California Great America (CGA) Discussion Thread

[Tmcdllr]

Ah man that's too bad, they posted some good stuff.

 

I would love to do updates and stuff as I am not that far from the park but due to my work schedule it would be nearly impossible. I haven't even been able to visit yet at all so far.

[robbalvey]

I would love to do updates and stuff as I am not that far from the park but due to my work schedule it would be nearly impossible. I haven't even been able to visit yet at all so far.

If you want to, let me know. Perhaps we can work something out.

[Tmcdllr]

Ok, if it's possible I will. Thank you Robb.

 

And I understand about the banning, you have to do what needs to be done to protect yourself and the integrity of this community, it's unfortunate but that's really their own fault.

[laqueefa]

I would love to do updates and stuff as I am not that far from the park but due to my work schedule it would be nearly impossible. I haven't even been able to visit yet at all so far.

 

Myself as well. I work nights, but always have Thursdays-Saturdays off. I could probably get some park time in considering I've just renewed my gold pass.

[WayCool64]

I could probably do some park updates this summer, since I have a gold pass and it's not too far from where I live.

[singemfrc]

I don't live close enough (Im 2 hrs away) to do *regular* updates, but I will certainly post when I can, such as this tidbit I just got from the park via email:

 

Saturday Early Ride Times!

Every Saturday from June 14-August 22, Season Pass holders can enjoy Early Ride Time from 9-10 am. Gold Striker, Columbia Carousel, Celebrations Swings, Vortex and Star Tower will be open, along with other rides that will vary with the schedule.

[Gnome]

What happened to the usual crew of folks that would post Photo TRs for CGA? This thread is bizarrely quiet...

For some reason that is still unknown to us, they have decided to start posting disparaging and rude comments about TPR on other sites, and they were banned. It's a real shame as they posted some very good update for us and TPR gave them access to events at the park they normally would not have been invited to. It's unfortunately another reason why it becomes more difficult for us to trust people that we do not know personally.

 

If anyone else reading this thread would like to start posting more regular updates, we would welcome it.

 

Thanks.

 

--Robb

Hmmmm.... ?

[XYZ]

I don't live close enough (Im 2 hrs away) to do *regular* updates, but I will certainly post when I can, such as this tidbit I just got from the park via email:

 

Saturday Early Ride Times!

Every Saturday from June 14-August 22, Season Pass holders can enjoy Early Ride Time from 9-10 am. Gold Striker, Columbia Carousel, Celebrations Swings, Vortex and Star Tower will be open, along with other rides that will vary with the schedule.

 

I recommend going on Vortex if you see nobody on it (which is very likely since passholders avoid the ride). From my experiences at Thank You Thursdays last year, the coaster is much smoother and is actually enjoyable if you are the only one on the train.

[laqueefa]

I've got a bunch of photo's to go through... A report to come soon!

[laqueefa]

I decided to check out the park yesterday and make sure my renewed Gold Pass worked. Forgive me if this update seems a bit lazy, but I had decided to visit the park after my Muay Thai training (right down the street), so my legs were useless and felt like Jello.

 

So lets get to the info, shall we?

 

I got to the park around 5pm and I noticed a lot of families leaving, despite the "family movie night" promotion. This made finding a parking spot was a breeze. Always a good sign for lines!

 

The first thing I noticed was the massive new Stadium. Its massive!

 

It really is a thing of beauty.

 

The next thing I noticed was the beautiful new paint job on Flight Deck. It really makes the ride pop vs. the black drab track that used to once peek through the top of the gate and trees. Only one thing was wrong. It wasn't running. While the parking gods were kind, the inverted and forceful B&M gods were collectively laughing at me.Once I made it to the entrance I noticed a lot of Indiana Jones and Star Wars music playing behind their announcement promos.

 

Don't forget about your perks, pASS holders!

 

Do you have special needs? Prepare to take a walk.

 

This brings back so many childhood memories. The park looks pretty good. A lot of the buildings have received new paint and singage, the landscape was green and bright, but one thing stuck out like a sore thumb... The concrete just passed the turn-style looks in serious need of some love and there's only so much of me to go around.

 

LOVE ME, DAMMIT!

 

TELL ME IM PRETTY, MOMMY!

 

MOMMY?

 

Phew! That's better!

 

Sigmund Freud endorses this pic.

 

Plenty of parking!

 

6CO2 + 6H2O ------> C6H12O6 + 6O2

 

I think I can see Flight Deck testing!

 

OMGZ!!! SO CROWDED!

 

The small white sign on the building said "Casino", and is probably the construction company handling the build.

 

I'm not going to talk like I know what this building is. So with that said, this definitely looks like a new banquet hall being built in the picnic area. If you enjoyed the all you can eat 'Boo'ffet with your Haunt experience last year, this is the area where you ate. This could also possibly house a new restaurant and beer garden for the Amphitheater. There are some music festivals on the calendar this season. I may have to attend them and do a review.

 

Please excuse my coaster boner.

 

Coaster Con! Coaster Con???

 

This could use some paint.

 

♪♪You just got painted, and this is crazy.. but could you stop testing so I could ride you already?♪♪

 

Such a tease.This is how Flight Deck for most of my visit. They would send a train up the lift, stop it in various areas of its lift, and eventually send it through after long periods of wait. It was still sending empty trains as I got to my car to leave later in the night. Such a shame. Flight Deck packs a punch in its short layout, and is a must ride for anyone visiting the park.Since my legs were useless, I chose to get all you fine people some shots of the park from the great Delta Flyer/Eagle's Flight. I'm glad the park kept these around. The views of the park are great and the convenience they provide is unmatched. I miss these things at Disneyland.What did I learn while riding the skies? A lot of rides were down/closed. Endeavor - closed. Drop Tower - closed (but testing). Grizzly and Demon - (never saw a single train running). Delirium - closed.

 

I love Bay Area weather!

 

Light crowds everywhere

 

Rip Roarin Rapids was a Rip Roarin walk on!

 

This ride needs a new program. Its basically a glorified rocking chair... but with fire!

 

Oh, Hi.

 

Another great ride, closed. What gives?!

 

Nice aft!

 

aaaaaaaand another closed!

 

Closed! ...You noticing a theme here?

 

Yup! Closed.

 

Tiki's be twirlin though!

 

So this is where everyone is! People are watching karaoke! Horrible, horrible karaoke!

 

We maybe Cedar Fair, but we got Disney movies for dat A$$.Well, that's it for aerial shots from around the park. Next time I'll go on a week where my training isn't so intense and I can get more pictures from the areas I missed.Now, no visit would be complete without a ride on Gold Striker! It was only a 15min wait. With all the ride closures, this was the highlight of my day. I rode the hell out of this ride, from the commercial shoots before its opening, to the end of its first season. Its such a thrilling, out of control coaster. It's hands down the best woodie in California, by far. BUT REALLY, PEOPLE!!! Can we keep this ride looking beautiful!? I couldn't believe the amount of graffiti in the queue! Not only was I shocked with the amount, but people were actually tagging their Instagram and Twitter handles... Can we put a warning on the entrance sign in small print stating, "Any said person caught defacing park property will be turned over an employees knee and thoroughly spanked!" Better yet, how about we get these queues sprayed with NEVERWET and call it a day?

 

Play some Plinko, win some front of the line passes. Seems legit.

 

Here we go!

 

These look new.

 

 

Video killed the radio star.

 

I wonder what the weathers like? Oh, thanks!

 

I spy a Minion!

 

They should peruse these people

 

Evidence at the scene of the crime.

 

Poor Goldie

 

Obligatory Instagram filtered picture.

 

The graffiti in the queue was definitely depressing, but the ride on Gold Striker was just how I remembered it. Fast, unrelenting, tons of force, and over before you know it. Probably how some of my ex-girlfriends would describe me. YOLO

 

Well that does it for my update. I will probably do another update in a couple of weeks (next week is a no go due to a wedding South Lake Tahoe). So leave your requests of park things to cover in your comments. Suggestions are always welcomed and appreciated.

Edited June 8, 2014 by robbalvey

[glouthan]

Great TR! I really enjoyed reading through - every trip report should be like this. Flight Deck is looking good in it's new colors. Sad to see it isn't open, though.

[robbalvey]

Wow! What a fantastic report! Great photos! Front page worthy! Thank you for taking the time to post this! Kind of a bummer that so many rides were closed. Hope it was just an off day.

[milst1]

That first photo of Gold Striker was awesome. Great report!

[laqueefa]

Great TR! I really enjoyed reading through - every trip report should be like this. Flight Deck is looking good in it's new colors. Sad to see it isn't open, though.

Thanks! and I agree, the new colors are a major improvement. I'm eager to see if they touched up any of the paint in the queue to match/highlight.

 

Wow! What a fantastic report! Great photos! Front page worthy! Thank you for taking the time to post this! Kind of a bummer that so many rides were closed. Hope it was just an off day.

Thanks Robb, and thanks for putting it on the front page! I hope it was just an off day too. Flight Deck, Endeavor, and Drop Tower and some of my must rides when I visit.

 

That first photo of Gold Striker was awesome. Great report!

Thanks! It was the wrong kinda day for shorts

[robbalvey]

That first photo of Gold Striker was awesome. Great report!

I agree. I actually used it today in one of my Coasting For Kids tweets. Hope that was ok!

[Mrlittle]

That TR was very entertaining. Thanks for posting.

[laqueefa]

That first photo of Gold Striker was awesome. Great report!

I agree. I actually used it today in one of my Coasting For Kids tweets. Hope that was ok!

Totally fine with me, Robb.

 

That TR was very entertaining. Thanks for posting.

Thanks for reading!

 

and take that high school guidance counselor! I did something!

Edited June 9, 2014 by laqueefa

[Swornenemy]

Good trip report. I'm gonna be heading out on Tuesday to get my Goldstriker fix. If I can remember to take some pictures I will put together a report myself.

[robbalvey]

If I can remember to take some pictures I will put together a report myself.

[CoasterBeagle]

That was just an off day and I'm suprised they don't make the goldstriker crew clean graffiti last year we had to do it.

[laqueefa]

Good trip report. I'm gonna be heading out on Tuesday to get my Goldstriker fix. If I can remember to take some pictures I will put together a report myself.

What time are you thinking of heading out? I might have a Muay Thai session that day and will be pretty close to the park before work.

 

That was just an off day and I'm suprised they don't make the goldstriker crew clean graffiti last year we had to do it.

I'm sure it was an off day for rides (just my luck), but I am also surprised that none of the graffiti was cleaned off Goldie. Honestly, NeverWet is an anti-graffitists wet dream and parks should be covered with it from head to toe. In fact, any park visitor who loves water rides but hates getting wet should NeverWet their park attire and go nuts!

[Geauga Dog]

Great trip report. The park looks so much better now than it did when I was there in 2001. I agree that the first photo of Gold Striker is awesome.

[coasterbill]

Great Report!

[gerstlaueringvar]

Great TR! Very entertaining.

[kailisun98]

Wouldn't it be awesome if they tore down the amphitheater and inserted an intamin megalite? Well, they would have to relocate a few rides but...