GREATAMERICAparks.com

Everyone who worked at Marriott's Great America should remember Farrell's Ice Cream Parlours (there was one in Hometown Square added for the 1979 season). Farrell's was "Fabulous Fun" and now they are coming back! Parlour Enterprises of Laguna Niguel, CA, is about to open their second loca...

Santa Clara

1. The Tidal Wave
2. Sky Whirl
3. Willards Whizzer
4. Yankee Clipper
5. Great American Scenic Railway

Hello Bryan and Mark! Hey guys, it's great to see you both on this site. Sure brings back great memories of MGA! I was at the park a couple of summers ago, and could see, sadly, the foundations of our beloved Tidal Wave. I get a kick everytime I go to Knott's and see the Montezuma's Revenge operator...

During the 1977 thru 1980 seasons, I was a certified ride operator of: The Columbia The Pictorium Hometown and Orleans Place Trolley Rue le Dodge Delta Flyer/Eagles Flight Orleans Orbit Buzzy Bee Gulf Coaster The Lobster The Tidal Wave Yankee Clipper Loggers Run Scrambler Yukon Yahoo In addition, I...

Below is a link to the Marriott Timeline, a history of the Marriott Corporation. I thought is was interesting that the opening of the Great America parks was noted, but the sale of the parks was not.

http://marriott.com/corporateinfo/cultu ... ef=mi_left

GREAT slide show Steven!!! I have shown it to many friends to illustrate what a wonderful park we once had.

As a former Yankee Clipper lead at Santa Clara, it's great news to hear that name return in Gurnee. Sadly, Paramount removed the Yankee Clipper many years ago.

I completely agree with you Steven. I, too, am very optimistic for the revival of Great America in Santa Clara under Cedar Fair. I hope they consider bringing back the Great America ambience that was lost under Paramount's ownership.

Thanks Steven, and again, thank you for creating such a wonderful web site to celebrate the memory of our beloved Marriott's Great America parks. Before my employment at Santa Clara, I worked 2 years at Disneyland, and have worked at Disneyland for the last 20 years. Even so, I can honestly say that...

The Tidal Wave was awesome! I worked the Santa Clara Tidal Wave in 1979 and 1980, and was it's day lead in 1980. When Knott's Berry Farm was getting ready to open their Montezooma's Revenge (the same coaster) their maintenance and opening crew were trained on our Tidal Wave.

Hi everyone. This is Jay, and I worked at Santa Clara for the 1977 through 1980 seasons. During that time, I was lead of Rue le Dodge, Orleans Place and Hometown Trolley, Yankee Clipper, and The Tidal Wave. I also worked just about every ride in the Plaza, Orleans Place, Yankee Harbor, and Yukon Ter...