Visiting a Dying Amusement Park… California’s Great America - Santa Clara, CA

Visiting a Dying Amusement Park… California’s Great America - Santa Clara, CA | VLOG [8/26/23]

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10 ай бұрын

Hi, i'm Marc! I operate this KZfaq channel in which I produce content related to the roller coasters and theme parks of the world. Feel free to subscribe and support what I do :)
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@CoasterDash 10 ай бұрын

Hi, i'm Marc! I operate this KZfaq channel in which I produce content related to the roller coasters and theme parks of the world. If you like what you see, feel free to subscribe and support what I do. It’s free and every single person who chooses to do so is greatly appreciated! Subscribe to CoasterDash for More! Vlogs Playlist kzfaq.info/sun/PLYPuVokppFix4v-AHUutU0wrcfLMtXgAr Check out my Instagram page here :) instagram.com/coasterdash/ Check out my other KZfaq channels! Subscribe to “TravelDash” at this link - youtube.com/@TravelDash Subscribe to “Front Seat POVs” at this link - youtube.com/@FrontSeatPOVs If you need to get in touch with me, you can reach me at “coasterdash01@gmail.com”. I am available through Instagram DMs as well. - check out my Discord Server! It was created by a group of fans who are seeking additional members | discord.gg/Y28tt7CSsz -

@michael7054 10 ай бұрын

I'm guessing top 50 or maybe top 100 coasters in the world you've ever ridden, your favorite credits. Would be such a great video after all your new credits like the 10 European parks, Kings Island, Shivering Timbers, ect...

@xuezhenwang8434 4 ай бұрын

hope Cedar Fair changes their mind so Great America won't close!

@Androm3da787 3 ай бұрын

they've already sold it...

@SSGoatanks Ай бұрын

This park wouldn't be dying if they collaborated with Netflix for themed attractions based on popular shows like Umbrella Academy or Stranger Things, considering how Netflix HQ is only 12 miles away. If CA actually had high speed rail trains, perhaps they'd have more visitors and tourism within the entire state.

@mitchellries256 10 ай бұрын

Ten years is still plenty of time for them to make a second decision on this parks future. For that reason, I am not saying goodbye to them just yet. But to be on the safe side, I am still visiting there as soon as possible.

@Asshat237 10 ай бұрын

No, they do not have the ability to change the decision. They sold it. They didn't just say, "ok we'll sell it to you in 10 years". They sold it last year. I would bet that they signed a contract that makes it either completely impossible to reneg on the deal OR they would have to pay such a huge fee for doing so and not going through with the sale that it's basically impossible. No billion dollar business like Cedar Fair operates like that. When they sell something, it's sold. It's over. It's a wrap. That ten years is just so that they have time to continue making some profit from having the park open while they move out rides. They are doing what is best for the bottom line. If they just closed out of nowhere that would be a lot of money they would lose. Just watch. Big rides are going to start being moved and having the park open will pay for the expense of moving them.

@mitchellries256 10 ай бұрын

@Asshat237 You've got a serious attitude problem. Also, I disagree. They'll change their mind and take back the land or ind a better buyer if the opportunity presents itself.

@GavHern 10 ай бұрын

@@Asshat237it’s more up in the air than you’d think… there’s some potential nuance in the deal that you can’t really see from the surface

@Asshat237 10 ай бұрын

@@mitchellries256 I'm just basing it on how 9 and 10 figure deals are typically done. When hundreds of millions/billions of dollars are involved you typically can't just say "nah, we got something better", unless that is written into a contract BUT I find it unbelievable that businesses that large would agree to a deal like that. I'm actually an anti-capitalist, but I'm basing this on how we have all seen modern american firms operate and that I've personally learned getting an economics degree. I apologize for you taking my tone as an insult. I'm not saying you're dumb, just a bit too trusting/hopeful rather than realistic. All the news I saw said that the sale went completely through. I don't like that business is cutthroat and all about making every last cent, but that's typically how it is done in this day and age. My comment was meant to express unfortunate resignation to reality not to insult you.

@Asshat237 10 ай бұрын

@@GavHern If that is written into the deal so be it. What info do you have? I was just saying that easy of an out is not at all typical of deals this large. I would have thought the buyer would have already started paying the fee. A payment structure of various large payments with a significant initial payment when the deal was signed over a year ago would usually be an expectation in a deal this large. What is the nuance in the deal you are familiar with?

@rb5078 3 ай бұрын

This was my home park growing up. The Demon was my first coaster ever. I have a lot of great memories of this park.

@CaydenTheCat Ай бұрын

SAME, im so sad its closing soon

@OCM1128 Ай бұрын

@@CaydenTheCatmine was happy hallow 😂

@gld1010 Ай бұрын

Yep, went to the park when it first opened, had many season passes, and visited the park for the last time in early 2000s.

@kielilwe 8 күн бұрын

@@OCM1128same

@Little-738jsks 17 сағат бұрын

I don’t think it’s closing

@brucegibson1813 10 ай бұрын

As it's my home park I genuinely felt devastated when I heard that this park was closing for good. It will be a while when it does, but still, sad to think future generations won't experience the place in its glory. Me and my brother would always speculate new rides that would come to this place, like a new hyper or launch coaster and how awesome it would be. This park, had so much potential and sucks it didn't reach there. I really can't complain though with how good are top three is. And to be honest discovery kingdom kind of sucks and doesn't even come close to the quality and charm of GA. I still go here almost every week and have a great time. Glad you and other enthusiast are coming out to experience this place!

@csudsuindustries 10 ай бұрын

I remember waiting in line for Flight Deck when it was Top Gun when it opened in '93. It felt short then but was a must do every time I went. Not bad for a 30 year old ride.

@cccycling5835 8 күн бұрын

It’s a great short coaster!

@ChickenTruck69-dl8ck 10 ай бұрын

My Home Park!

@ChickenTruck69-dl8ck 10 ай бұрын

While it is a dying park railblazer and gold striker are some of the best 1-2 punches in the world imo

@equestrian5500 3 ай бұрын

that’s so true! i’m going today lol 😂

@poatowedges 2 күн бұрын

The day I went here, was the day they announced the sell and I was devastated that I might not be able to take my own children to the park that I enjoyed so so much.

@Cisco_Crypto 9 ай бұрын

Ive yeard from insiders that its not closing and theyre going to either extend the lease past 10 years or buy the land back for cheaper. I see many continued investments into the park, attendance was great this year as i went over 10 times. Everytime i went it was packed. This is still a great park and glad its my home park. Season tickets again next year baby!! Haters keep hoping its closing but its definitely not 😂

@isaacmadrigaljr3333 3 ай бұрын

Lol I might go here in the future when I'm older cuz I'm from socal yessir

@zenplays8090 5 күн бұрын

@@isaacmadrigaljr3333Nice, I’m from north California :)

@mikeriley2766 9 ай бұрын

This was my home park and i actually worked there during the Marriott era. It saddens me greatly that this park is slated to close. I visited the park myself just a couple months ago for the first time in 40 years since i moved away from the area. I do hold out hope that something will save this park in the end. It will be a sad day indeed if the park does ultimately close

@jasonpelder 10 ай бұрын

My first B&M, and my first RMC!!! I try and go every Thursday or Friday during the summer for my “lunch break “!!! Goldstriker on a warm sunny evening is intense in the back row! Keep up the great CA love!

@marcocampos2332 6 ай бұрын

I went on gold striker during the evening and it is DAMN WELL FORCEFUL

@kralfresco1975 7 ай бұрын

Outstanding video. Love the positive vibes throughout.

@MuvoTX 10 ай бұрын

Awesome vlog... my home park. Love the CGA coasters, and the waterslide park too.

@michael7054 10 ай бұрын

Great video! It's great to see you had a good time! Yeah the top 2 there is so good! I think RailBlazer has the coolest name for a coaster as well 😎. It's a shame this park is likely to close relatively soon.

@arturobianco848 10 ай бұрын

Visited the park this year Nice little park i can understand why it needs to move, its totally boxed in. I just hope they move it instead of just closing it.

@howiefelthersnatch3862 5 ай бұрын

Railblazer is my favorite coaster to this day, but I still have plenty of parks to visit yet... I'm just glad Great America is my home park

@flashback0978 10 ай бұрын

this is my home park and yes it is pretty devastating to think of its closure , you forgot we also have Santa Cruz Boardwalk which I would gladly take over SFDK as an alternative to CGA - And yes that one two loop to helix bang on Flight deck is brutal, I cant think of the last time I didnt grey out going around that helix

@FleshGolem420 10 ай бұрын

The Boardwalk is definitely the 2nd best regional park. Last trip down there I road Giant Dipper 17 times with my son in a 90 minute period.

@JJJJ-he8bz 10 ай бұрын

Six flags discovery kingdom looks way better than this park the only thing I’d visit this park for is Rail Blazer

@flashback0978 9 ай бұрын

@@JJJJ-he8bz The only thing SFDK has going for it is the RMC Medusa is a yawn, the impulse is closed more than open, and a Vekoma boomerang along with one of the worst SLCs - and the parks layout is absolutely horrific because it was not designed to be an amusement park... oh and you may get killed getting to and from the park because it is not in a good area at all - meanwhile at CGA you have one of the original and most intense inverts, one of the original single rail coasters, one of the world's best wooden coasters and one of the earliest loop/corkscrew coasters made by Arrow that runs very well for its age

@ronblaze7175 10 ай бұрын

nice vid young man. love the details of each ride.

@newsallypurpleyt8609 10 ай бұрын

Interesting and cool vid. I may go to this park one day.

@huntzzio 10 ай бұрын

0:21 You are the best Coaster vlogger in my opinion so I ain’t mad!

@CoasterDash 10 ай бұрын

Thank you for the support!

@adammills8087 10 ай бұрын

This is another park that I hope to get to within this year. Railblazer is yet another one of my bucket list coasters. Given its insane pacing, and its aggressive and relentless nature, it's a coaster that can't go wrong by me. Goldstriker does seem to have more kick than Mystic Timbers (which is a coaster that I very much enjoyed, but which I do believe gets a little too much hype). Flight Deck looks like a good one (and I do love my B&M) inverts. It sounds like its intensity rivals that of Batman the Ride at Six Flags Over Georgia. I really hope they don't close California's Great America -- it does seem like a really nice park, with two great coasters and a few strong supporting coasters.

@s_1020v 8 ай бұрын

I really hope they reconsider and have further plans with the park.

@FleshGolem420 10 ай бұрын

I haven't mentally been in a place to visit once the closing announcement went out - it's just so sad - but I just got Cedar Fair passes for the family again and we'll be going to an ACE event there next month so we'll see what it's like. We're a lot closer to Discovery Kingdom but your comments were spot on - some great coasters but it's so frustrating how poorly run it is.

@haileyhepperle8792 Ай бұрын

My home parks are Discovery Kingdom and Great America, I forgave you for the title of this video as soon as you started reacting to Gold Striker. Nothing will beat the summer that it opened!

@SpecialForcesHelicopter 3 ай бұрын

I miss this place. It was run down, it was broken, it was run by college kids who couldn't do anything, but it was home. Don't leave me yet, GA!

@stephaniedoan7114 14 күн бұрын

We will meet you at great America as soon as we can when on our way now

@AmusementProductions. 10 ай бұрын

Grizzly by far has the worst operations on any coaster that I’ve ridden as of now. I think I timed 9 minute dispatches between each ride!? I don’t view grizzly as a bad ride necessarily but those operations are just horrible. Every time they were loading a train I thought the ride broke down.

@AmusementProductions. 10 ай бұрын

@BellRinger6969-vh1mf Maybe but some of them have moving stations so.. but on my visit to CGA Railblazer had pretty decent operations

@shelledanteater2098 Ай бұрын

Me and my friends made a joke out of how long it takes to ride grizzly despite it being so lackluster If only that space was better utilized with something new if they didn’t sell the park 😒

@stephaniedoan7114 14 күн бұрын

Will be there as soon as we can

@spencergamer7770 10 ай бұрын

this video is making me miss cga even more

@JohnFleming-sw7hn 6 ай бұрын

This park better be saved along with every classic ride they have!

@quintinrice2733 9 ай бұрын

This is my home park and I can't say enough how much I will miss it. When I was in college at CSUN, my home park was SFMM. I was shocked and pleasantly surprised at how much I liked CGA. Does Cedar Fair own Gilroy Gardens? I'd hate to see those rides end up in a scrap yard.

@thelethaldosageofme248 3 ай бұрын

every year the 8th graders at my middle school go to Great America as a field trip. i'm an 8th grader this year and i'm excited, i've never been to Great America before. i've been to disneyland countless times though

@scottrenish9382 3 ай бұрын

Do you go to walters

@Woody8168 10 ай бұрын

Top gun for life

@Dianajc99 2 ай бұрын

I hope the city end up buying and running it

@Skabanis Ай бұрын

I went to this place during 1980-1990 the deamon tidal wave the top gun was the second ride u went on…would crank top gun music that first roller coaster u went in was called the grizzly…the scariest was the boat you flipped upside down

@RACOTHEGOAT 8 ай бұрын

This trip here was so fun!🎉 0:15

@ChunkyMonkey07 10 ай бұрын

Bro the boss is so awesome but gold striker looks awesome as well

@ryanmcdonnell5988 10 ай бұрын

The first POV was so much faster than than my ride on it.

@humbucker08 Ай бұрын

I’ve been going a lot this season. My kids are finally old enough to ride coasters and I wanted to take advantage before it goes. It’s still a really great park. Well-maintained. It’s also a better alternative to break-the-bank Disneyland.

@Slumpedjooby 3 ай бұрын

I miss the 3D SpongeBob ride they had with the moving seats

@dabbzee 10 ай бұрын

this and santa cruz boardwalk are my home parks and man im gonna MISS great america!

@Audioandlyrics 4 ай бұрын

And Gilroy gardens

@KuriaruisBetterThanU 10 ай бұрын

i grew up going to this place and it's sad to see how it's kinda fallen apart tbh; my dad is always complaining abt it also my name is also marc lol

@user-zx8de8op9l 6 ай бұрын

My home park is Six Flags Great America, I worked there from 1990-92.

@zacharytaylor3632 Ай бұрын

glad to see an expert agrees on how goldstriker made me feel 😂

@LittleSalex 15 күн бұрын

Hey bro im from salinas my dad would take me to great america every brirthdya and now im old ima go for my birthday agian me and mah lady n stuff . And i jusy looked up great america videos cause im excited but man bro im a new sub forsure cause you give our good vibes . Keep vlogging man!

@gladfan1989 7 ай бұрын

If you want another good RMC coaster, come to Silverwood in Athol, ID. It's called "Stunt Pilot" and it is just as intense as Railblazer.

@awesometronic 10 ай бұрын

Many years ago (if my memory is correct) Demon had some rocks around one of the loops and pools of red water around the corkscrew.

@gld1010 Ай бұрын

Yes, you are correct, and It also shot water near/at you too. I was hit a few times. The memories!

@dogecoin7053 7 күн бұрын

I went on the ride on the thumb nail me and my cousin went off the seat and we called the ride the soul snatcher because it almost snatched our soul

@erikm8372 10 ай бұрын

You know, watching Railblazer and the other Raptor track RMCs, they’re so nice and compact & zippy; i think it would be such a cool fit if… …if Disney ever wanted to do a complete overhaul of the Matterhorn! Imagine; like, I know those old tubular Arrow tracks and bobsled trains are cool for what they are, they’re vintage AF & have their appeal, but… just think if RMC went to Disney and completely switched the game! Especially being that it’s single-file, like a bobsled. With a white or blue track would look good. They could even extend the ride length a bit. Capacity could maybe be increased ever so slightly. Maybe by a couple people per train. Lol. Then I was thinking for Space Mountain, same thing. The layout and everything on Railblazer would compliment the ride experience. But I’d say they’d need the T-Rex track just to maintain current capacity and operations… single-file trains would double the wait on that.

@RobustArid379 7 ай бұрын

We need more coverage on great America park in santa clara

@Gabriel-ui9tf Ай бұрын

My home park🎢

@dougronald561 10 ай бұрын

You’re making me want to make it onto Goldstriker. I’m from New Jersey, but I think I’ll get there in 2024.

@CoasterDash 10 ай бұрын

I’d highly recommend visiting before it’s too late!

@dougronald561 10 ай бұрын

@@CoasterDash yeah I’ll take you up on that. I think I’ll make the trip worth it by going to Napa Valley too. Maybe even 6FDK

@jeffreyschunk261 Ай бұрын

I love Goldstriker, but my second favorite coaster in the park is probably Psycho Mouse (assuming it's still there; I haven't been to the park for the past 5 years). Seriously. It looks lame when you're not riding it, but it's surprisingly fun with all of those sharp turns and even has a few moments where you get lifted from your seat.

@SoraEditz-sd1ky 29 күн бұрын

its there still

@AmusementProductions. 10 ай бұрын

I really hope my #2 RailBlazer doesn’t get scrapped 🥲

@ayushadiga480 Ай бұрын

I can feel the upside down parts from your steady camera work! How do you not get caught by the park for your phone?!

@russ4moose 10 ай бұрын

I've never grayed out on an invert except for one time on Raptor.

@CoasterDash 10 ай бұрын

Flight Deck is a tad more intense than Raptor in my opinion. But Raptor is overall the better ride.

@schrapnellcotton3413 4 ай бұрын

It is not dying...it is sold. It is a business...profit....decision. It actually is still a great park.

@Goliath146 10 ай бұрын

Rip cga

@jrax1713 10 ай бұрын

I totally agree. I definitely like gold striker better than Mystic, Timbers and renegade Mystic timber was not as extreme as I was hoping for air time was fun, but it wasn’t anything special and renegade was just too rough to enjoy more than I could’ve

@themeparkreconnoiter9787 9 ай бұрын

They are actually planning to relocate the Park to Fresno

@theonlysamman3889 2 ай бұрын

Not my home park, but it was the first park where i rode my first really intense roller coaster (the one in the thumbnail). I will try to go back before it closes but if I cannot I will cherish my memories I had there.

@jameshamilton1469 2 ай бұрын

Man I wish my inner ear could put up with more than one or two coasters per day. Unexpected age penalty (52) for sure. Gold Striker and Flight Deck really take it out of me. Still fun though.

@GavHern 10 ай бұрын

aw i took this day off to go to knotts, hope you enjoyed your trip! sorry GS row 12 was closed off, that’s the first time i’ve seen that happen…

@CoasterDash 10 ай бұрын

Thank you! Are you a ride op for Great America or is it just a home park?

@GavHern 10 ай бұрын

@@CoasterDash i’m a ride op at CGA in the summer when i’m home from college, so not anymore.

@CoasterDash 10 ай бұрын

@@GavHern Ah okay. Thanks for what you do and good luck in college!

@rileyptak6318 10 ай бұрын

I was supposed to go, but never happened, surprising to see a Cedar Fair park die

@Asshat237 10 ай бұрын

A park dying And being SOLD are completely different things. To me dying means going out of business through mismanagement. They sold it because the land is more valuable that way than in continuing to run the park.

@GPK1075 10 ай бұрын

Bruh I was just here today xD

@user-og8xp5ww5j 7 ай бұрын

The wooden roller coaster looks a lot like ghost rider at Knotts berry farm or at least the train does

@CoasterDash 7 ай бұрын

That’s right! They’re both done by GCI (Great Coasters International) 😄

@Andrefrr Ай бұрын

nice vid

@The8BitNerd 2 ай бұрын

What are the odds that either Cedar Point buys the property back or another chain comes in and buys the property?

@DarkSpartan062 3 ай бұрын

I knew it would close. I grew up with it being paramount with movie themes everywhere and Hanna barbera. I visited a couple years ago and was shocked all the theming was gone. It’s basically a fair with amazing rides. It’s just so bland and has no character. So sad. I had season passes through my whole childhood with family having work picnics and everything.

@gld1010 Ай бұрын

I liked the themed sections as well.

@isaacgeeslin5411 10 күн бұрын

Light years better then Discovery Kingdom, I love Great America all the rides are usually up and running and I usually buy a pass, I bought Six Flags this year and i regret it. Flash, Boomerang and Kong have been closed all year so there is long lines at every available ride. I will say with the platinum pass I was able to visit Magic Mountain and that place is incredible! In NorCal Great America is tops.

@michaelstevens8007 10 ай бұрын

"Got to love a classic Arrow...Oh, it's already jank."

@CoasterDash 10 ай бұрын

😂😂

@SnoopyMan6000vids 10 ай бұрын

The Next Geauga Lake

@Nob20074 17 күн бұрын

I actually just went there a week ago

@MartinLewison 6 ай бұрын

I loved Gold Striker when it opened, but it seemed pretty rough the last time I rode it. But this hobby is way too subjective.

@boface187 12 күн бұрын

They should rename all the rides to the OG names for the last run.

@Styximity 27 күн бұрын

why does the flight deck logo look familiar?🤨📸

@ChunkyMonkey07 10 ай бұрын

The Boss

@VelocicoasterFanboy 10 ай бұрын

1SStT!!!!!

@encelxn Ай бұрын

My home park 💔

@isaacmadrigaljr3333 3 ай бұрын

This place looks worth it should I come here one day?

@CoasterDash 2 ай бұрын

Yes! Visit before it’s too late.

@everinnajin Ай бұрын

Hi Moose!

@garrettsmith8591 10 ай бұрын

If the park is not saved I hope most or all it’s rides find new homes.

@CoasterDash 10 ай бұрын

Me too :(

@TheSonicsean 10 ай бұрын

I definitely would like for CGA to stay open, and I've heard rumors (which are probably just people being hopeful) about it not closing. Also to be fair to Flight Deck, it was the second ever invert.

@justwin970 10 ай бұрын

Gold striker? The old Demon?

@francescov.3610 10 ай бұрын

Didnt they renege on closing CGA?

@Asshat237 10 ай бұрын

No. Absolutely not. Where did you get that from?

@gld1010 Ай бұрын

There is an option to extend the current lease

@IntaminFanGRLPowerCoasters 10 ай бұрын

I really hope they can save this place! Still got to get my credits here and if I go to CoasterCon 46 next year I can hit the NorCal parks!!

@arloproduction4795 10 ай бұрын

Demon at six flags great America has been closed all year sadly

@ralseineo9481 10 ай бұрын

I'll hope until the day they demolish it that it'll be saved 🤞

@urbex_coasters 10 ай бұрын

I prefer CGA to Knott’s since you brought it up, although to be fair it’s possible it’s just timing but chaperones throwing punches to ensure their kids are allowed to line jump at will is quite high on my list of “worst guest behaviour I’ve ever wittnessed” to put it lightly, I doubt any park could top it other than maybe a Disney park which the behaviour is likely overflow from. There’s a reason I had to make a “battle plan to Knott’s Berry Farm” video.