Angry_Gumball

Onride photo with friends (CGA/TPR crew) on Gold Striker...first night ride, opening weekend

Everyone's gotta love the sounds of carnival coasters

Best Wood: Gold Striker (CGA) Worst Wood: Grizzly (CGA) Best Steel: Tough choice..I may have to go with Xcelerator (KBF) Worst Steel: Revolution (SFMM)

I'm waiting for this day... Granted this coaster isn't Grizzly but it will do the same one of these days.

This ride model lives in one of the guest services buildings, to the left of the main gates. It looks pretty neat in person!

Snakey! (Timber Twister at Gilroy Gardens) Never underestimate this custom Zierer Tivoli...if you sit in the very back, you actually fly down that drop as you are kind of yanked over the crest of the lift. Short layout but my favorite Tivoli so far (been on 3). Bonus points for being able to smack the tree trunks close by Watch out for its tail!

When at SFDK last month, a ride op mentioned about how Medusa's faster in the back to all the riders onboard. I (sitting in the last row) couldn't help it but shout out "If it's faster back here, why don't we make it to the station before the front does?" I'm sure a lot of the GP at Gilroy Gardens had the same thought on Quicksilver Express as they all flocked for the last train.

What I don't get...why are the corkscrews themselves amazingly smooth but coming in and out of them are awful? I can't even describe the weird sideways curve into the corkscrew...wait, yes I can... *grabs ibuprofen* I will say though...2 weeks ago we had an amazingly smooth ride on Demon, even the second smaller loop. I believe we had the yellow train.

The problem is people, the couple of times I have been to the park it has not been crowded at all. So the big question would spending that kind of money bring more people to the park in the long run. When I went, the park was very dead. The only reason why some rides had long waits was because of their capacity. As short as the lines were, you can easily wait a good 30 minutes (like when we waited for Rainbow Garden boat ride). I would have thought that being Father's Day, everyone would have thought "Let's take Dad to the park!" I gave read in other trip reports that it can get more crowded when the Garlic Festival is going on. Otherwise, GG remains a hidden gem in the Bay Area.

...hmm, I'm not sure that's the reason those were removed. I'd be willing to bet money they were getting quite a bit of theft coming from those things. Think about leaving your goods there for 5-10 minutes while dozens of people walk by your stuff just sitting there on display. As I remember, they tried to do the on board storage bags on the rafts at RRRapids. RRR did have those (somewhat useless) compartments at the center of the grab-wheel. I honestly don't think you could have even fit 1 backpack in there, let alone 6 riders all having bags with them. I do remember when both rides did have the little cubbies to put your goods in and then visiting the following season to find out we have to take our goods onboard...the only thing we could leave behind on the platform were (full) souvenir cups. I'm not complaining though, with that many logs going through, theft seems extremely likely. I usually have a plastic bag in my backpack that I put critical things into as to prevent any unwanted wetness. I noticed last weekend that Gold Striker now has 2 sets of bins...2 for Train A and 2 for Train B. You have 1 set (A&B) at the front end and another set further back. This hugely relieves congestion and should help speed up operations. Though most people don't think about it, in our group we usually have 1 person take both bags up to the bin as that's 1 person less that is creating a crowd around the bins. It actually helps a lot, and you can save the row should people behind you decide to up and take your seats. Firefall's bin...it's a plastic storage box that sits at the entrance. While I'm glad I don't have to leave my goods stashed at a planter box behind some shrubs, I still feel uneasy with having a bin out in the open in a high-ish traffic area. I typically only ride Firefall when there's 1 member of the party who doesn't like Firefall/won't ride it is present...I feel safer actually having someone from our group watch our goods.

So today I lost my GG virginity, finally. As a CGA Gold Pass holder, I had never taken advantage of the added perk of visiting Gilroy Gardens (which is included with our passes) until today. Today's visit was a family trip (Father's Day) which consisted of mom, dad, cousin, neighbor, plus part of the bay area TPR crew (JeffyJosephNorcal, Rolercstrluver, Blue Fire Guy)...which made for an overall really fun day! All I can say is that "Wow, this is a nice little park!" (Yes, I can say that again!) A few highlights: I got 2 NEW credits today being Quicksilver Express and Timber Twister (not to be confused with Timberline Twister down at Knotts). Never underestimate these two coasters! Let's look at QX first. I rode in the back and while it isn't an airtime machine, the ride really picks up its pace especially after the second lift. Bonus points for being able to smack the branches hanging overhead, which happens when you just raise your hands up! Last but not least to say about this ride: HELIX!!!!! The other, Timber Twister (Zierer coaster) really packs a punch, to the point that you are launched down that first drop when sitting in the back! It's a short figure 8 coaster that does 2 laps and throws you around pretty good! Again, riding in natural hands up position, I achieved smacking overhanging thin branches and even a tree trunk! I love this coaster...we dubbed it "Snakey." Other highlights: -Garlic Twirl...this ride proved to be the most intense ride in the park and left me quite exhausted after the first spin...first round consisted of Blue Fire Guy, Rolercstrluver and myself and got the ride spinning quite good...so good in fact that people in line had their eyes glued on us. Poor Rolercstrluver ended up being thrown around and managed to smack his head. 2nd ride actually left me a bit disoriented, requiring some water as it left me panting...a great upper body workout! -Line jumpers at a low capacity ride (Rainbow Gardens, spinning raft ride that looks quite innocent)...not that it's a highlight but the fact that it's low capacity, line jumping on this is just bad. In fact, both BFG and I had our 3DS's out messing with one of our games when a guy cutting line rambles something to some GP behind us about "how he can't get through because they're playing their games." -Rock Maze! One can easily get lost in this...and lots of little claustrophobic tunnels to be taken! Just please don't fart in them or the poor victim behind you may hate you afterwards -Banana Split left some funny body/tummy tingles but ended being a little...rough?!? -Overall beautiful park...Lots of shade, covered stations, beautiful landscaping...made me wonder if we were still in a Cedar Fair-managed park. Definitely did not feel corporate whatsoever. -And, friendly staff, right down to security at the front gates! A couple videos, including Rock Maze and Coyote & Redwood Railroad POVs: Now without further ado, here's some photos! We has arrived at Gilroy Gardens! New park credit! GG had an insect exhibit set up...eek, a giant 'pider! (I'm actually arachnophobic when it comes to real spiders...) Jeff attempts to control something... ...that is, a robotic spider! Uh...this is so wrong in so many levels....wait....it's... ...it's only just a giant caterpillar! I'm naming it "Maggie." My bro checks out a mosquito sucking blood demo....eeeew... while BFG checks out another display...om nom nom... Another look at the spider! In the words of a certain dueling woodie in China... DAULING BEETLES!!! These butterflies looked amazing!! Love the metallic blue they have DUCK! Time for the first ride of the day: South County Backroads (1920s track) Part of the group get in their (awesome pink) car. Alright, here we go! Did I mention, this ride has beautiful theming? Take the bridge tunnel! and we end this ride with.... TAKE THE TUNNEL!!! Mushroom swings! My brother wishes he could fly like Mario with his raccoon tail And now we get to check out the greenhouse! Inside the green house, the infamous "Lapbar Monorail" winds its way through. "TWISTY!!!" trees Waterfall! And over to score one of my new credits! This would be #65! This ride is pretty well hidden so this is like the only photo I got of it...HELIX!!! Those menacing raccoons....love the chatter/laughter! Alright, this is it...what are we about to ride, guys? Lapbar Monorail! I approve Mmmm...so much space back there...so much space... Into the hotbox of death The ONLY butterfly I saw in the greenhouse. Random path in the greenhouse. Here's those pesky raccoons again After taking a transport ride that utilized lapbars, it's time to take on another, the Coyote & Redwood Railroad. This is a great way to get from the front to the back of the park. Jeff, cousin, and the rest of the family Looking back at the rest of us onboard Rock Maze! Lots of fun moments to be had in here (See video/POV above) So, which way should we go? Some of these corridors get really narrow. Coming out of the narrow corridor... And yes...TAKE THE TUNNEL! (Yes, I really mean it...) Tunnel taking to be had...I feel like Mario. You can see how tight of a fit this really is "I just took the tunnel!" Jeff is playing with balls... While BFG plays with monkeys Any clue what this (now blank) sign once said? It reminds me of one of those RCT2 signs in which no name was added yet. Acceptable amount of wetness pad And over to the park's most intense ride (if you make it that way)...Garlic Twirl! BFG, Rolercstrluver and I had this thing spinning, and apparently everyone in line was watching us spin like mad...Spin your wheel counter-clockwise for some nice forces! Spinny boat ride, AKA Rainbow Gardens... No babies allowed...what about fetuses? "I can't take the baby on?!?" Their chariot (boat) awaits... Seated and ready to spin! Let's do this! Meanwhile, back at QX... No, Rolercstrluver! Don't take a bite!!! Creepy... Now for the park's other coaster, Timber Twister! (Or, Snakey!) You can take the scenic route, or the quick route...if you take the scenic route, don't complain about others cutting in front of you The Loooooooooooooooooooong train! (Yes, I put in as many "O's" as there are cars on this train). Who doesn't like snakes? (Personally, I think snakes are awesome!) Again another hard to photograph coaster... ...just watch out for its tail! (Actually, this is exactly where you want to sit on this thing as you are launched over the top of the hill and into the drop!) Credit 66...After attempting it the first time around, Snakey denied us as it broke down. This is one of the few smaller coasters I've seen around here that take your photo on ride. A look at another simple but fun walk-through attraction..Bonfante Falls! ... Is THIS an acceptable amount of wetness? "This is NOT an acceptable amount of wetness" (As BFG barrels his way through to avoid getting wet) Onto one of our final rides...any guesses at what it is? Here's a clue...it has taken this many riders! South County Backroads, 1950s track! Uh-oh...he's driving?!? Trees! Take the tree tunnel! More "Dauling" track (Again, thank you dueling woodie in China/High-five coaster) Theming here does not disappoint! Actually, I think I may like the visuals on this over Autopia at Disney Car Wash! On one of the final stretches before returning back to the station... At first I thought this guy was real. Uh oh, here's another.... You already know what I'm going to say so I'll let you shout it out instead (Shout it out now!) The Jeff Johnson credit we got denied riding... Another 'deniable' Jeff Johnson credit... And I conclude this TR with a random floating duck! *QUACK*

40 rides on Vortex = #YOLO! Honestly, (though I wasn't part of CFK) 0 rides on Vortex were enough for me

Pinfari death machine at the San Mateo County Fair. I always heard Pinfari coasters can be pretty bad. And when you see this, you know you're in for a quality ride. But in the end we survived and this coaster actually proved to be quite smooth, some pops of air, and just overall a fun little coaster

Just decided to purchase Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Ages for the Virtual Console on 3DS. It's been a long time (like, 1999 summer) since I played Seasons and have never played Ages before. I also decided over the past couple days to pick back up on Link's Awakening DX, another one I purchased through VC.

I am quoting a post from a year ago as I finally got to witness this form of drop tower. My first ride I did not expect much, just a shorter Drop Tower ride. Once I realized how quick you drop as soon as you reach the top (there is no hesitation, just instant drop) and how you can't see how close to the top you are, I got nervous. Yes, the drop caught me off guard and it feels like this may actually be an accelerated freefall as I actually had ejector air as opposed to just floating on the Intamin towers... In the end, a stubby 70' tower won over the world's tallest drop tower. Yes, I just said that.

To be fair, Cedar Fair only relocated 1 ride. Paramount was the one who removed several classics. Even Orlean's Orbit was on the verge of being gone as I believe it sat dormant through the 2006 season. It was running again in 2007 when Cedar Fair had the reigns.

Whaaaa? Last I knew you didn't get wet on Vortex.

Gold Striker always puts a smile on my face...the ride's pretty relentless and being launched out of my seat makes me feel like this:

One I heard over the weekend was the Larson Fireball/Ring of Fire...it almost reminds me of SEFK's wooshing sounds minus becoming nearly deaf as the train passes through the course. It almost sounds like howling wind! Other rides that sound pretty neat: -Hammerhead (Zamperla Hawk 48) SFDK -Gold Striker blasting through its tunnel...you can almost feel it in your body when in line or standing at the park entrance. -The drive motor on CGA's sky ride, Eagle's Flight building -Superman Ultimate Flight, SFDK...love the high pitched/nearly silent launch it makes...followed by a B&M-like roar as the train goes through the course. -As much as I disliked the ride, Revolution down at SFMM sounded pretty neat...again the wooshing noise as the train flies through the trees. -And for now, I'll end it with Xcelerator's hydraulic launch...the high pitched winding noise.

As I do...If the line's short to non existent, then I'll ride it. If the line goes well past the stairs, I'll not even think twice about it and head over the superior B&M in the park, or now that GS is open, I'll hop in line for that (regardless of length).

Again, Gold Striker at CGA...had it not been for visiting CGA Sunday, my last coaster would have been a Wacky Worm.

I think that is exactly what they are going to do. Look for it in 2014 if not sooner. Nobody heard about it? They made the announcement on the 3rd Monday of last week

Good! Glad to see that the park is putting their foot down. Hopefully that sign I posted on the previous page isn't just a scare tactic but that they actually have something enforced...I'll share it again: There is 1 camera that is pretty obvious...and it has caught people trying to use the emergency exit near Star Tower to let their friends in. I did notice security around Gold Striker quite a bit yesterday too so maybe... This should also keep line jumpers in check once this is fully implemented.

Just a quick writeup from yesterday's visit. The park's crowds were pretty light to medium including Gold Striker for most of the day. The switchbacks were about half full and like last week, many people kept leaving the line as it was 'too long.' Yet people will gladly wait for Grizzly in the back. Wait times were still however about the same as last weekend, averaging about 40 minutes. Last ride of the day though was probably a good 50 minute wait with a full queue. I also ran into a few TPR members as yesterday was Coasting for Kids...a couple new faces, and some familiar ones I took a few photos as I'm a bit saddened at what has happened within a week's time over at Gold Striker. I know it's inevitable but at the same time, it upsets me that people would really thrash something so quick as it just opened. Yup I'm ready for another CGA session! And so is the little rubber fetus I got over at the San Mateo County Fair the day before Since GS had opened, I haven't taken any photos from here. We were waiting for Rolercstrluver to take care of something over at guest services. And now that I've set the stage, let's now view the so-called "Vandalism TR"... Nerd vandalism...quadratic formula anyone? This is apparently a stomping ground for little unsupervised kids now...poor cacti/plants... ... looks like a stampede went through here... Ok, let's see how stupid we can go...who vandalizes something and puts their name out there? I hope you rat yourself out ... Am I in a gas station restroom in Oakland or am I in Great America? Little fetus isn't too happy... Apparently this is the trash can...not those plastic bins, branded with Cedar Fair, lined with black plastic liners... At one point though Gold Striker's line did poke out...this was after we had gotten off the first ride. This line didn't last long though. Just our luck riding White Water Falls, our row comes to greet us with this... I'll close this quick writeup with something to ponder...why on earth does Vortex's support base look charred?

Had an AWESOME time at the fair and as said, there was a decent selection of flat rides and such. As already said, we spent a good chunk of time in the exhibits playing with science stuff/hands on goodies...this kind of stuff easily amuses me! Starting the day off, we warmed up on the Viper flat ride. Bizarre suspended banked scrambler that did absolutely nothing until the seats switched direction and spun the same way as the main ride structure...that's when this came to life! Other than that, it was quite bizarre seeing the empty seats running with their OTSR's open. That would never happen in a Six Flags or Cedar Fair park! Supershot...After hearing rave reviews about it last year, I had to see it for myself. Don't underestimate this stout, 70' tower...it actually feels like it launches you downward, leaving you airborne until you hit the mag brakes. The restraints are a bit sloppy too so that gives some nice wiggle room. Bonus points for not being able to tell how high up you are on the tower, and the fact that as soon as you do hit the top it drops...I mean, shoots you down. My favorite carnie ride there! Energy Storm was another crazy one that had to be experienced. Concept is basically another suspended Scrambler-esque ride until the seat sections rotate 180 degrees until you're fully inverted. You remain inverted for what felt like eons...how could this could be good for people? This was very intense and left me pretty exhausted by the time the ride cycle ended. As I said on the ride..."MY EYES FEEL LIKE THEY'RE GONNA POP OUT!!!" Chance Yo-Yo...or should I say, Kick-boodie! This ride was bizarre, often felt like my seat was reclining back and then shooting forward. Had I extended my legs out during the ride, I could have sent Blue Fire Guy sailing into JeffyJosephNorcal. When the ride came to an end, I did crash 3 times into Blue Fire Guy...pretty hard crashes too! Other highlights: -SMOOTH Pinfari coaster (Zyklon Z47?) that however stalled on a test run, and just *barely* made it on the second run...."ROW! ROW! ROW!" -Wacky Worm credit -Funhouse...lost in the mirror maze that we over-complicated -Forceless Zamperla Nitro...ran a pretty lame program in the morning and ran an okay program later in the afternoon...left much to be desired. -Animals! -As said...Voyager...ride film is meant to be a mystery...yes it's that bad, will say it looks like something that was bought at the local Dollar Tree store And you know you're in for a quality ride when the first thing you see on screen is "DVD Player." -And....rubber fetuses! I don't know why...they are disturbing yet amusing at the same time! I really don't know if this is a bad thing or not So, I'll let photos tell the story from my point of view Arriving at the SMCF! I spy a death machine credit! Looks like we won't be needing these today (Free admission promo FTW!) The group While waiting for the carnival to open (had about 30 minutes to kill) we checked out the surrounding area/familiarized ourselves with the Fairground campus. Random Airsoft target shooting game. Pickles! (A certain member of our typical CGA group would be in heaven right now...you know who you are if you're reading this TR) 3D-ish pig painting that only looks right at a certain angle. (Already shown)...anyone want some Winkies? How about some Reos? (They aren't authentic Twinkies...they're Little Debbies!) Back to the Carnival...we have 2 rings - like objects! Jeff...what on earth are you doing with the inflatable Superman? Yay, we got our sexy blue unlimited death machine bracelets! Let's ride! Let's start with the innocent-looking 70' ARM/Larson Supershot! Uh...why do we do these things? The Viper - strange Scrambler-like ride made by Wisdom. Forceless Nitro... let the forceless B&M jokes commence! Now the wooden footers...on this ride, you can actually hear creaking sounds as Nitro swung about. Sounded a bit scary Zillie! (Zillerator) Please don't (do) stall on us, please! Wacky Worm, another Pinfari masterpiece...this was actually pretty fun! It had more airtime than El Toro and Skyrush combined! Lift Chain Porn... Feeling excited anyone? Super Slide of Death! Uh...this slide did NOT deliver the same experience as we faced at Global Winter Wonderland back in December. It's a yo-yo in front of a yo-yo! One of my favorite carnie flat rides...not just because I'm an avid yo-yo enthusiast. ...but because this thing actually reclines in weird ways and then launches you forward! And in the end of the ride you actually SLAM into the rider in front of you...if you stretched your legs out, the poor rider in front of you would go sailing into the rider in front of them I found these foot massage benches quite disturbing... (Fully licensed) Shrek Adventure funhouse...scary suspension bridges to navigate! Jeff is ready to TAKE THE TUNNEL on the plastic slide of death...where you can feel the slide joints run along your back. And it's time for food! Where to go, where to go? So many options! Uh....yikes? After eating, it was time for EATing! (EAT...exclusive animal time) Yea, what? Meet our friend, Necky! (You may remember Necky from the Donkey Kong Country games) Sleepy pig ... if only they knew what lies ahead for them... Oh God... (time to be mature adults and play with the rubber fetus!) Ugh! Back at the carnival area... I love Ring of Fire rides! Can't forget you either Super Shot! Want to see what's inside the Voyager? You sure? Welcome to DVD Player: The Ride! Now that we witnessed what's inside the Voyager ride, it's time to move on. Let's see some aerials of the main carnival! Just behind Ring of Fire is the Zamperla Energy Storm of hot juicy death! Yo-yo, Tornado, Funhouse, and Wacky Worm! Zillie! And a nicely-vandalized Ghetto Wheel piece... Ok, done with rides, time for exhibits! Blue Fire Guy pets CGA's relocated Invertigo American Alligator Sonic, what happened to your color? You don't seem as blue as I remembered... Butterfly porn! And over to the other side...robot throwing frisbees anyone? It could actually consistently throw frisbees into the slot. Never put people like us with a bunch of toys... YOLO! Couldn't resist our favorite place Uh...wtf?? Old car porn... Back for some final carnival action before we called it a day. Forceless scrambler, that provided some body-slam moments. No standing up butt-naked, frowning while holding the door open. Ready to get body-slammed by the forceless Scrambler Random carnie ride shots...here's Viper again. Supershot catch car coming down. 1001 Orgasms And we finished the day off on the most epic coaster creation to date...top 10 worthy steel coaster! Track porn... Noted Ah yes, gotta love how these rides are held together! (Yay cotter pins!) And that's a wrap! Thanks for checking out our misadventures at the SMCF!