California Great America (CGA) Discussion Thread

[rolercstrluvr]

^ So with that, would it be safe to say that the height limit on the eastern part of CGA has to be at least 200 ft.

[JJnCFL]

Planes that fly real low during rainy/foggy weather conditions fly over the eastern side of the park toward SJA. Every time I see it, it always feels like it's about to come and pick FD up. The Western side however as everyone else mentioned, obviously has more leeway in regards to DT & ST.

 

Seeing that we almost got a 200ft Morgan coaster that was gonna be built over Grizzly, but instead got Invertigo, gives me hope up that eventually we'll get a hyper. There's all the space by Grizzly & Barney's, and the old train path next to Demon including the old Tunnel & GS, and along by Redwood Amphitheater. As I mentioned earlier and as someone pointed out, I could definitely see a coaster as well next to FD using the old train route and run around and over Rapids as well like a Wingrider, B&M Flyer, or Mack launch coaster of some sort. Also a revival of Pictorium, with 3D movies being the thing these days, it makes perfect sense.

 

Though besides my wishes for the park, for 2014 and beyond I can definitely see a Windseeker in Invertigarden's spot, as long as all the kinks are worked out. I think a full version would still work even if it's 301 ft. If you look at Google maps, it's interesting to note that ST, DT & a WS would form sort of a beeline (a straight line). New slides/expansion at BB, full repainting of the coasters, Dinosaurs Alive (since CF seems to be sticking with it), KidZville/Planet Snoopy merging, and renovations of the restrooms and buildings as I see some are in need of TLC.

[Angry_Gumball]

There's a lot of sprucing up the park could use, painting-wise. As noted a few pages back, the parking lot light post letters look pretty bad. The almost baby blue with white letters at night under the amber parking lot lighting is almost unreadable (we actually had to park way out in no-man's land on the last weekend of Haunt when we went on a Friday). Centrifuge's platform looks pretty bad as well as you can see hints of blue and orange underneath it. And of course, Demon, and Flight Deck could use the rest of their much needed paint and Vortex could use some. On the other hand, there were already efforts to get some things painted, like the Eagle's Flight building and Carousel. I never really paid attention to whether if the shops got painted or not.

 

Also wishing that they'd install some kind of canopies over the stations (even similar to what was done on Medusa and maybe over some of the unshaded queue...could come in very handy on those extremely hot summer days, could also be useful for the occasional rainy day to keep guests dry. I'm sure ride ops who are constantly in the sun would also very much appreciate it.

 

Also, just a minor nitpick, we were looking at the air gates this past weekend, especially Drop Tower. It would be nice if they actually painted the grey Masonite panels (that OSHA required CGA to install) to match the metal on the airgates, otherwise it looks kind of...tacky.

 

More speculation and pipe dreaming (because it's fun)...I've always visioned some kind of track heading out in the middle of the parking lot, running along the exit lanes (that take you out to Tasman, in front of SC convention center) when I had walked up that path on one of the days I took Amtrak to get there. Of course this is wishful thinking and would take up even more valuable parking spaces. Also as said, there's lots of space behind Grizzly, though I'm assuming that they must keep a certain buffer zone between the coasters and their property line. Notice how Gold Striker doesn't go right up to the edge (Prudential turn is in a bit closer compared to the original rendering, and actually seems directed away from the neighbors).

 

After GS, I don't think this is the end of CGA's pesky neighbors...though I saw that Yahoo was no longer in those buildings next to Demon. Again, another unrealistic fanboy pipe dream...would be neat if that land was able to be used for the park to expand, since the office buildings seem out of place next to a theme park...Southwest Territory of the west coast! Ok, I'm done dreaming

[robman]

Im surprised no one has mentioned about removing Spongebob in the Action FX theater. I feel like it will finally be gone next year and we will see a Dinosaurs Alive movie come in. Similar to the other CF park that got it this year, just don't remember which one.

[Angry_Gumball]

I believe it was Kings Island.

 

*googles it*

 

Yup it's Dinosaurs Alive 3D at Kings Island. Agreed, I could see Mr Robert Squarepants retiring soon

[Kenta.Sasakado]

Is it possible that Gold Striker will have tunnels? It seems like it might due to the noise complaints.

[azza29]

There's a lot of sprucing up the park could use, painting-wise. As noted a few pages back, the parking lot light post letters look pretty bad. The almost baby blue with white letters at night under the amber parking lot lighting is almost unreadable (we actually had to park way out in no-man's land on the last weekend of Haunt when we went on a Friday). Centrifuge's platform looks pretty bad as well as you can see hints of blue and orange underneath it. And of course, Demon, and Flight Deck could use the rest of their much needed paint and Vortex could use some. On the other hand, there were already efforts to get some things painted, like the Eagle's Flight building and Carousel. I never really paid attention to whether if the shops got painted or not.

 

While I haven't been to CGA (yet) it's amazing how much a lot of parks could achieve by spending a little bit of money on some fresh paint each year. Faded/worn paint jobs are a terrible look and yet are such a minor effort to fix!

[thestripedtaco]

^ I don't know how much painting a roller coaster costs but I bet it adds up after a while.

[Blue Fire Guy]

Is it possible that Gold Striker will have tunnels? It seems like it might due to the noise complaints.

That could be very possible if it uses steel wheels. My personal guess is that Gold Striker will use polyurethane wheels like Wodan: Timbur Coaster at Europa Park does. The advantage of PU wheels is that the coaster will be quieter, but the disadvantage is that it'll start off the season running somewhat sluggish, taking more time to break in than if it has steel wheels.

 

If the animation (no tunnels there) is correct, then I'm guessing it'll use polyurethane wheels. The tunnels could be a surprise that the animation doesn't reveal, given that the ride is themed to gold-mining. 'Tis quite a debatable question indeed, and even with my guess that it'll use PU wheels, I still am not too sure how everything is going to work out.

Edited November 5, 2012 by Blue Fire Guy

[thestripedtaco]

^ I think I read somewhere that it will be using PU wheels to appease the neighbors. I can't remember where though so I can't post a link to the article. It would be really cool to have a tunnel on one of the bunny hills.

[simaticable]

Why does it need tunnels? I'm pretty sure no one could care what Prudential wants.

[Angry_Gumball]

Well, according to the rendering, the flyby bunnyhill will have wooden beams overhead. That should be a pretty crazy experience, only to be greeted by 3 sets of track crossing over.

 

I'm not sure if I saw an article on the PU wheels, but back in March/April, I believe I speculated on here that GS could be running on PU. I believe GCI mentioned something on an interview somewhere that PU wheels have a lower acceleration (takes more time to get to speed), and how March 28 was a very important date for them as that day would be the deciding factor whether their new creation would happen or not.

[Blue Fire Guy]

^ Combining that with the fact that the airtime on that speed hill is lifting you up towards those beams, I'd probably lower my raised hands the first time around when that occurs. It should be nicknamed "Chopper: The Ride" lol!

[invisibleinthedark]

The likeliness of a coaster being on the Grizzly/Demon side of the park is low. I believe it was mentioned before that they would have a difficult time trying to get permits passed if the neighbors on that side continue to complaint about noise, I believe that was one of the reasons why the Morgan elevator was never built, thats why I suggested a Grizzly Rocky Mountain Treatment, because it would essentially be a "overhaul" of an existing coaster.

 

Another likely location for the Windseeker is where Triple play used stand, since the queue is still used as a season pass queue, it just wouldn't be a very high Windseeker, which when you really think about it, does the height matter that much, it doesn't provide much of a difference to the ride experience. It would give Inverti-garden some room to play around with.

[azza29]

^ I don't know how much painting a roller coaster costs but I bet it adds up after a while.

 

Yes but little things like signage and railings wouldn't. Too much chipped/faded paint around the place makes it look like the park just doesn't care.

[JJnCFL]

Another likely location for the Windseeker is where Triple play used stand, since the queue is still used as a season pass queue, it just wouldn't be a very high Windseeker, which when you really think about it, does the height matter that much, it doesn't provide much of a difference to the ride experience. It would give Inverti-garden some room to play around with.

 

That area would be too tight of a fit for a Windseeker, with Vortex right next to it, you'd be high fiving people as the train came by . Also the Season Pass Building is there as well. The Invertigarden would be the most logical place. It would kind of be an homage to Triple Wheel in a way if they placed it there. Also as Robman mentioned, Mr. Spongebob has overstayed his welcome in the Action Theater, definitely time for something new there, and as AngryGumball mentioned, covered stations and shaded queues please!

[JonnyRCT3]

The likeliness of a coaster being on the Grizzly/Demon side of the park is low. I believe it was mentioned before that they would have a difficult time trying to get permits passed if the neighbors on that side continue to complaint about noise, I believe that was one of the reasons why the Morgan elevator was never built, thats why I suggested a Grizzly Rocky Mountain Treatment, because it would essentially be a "overhaul" of an existing coaster.

 

Another likely location for the Windseeker is where Triple play used stand, since the queue is still used as a season pass queue, it just wouldn't be a very high Windseeker, which when you really think about it, does the height matter that much, it doesn't provide much of a difference to the ride experience. It would give Inverti-garden some room to play around with.

 

Or just put it where the old Invertigo used to stand.

[XII]

Was up in Northern California and I decided to take a look at Gold Striker, and I must say, they're really doing a fast job building this ride.

[Angry_Gumball]

Sweet, first backside shots I've seen of Gold Striker! Too bad you'd be trespassing if you went to top floor of parking garage...not sure what views you'd get.

[laqueefa]

I love backside views

[Mechanic]

Back that a$$ up!

[Angry_Gumball]

For those who wonder, the Massacre Manor theme is now live!

 

[robman]

Even more Gold Striker progress!

 

Pictures were once again posted on the parks facebook page which can be found HERE.

[Double0Kevin]

Awesome! They are making some serious progress. Can't wait to see the lift hill start going up.

[Angry_Gumball]

Awesome!!! Despite the pretty bad-looking weather this is looking really good! Going to study them more when I get home from work, have too much stuff to get done today and GS isn't helping