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California Great America (CGA) Discussion Thread


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Since different areas of the park are zoned differently for height there are only certain places where a really tall coaster would be able to go, I don't know off hand which areas they are but if that is something in the park's future (as the mayor said this park and GS will thrill for decades and he talked about how important the park is for the economy), if they really wanted to do it they would find a way. GS is a good example of this I mean who would ever have thought they would put in a coaster that wraps around the Start Tower? And now look..... there it is! We'll see what happens. I am now very hopeful for the future of this park and can't wait to see what they will now do. But patience and one thing at a time. Let's get this thing open so we can all enjoy it first.

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So its possible if California Great America really wanted to,to make a rollercoaster around 300 to 400 feet?

 

No. Just no. First of all, the park will not get a coaster that large since it is currently the lowest profitable park in CF. Also, the park has strict height restrictions from the nearby San Jose International Airport, so CGA can't build rides much taller than 200'. So, CGA can see a full-sized dive machine or a hyper, but it won't see a giga or a strata ever.

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I think a large part of that is due to how stagnant this park has been over the past 10 years or so. Parks need to get updates every so often to keep peoples interest and get in the local media and all that, and Great America really hasn't been doing that. Then taking rides out because of peoples lack of interest in the park is only going to make things worse. I think this new coaster and the football stadium being right there could help this place out a lot.

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I totally agree with the person who said they need a maverick style coaster. I've been lucky to travel to the East Coast these past two years to experience their great coaster and me and my sisters both said the same thing..."why can't the west coast do a maverick style coaster?"

 

We are aware of the height restriction our park faces but I think coasters like Maverick, or a Backlot Stunt Coaster would be great addition to Great America or Discovery Kingdom.

 

Madvaz

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I totally agree with the person who said they need a maverick style coaster. I've been lucky to travel to the East Coast these past two years to experience their great coaster and me and my sisters both said the same thing..."why can't the west coast do a maverick style coaster?"

 

We are aware of the height restriction our park faces but I think coasters like Maverick, or a Backlot Stunt Coaster would be great addition to Great America or Discovery Kingdom.

 

Madvaz

 

But where would they put a coaster like that? I could agree that CGA could use another major ride in the next few years, but I can't really think of a place where they could put a low to the ground launch coaster with out removing something else.

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No. Just no. First of all, the park will not get a coaster that large since it is currently the lowest profitable park in CF.

 

What is the source for this exhibit?

 

 

It was part of the 'FUNForward' presentation that was given to investors in January of this year. It is on page 19 of the pdf that can be viewed here www.cedarfair.com/ir/press_releases/index.cfm

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But where would they put a coaster like that? I could agree that CGA could use another major ride in the next few years, but I can't really think of a place where they could put a low to the ground launch coaster with out removing something else.

 

There is a lot of wierd places in that park where they could put a coaster running over/under/through backstage and midway areas especially if they use the former Tidal Wave station area and some of the former train right-of-ways along the front of the park. (Similar to the Thrust Air coaster that was canceled a while ago.)

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But where would they put a coaster like that? I could agree that CGA could use another major ride in the next few years, but I can't really think of a place where they could put a low to the ground launch coaster with out removing something else.

 

There is a lot of wierd places in that park where they could put a coaster running over/under/through backstage and midway areas especially if they use the former Tidal Wave station area and some of the former train right-of-ways along the front of the park. (Similar to the Thrust Air coaster that was canceled a while ago.)

 

Once again, if they really want a coaster of this type they will find a way to put it in, and deal with whatever that entails.

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Really really busy day at the park today. I was lucky to get there as early as I did, about 10:15. Waited about 30 for Demon, then about 45 for Flight Deck, about 30 for Vortex (about 25 too long), tried to ride Grizzly but it was down, tried to reride Demon but the line had doubled in size, and walked by Flight Deck again and it was out the entrance too, so I just left. I got my front row rides on Demon and Flight Deck, so I'm happy.

 

Demon was riding very nice, that is still such a great coaster for it's age. Even Vortex was pretty enjoyable. It's all about knowing how to use the restraints. Flight Deck was awesome as usual..I wanted to get a back row ride but I'll have to wait until the next visit.

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^You were there? It was pretty busy today and I eventually did most of the coasters. We did a lot of Boomerang Bay and did a final rapids ride for the season. I will post my full mini update tomorrow.

Yep. I didn't want to go on a holiday weekend, but this was the first stop on my way to SCBB to ride Hurricane one more time before they close it tomorrow. I got there at opening and got my rides in before it got too crazy. Got some Gold Striker construction photos, it looked like there was a little more vertical than the last I saw a few days ago..it really does visually look amazing and a lot of people were talking about it and saying they couldnt wait. I'm gonna post a TPR now.

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So its possible if California Great America really wanted to,to make a rollercoaster around 300 to 400 feet?

 

No. Just no. First of all, the park will not get a coaster that large since it is currently the lowest profitable park in CF. Also, the park has strict height restrictions from the nearby San Jose International Airport, so CGA can't build rides much taller than 200'. So, CGA can see a full-sized dive machine or a hyper, but it won't see a giga or a strata ever.

 

The height requirement is a legitimate issue. "Spending money to make money" would easily solve CGA's woes.

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Well, I'm back up with another update!

I'll keep it short and sweet as I already had my TR typed up (and was adding photos) until I accidentally closed out my browser along with trying to close out a non-responding Photoshop...so here I am again, trying to type this up

 

First off, my neighbor has joined our group, buying a 2013 pass yesterday. She used to work at GA back in the 80s as well, and had not been to the park in a while. There was about 6 of us yesterday being my cousin, Rolercstrluvr, Robman, JeffyJosephNorcal, my neighbor (need to get her onto TPR now), and myself. Yesterday was quite busy and was a 'concentrate on the waterpark' day for atleast a few hours, ending our final 'hoorah' on Didgeridoo Falls, the family raft slide. We were whipped about and at the end, hit the wall before coming into the splash pool, causing some heads knocking into each other.

 

Another highlight was the $1 hotdog passholder promo they were doing where you could buy hot dogs for $1 each and get unlimited potato chips and unlimited soft drinks (yay, Vault still on tap in the picnic area!). Lunch consisted of some very interesting conversations which I probably should not discuss on here Those who were in our group yesterday know exactly what I'm talking about!

 

Pretty much with how busy it was, we only did each ride about once (where I'm normally riding Flight Deck and the other coasters at least twice or 3 times each.

 

Last few highlights:

-First night ride on Woodstock's Express

-E-stop on Flying Eagles followed by the ride restarting (perhaps we were flying too rough or the ride op wasn't quite sure what was going on as 5 of the buckets were bouncing about)...also saw Rolercstrluvr manage to turn a full 180, facing me!

 

Random notes:

-Seems to be a new spiel: "Do not pull out ANY electronics during the ride" (heard across several rides, first found out when I had my phone in a drypak/waterproof bag hanging on my neck when on the Rapids when I hear "Put your electronics away!" )

-Line management/control diminishes completely once evening hits, leading to fast lane queue abuse (as I expected early in the season) and disorganized/overcrowded stations.

 

Here's some photos including some more construction on Goldy!

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Yay we're here!

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Some wood work going on in that lot.

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Midway turn getting some cement.

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Progress! (Donut slab now has vert construction, trenches are growing)

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A common thing to see throughout the park.

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In line for Flight Deck! Sadly, this was the only time I rode it today...

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Smurf House! I felt like I was 5 again when I climbed inside this thing :)

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Just being random :)

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Hmm, this looks new! I'm liking it!

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Dragonfly and Drop Tower

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A 'straight in line with the FD lift' shot

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Some more Goldy! (I'm liking the banner even more!)

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True haunt fans are camping out in front out of the Toy Factory maze entrance, 26 more days to go!

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Longest curly fry ever!

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"Hmmm...nope! My fry's not as long!"

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Post park closing fun!

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Hmm....this isn't quite right!

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Good Night CGA and soon to be Gold Striker!

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Looks like you all had a lot of fun despite the crowds!

-E-stop on Flying Eagles followed by the ride restarting (perhaps we were flying too rough or the ride op wasn't quite sure what was going on as 5 of the buckets were bouncing about)...also saw Rolercstrluvr manage to turn a full 180, facing me!

By any chance, did the infamous fellow in this video clone himself and send his clone to work Flying Eagles on your visit?

 

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GCI posted some construction pictures up on their Facebook today, nothing new but it does give us a ground level view of the construction.

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Building some bents.

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Building some bents with the first section of structure standing in the background.

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New footers.

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Footers curing.

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Another fun day at the park. AngryGumball pretty much summed it all up. On to the pics below!

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Soon this view will change....

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Construction, construction everywhere!

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More vertical pieces up!

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Diggin' for gold!

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No ball!

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Time for lunch!

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All-You-Can-Eat Chip Bar?! OMG!

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Robman can't contain himself!

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Open! Open! Open!

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Smurf Woods Live on!

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We love Smurf Houses!

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Tiki Twirl behind the bushes..

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Coming soon!

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Nighttime falls.....

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Dinner!

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Beef.......it's what's for dinner....

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Curly!

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Really curly!

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Time for some Mini Intamin!

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Woodstock Express in the dark!

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Drop Tower all lighted up!

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Going up!

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HAPPY LABOR DAY!

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Haunt is coming!

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And it's coming after youuuu!

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Until next time!

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^Cool, thanks for sharing! I wish I had taken more photos but I was feeling a bit lazy that day...lazy to the point that I was too lazy to fend off line jumpers...Was definitely a fun day!

 

I'm definitely hoping my next visit will not be as crowded, as much as I'm getting used to the crowds (I guess you can say that this is weening me into heavier crowd days once Gold Striker opens). I'm shooting for a Saturday the 15th as there's a festival event on the 16th, sure to bring back the crowds.

 

Also...now that Haunt is around the corner, I remember several people mentioning about wanting to do a huge meet up at CGA for Haunt. I was kind of thinking Sat Sept 29th since that's opening weekend. I (like many others I'm sure) can't do Sundays due to having work the following day and I tend to do regular CGA visit during the day to do the rides, followed by Boofet (park's buffet promo that gets you into Haunt a bit early) and focus on mazes and a couple night rides after. It would be cool to get the group to meet up during the day, do boofet together and go onto the mazes! So yea, something to think about while we have time!

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Very 'punny' (insert cricket chirps here) I must say. This will be CB's 3rd iteration, the Woodstock Express of haunt mazes.

 

Also, non haunt-related, ever wanted to re-listen to the park's show reminders/announcements?

Haunt themes are also on there since they aren't up for grabs on the CGA site since the facelift happened.

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