California Great America (CGA) Discussion Thread

[Angry_Gumball]

Really excited to see that it has been topped off. Now im curious to see what will be done with those archways.

Same here! There's already those archways that cover the speed hill (head choppers + airtime = possible "oh poo-poo!" moment). I wonder if the whole first drop will be covered, that would be a nice touch!

 

Part of me wonders if just the crest will be covered, for screaming reasons. *Begins thinking of Ghost Rider at Knotts with it's partially covered first drop* I think I know which row I'll spend most of my riding time at

[jray21]

Or something like California Screamin' to help with the sound. That would definitely look nicer, but it'll probably end up just being plywood if they put anything up.

[Double0Kevin]

I think it's just theming, I don't think we'll see a tunnel on the drop.

[Jew]

I suspect we would have seen more archways to prepare for building an enclosure if they intended to cover it.

[A.J.]

I would guess that they're going to be building sound-deadening screens. Maybe not all the way around the track, but at least on the side that's close to Great America's pesky neighbors. Kind of like Balder's first drop where the screen is only on one side.

[rolercstrluvr]

I like how, from ground level, the office buildings are blocked by the coaster's lift and drop. I will now feel like I'm in an amusement park and not in a business district.

 

Edit: A news clip from KTVU on "The Gold Striker"

http://bcove.me/7145co2r

The link you posted doesn't work for me.

[154bmag]

I like how, from ground level, the office buildings are blocked by the coaster's lift and drop. I will now feel like I'm in an amusement park and not in a business district.

 

Edit: A news clip from KTVU on "The Gold Striker"

http://bcove.me/7145co2r

The link you posted doesn't work for me.

Same

[Angry_Gumball]

^ & ^*

Works for me! It even loads up on my iPhone!

Some key things in that segment:

-GS won't open with the park in march, but some time during the spring

-GS will be nothing like Grizzly (was waiting to see them say that it would be more thrilling )

-It is called "The Gold Striker" according to KTVU, found each iteration of that name quite distracting

[jray21]

^I"m getting a video about the niners. Not bad at all, but not Gold Striker!

[Angry_Gumball]

Yea, I'm noticing that now...Should have ripped the video somehow and uploaded it to my Youtube so we'd have it to see again. I did watch it just a few hours ago however

 

Edit: I had posted the link on my CGA Insider FB page I created earlier this month, should work right there (you'll have to go a few posts down).

https://www.facebook.com/pages/CGA-Insider/109922919184503?ref=stream

 

Mod Joey Edit: Fixed link.

Edited February 1, 2013 by jray21

[XYZ]

For some reason last night on the local San Diego news, they talked about Gold Striker becoming the tallest and fastest wooden coaster in the state.

 

(Plus, why would the local San Diego news talk about a Northern California roller coaster?)

[Randomman295]

So, I've noticed with most GCIs that every one of their coasters has more airtime in one area of the train than another.

For example, Renegade at Valleyfair is best in the middle because it has lots of bunny hills and speed hills, whereas Apocalypse at SFMM is best in the back because most of the airtime is in the drops of that ride.

With this thinking, which seat do you think Gold Striker will be best in?

[Angry_Gumball]

I think there will be different experiences for each area of the train. I think just about everyone will experience nice floater air during the flyby since its pretty low (and the train will probably be at its top speed). On the other hand I can see being towards the back offering some pops coming out of some of the turnarounds, or that banked hump leading into prudential turn.

 

All of this hypothesizing is based on my No Limits take on Gold Striker which looks pretty accurate (sorry not trying to brag or be overly confident on my track ). It's up on the exchange but I've been tweaking it quite a bit since I've uploaded it, making adjustments as I saw the construction progress.

[Double0Kevin]

Not to sounds like a jerk, but it's really pointless to try and guess where the airtime will be when they haven't even finished the ride. Once the thing opens and we all get a chance to ride, then I'm sure everyone will report back on where the airtime is. Of the 3 GCIs I've ridden (both Roars and Gwazi) I've always found the airtime to be in the back; but at the same time airtime is often limited on GCIs, it's more about the twisted layouts with their rides.

[PhantomNick]

Enjoying the updates and pics from the other side of the country! I have to say, Gold Striker looks like a pretty sweet coaster! I'm glad to see after all the uncertainty that this ride pushed forward and is becoming a reality. Seems like something the place needed.

 

I'd love to head out to California some day and check out the parks in the area. How far is this place from SFDK? My wife and I pondered the thought of a future Napa Valley/San Fran/SFDK/CGA trip at some point.

[Angry_Gumball]

^It's probably a good 90 or more minutes away. It takes me about 20-25 to get to CGA, and about 45 to get to DK.

I'll be out towards the park with the group and plan on getting some updated construction and watch some it happen. Yup, that's the excuse we make to meet up during the off season:)

[Double0Kevin]

90 mins is accurate, I used to live right by SFDK and it took me about 90 mins to get to CGA. If you planned it out, you could start in Napa for a day or 2, drive 30 mins to SFDK for a day, another 30-45 mins to San Francisco for a day or 2 and then 30-45 mins to CGA. You could really get away with staying in Napa and driving to SFDK for a day and then eventually go to SF and drive to CGA for one of the days, that way you only have 2 hotels rather than 4. I grew up in Napa and commuted to SFDK when I was working there in high school, it's a very easy drive.

[larrygator]

(Plus, why would the local San Diego news talk about a Northern California roller coaster?)

 

Because one of the editors thought it was interesting "news"

Edited February 1, 2013 by larrygator

[cal1br3tto]

I've noticed a number of GCIs are front seat rides. On some, the front seat is decidedly better, whereas on others, it's simply on par with the back. GCIs where the front is particularly good include, for me, American Thunder, Lightning Racer, Roar, and Thunderhead. I'm not worried about it on Gold Striker, though. I'll ride anywhere!

[Angry_Gumball]

I'm sure that many of you may have now finally got the link to work, but here's an updated link to the KTVU coverage:

http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/santa-clara-great-america-unveils-massive-new/vpZjy/

[Tmcdllr]

Not there darn it.

[Angry_Gumball]

3rd time's a charm, right? Decided to screen cap the video and get it up on Youtube for our viewing pleasures.

 

[jray21]

That definitely worked this time!

[Double0Kevin]

It's weird, it's worked all 3 times for me. I guess I'm like super lucky.

[Angry_Gumball]

It's weird, it's worked all 3 times for me. I guess I'm like super lucky.

Worked for me too, all 3 of them... I don't know what's going on but I guess you can't go wrong with a Youtube video

Now let's not ask how many attempts it took for me to screen capture the video...I had frame rate issues where the video played at twice the speed of the audio, not being synced up whatsoever...