Californias Great America

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After a long day of driving up the coast, I took a day trip to California's Great America. Those of you from Chicago, or who follow theme parks, will know that this isn't the only Great America. Both Six Flags Great America and California's Great America, were opened as sister parks by the Marriott

CA Great America Map

Corporation (yes, the hotelier) in 1976. When built, the parks were designed with a nearly identical layout and attraction selection. Currently, both parks still feature The Demon, Loggers Run, Columbia Carousel with Fountain/reflection pool, and Pictorium.

After working at Six Flags Great America, it is very eerie to walk about a new park yet it feel completely familiar. But nonetheless, the park is beautiful and very well maintained and provides a very welcoming atmosphere.

The parks newest attraction (and reason that I arrived extra early!) is Gold Striker!, a Great Coaster International wooden coaster. The very compact wooden coaster features a 100' drop and lots of tight turns. The result is a fast and exciting coaster that was much needed for this park. However, recently the park was forced to add tunnels

Gold Striker in Motion

and sound deadening foam to the coaster because of increased noise complaints from a nearby company. While it initially looks as if it might detract from the ride experience, I think it added to it as it created a lot of close calls for riders and made it feel faster. After having an opportunity to ride in both the front and the back, I liked the back a lot better as it felt as if it was pulling you through the twists and turns faster.

Vortex

I then proceeded to ride Votex, a B&M stand up coaster. These always look to be good coasters, but unfortunately the restraint system design makes for a very uncomfortable ride.

Flight Deck

Before heading into the water park, I made my way to "Flight Deck", a B&M inverted coaster (think Batman for those of you who have been to a Six Flags). The best part of this ride is the lake flyover, where you are brought within feet of dipping into the lake on a tight turn before the end of the ride. I highly recommend riding in the front on this one.

It was then off to work at Boomerang Bay. While not a large water park, they manage to pack in the guests quite well and gives it a larger feel.

At the end of my day, the guards wanted to do a bit of yoga, so I decided to join in. All in all I had a great day at California's Great America, and can't wait to make it back someday soon!

Didn't get enough photos? check out more in the #LyfInFocus-CA Great America Album.

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