California Great America (CGA) Discussion Thread

[Stealth7E7]

I rode Gold Striker during the filming shoot last year (I think it was last year) but I don't remember the ride having some many sides up on the ride. Does anyone know why or when it was done?

 

I used to visit Great America a lot when I was younger, but when they removed Stealth and put in the water park that just turned me away from the park. They didn't invest in new rides for a while and the crowds that go there (this was a while back of course) just turned me off from visiting the park. I wished they would do more with the park to make it more exciting for roller coaster fans, but they haven't. So now I get my season passes for Six Flags and enjoy my time at Discovery Kingdom. Although there are not that many rides over there, there is something about the atmosphere that makes it more enjoyable than Great America.

 

-Stealth

[Andrewoplis]

I don't know what it is, but the park seems so much... CLEANER! It could just be the photos, but everything looks a lot more spiffed up since the last time I was there, which was only a little less then a year ago. Flight deck does look nicer now, but I do miss the old black paint job, made the ride look more bad a$$ if you ask me.

[singemfrc]

I rode Gold Striker during the filming shoot last year (I think it was last year) but I don't remember the ride having some many sides up on the ride. Does anyone know why or when it was done?

 

I used to visit Great America a lot when I was younger, but when they removed Stealth and put in the water park that just turned me away from the park. They didn't invest in new rides for a while and the crowds that go there (this was a while back of course) just turned me off from visiting the park. I wished they would do more with the park to make it more exciting for roller coaster fans, but they haven't. So now I get my season passes for Six Flags and enjoy my time at Discovery Kingdom. Although there are not that many rides over there, there is something about the atmosphere that makes it more enjoyable than Great America.

 

-Stealth

The promo rides were April 30-May 4, 2013. I was there on 4/30. They started adding the new walls and tunnels right after the promo shoots due to noise complaints from a neighboring business. They were recently seen standing on the roof with decibel meters again, so I wouldn't be surprised if more tunnels and/or walls were added later.

[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.

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.

 

 

 

Gonna try to be there all day.

 

 

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...

 

 

I've thought of that for a long time, with that and the picnic area removed there would be plenty of space for something fun. Not gonna happen, but it's fun to think about.

[laqueefa]

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...

While a Megalite would be awesome, I dont like the idea of removing the amphitheater. I have fond memories of some major concerts when I was younger at that amphitheater. They have some concerts on the books, and my hopes are they look to book more in the upcoming seasons. It gives the park variety, and who knows with the new stadium hosting shows... depending on the booker, they could pick up some tours that the stadium talent buyer passes on.

 

I used to visit Great America a lot when I was younger, but when they removed Stealth and put in the water park that just turned me away from the park. They didn't invest in new rides for a while and the crowds that go there (this was a while back of course) just turned me off from visiting the park. I wished they would do more with the park to make it more exciting for roller coaster fans, but they haven't. So now I get my season passes for Six Flags and enjoy my time at Discovery Kingdom.

Although there are not that many rides over there, there is something about the atmosphere that makes it more enjoyable than Great America.

-Stealth

While I dont attend the water park (a friend got Mirsa from her visit), I can see why it was added. We have a Raging Waters park on the East side of town. A pretty far trek for a lot of Northern San Jose and Santa Clara residents. Plus it adds diversity to the park. I imagine some families enjoy being able to split off and ride some coasters in between their time in the water park. In my case, once I've ridden a water slide a couple times, I'm done with it. A nice spin on Flight Deck and/or Goldie could help dry and cool you off!

 

As far as investing in the park, lets place blame where it belongs. The Paramount era SUCKED. Once they passed their first year of ownership, they realized they didn't know how to run a park, went totally hands off, and the park went to $hit. The park was dirty, buildings and rides were faded and old looking, families stopped attending, and gang members were running rough shot through the park.

 

I don't know what it is, but the park seems so much... CLEANER! It could just be the photos, but everything looks a lot more spiffed up since the last time I was there, which was only a little less then a year ago. Flight deck does look nicer now, but I do miss the old black paint job, made the ride look more bad a$$ if you ask me.

It is! Sure, there were some kiosk stands that looked a little sun bleached, but for the most part the buildings and common areas were clean. The bathrooms looked cleaner than usual (probably due to the low crowds), but I noticed it too. It will be nice to see them keep it up under heavier crowds.

 

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.

Gonna try to be there all day.

Cool! maybe we will run into each other. If you're single rinding (I wish they had some single rider lines), maybe we can hit a couple together.

[Swornenemy]

Sounds good to me. I'm going solo as my friends had something at the last minute that's preventing them from going.

[laqueefa]

Sorry I couldnt get out today. I actually got called in to jury duty vs. stand by-phone in. I sat in that office for 3 hours dreaming of airtime

[The Westate]

So nice to see Carowinds' old swings still there.

 

Also nice to see a bunch of water in a former Paramount Park. Unlike a certain park on a state line, somewhere in oh say, the Carolinas.

[Rollercoaster Rider]

Would be cool if the Waterpark could get those drop floor slides. Just saying.

[Swornenemy]

Sorry I couldnt get out today. I actually got called in to jury duty vs. stand by-phone in. I sat in that office for 3 hours dreaming of airtime

 

 

It's ok, I had to cut my visit short anyways.

 

 

 

So I have a mini trip report from Tuesday.

 

 

When I arrived at the park I saw an abundance of school busses (ugh). Luckily the park was pretty empty besides the hoards of school kids in the park. My first order of business was a ride on Goldstriker and after a 45 minute wait I was on. It was just as a I remembered, fast paced with pops of air throughout. It seems that they removed all the graffiti in the queue aside from the handrails.

 

After I went and processed my season pass, I was pleased to see they now have computers to put your information in the system instead of filling out little cards.

 

I only spent a few hours in the park but managed 3 rides on Goldstriker, I could have gotten more but I had to leave.

 

Delirium was down for the day and HMB Endeavor was as well. It seems that the hydraulics that lower the platform for Delirium were being worked on.

 

And my courtesy ride on The Demon was strangely smooth.

 

 

Now on to the few pics I took

Obligatory look at the shiny new stadium next door photo

First stop of the day

Restraints were rather tight on my ride this time

Must. Have. That. Minion.

I guess I'll settle for the smaller minion...

Weeeeee!

Not today!

Bet you've never seen a picture like this one

Platform is down and angled. My guess is the hydraulics.

I close out my report with a *sigh*

[Canobie Coaster]

Delirium was down for the day and HMB Endeavor was as well. It seems that the hydraulics that lower the platform for Delirium were being worked on.

 

I was just there yesterday. Endeavor was back up and running, but Delirium was still down. I was looking forward to riding that, but hopefully I'll get it later this summer.

 

It was my first visit at the park and I really enjoyed it. The park has an awesome one-two punch in Flight Deck and Gold Striker. Then I really enjoyed the overall atmosphere of the park. Crowds were manageable and well-behaved and the park was exceptionally clean. I have quite a few photos to upload later this week.

[laqueefa]

Delirium was down for the day and HMB Endeavor was as well. It seems that the hydraulics that lower the platform for Delirium were being worked on.

 

I was just there yesterday. Endeavor was back up and running.

 

Looks like I may have to go make a visit and get a ride in (or two)!

[Dom497]

Something is going on behind the scenes:

 

 

And no, Centurion can't be the name....that trademark got suspended.

[Tmcdllr]

What is "Centurian"?

[rumble]

I think that this is the on-going project refurbishing the picnic pavilion, which will include a new entrance directly in to the pavilion area from the parking lot.

 

"Centurion" is a name registered by Cedar Fair, allegedly for a future attraction at a park in the chain.

[CPSFMMCW]

How did that name get suspended? I haven't heard anything about that. I'm thinking pipe scream attraction. They could use something spinning.

[laqueefa]

I think that this is the on-going project refurbishing the picnic pavilion, which will include a new entrance directly in to the pavilion area from the parking lot..

Ding, ding, ding!

 

[Koasterking48]

How did that name get suspended? I haven't heard anything about that. I'm thinking pipe scream attraction. They could use something spinning.

They already have Tiki Twirl, so no, they don't need that type of attraction.

[GigaG]

Why is Grizzly considered the worst woodie in the world? It is horribly boring, but not very rough. I'm sure other woodies offer more unpleasant experiences.

[Tmcdllr]

Yes but are they also horribly boring?

[coasterfreak101]

Why is Grizzly considered the worst woodie in the world? It is horribly boring, but not very rough. I'm sure other woodies offer more unpleasant experiences.

 

I finally rode it a few days ago, and I feel the same way. I think it's just a fun little joke that enthusiasts have caught on to, rather than anyone's real opinion - I've been on about 250 coasters so far, and there are significantly worse ones out there. No competition at all.

[coasterchitchat]

How did that name get suspended? I haven't heard anything about that. I'm thinking pipe scream attraction. They could use something spinning.

 

1) They already have a Mega Disk-O', Tiki Whirl.

 

2) 2015: Could it be a Star Flyer? WindSeekers won't work because of there single rail system and that's against the single rail system law in California.

 

3) Centurion got suspended back in February because Centurion, Inc in Libertyville, Illinois already owns the trademark to it. 325 foot giga coaster called Fury 325 for Carowinds 2015!!

 

http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=86094874&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch

http://tsdr.uspto.gov/documentviewer?caseId=sn86094874&docId=SUL20140204122218#docIndex=0&page=1

[CoasterBeagle]

worst wooden, the beast or gwazi. the beast kills your knees and I'm 5'5 and gwazi well if you were a girl its more understandable.

The stuff in the picnic pavilion is just it getting expanded so there is more shaded seating simple as that guys. Sometimes things are that simple.

[moviemansig]

I don’t think I’ve been to the park before when they’ve had the season pass early entry Saturdays. Is it a lot more crowded those days? Thanks.

[XYZ]

 

2) 2015: Could it be a Star Flyer? WindSeekers won't work because of there single rail system and that's against the single rail system law in California.

 

Why would CGA get a star flyer when SFDK has one?