Yeah. It was super great with every ride as a walk on. I rode all the roller coasters in about an hour total. Which maybe wasn't the best idea. As I felt pretty woozy afterwards... but still fun 😉
It's amazing how much the park has changed.... I worked there while it was still Marriott's Great America from 1983 to 1985 while I was in college. Thank you for the tour.... It was really great to see again....
I haven't been there in 20 years. It is interesting to see what has changed since then, mostly smaller rides torn down for coasters(including the one used in the rescue scene in Beverly Hills Cop 3). Thanks for the tour!
What happened to the Rapids I remember way back in the 90s they had a water ride you sat in a huge tube it sat like eight people in a circle and you went around in a circle but there was Rapids type thing. I miss those memories. We went there in our 8the grade school field trip before graduation.
Growing up, went to this park all the time (since it opened). My husband and I also worked at the park in the summer of 1986 in the corporate picnic area to earn money for the down payment on our house. Bonus when you work for them: FREE admission ANY time! So glad Maggie Browns Fried Chicken is still there
This was fun to watch. In 1979, I worked at the park (Marriott’s Great America at the time). I scooped ice cream at Farrell’s in Hometown Square. Best summer job ever. Looks like Panda Express is in the same location. The roller coaster Willard’s Whizzer was right in back of the ice cream parlor. Thanks for this video.
I grew up near Great America in Gurnee, which was originally almost identical. Seeing this is almost like getting a glimpse into an alternate universe!
Excellent video, Chris. In the late 1970s, my brother and I, as teenagers, took our very first plane trip (on PSA, for anyone that remembers that airline) from L.A. to San Jose to visit Marriott's Great America. We were both working at the time, so we could easily afford the plane tickets which, as I recall, were only about $13 each way. We both love amusement parks so, needless to say, we had a great time. Great America doesn't really compare to the amusement parks here in SoCal but, for two teens, the flight and seeing a different park for a change was quite exciting. I'll have to pop up there for a return visit sometime.
You should check out Cedar Point amusement park, especially around Halloween time (Columbus weekend). Rides plus outdoor/indoor Haunted Houses.. lots of fun.
Isn't this park closing down permanently? I remember when this place was paramount with flight deck being named top gun I remember when that coca cola drop tower was named after the movie drop zone. Also that mass effect ride used to be days of thunder
Hi some corrections, the park is California's Great America (in beginning you keep saying Great Adventure), Gold Striker was built in 2013, not 2018, you may be mixing it up with Railblazer, opening in 2018
Nice tour, Chris. It looks very similar to the Marriott's Grand America (now Six Flags Great America) in Gurnee, Illinois. They both opened in the mid 70s and must have had the same designer.
I grew Santa Clara. Took all my girlfriends here 🤫 we had year long unlimited passes we’d go there everyday during summer and weekends during school years. Memories! 😊 sad new is they’re eventually closing this park idk exactly when but they already announced it not too long ago. RIP Great America 🙏🏽
Wow, this place is cool. Never been here. We usually like to vacation after the holidays. I have to put this on the list of places to visit. You two are awesome. Chris I want to share our experience with travel going wrong: Husband found what he believed was a two-way mirror in the bathroom of a certain hotel. He walked out into the hallway and saw a housekeeping person come out of a storage room adjacent our hotel room. 🤔🤨. When we travel now, we always bring a .99 cents store plastic table cloth and blue easy removable painters tape to cover the mirrors when showering or dressing. Makes us feel more comfortable. Chris, you always have interesting things to share. Thanks 🙋🏾♀️
Not really worth the visit. As a local native I grew up going to this park and its a shell of what it used to be. With is not ever being crowded anymore, you can complete all the rides in just a few hours. Even in the middle of summer with schools out, wait lines are still pretty minimal. Most food booths aren't open. Many buildings are never open with nothing in them.
Didn't know it existed but it looks like a fun place to stop on a trip to the Bay Area. I know January is a slow time, do you know the crowd size for spring and summer when comparing to other average CA theme parks?
The crowds are insane in summer. We gave up on the water park. They would only open a handle of slides, and the lines were so long. Then they open more slides, when the lines reach insanity. So even when we came very early, the lines were terrible. We are headed back to raging waters. The regular park, the lines are crazy, even at Christmas. If you go in spring and summer, consider a fast pass.
@@squirrelnibbler19 thank you very much for the helpful info. This is all good to keep in mind. Looks like January is the time to go. Thankfully for me I’m not a big water park person. Too many sunburns and torn up feet lol.
It depends on when you decide to go in the summer. If you go in the weekdays, eg, Monday through Thursday the park isn't that busy and ride wait times are only around 5 minutes . If you decide to go on a Friday or the weekend then prepare for it to be packed and have 1-2 hour ride wait times. It's best to take time off work and go on a random weekday. The weekend you will just waste time standing in lines. You don't need fast pass if you go to the park on a MOnday or Tuesday.
Ooh cool Chris! Thanks for sharing, never heard of this place, LOL as of course I am here in SoCal. I will try and make it out there this summer, yes looks like a mix of Knotts and Disneyland.
The park was the best when it opened in the 70’s. I was 15 in 1976 and it was a good time to be alive. I hate to be pessimistic but the 1970’s was so much better. Knott’s Berry Farms and Magic Mountain theme parks were awesome and cheap too, down in Southern California.
This theme park is literally next door to Levi’s Stadium. They share the same parking lot. I’ve gone to a few games now and I’ve never gotten a chance to check out that park. Maybe in the near future I’ll check it out.
We went to this park in 1976 the tickets were $7.95. It was the best times. At one point Paramount studio owns it. They also film Beverly Hills Cop III here. It was called Wonder World.
Thanks for showing us this amusement park. I wonder how much cost? Are there winter rates. vs Summer ones ?When I was about 10 my older sister by 7 yrs took me to an amusement park with some friends. I had never been on it. She took me on rides flying and spinning in the air and rides that went fast in a circle on the ground. She also took me on roller-coasters. Well, I was basically terrified and didn't enjoy myself. About 4 yrs later at age 14 I went back and loved it.
@@YellowProductions oh cool thanks for replying. I'm going on a Monday and I was just wondering if the days affect the rides being open or closed but I heard you say the weather does. Thanks again
@@supergirl467 No the days don't. I go on weekdays all the time and all the rides are open unless they are closed one for maintenence and those are closed for weeks
Once Paramount Pulled Their Name Off The Name It’s Been Trash…This is the last year it’ll be open,49ers bought the land to make it a parking lot for their stadium
Its not CA Great Adventure, its CA Great America. And Gold Striker opened way before 2018. Also the park opened in 1976 not 1975. Get your facts straight. Couldnt watch past 1.5 mins.
Thanks Great America, you found a way to cut back on shows and entertainment, cut back on everything, and raise the prices. I refused to buy a inflated season pass. There plan is to show a profit lose, so they can tear the park in the next few years, the end is near.
The amount of times you said the park's name wrong in this video was cringe. Park is in a sad state now compared to what it used to be. Its not much busier on normal days. Its on its last legs before closing in a few years.
In the early 80's the theming was much better. I think it started to decline when owners changed multiple times. Rides got face lifts, the Americana theming fell off. This looks like a shell of itself.
People go to a theme park for the attractions, and because you are INSIDE the park, you eat there Yeah, most of the food at these places is just average, but some parks, have good restaurants and food Blue Bayou at Dland for starters But thank you Captain Obvious
You might enjoy watching more of my travel guides on the San Francisco Bay Area: ruclips.net/p/PLOVadUHX1B-Ld9Pj94hS8laRJW50pS9ZJ
As a Bay Area native, I grew up going here. So many memories! In the 90s they had Star Trek and Nickelodeon characters who roamed around the park. ❤
Neat!
Don't forget about the great coaster "Stealth" they unfortunately removed that in order to build the water park. That was an iconic coaster
@@Falconsfan408 that’s right!
@@Falconsfan408What was Stealth like?
We used to go here when we lived in SF, so fun! Looks like it’s a great time to go without crowds now.
Yeah. It was super great with every ride as a walk on. I rode all the roller coasters in about an hour total. Which maybe wasn't the best idea. As I felt pretty woozy afterwards... but still fun 😉
It's amazing how much the park has changed.... I worked there while it was still Marriott's Great America from 1983 to 1985 while I was in college. Thank you for the tour.... It was really great to see again....
Thanks Ryoko!
I worked there in high school!
Hi Chris. Thanks for the wonderful walking tour. of Great America. Looks like a nice place to spend the day. Take care.
Thanks James!
I haven't been there in 20 years. It is interesting to see what has changed since then, mostly smaller rides torn down for coasters(including the one used in the rescue scene in Beverly Hills Cop 3). Thanks for the tour!
Yeah, the bird cages are gone.
Wow, how it has changed since i worked there from 1976-1978. Good to see some of the original rides from back then.
I was there once in the early 80's... lots of memories, thanks Chris !
Thanks Joe!
What happened to the Rapids I remember way back in the 90s they had a water ride you sat in a huge tube it sat like eight people in a circle and you went around in a circle but there was Rapids type thing. I miss those memories. We went there in our 8the grade school field trip before graduation.
LOOKS LIKE A REALLY FUN AND EXCITING PLACE TO VISIT. THANKS FOR SHARING, KEEP UP THE AWESOME WORK 😁👏🏽👏🏽
nope, its not. coming from someone who grew up going there, and recently gone back once in each of the last 2 years.
Growing up, went to this park all the time (since it opened). My husband and I also worked at the park in the summer of 1986 in the corporate picnic area to earn money for the down payment on our house. Bonus when you work for them: FREE admission ANY time!
So glad Maggie Browns Fried Chicken is still there
Wow never new this was in California
Thanks for the video Chris. Reminds me of my childhood haha.
Thanks M T!
This was fun to watch. In 1979, I worked at the park (Marriott’s Great America at the time). I scooped ice cream at Farrell’s in Hometown Square. Best summer job ever. Looks like Panda Express is in the same location. The roller coaster Willard’s Whizzer was right in back of the ice cream parlor. Thanks for this video.
Neat Julie!
I grew up near Great America in Gurnee, which was originally almost identical. Seeing this is almost like getting a glimpse into an alternate universe!
Excellent video, Chris. In the late 1970s, my brother and I, as teenagers, took our very first plane trip (on PSA, for anyone that remembers that airline) from L.A. to San Jose to visit Marriott's Great America. We were both working at the time, so we could easily afford the plane tickets which, as I recall, were only about $13 each way. We both love amusement parks so, needless to say, we had a great time. Great America doesn't really compare to the amusement parks here in SoCal but, for two teens, the flight and seeing a different park for a change was quite exciting. I'll have to pop up there for a return visit sometime.
Awesome video! We hope to go here someday. We live near Cedar Point, so it was cool to see its west coast sibling. Thank you!
Thanks for watching!
Love your work
Many thanks
Thanks Lollie Pop
You should check out Cedar Point amusement park, especially around Halloween time (Columbus weekend). Rides plus outdoor/indoor Haunted Houses.. lots of fun.
I'd like to some day!
Awesome video man. I went there today for the first time in at least 8 years I loved the new railblazer ride!
Thanks Falcoln! Yeah. The Railblazer is quite a rush!
Went there on our first date…almost 23 years ago! I still have the tickets and I’ve been taking our kids to the Haunt that sadly has closed already 😞
Neat
Isn't this park closing down permanently? I remember when this place was paramount with flight deck being named top gun
I remember when that coca cola drop tower was named after the movie drop zone. Also that mass effect ride used to be days of thunder
Yeah. Closing. In 10 years from now. So plenty of time to visit it 😉
GREAT VIDEO THANKS
Thank you Linda!
Hi some corrections, the park is California's Great America (in beginning you keep saying Great Adventure), Gold Striker was built in 2013, not 2018, you may be mixing it up with Railblazer, opening in 2018
I been going California great America very long time since 1993 grand opening of Top gun
Nice tour, Chris. It looks very similar to the Marriott's Grand America (now Six Flags Great America) in Gurnee, Illinois. They both opened in the mid 70s and must have had the same designer.
They were twin parks built at the same time by Marriotts.
I like the atmosphere of six flags great america more, feels more alive and (Im pretty sure) more coasters
@@calebwilliamstimeyup
I grew Santa Clara. Took all my girlfriends here 🤫 we had year long unlimited passes we’d go there everyday during summer and weekends during school years. Memories! 😊 sad new is they’re eventually closing this park idk exactly when but they already announced it not too long ago. RIP Great America 🙏🏽
OC local like me! :D I love flying so SJ just to fly out and fly over this park.
Santa Monica is nice I went there in the winter I can only imagine how nice the water in the Summer.
Going to great America next week give u guys a update on it❤
When he got to the tiki twirl the boy was looking at him like he was saying "this man is stalking me"🤣🤣🤣
I love how many similarities there still are to SFGAm in Gurnee! ☺️
Wow, this place is cool. Never been here. We usually like to vacation after the holidays. I have to put this on the list of places to visit. You two are awesome. Chris I want to share our experience with travel going wrong: Husband found what he believed was a two-way mirror in the bathroom of a certain hotel. He walked out into the hallway and saw a housekeeping person come out of a storage room adjacent our hotel room. 🤔🤨. When we travel now, we always bring a .99 cents store plastic table cloth and blue easy removable painters tape to cover the mirrors when showering or dressing. Makes us feel more comfortable. Chris, you always have interesting things to share. Thanks 🙋🏾♀️
Sounds like something out of a horror movie!
Not really worth the visit. As a local native I grew up going to this park and its a shell of what it used to be. With is not ever being crowded anymore, you can complete all the rides in just a few hours. Even in the middle of summer with schools out, wait lines are still pretty minimal. Most food booths aren't open. Many buildings are never open with nothing in them.
you should go to the winchester mystery house next time
Been there before ;)
Didn't know it existed but it looks like a fun place to stop on a trip to the Bay Area. I know January is a slow time, do you know the crowd size for spring and summer when comparing to other average CA theme parks?
The crowds are insane in summer. We gave up on the water park. They would only open a handle of slides, and the lines were so long. Then they open more slides, when the lines reach insanity. So even when we came very early, the lines were terrible. We are headed back to raging waters. The regular park, the lines are crazy, even at Christmas. If you go in spring and summer, consider a fast pass.
Handful
@@squirrelnibbler19 thank you very much for the helpful info. This is all good to keep in mind. Looks like January is the time to go. Thankfully for me I’m not a big water park person. Too many sunburns and torn up feet lol.
It depends on when you decide to go in the summer. If you go in the weekdays, eg, Monday through Thursday the park isn't that busy and ride wait times are only around 5 minutes . If you decide to go on a Friday or the weekend then prepare for it to be packed and have 1-2 hour ride wait times. It's best to take time off work and go on a random weekday. The weekend you will just waste time standing in lines. You don't need fast pass if you go to the park on a MOnday or Tuesday.
@@jessejames863 Good to know, thank you for the advice. I appreciate it!
Ooh cool Chris! Thanks for sharing, never heard of this place, LOL as of course I am here in SoCal. I will try and make it out there this summer, yes looks like a mix of Knotts and Disneyland.
Have fun!
The park was the best when it opened in the 70’s. I was 15 in 1976 and it was a good time to be alive. I hate to be pessimistic but the 1970’s was so much better. Knott’s Berry Farms and Magic Mountain theme parks were awesome and cheap too, down in Southern California.
This place seemed cooler to me in 2008 especially the "Planet Snoopy" area, miss Boomerang Bay and Nickelodeon characters.
This theme park is literally next door to Levi’s Stadium. They share the same parking lot. I’ve gone to a few games now and I’ve never gotten a chance to check out that park. Maybe in the near future I’ll check it out.
Worth a visit... particularly if you've already paid for parking on a slow winter day :)
We went to this park in 1976 the tickets were $7.95. It was the best times. At one point Paramount studio owns it. They also film Beverly Hills Cop III here. It was called Wonder World.
Good deal
IT'S THAT MIAMI 👀
Santa Clara , California . In the Bay Area
@@jessejames863 wish I could get a interview with you💯🙏
the 4d building used to be days of thunder motion ride. i miss it
I thought that the park was closing?
In 10 years
Gold striker was actually built in 2013*
Thanks for showing us this amusement park. I wonder how much cost? Are there winter rates. vs Summer ones ?When I was about 10 my older sister by 7 yrs took me to an amusement park with some friends. I had never been on it. She took me on rides flying and spinning in the air and rides that went fast in a circle on the ground. She also took me on roller-coasters. Well, I was basically terrified and didn't enjoy myself. About 4 yrs later at age 14 I went back and loved it.
Yeah. The pricing is fairly dynamic. Admission was $30 the day I went. But I'm sure it's way more in the summer.
The sky tower was not original when the park opened. What’s with you calling the park great adventure, that park is in new jersey
Which hotel did you stay at?
Hi Juni -- not in a hotel near here on this trip. Although there is a Hyatt Regency nearby that I like
How far is this from San Francisco
Such a pity that Cedar Fair has put this entire park on Death Watch…Also, this is MUCH nicer than the ACTUAL Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey
A bummer indeed
How many times did you say “adventure”???!!!!!
I definitely had Disney's California Adventure on my brain ;)
What day did you go in? Weekend or weekday???
Friday
@@YellowProductions oh cool thanks for replying. I'm going on a Monday and I was just wondering if the days affect the rides being open or closed but I heard you say the weather does. Thanks again
@@supergirl467 No the days don't. I go on weekdays all the time and all the rides are open unless they are closed one for maintenence and those are closed for weeks
I feel like us Illinoisans have the better Great America
How much is it?
Me realizing I was in the background of the video. 💀💀💀💀💀
What time did you go? It looks empty!
This was about 3pm on a Friday
Such a shame it's closing. Great memories from Paramounts Great America.
Did you see the Intel building my dad works there
Neat
I used to work here too 4:00
I live in California me and my family go almost EVREY year
He called it Great Adventure lol. I grew up a few blocks away from Marriotts Great America. It’ll be gone soon.
Is this at Great Adventures or Great America ?
California’s Great America 👍🏼
Psycho mouse is exactly the same ride as CA Adventure's Goofys Sky School.
That’s me 10:26
Jimmy's Great America in Santa Clara, California, United States of America Since 2001
❤
I work there right now
I worked at 2:50
I remember the nickel root beer stand.
How to you get the name of the park wrong repeatedly?
🤩👍
I used to work here 22:44
Once Paramount Pulled Their Name Off The Name It’s Been Trash…This is the last year it’ll be open,49ers bought the land to make it a parking lot for their stadium
I where here now 14:10
The amount of people who died here is terrifying...
It’s going to close down 2030
Oo
Its not CA Great Adventure, its CA Great America. And Gold Striker opened way before 2018. Also the park opened in 1976 not 1975. Get your facts straight. Couldnt watch past 1.5 mins.
0:03 Great America*** lolol
Don't think I didn't notice how you kept calling it Great Adventure. Lol
Thanks Great America, you found a way to cut back on shows and entertainment, cut back on everything, and raise the prices. I refused to buy a inflated season pass. There plan is to show a profit lose, so they can tear the park in the next few years, the end is near.
A really nice theme park. But I won't be visiting California anytime soon because of bad politics
The amount of times you said the park's name wrong in this video was cringe. Park is in a sad state now compared to what it used to be. Its not much busier on normal days. Its on its last legs before closing in a few years.
Stupid places never open no wonder they're going to close down soon
This theme park is closing down within 10 years and the land will be redeveloped.
That's a long time from now 😉
So is the next time I will watch any of your vlogs. BYE
In the early 80's the theming was much better. I think it started to decline when owners changed multiple times. Rides got face lifts, the Americana theming fell off. This looks like a shell of itself.
I don't understand why people pay to get into a theme park just to eat terrible food. Just go to a good restaurant.
People go to a theme park for the attractions, and because you are INSIDE the park, you eat there
Yeah, most of the food at these places is just average, but some parks, have good restaurants and food
Blue Bayou at Dland for starters
But thank you Captain Obvious
We are huge fans of Blue Bayou too 😉
It’s a rip off of six flags great America
Oh gosh, great America sucks compared to six flags in Vallejo… ever since they got rid of invetigo and stealth it’s stunk