California Great America (CGA) Discussion Thread

[Double0Kevin]

Working it little portable buildings with almost no sound insulation right next to Kong and under V2 at SFDK, I rarely ever noticed the coasters... and when I did it was over as quickly as it began. It's unfortunately the society we live in, people complain because they don't have anything else to do.

[MrSum1_55]

What I also do not understand is why a stadium is permissable, but a coaster isn't. Stand half a mile away from a stadium, and you might even hear some screams when a field goal happens. Stand half a mile away from an amusment park, and what will you hear? Absolutly nothing. Not even S:EFK can be heard from outside the park or parking lot. Also, if I recall correctly, the psyclone bay bathrooms are quite close to Apocalypse. Inside them, you can barely hear coaster trains flying by, and even then you almost have to listen for it.

 

Even if the noise from this coaster is a problem, another factor to consider is that the capacity is 840 per hour, meaning trains cannot be cycled faster than once every two minutes. If I worked right next to a GCI wood coaster in a small shack, a faint noise every two minutes would not significantly distract the amount of work I could get done. In fact, if I worked in an office building 150 feet away from the coaster and next to the window, I would be far more distracted watching the coaster than by the noise it makes. (Maybe that's the real problem)

[HighRoller]

What I also do not understand is why a stadium is permissable, but a coaster isn't.

 

May I suggest that the vast majority of Football Games will be played either a) on the weekend or b) in the evening, both of which are outside of "normal business hours"? That would seem to be the real difference, since the actual volume of sound from the stadium would seem to be greater.

 

Of course, the thing that gets me is that the park has been around for 30+ years, and the office complex is 8 years old. You're telling me you didn't think to put in sound-dampening measures when you built the building? Poor planning on your part does not justify and emergency or a change in business strategy on the part of your neighbor, who's been established in that location since before you came along. Shame on you.

[Angry_Gumball]

Well I just got another respose from last weeks email:

Your message has been received in the Mayor and Council offices, City of Santa Clara and will be distributed to the full council as well as the City Manager's office for review.

 

Regards,

Kimberly Green

Executive Assistant to the Mayor and Council

City of Santa Clara, California | All-America City

1500 Warburton Ave.  | Santa Clara, CA 95050

408.615.2250  | mayorandcouncil@santaclaraca.gov

www.santaclaraca.gov

We'll see how far this goes... I'm sure this is a shocker to the mayor and SCCC.

[gromithere]

Curious if anyone else here has written the city? I intend to write when I get back from vacation and am at an actual computer. As someone who does not visit CGA all that much, I can certainly say that if this new coaster were built, my sales tax dollars would come to Santa Clara More often.

[Angry_Gumball]

Not sure who else has written but both rolercstrluvr and I have written to them. And I think hearing from a variety of different people from the public is a good idea, not just hearing from regular CGA visitors who will automatically defend 'their' park. People of different distances from the park is a good thing as well, not just hearing from San Jose/Santa Clara locals (which I'm about 20 minutes north of CGA).

[robman]

Well I just got another respose from last weeks email:

Your message has been received in the Mayor and Council offices, City of Santa Clara and will be distributed to the full council as well as the City Manager's office for review.

 

Regards,

Kimberly Green

Executive Assistant to the Mayor and Council

City of Santa Clara, California | All-America City

1500 Warburton Ave.  | Santa Clara, CA 95050

408.615.2250  | mayorandcouncil@santaclaraca.gov

http://www.santaclaraca.gov

We'll see how far this goes... I'm sure this is a shocker to the mayor and SCCC.

 

 

 

I got the same automatic email I'm sort of curious to see what they reply with.

[Mechanic]

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.

[Tmcdllr]

^I would like to copy that email and send it stating I second what was written as it is written perfectly and I feel the same way. What is the email address I send it to?

 

Wouldn't it be awesome if the city gave the park incentives to add coasters?

[Tmcdllr]

Done, I added that this email was sent by someone else but I am re-sending it because it states perfectly how I feel.

[Tmcdllr]

Just got the same email reply.

[Mechanic]

^ 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.

Edited April 13, 2012 by Mechanic

[Tmcdllr]

Add a couple of thrilling coasters and this park will be popular again.

[Angry_Gumball]

^I remember my 1999 visit to GA, and that park had quite a bit of people for a typical summer Saturday. By the time night fell, I still had about a 20-minute wait for Drop Tower. Stealth was still under construction but GA had Tidal Wave still running (which was my first and only ride). After 1999, I hadn't gone to CGA until 2007 when I became a 'regular visitor' as I had a SFDK pass, then had college taking over everything. As far as flat rides go, I think at the moment GA is pretty solid. They could definitely use atleast 2 coasters: 1 as a much needed coaster and the other to replace Invertigo. As of right now (or when S:UF get's built) CGA won't have the most coasters in Northern California as what is played over their PA system entering the park.

 

Mechanic: your letter was very well written. While mine covered the same/similar points, looking back, I probably could have worded it better. If anyone's curious, here's what I wrote:

 

To whom it may concern:

 

I am a frequent visitor of the California's Great America (CGA) amusement park and have come across efforts for a proposed wooden coaster for CGA. I first heard about this back in 2008 where there was to be a 111-foot coaster in the northwestern part of the park when plans came to a screeching halt due to noise concerns from the neighboring building, ultimately being concerns from Prudential. From that point, it seemed that the project went on hold, or vanished altogether.

 

Several years later (Last June and moreso last February) I saw that the plans were revived for revised plans. Being curious in how the project was rolling along, I recently saw the same noise concerns. While I don't know the exact details this time as it has not made it to any news sites, only seeing an appeal from Prudential, it concerned me that the same dilemma is bound to happen 4 years later.

 

Why am I concerned? As a frequent visitor to CGA from Hayward (and a member of the general public), I feel that adding a major attraction (something the park has not seen since the early 2000's) would be a huge draw for the park, attract more visitors (I'm sure you are aware of how successful the Haunt event has been, that's 1 thing that's new for the park since 2008 and has grown over the years), and in the long run be more beneficial to the city. Many people were actually let down just before the 2011 season when one of the park's major (and very popular) attractions were pulled, in hopes that something major will replace it.

 

I do understand that there are neighbors next to the park, and back in 2008, it was noted that the park already makes too much noise. Realistically, what should one expect when they choose to set up shop right next to a theme park? Prudential (and tenants renting the office spaces) should have already aware that if they move next to a theme park, they should expect noise. It is up to them if they want their employees to be easily distracted or not, thus if being in that location will provide distractions from their workflow, that location is probably not the best for them. What should one expect when they choose to live right by the airport or next to the train tracks? I do realize there are efforts to keep noise levels under control, and there are several modifications that have been done to roller coasters to help muffle the screams and noise (whether if it's some form of sound wall, or 'scream tunnels' that cover portions of the track that are most likely to cause a rider to scream).

 

As much as I'm just a regular park guest, I feel that giving my feedback representing the public is important and I hope you take these thoughts into consideration (if the city council team hasn't already).

 

Thank you for your time.

 

I know it's not perfect but I think I delivered my point.

[disney4me2001]

I just sent in my own email. I've never visited CGA (I'm from AZ), but I do visit SoCal multiple times per year, and a new coaster at CGA would be a good reason for me to make a special trip to NorCal. So I made a point of stating this in my email to let the city know that this decision could affect future tourism and that allowing CGA to go forth with their plans would make it a favorable destination for tourists such as myself. Hopefully it will help, although I'm assuming I'll get the same canned response that everyone has gotten. We can only hope that the Mayor and city council will actually take the time to read what we wrote!

[gromithere]

Finally got around to writing a letter very similar to those I've seen posted in this thread. I am expecting a form letter response soon.

[MrSum1_55]

I am currently working on my letter to the council. In addition to the points brought up, I also plan to mention the closures of Geauga Lake and SFKK. I hope to get it done soon, but I may not be able to until Monday. (When is the final voting session?) If anyone else plans to write to the mayor and council, I would love to see someone bring up GL and SFKK, considering how these parks closed, at least in part, due to a lack of new rides.

[larrygator]

Remember if you guys are spending your money up in Vallejo instead of Santa Clara that's important to point out also.

Edited April 14, 2012 by larrygator

[RAWKIN_coaster38]

^I've thought about writing a letter for that reason. I haven't been to CGA since '06 when I hit all the coasters and haven't felt the need to go back since, partially because there hasn't been anything new. However, I go to SFDK every year and they always have something new.

 

Where's the e-mail address you guys are sending to? I somehow missed it if it was posted.

[XYZ]

Remember if you guys are spending your money up in Vallejo instead of Santa Clara that's important to point out also.

 

I was a CGA season pass-holder in 2007, 2009, 2010, & 2011 with 2008 left out because of the recession. In 2012, I did not get a CGA season pass, but a SFDK season pass because of S:UF and that I wanted to try out an amusement park with more massive roller coasters.

 

I will get around in sending the letter soon.

[Tmcdllr]

^I've thought about writing a letter for that reason. I haven't been to CGA since '06 when I hit all the coasters and haven't felt the need to go back since, partially because there hasn't been anything new. However, I go to SFDK every year and they always have something new.

 

Where's the e-mail address you guys are sending to? I somehow missed it if it was posted.

Santa Clara mayor's office email

 

 

Click on ' send message to' and scroll down to "Mayor, Council, Board & Commissions"

[Rollercoaster Rider]

Remember if you guys are spending your money up in Vallejo instead of Santa Clara that's important to point out also.

 

 

I'm paying only for parking at SFDK, I'm paying for a Gold-pass at CGAm & GG So, I'm helping to pay for a coaster.

[Angry_Gumball]

I'm wondering if we'll see any form of update on the permit site in regards to our emails, or when the next activity will even be in regards to meetings/next phase with this project.

 

Anywho, I'm going to CGA this Sunday for my second visit this season...anxious to see that's changed since opening day, and if there's any more changes behind/adjacent to Didgeridoo Falls in terms of those markers I saw opening day or if that's yet to be more landscaping stuff. One can only hope, right?

[XYZ]

I'm wondering if we'll see any form of update on the permit site in regards to our emails, or when the next activity will even be in regards to meetings/next phase with this project.

 

Anywho, I'm going to CGA this Sunday for my second visit this season...anxious to see that's changed since opening day, and if there's any more changes behind/adjacent to Didgeridoo Falls in terms of those markers I saw opening day or if that's yet to be more landscaping stuff. One can only hope, right?

 

Well, the news article from a few months ago stating Cedar Fair is keeping CGA said there will be a roller coaster and a water slide. The roller coaster will be the GCI coaster and the water slide should also be built in 2013. I hope it will be a ProSlide Tornado.

[Angry_Gumball]

Don't Tornado slides take up a good chunk of space, due to the massive funnel? I could see something like a Tantrum with a more 'custom' layout working, or even a capsule/trapdoor speed slide being done off the Didgeridoo Falls tower. I think it would make sense to build off that existing tower since it's already there as well as the plumbing for it. Back to the whole Tornado thing, I'm not sure though if the round tubes CGA has would work with a Tornado or if it would have to be those Clover-Leaf tubes. Although, right now it is way too soon to tell if there's even a slide going in there just yet... Especially since there's nothing on the permit page.

 

Also...anyone else going to the park tomorrow? Wouldn't mind running into some TPR members!