting in line (behind the airgates) on Vortex, Flight Deck, Grizzly, Demon, AND Invertigo, the train exits the station towards your left. So no, Invertigo did not have its airgates facing this way. But in reality, it doesn't matter at all. As far as I know, the queue will parallel with the station flyby.

That is why I prefer Fast Lane over other virtual queue pay versions. A simple wristband, and you get unlimited access to any of the rides. And they actually took time to build separate queues for those rides that did not have anything set up yet. That's the big one for me, is how the queue lines are set up. SFDK does a pretty good job of having there lines merge. Never had a problem there. SFMM on the other hand...don't get me started. Can't wait to see the trains! What I have heard is that one train will be predominately gold while the other will be predominately burgundy/red.

San Jose is in the process of switching all of those yellow/amber lights to bright LED lights in the entire city. I've heard originally they used those dull yellow/amber lights to make it easier for astronomers to see the stars. And it's about time they re-do the parking lot. I'm hoping they re-configure it rather than just re=pave it. Was never a huge fan of the layout. It was always a mess trying to leave the park especially when everyone is leaving at the same time.

^I honestly don't buy that. Of course the park would try to pitch it that way. Regardless of the reason though, it is really cool to have a tunnel.

Say the 1st rider auction was on May 1st, it would only make sense to open the ride to the public that weekend. Only unless they find an issue that would delay the public opening, why would they wait weeks to open it to the public?

The first 3 Fridays in May are the Physics, Science, and Math days. And the last Friday in May is Gay Pride night.

Great America has released information on their First Rider Program! http://www.cagreatamerica.com/goldstriker GREAT AMERICA & 49ERS FOUNDATION TEAM UP ON FIRST RIDER PROGRAM Opportunity to Ride New Gold Striker Coaster 1st Will Raise Funds For the 49ers Foundation Online Auction Component is Now Live & Provides Opportunities to Meet 49ers SANTA CLARA, CA – California’s Great America and the San Francisco 49ers Foundation have joined together to raise money for the San Francisco 49ers Foundation with the First Rider program. The First Rider initiative allows participants to experience Great America’s latest thrill ride, Gold Striker, prior to the record setting coaster opening to the general public. Proceeds will assist Operation Care and Comfort and youth initiatives through the 49ers Foundation. There are two elements to the First Rider program, which is tentatively scheduled to take place May 1, 2013 (Gold Striker’s general opening will be announced soon thereafter). Those wishing to submit an online bid can do so at http://www.cagreatamerica.com/goldstriker. Winning bids will receive one of Gold Striker’s initial rides and access to the First Rider reception that will include members of the 49ers organization along with other celebrities. The First Rider program also includes a Corporate Partnership opportunity. For a $2,500 donation, benefactors will experience Gold Striker’s incredible thrills, corporate signage on all First Rider promotional materials and attendance at the First Rider reception. “We are proud to partner with the 49ers Foundation to support American troops and deserving Bay Area youth,” said California’s Great America Vice President and General Manager Raul Rehnborg. “Gold Striker will be one of America’s unique coasters and providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to assist local charities is the perfect way to launch Gold Striker.” “The 49ers Foundation is honored to be working with our Santa Clara neighbors at California’s Great America to help further enhance the offerings of our entertainment district in the heart of Silicon Valley,” shared Joanne Pasternack, Executive Director of the 49ers Foundation. “With the First Rider program not only are we partnering to raise much needed funds to support at-risk youth but we are also bringing visibility to a great addition to our community – Gold Striker.” Gold Striker will feature a wooden coaster record 174-foot initial descent tunnel that will be enclosed by wood on both sides, have corrugated metal on top and in-fill underneath the tracks to replicate a true gold mine feel. The only visible light on Gold Striker’s initial descent, which will hurl riders down a 50 degree slope at almost 54 miles per hour, will be following the first turn, creating a nearly pitch black visual. Gold Striker will be the tallest and fastest wooden coaster in Northern California. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS FOUNDATION The San Francisco 49ers Foundation is the non-profit community funding extension of the San Francisco 49ers. Now in its 21st year, the 49ers Foundation supports development programs for underserved youth that keep them, “Safe, On Track, and In School." The San Francisco 49ers are promoting RESPECT for schools and community by donating a significant portion of the foundation’s funding toward family violence prevention programs and activities that teach youth leadership and respect. Since 1992, the Foundation has donated nearly $20 million to support non-profits, including $2.9 million in 2012. CEDAR FAIR California’s Great America is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership that is listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FUN.” In addition to California’s Great America, Cedar Fair owns and operates ten other amusement parks, four water parks, one indoor water park, and five hotels. Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in California under a management contract.

Kind of hard to tell when comparing it to previous maps, but it looks like Kidzville River Adventure is no longer there. Guess we'll have to see on opening day.

Just in general, there's a lot of paint being thrown at the park, which was much needed. Some of these most people already knew about: Barney Oldfield's Speedway queue Centrifuge platform Action Theater structure (yellow supports and blue trim) Outback Shack Demon loops Fan Attic store Food Festival Pizza Orleans Sweet Tooth funnel cakes Girl Space store Ride Warriors store plus attached stores Front Gate ticket booths Might have missed a couple. But, with all of that being done, once this season opens, there will only be a couple buildings that have not received paint in the last few seasons: Maggie Browns/Frankie's Pizza Games Gallery Candy Cafe and attached stores (except Panda Express) Inside CGA The rumored Subway will most likely receive paint this season.

Club Blood is rumored to be retired and 2 new mazes will debut this year for Haunt.

If I could just correct the caption of the aerial picture...there are actually 4 rides in that picture that are no longer there. Triple Play is playing peek-a-boo next to the season pass processing center. And as for Invertigo, Stealth, and Greased Lightning, unfortunately those three coasters were maintenance nightmares throughout the course of their lives, whether it was a major downtime that Invertigo suffered in 2009, or just pure lack of cooperation like Stealth or Greased Lightning.

I'm thinking the "Trois Blondes" written on the barrel is for the 3 blonde girls (triplets?) in the Beauty and the Beast movie. I believe they carry those water jug things during one of the musical parts at the beginning of the movie when Gaston is singing.

CGA has fireworks on Sunday 8/2, so the park will be decently busy.

You bet that beast can be driven!

Carnevil has always closed earlier than the other 2 for haunt preparation. I believe because of it use of 100% wooden walls which takes time to assemble together, versus Werewolf Canyon and Cornstalkers which use a lot of other elements that do not take as long to assemble. That's just my speculation as to why that happens.

Someone mentioned on here about "Au13" earlier. Well, Au is the symbol used for gold so it's all making sense.

Could you imagine if CGA did get Hypersonic? That could've been 4 coaster removed from the park (Greased Lightning, Stealth, Hypersonic, and Invertigo). Granted we don't know if Hypersonic would have been removed if built at CGA, but there would have been a good possibility.

Tiki Twirl aka Survivor took a nosedive today and may be down for a while. As for Grizzly, there will be a new staircase entrance in the coming months for the regular entrance queue.

Most of the rides that will utilize fast lane have had either separate entrances built completely from scratch (Vortex and Demon), or have modified other parts of unused queue lines or exits to accommodate for this. What I like about Cedar Fair's version is it is more like Disney and they will be merging the fast lane with the stand-by entrance, versus Six Flags where most of the Flash Pass rides just use the exit and let people right one which I don't think is right.

I LOVE the land area of the park. Sure it's always dead and not the best for the park, but it's so relaxing on the lakeside area.

Um, BTR will be performing at Shorline Amphitheater which is in Mountain View, not the park's Redwood Amphitheater.

The Northern part of the park is the main gate area which includes Star Tower, which is where the proposed coaster was supposed to go back in 2009. Pretend your at Psycho Mouse and look to the front of the part. Flight Deck would be considered the east part of the park.