New for '08 at Great America (Santa Clara)

Angry_Gumball · Post by **Angry_Gumball** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 10:00 pm

Yes, I know this is mainly a Great America history site but I think of this as an unofficial fansite covering both Great America parks as well. Anyway, someone over at Theme Park Review posted a pic a new thrill ride (teaser) for 2008 on a flyer they recieved in the mail. I don't really want to make this into a pointless speculation thread, but I would like to see what your guesses may be. Over at TPR and also NorCalCoasters, we've been guessing that it's a Top Spin of some sort. My first thought was a Dive Machine but that's overly fantasizing.

Surprisingly, I haven't gotten this in the mail yet but here's the image. (Thanks to SFMMdude of TPR for the image)

If this topic doesn't fit in quite right with the site, feel free to kill it. Otherwise, I'd like to hear your thoughts, especially Santa Clara Great America visitors.

PGA ROCKS · Post by **PGA ROCKS** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 10:03 pm

Ah, don't worry about the topic being killed. Even though it is a history site, we still speculate over new rides and stuff. This should become a popular topic.

Loco · Post by **Loco** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 4:05 pm

There is also speculation that the ride will be Geauga Lake's Texas Twister.

IMO I rather have a NEW top spin (suspended or not) I just don't really know what to think about a top spin because they usually get toned down after the first season.

PGA ROCKS · Post by **PGA ROCKS** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:48 pm

I hope that it will be as crazy as possible. I don't want it to be super weak like the time I rode the one at Discovery Kingdom (when it was still Marine World).

Loco · Post by **Loco** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 10:51 am

^ That one only flips like twice and just rocks back and fourth for a minute then stops. It's so boring.

Hopefully GA's will be intense.

Papas · Post by **Papas** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 1:39 pm

Its most likely the topspin from Geauga Lake, which runs the same program as King Chaos at SFGAm (or at least when I was there).

Angry_Gumball · Post by **Angry_Gumball** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 5:24 pm

PGA ROCKS wrote:I hope that it will be as crazy as possible. I don't want it to be super weak like the time I rode the one at Discovery Kingdom (when it was still Marine World).

I remember when VooDoo used to flip like 6 times per cycle...but that wasn't enough. Sadly, it dropped down to 2.4 flips. In a way, I hope we don't get GL's top spin as it's just a clone of what's an hour north. Maybe we'll see a floorless. If we do get the clone of what's up north, I'l be happy if they just give it some effects like fire blasts, water, or plant it indoors with a light show (Like Santa Cruz's Wipeout) and that would pump up the ride a bit.

PGAsecurity99 · Post by **PGAsecurity99** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 12:06 am

Angry_Gumball,

I cannot see the pic you posted. Could you possibly put it in the photo album or create a link for it. Thanks.

Angry_Gumball · Post by **Angry_Gumball** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 1:43 pm

How do I set up the album? I've actually wanted to get one started as I have some (recent) pictures to share of SC's Great America in it's current state.

PGAsecurity99 · Post by **PGAsecurity99** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 1:33 pm

How do I set up the album? I've actually wanted to get one started as I have some (recent) pictures to share of SC's Great America in it's current state.

I can only suggest to ask Steve.

Angry_Gumball · Post by **Angry_Gumball** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 7:49 pm

Some interesting news for the next season or the following season after that. Screamscape mentions that

... And finally we’ve heard that by sometime in 2008 or 2009, Cedar Fair may start to drop a few of the themed names for select attraction, specifically Top Gun and Survivor were both mentioned as the first victims, in that order. We may actually see Top Gun given a new name before the start of the 2008 season, and Survivor may hold out until the 2009 season.

Anyone want to take a stab on the possible renames of rides?

My guesses are:

Top Gun -> Dominator (Seems like a Cedar Fair-like name)
Survivor -> ??

And if they renamed Drop Zone (which has no real theme to it that's based on the movie) -> Power Tower

Angry_Gumball · Post by **Angry_Gumball** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 2:08 pm

Sorry to double post but I have some extremely good news for us Californians/those who want to see a revival of the Santa Clara park.

2008, we're getting a top spin dubbed "Firefall" with water/fire effects. (I love fire effects on rides, like Survivor).

2009, we're getting a GCI woodie (possibly a Renegade clone, guessing it will replace Grizzly...who knows...)

What do you all think? Press release below.

Theme Park Will Start New Year with New Attraction, New Show, and a Brand New Name

California's Great America Logo. (PRNewsFoto/California's Great America)

SANTA CLARA, CA UNITED STATES

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Great America will be
transformed in 2008 starting with a new name -- California's Great America.
Part of the Cedar Fair Entertainment Company's family of theme parks,
California's Great America's new name signifies exciting new additions to
the popular attraction as well as a 14 million dollar investment from the
Cedar Fair Entertainment Company over the next two years.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/200 ... QTH164LOGO)

New Rides
Taking guests head-over-heels this season will be FireFall. This new
thrill ride will take 40 brave riders to a height of 60 feet, then subject
them to 360 degree vertical arcs as they twist, turn and spin through both
fire and water effects. FireFall is manufactured by Huss of Germany and
promises to be the hottest ticket in 2008.
In 2009, California's Great America will add to its roster of thrill
rides a new world-class wooden coaster. This copious coaster will boast a
lift of 104 feet and take riders on a two minute ride at 52 mph through a
twisting first drop, low to the ground S-turn, and a high speed station
fly-by! Designed by Great Coasters International, this ride promises to
take coaster enthusiasts to new heights.

New Ice Show
Bringing back an old time favorite for the entire family, California's
Great America will debut an all-new Ice Show Spectacular to their summer
line-up. Performed in the newly named "Great America Theatre" the Ice Show
Spectacular will feature a professional ensemble of skaters, dazzling sets,
colorful costumes, and plenty of surprises!

New Hours
California's Great America will also be offering new and longer
operating hours for the 2008 season, staying open as late as 10:00 PM the
majority of the summer. Extended operating hours will give guests more time
to enjoy the park and all the new attractions.

New Seasonal Event
In 2008 throughout the month of October, California's Great America
will be bringing Halloween Haunt to the Bay Area. From the creative team of
Knott's Scary Farm's Halloween Haunt, voted the "Number One Halloween Event
in the World" by Amusement Today, this ultimate, in-your-face, Halloween
extravaganza features walk-through mazes, scare zones, themed rides and
Halloween themed shows. And for the junior set, California's Great America
will continue its kid-friendly, non-scare Halloween themed daytime event,
"Nick-Or-Treat."

New Passes
Great America has three different Season Pass options, starting with
the Season Pass for California's Great America admission only, the Gold
Pass which includes California's Great America and Gilroy Gardens, and the
Platinum Pass which allows admittance to ALL Cedar Fair properties,
including Knott's Berry Farm in Southern California. As an added bonus, ALL
pass types include FREE Parking at California's Great America.
"Ultimately, it is all about providing our guests with new and exciting
reasons to visit," says Bill Lentz, General Manager of California's Great
America, "and we feel that these new additions for the 2008 season will
accomplish just that."

California's Great America is owned and operated by Cedar Fair
Entertainment Company. In addition to California's Great America, Cedar
Fair owns and operates 10 other amusement parks, five outdoor water parks,
one indoor water park resort and six hotels. Cedar Fair also owns and
operates Star Trek: The Experience, an interactive adventure located in Las
Vegas, and operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, Calif.
under a management contract.

For more information visit pgathrills.com or call (408) 986-5841.

dpxtreme · Post by **dpxtreme** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 2:22 pm

For the wooden coaster, I heard it was to where the Imax is now (will be gutted), and where Whizzer used to be. Grizzly is safe, at least through 2009. Again, that's just what I heard.

Robman97 · Post by **Robman97** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 10:14 am

Can any one see any sign of constrution for top spin or the parts for it any where.

dpxtreme · Post by **dpxtreme** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 11:05 am

There is not construction going on yet, but the ride is sitting in the employee parking lot.