California Great America (CGA) Discussion Thread

[greatamerica1990sfan]

Adios CGA! I have a funny feeling this season may be the last after they removed a major coaster everybody on facebook just was in love with. I will deffinately go to SFDK & Raging Waters this year. I think 2010 was my last year going to CGA. I sure no longer care to go anymore.

[CGA_88]

I found these home movies from the park, one from 1988 and one from 1990. Thought they were really cool. The video from 1988 has a segment of the old sea lion show:

 

 

[1pizza14]

Correct me if im wrong... but at around 0:57.. is that a baby on a rapids ride?!?!?!

[Angry_Gumball]

I found these home movies from the park, one from 1988 and one from 1990. Thought they were really cool. The video from 1988 has a segment of the old sea lion show:

 

 

 

Sweet, on the second video, you can hear the high-pitched motors from the Sky Whirl. You could hear that ride from almost anywhere in the park.

[robman]

On the second video you can see the small child walking across that bridge in Kidzville today (not sure what that land was called at the time) does anyone know that bridge was taken down I think it went missing around 2005/2006 I had alway liked going across it.

[coaster-crazy]

On the second video you can see the small child walking across that bridge in Kidzville today (not sure what that land was called at the time) does anyone know that bridge was taken down I think it went missing around 2005/2006 I had alway liked going across it.

 

I loved that bridge too! ..so mad that they removed it about 6 years ago. At the time of the video, I believe that land was known as Smurf Woods.

 

~Nicholas

[Angry_Gumball]

I remember Smurf Woods. I think the play structure was called "Fort Fun" or something like that. It was like an outdoor Discovery Zone complete with a maze, small zip line, bridges, slides, ball pits...something that kids play structures lack these days. As a kid, one could easily get lost in the play structure, at least from what I remember. The most exciting part was crossing that suspended bridge for me, while hearing the screeching Triple Play/Sky Whirl and looking at my parents far below me.

 

As far as Smurf Woods, I always ran through the mushroom houses as I made may way back to the Blue Streak coaster, now Woodstock Express. I'm sure I posted this various times but in the picnic area, one of the smaller Smurf mushroom houses still stands.

 

And what on earth was a baby doing on the Rapids anyway? That was downright strange. I always thought infants weren't allowed on any of their rides.

[Mechanic]

The chick in the seal lion show was hot.

[Fat-G]

"I hav a great ride f0r great america itz da GIANT INVERTED B00MERANG fr0m vek0ma!!! actually it may l00k like invertig0 but if u ride it itz bettr kuz itz higher. F0 REELZ N0T J0KING PPL....N GREAT AMERICA ahahhaha iz it 0k 2 call great america n tell dem great ideas f0r a new ride 2 replace invertig0??? ANY 1???? ehehhe pleez k0mment bakk ppl n great america by da way my 8th grade class is k0ming in june 8th n i hav a great (funfair) ride2 put wile weer der n aftr dat u can put ma idea!! kuz itz sad if we g0 n ders n0 ride 2 replace invertig0 u could put da ride wile weer der n itz E-Z 2 put kuz itz a funfair ride n E-Z 2take it 0ff 2!! S0RRY IF I RITE 2 MUCH IM JZT S00000 INTERESTED IN GREAT AMERICA!! ahahah"

 

[Tmcdllr]

Haha....perfect!!!

 

"Everyone on the internet is now dumber after reading your post"

 

Lol

[ScottBrown]

Isn't there a rumor that Olympia Looping is for sale they should just get that since it is portable it would be easy to take back down when the park closes

[Tmcdllr]

Hmmm...............no.

[Ed Farmer]

I found these home movies from the park, one from 1988 and one from 1990. Thought they were really cool. The video from 1988 has a segment of the old sea lion show:

 

 

 

Sweet, on the second video, you can hear the high-pitched motors from the Sky Whirl. You could hear that ride from almost anywhere in the park.

 

I miss Sky Whirl @SFGAm. When it was replaced by Deja Vu I wasn't that bothered because GIBs are fantastic. Now that it has ultimately been replaced by the waste of space Buccaneer Battle, it's a different story.

 

I think the triple wheels are all gone, but how about the double wheels? I remember reading not too long ago that there were a few left (presumably) overseas.

[Tmcdllr]

Who was the manufacturer of the Triple Wheel/Sky Whirl rides?

[DJeXeL]

Intamin AG

[Tmcdllr]

I worked on that ride but couldn't remember, now it makes sense as it did have that Intamin feel to it.

[Sunfire]

Well, opening weekend is coming up on the 27th. Is anyone planning to go? I know that without Invertigo, it's like there's a big hole in CGA, but is anyone going for the rest of the rides?

[Tmcdllr]

I am going several times this season, probably closer to May.

[robman]

I will be going on opening day even knowing that Invertigo is gone I am still looking forward to rides and Flight Deck( Top Gun) and to see how much faster the Grizzly is now with the first drop retracked.

[appleboy007]

It's a shame to see California's Great America formerly known as Marriott's Great America turn into a glorified carnival. In it's hey day (Tidal Wave, sky Whirl, Orleans Orbit (when it actually went all the way up), the Demon complete w/ it's creepy bright orange rails and theming and the attraction most missed... The Whizzer. It was such an awesome place to visit. They should restore the magic and splendor of that was GREAT AMERICA.

[robman]

I just bought my Gold Pass at Costco for only $64! They are a lot cheaper there compared to online. If you are a Costco member I really recommend buying the Gold Pass there to save some money.

[154bmag]

I know I'm going invertigo or not, I didnt like that ride anyways

[Angry_Gumball]

I plan on going. I'm going to look at it this way: Invertigo was down most of the 2010 season. It will pretty much be the same thing this year minus the lawn ornament tormenting us as we can't ride.

[Flagg O'Dim]

I'll probably go. There's a good chance that it will be raining though, probably keep the crowds down. I'm most looking forward to riding the Grizzly!

 

Things I'll be looking for:

 

-If Firefall will be running on opening day, for the first time in its existence at CGA.

-Will there be six cars working on the Drop Tower?

-Fence: The Ride

-New Tiki Twirl sign

-Maybe Vortex will be running the other train that was in rehab all last season, possibly smoother?

-The appearance of the orange Demon train, with the yellow one in rehab

 

Should be fun. The off-season went by fairly quick!

[BobMan01]

Hello,

Small Update mainly what Flagg O'Dim commented on.

 

FireFall is still undergoing rehab and probably won't be open till May-ish (Don't hold me to this, things can change). Waiting on a replacement part.

Drop Tower is currently operating with 6 cabins and should hopefully stay that way for opening day.

I have yet to see the new Tiki Sign, last I checked it wasn't up yet.

Vortex's second train was added this week and the plan is to open with 2 trains.

FlightDeck aka Top Gun (My ride ) , the shark train received some nice new harnesses.

 

As for riding the coasters around the park, I have yet to do cause I'm mostly working or they don't allow us too.

I shall be the first on my ride in the morning for a test ride. *Excited* Can't wait......

 

Invertigo aka dirt patch, the final second half of the station including the safety booth was removed, "clean-up" of the area has been ongoing.