California Great America (CGA) Discussion Thread

[Angry_Gumball]

Sounds like an interesting writeup. Speaking of Pictorium, when we were going through Club Blood, one of our group members accidentally opened the black curtain thinking that was the way to go. No blackout was present in that area and we got an extremely nice view of the seats all still intact and some of the floor lights were on (or was that rope light?). I had to quickly tell him that we need to head left, not right. And of course me looking at the excessively high ceiling, the talent took the advantage of that and got me a couple times.

[jab88]

Hmm, I should go look through some of my parent's photo albums, one I came across did have photos of Great America in the late 1970s, including some of the Hometown Square Train Station and other portions of the park I can't recall right now, makes me wonder if any of them had the IMAX in it at all, now just to recall where I saw them last in the garage.

 

That is interesting that it was used once more several years after it closed, I never would of thought, where'd you find that out at? Makes me wish I'd taken some pics of it's interior when I worked at the park, but then again the doors were likely locked. I recall years ago, one associate I was talking to about the IMAX, claimed water was leaking into the space and that it was sinking slightly. Not sure how much truth there is to that given they use the space for Haunt.

 

As for the Stadium, here is the other plan for it, across the creek on the "overflow" parking lot and Centennial Drive with the planned parking garage across Tasman Drive.

[robman]

I recall years ago, one associate I was talking to about the IMAX, claimed water was leaking into the space and that it was sinking slightly. Not sure how much truth there is to that given they use the space for Haunt.

 

I remember reading that same thing a few years ago. Also that the building had really bad mold and milldue. (sp?)

[Angry_Gumball]

I remember reading that same thing a few years ago. Also that the building had really bad mold and mildew. (sp?)

*fixed

 

Actually, I remember hearing rumors of that building supposedly being haunted. This was around the time Flight Deck was sinking.

[Flagg O'Dim]

Sounds like an interesting writeup. Speaking of Pictorium, when we were going through Club Blood, one of our group members accidentally opened the black curtain thinking that was the way to go. No blackout was present in that area and we got an extremely nice view of the seats all still intact and some of the floor lights were on (or was that rope light?). I had to quickly tell him that we need to head left, not right. And of course me looking at the excessively high ceiling, the talent took the advantage of that and got me a couple times.

 

That was around the "mad scientist" computer part in Club Blood right? That's where I saw the seats, the emergency exit curtain was open, giving a nice view. I also got scared pretty good from looking up at the ceiling and not paying attention to the maze!

 

That is interesting that it was used once more several years after it closed, I never would of thought, where'd you find that out at?

 

I found it here:

 

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2003-10-04/north-america%27s-only-theme-park-anime-festival-returns-to-paramount%27s-great-america-in-2003

 

and here:

 

http://kinotechnologies.wordpress.com/2011/09/27/great-americas-pictorium-ruined-imax-for-me/

 

Although one site says 2003, and the other 2004. Maybe the anime festival was held twice?

[Nibbler]

Actually, I remember hearing rumors of that building supposedly being haunted. This was around the time Flight Deck was sinking.

 

I have several first hand stories about a couple of places in the park.

[Blue Manta]

Passed by Great America about an hour ago... Traffic for "Global Winter Wonderland" is as heavy as Haunt entering the parking lot. But the lights looks should I say? Amazing.. Kinda like Disneyland.

[XYZ]

Why couldn't Great America open for that event? It makes no sense when there is that much people going into the parking lot in Great America when the park is closed.

[Sunfire]

^The park can't open because basically EVERY ride is under winter rehab. As in all the trains have been taken off the tracks and are being worked on. Perhaps next year the park can do a Christmas event, but for the time being, it's too late.

[Flagg O'Dim]

So...who's up for some Skyhawk pictures?

 

 

How about Vortex entrance pre-Vortex?

 

 

Green Vortex?

 

 

Or maybe Whizzer demolition?

 

You can still see those footers at the bottom today.

 

Okay, you get the point. I found a really good site with great pictures. You have to view it through the Internet Archive:

 

http://web.archive.org/web/20110215023032/http://www.greatamericapics.com/main.php

 

Lastly, I found this on greatamericaparks.com:

 

Slaughterhouse entrance with ice cream, minus all the blood!

[Angry_Gumball]

Cool stuff, I remember Sky Hawk. I was going to try that ride out to break my fear of going upside down but the line looked too long for it (in my young mind). Skyhawk's now a 3-Point Challenge, right?

[CGA_88]

I loved Skyhawk. Granted it was down for most of my visits back in its day, and when it was open 1/4 of the pods were closed off to riders, but still a fun ride! And yes, it's now a 3-point challenge.

[KDCOASTERFAN]

Cool stuff, I remember Sky Hawk. I was going to try that ride out to break my fear of going upside down but the line looked too long for it (in my young mind). Skyhawk's now a 3-Point Challenge, right?

 

I hated that ride when KD had theirs,which was right about where drop tower now stands.

[sjsharkattack10]

Anyone thinking of going to global winter wonderland. Don't. It's cool lights but not worth 12 bucks. Also I have heard many stories about great America being haunted and my uncle has had experiences lol

[Blue Manta]

Anyone thinking of going to global winter wonderland. Don't. It's cool lights but not worth 12 bucks. Also I have heard many stories about great America being haunted and my uncle has had experiences lol

 

Pretty much, Yes . Great America is being haunted by a boy who died on Willard's Whizzer years ago when the ride was still there.

[154bmag]

^or the kid that jumped from the drop tower.

[sjsharkattack10]

I had a weird experience when I was working drop zone. A penny fell from the seat that the kid had fallen out of after we had cycled 6 times with empty seats (we were opening the ride) it would have fallen out after the first time and their wasent even a penny when I checked the seat right before it happened. Weird. However I don't think drop zone is haunted. They say ghost haunt places they are connected to so I feel like no guest who have died here would haunt the park. Unless they loved coming here the only other connection is that this is where their death happened. The showtime theater is haunted by a little boy. The story goes before it was great America a house was there and it burned down and the boy died. My uncle has told me many stories about this ghost. If anyone wants to hear more let me know

[Tmcdllr]

^or the kid that jumped from the drop tower.

 

Or the (idiot) kid that drowned on Logger's Run.

[jab88]

I had a weird experience when I was working drop zone. A penny fell from the seat that the kid had fallen out of after we had cycled 6 times with empty seats (we were opening the ride) it would have fallen out after the first time and their wasent even a penny when I checked the seat right before it happened. Weird. However I don't think drop zone is haunted. They say ghost haunt places they are connected to so I feel like no guest who have died here would haunt the park. Unless they loved coming here the only other connection is that this is where their death happened. The showtime theater is haunted by a little boy. The story goes before it was great America a house was there and it burned down and the boy died. My uncle has told me many stories about this ghost. If anyone wants to hear more let me know

 

Not sure if it is true or not, but I've heard that the Great America (Paramount) Theater is supposedly haunted as well. As for the Drop Zone, that is strange, the penny falling from the seat. Which cabin set was it, #1-3 or #4-6? I worked at Drop Zone a few times last season when I was not needed at Firefall and it was a pain at times.

[Nibbler]

i've had several encounters in the Showtime Theater.. and it for sure was not a child.

[XYZ]

Maybe the boy who died on the Whizzer cursed the location that no rides can be built there, that's why all those proposals for rides on Whizzer's location never went through.

[SharkTums]

Are we really talking about Ghosts haunting CGA?!?!

 

Wow, that just shows how much is going on at the park!

[XYZ]

Are we really talking about Ghosts haunting CGA?!?!

 

Wow, that just shows how much is going on at the park!

 

Exactly. I think there's more of a possibility of seeing a ghost in CGA next year than a new ride.

[sjsharkattack10]

We are just prepping for when great America really becomes a "ghost town" lol jk. Nibbler how do u know that it wasent a child? I'm just going by what my uncle has said. They even claim to have seen him one night. I believe their is a thread for ghosts in theme parks somewhere on tpr, I know for sure I saw it somewhere online with all these great stories about theme parks and ghosts. Showtime theater being on of them. As for drop tower the boy fell out of cabin 3 and that's where it happened. Me and my friend are still talking about that.

[sjsharkattack10]

Found a website that has four stories about haunted great America. It also has other places in California. I'm on my iPod so I can't forward the link but I will write it on here and u can copy and paste

 

Theshadowlands.net/places/California3.htm