California Great America (CGA) Discussion Thread

[Flagg O'Dim]

I've been snooping around in the city's Architectural Committee meetings, and found some details for the coaster.

 

March 7 meeting (scroll down): http://santaclaraca.gov/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=7097

 

Representatives from GCI were there. Also, a CGA representative was showing off the plans (still looking for those), and also described a "proposed lighting design concept."

 

Of course, Prudential was there. It looks like CGA will be forced to add "sound dampening measures." Hello, sound wall.

 

Here's a March 28 meeting, further describing noise "issues:" http://santaclaraca.gov/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=7096

[Angry_Gumball]

My guess: sound walls, scream sheds (hello head choppers!), and/or urethane wheels.

 

Very interested in this lighting concept. Could vision a coaster illuminated by floodlights, creating a nice backdrop entering the park.

Edited May 5, 2012 by Angry_Gumball

[robman]

I was at the park for an hour than left, the park was surprisingly busy today. I'm going to be going back tomorrow to get some rides in.

[Angry_Gumball]

I was at the park for an hour than left, the park was surprisingly busy today. I'm going to be going back tomorrow to get some rides in.

Could it have been busy due to Cinco de Mayo? I'm also going tomorrow.

[robman]

I was at the park for an hour than left, the park was surprisingly busy today. I'm going to be going back tomorrow to get some rides in.

Could it have been busy due to Cinco de Mayo? I'm also going tomorrow.

 

 

Could be, there were a lot of busses also, not sure why school groups would be at the park on a Saturday.

[Sunfire]

Hmm, this is interesting. I've noticed that attendance has overall increased this season. Every weekend, I hear that the park is busy. Good news for the park, that's for sure. I can definitely imagine Haunt being packed again this October.

[XYZ]

Park attendance has increased substantiually since 2008. No more 5 minute waits. At least, the park is finally making some good money.

[robman]

Also the park was throwing an event for the Girl Scouts, which I just found out that would also cause for a more crowded park. I literally rode one ride, Star Tower so I could check out the construction.

Here's a little bit better picture that shows some more land clearing near Whitewater Falls.

[Tmcdllr]

Of course, Prudential was there. It looks like CGA will be forced to add "sound dampening measures." Hello, sound wall.

 

 

My guess: sound walls, scream sheds (hello head choppers!), and/or urethane wheels.

 

Very interested in this lighting concept. Could vision a coaster illuminated by floodlights, creating a nice backdrop entering the park.

 

Fine, but why couldn't they just agree to do that YEARS ago? Frikin ridiculous! I hope the side of the wall facing Poodential is butt ugly too.

 

the roller coaster as designed orients the ride AWAY from Prudential's office buildings and incorporates sound dampening measures to reduce mechanical noise.

 

See now everyone is happy.

 

Sounds like they are going to build it then test for 'noise' and add dampening measures if needed.

 

Well, so far this seems good.

[Flagg O'Dim]

Now that they cleared out the trees, the Pictorium sticks out like a sore thumb. I still can't imagine how it could still be there once the coaster is built. It's an eyesore now, hopefully they will clean it up, or, you know, actually use it for it's real purpose: as an Imax theater.

 

I never realized just how much room was hidden in that area.

 

The Xtreme Skyflyer must be getting a little nervous...

[Angry_Gumball]

Fine, but why couldn't they just agree to do that YEARS ago? Frikin ridiculous! I hope the side of the wall facing Poodential is butt ugly too.

Actually, I think we were just before this point in the first attempt at this coaster (agreeing to test and whatnot) until a certain bay area sports team became the new controversy (or scapegoat). Because not long after (2009) was when Kinzel had hopes to selling the place off.

 

The sound walls...They should paint the Prudential side a nice, neon green and/or pink...perhaps hire a talented graffiti artist to do some really vibrant artwork on it. I'm sure the 'suit, tie, briefcase & BMW folk' will totally approve

 

Poo-dential? That's a new one!

 

Sounds like they are going to build it then test for 'noise' and add dampening measures if needed.

Well, so far this seems good.

As I mentioned a couple pages back, maybe this is why they're wanting to get things rolling asap with this, to allow for testing. I can see it now...

Riders getting seated...safety spiel:

"Welcome to Stampede! Please keep all body parts inside the train at all times and secure all loose articles you may have brought on board. Also please refrain from any kind of shouting or screaming. All clear, enjoy you ride!"

 

Can't wait for the official announcement and concept art (not counting the 2008 renderings we saw)!

[robman]

Or GCI could develop new trains and do this.....

[jjeerr]

I bought my season pass today, (the Costco deal at my location ends Sunday), and I'm excited to go back for the first time since I worked there in 2010. I'm glad the gold pass includes Halloween Haunt, as I haven't attended that since the first year it happened.

[XYZ]

Now that they cleared out the trees, the Pictorium sticks out like a sore thumb. I still can't imagine how it could still be there once the coaster is built. It's an eyesore now, hopefully they will clean it up, or, you know, actually use it for it's real purpose: as an Imax theater.

 

The new GCI coaster will hide the IMAX theater behind it. I hope that one day they will re-open it.

[Geauga Dog]

Great to see something positive finally happening at CGA. Given all the drama over the past few years I wonder if any GP think the park is closing and they are starting to level the park.

[Angry_Gumball]

At the park, so far it's not too bad but people are coming in. I saw the first fast lane queue abuse happen, only to see guests having to go back around; a nice slap in the face. Also just heard their enterprise ride be described as a "sideways ferris wheel."

[Sunfire]

^Yeah, if the Fast Lane people want to ride again, they have to go all the way around just like everyone else. But hey, when the ride has a 30-45 minute wait, it must be nice to exit and walk all the way around just to essentially walk back onto the ride.

[The49er]

I was at the park for an hour than left, the park was surprisingly busy today. I'm going to be going back tomorrow to get some rides in.

Could it have been busy due to Cinco de Mayo? I'm also going tomorrow.

 

 

Could be, there were a lot of busses also, not sure why school groups would be at the park on a Saturday.

 

Music in the Parks, no doubt about it.

[robbalvey]

I saw the first fast lane queue abuse happen, only to see guests having to go back around; a nice slap in the face.

What does this mean?

[Angry_Gumball]

^Yeah, if the Fast Lane people want to ride again, they have to go all the way around just like everyone else. But hey, when the ride has a 30-45 minute wait, it must be nice to exit and walk all the way around just to essentially walk back onto the ride.

 

These weren't even fast laners, just normal guests. Now to experience the seatbelt setup on Grizzly.

[Sunfire]

I saw the first fast lane queue abuse happen, only to see guests having to go back around; a nice slap in the face.

What does this mean?

 

I think he means some guests without a Fast Lane pass attempted to use the Fast Lane queue, only to be told by the attendant that they need to use the regular line.

[Angry_Gumball]

What Sunfire said, normal guests without the wristband attempting the Fast Lane queue to bypass us for Flight Deck. When they got up to the station they were told they had to go back around.

[Tmcdllr]

Now that they cleared out the trees, the Pictorium sticks out like a sore thumb. I still can't imagine how it could still be there once the coaster is built. It's an eyesore now, hopefully they will clean it up, or, you know, actually use it for it's real purpose: as an Imax theater.

 

The new GCI coaster will hide the IMAX theater behind it. I hope that one day they will re-open it.

 

At this point just tear the damn thing down and open up space for a nice ride.

[Angry_Gumball]

Just a quick note, minus the whole wait at bottom of ramp thing for grizzly, loading/unloading time really wasn't all that bad today. Though it was funny watching people forget to remove their individual seatbelt and attempt to get up when the ride was done... They got a nice little surprise. I'll post more details about the seatbelt after, still out riding coasters

[XYZ]

I drove by the park and saw the land clearing for myself. I didn't take any pictures as there are way better pictures on this thread.