My First Visit to California’s Great America in Northern California!
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- Опубликовано: 11 сен 2024
- My First Visit to California’s Great America in Northern California was so much fun. Finally after a long time coming I was able to make the trip up north and experience the park and boy was it worth the trip.
California’s Great America is now open for the season and I suggest booking your reservations now since the park will be busy this year.
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When it was named Paramounts Great America, Flight deck was named Top Gun which is my favorite coaster there.
Top Gun was the best! I remember when it first opened.
Oh they had a name changed. I wondering why they had similar rides with the Paramount park I went to years ago.
@@gissneric Ceder fair bought the rights in 2006 I think and renamed it to California’s Great America. Thus, renaming Top Gun which is a paramount license to flight deck.
@@Scarface966 Yeah I remember Topgun and demon. I think there was a boomerang type ride called Invertigo too but I don't think it's there anyone.
@@gissneric Invertigo left in 2011 and in its spot became railblazer in 2018
Just another person chiming in about this being a “home park.” I grew up in the Bay Area in the 1970’s and used to go annually, back when it was “Marriott’s Great America.” I was even there the first year it opened. That “antique car” ride at 8:18 was an original ride (there when the park opened). It was (maybe it still is?) called the “Barney Oldfield Speedway.”
Me too!! It’s changed so much. The Edge and Tidal Wave were so much fun!
me too.. remember the coaster Turn of the Century? classic
I haven’t been since it was Marriotts 😱
@markspan I don’t! I went in the late 80’s mid 90’s so maybe it was gone by then. I looked it up and what a fun coaster!
And the Demon was Turn-of-the-Century!
I grew up going to that park!! Saw three name changes: Marriott's Great America, Paramount's Great America, and now California's Great America. I was even an extra in Beverly Hills Cop 3 filed there. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
I was there too! My dad was a magician at the park at the time. So I got to walk into the backlots with him while they where shooting, where I saw several smashed triple wheel cabins from the movie shoot. I remember watching a stunt double jump across the triple wheel for that scene. My dad swears you can see me in the crowd, but I was only six or seven.
my home park and past employer, and it was so nice to see someone appreciate the park as a whole, people are normally so overly critical of this park and rip it to shreds in their review and it deserves a better reputation than it generally has - When you come back add Winchester Mystery House to you trip, you wont be disappointed
What?!! You’re up in the Bay Area!! How exciting that you’re at a theme park near us. Woohoo!
Bay Area!!! I grew up in Great America! My father in law worked there from opening for 5 years. My ex husband worked there at age 15 with his dad when the park opened. Love it! 🎢
Love that Great America is getting some more exposure! Born and raised in the Bay Area and loved going to park when it was “Paramount’s Great America”.
OMG! You are in my neck of the woods. You need to visit Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk next!
MY CHILDHOOD PARK!!
CANNOT WAIT TO WATCH THIS!!
Thank you!
The demon was the first upside down rollercoaster I ever went on! So many memories here!!
I used to go a lot when I was in high school during the 90's.
The park is nice now but was way better in the 90s lil smurf houses and whatnot
Me too!! Had a season pass every summer. Used to love the lobster ride.
I work 5 mins from this park pre Covid everyday during the week on my lunch hr I would go do single rider ride Goldstricker and Railblazer, grab some lunch with my Dining pass then head back too work with like 5 mins too spare. I called it my roller coaster lunch break.
My brother did that too. Pretty cool!
Man I miss the Top Gun theme for Flight Deck. As a kid hearing the Top Gun sound track play as you were boarding was epic.
We used to always get passes to this park. Went here tons as a kid too when it was Marriot’s Great America and was all Looney Toons themed. I remember you could win a bugs bunny tshirt if you kept your hands up in the tidal wave roller coaster. Such fun memories.
I'm from Northern California so this was my theme park growing up.
My old stomping grounds. My amusement park. Since moving away I haven’t been back. Thanks for the memories ❤️
Yess what a great vid - I live 20 minutes away from Great America and rarely go because it's never this empty and never this clean but I'm happy to see that it got a little better. Thanks for taking us along with you :)
I'm excited to see how it is now. I spent most of my summers hanging out there when I was a teenager (a long time ago). LOL I saw my first concert there and it was New Edition. Crazy good memories. Hope you had a blast. I might have to make my way there this summer. Thanks for visiting, I love watching you :)
It's closing :(
Welcome to The Bay, Dylan!!
Thank you! I had a wonderful time for sure.
Glad you liked my “hometown park”. Growing up in Oakland, it’s the closest. The old Top Gun coaster is old. I remember when it was new!
Cool! Welcome to nor cal, this was our go to theme park when I was a kid, back when it was owned by paramount studios
The Demon was the first roller coaster I ever went on when I was 7 years old-definitely a classic. It's crazy how much Great America has changed over the years....guess it's time for a trip LOL
I just posted it was mine too. I’m a coaster junkie now.
@@shirleywoodard4845 Growing up we toured so many theme parks during the summers. I think I'm just more of a theme park junkie....but I love my coasters💕
I remember when the Demon was called Turn of the Century. It really has changed a lot!
@@RaeAnn_1202
It was actually two different rides, they just combined them
I remember riding the Demon every weekend as a teenager! I'm 48 years old now so you can imagine how old that ride is! It's actually almost as old as I am!
Same!
Whizzer was a great one too! Sad, they got rid of it.
Do you remember Vortex??
Such a great ride when it had the blood red water and it growled and had the grass hill with the demon eyes that belowed smoke. Great times and memories
@@bladerunner752 They are renovating it I heard and are bringing back the lighted tunnel. Not sure about the rockwork they used to have within the loop. I hope they retrack, smooth out the cars and bring back all the effects. Even the first tunnel had mist I think. These Arrows would be so much better with comfort collars too.
I grew up next to Great America. Worked there in high school. Fun that you’re there. I’ll be at Disneyland in June since I live in LA now. In case you didn’t know, the Gurnee, Illinois Great America and Santa Clara were identical when built in 1976.
I haven't been since Stealth used to be there (wow almost 20 years ago). Definitely need to go again.
Yeah the park has changed a bit so it’s worth the trip. 😁
I loved Stealth!!!!
I’m 40 years old. Born and raised in California. Only been to Great America once so thank you for taking me along.
You’re very welcome, you should definitely make a trip out to the park soon it’s a lot of fun.
Growing up my grandma would take us here once a year and we would make a big trip out of it! Thanks for uploading!
Didn't even know this park existed. I'm in Oregon, but I'll have to visit when things open up a little more. Thanks for the info!
It's funny because it was the only theme park I knew that existed as a kid aside from Disneyland.
I’m the opposite of you, I travel six or seven hours to go to Disneyland and Six Flags Magic Mountain, and you travel up here to go California’s Great America and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom!
Magic mountain is open now?
@@andybrown1439 Yep!
Your way works better Peter
@@carljohnson5046 Thx Carl I see what U mean
Same!
My family used to go here a lot back in the 90s. My dad still calls it Marriott's.
Thanks for taking us to new parks!
You’re welcome! At least 2/3 new parks coming this year. 😁
Great America is my home park! So glad you made it out here! I will be going to disneyland next week and I’m so excited! By the way I love your videos!
I went there when it first opened and was Marriot's Great America back in the mid 70's before we moved to Idaho.
Ooooo thank you for this video! I’ve always wanted to see the inside 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁
Looks like you had fun. Hope you were able to get to go some of the other parks in the Bay Area like Gilroy Gardens and the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.
That’s a excellent idea.
Just went to the boardwalk last week :)
@@starryyynightzzz4691 Are the rides open yet? Last I checked it was just the shops but rides still closed.
@@Jenacide yep, everything’s open. Rides, shops, arcade, mini golf, etc. although there’s a limited selection of rides on fridays, but more are open on the weekends. Was just there Sunday.
Nostalgia on point right now! Grew up in the South Bay and had a season pass for years at “Paramounts “ Great America...
Haven't been to Great America in forever. Just gave me an idea to take my nephew this summer when he comes visit me.
Magic Mountain take notes on the gazebos and the shade here!! Another great park close to home!
The talking horse was awesome! 🎠
Thanks for the blast from the past! I went to that park when it first opened in 1976! I overcame my fear of coasters there. Two major coasters and one kids coaster. It was very different back in my day!
Welcome to Northern California! I grew up going to great America and take my kids now.
The Joker at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, is also AWESOME.......!!!!
💥✌💥
Wow! Great America! Thanks so much for going there and so glad you enjoyed it. I haven't seen the park in decades. My brother lives about a half hour from there and Great America used to be a frequent destination. I was excited to see what it's like now. The double decker merry-go-round is still there after you enter the park. My niece was a baby last time and now she just turned 30! I rode the GA gondola lift system (nostalgic flashback when it was seen in your background) back then - my first time in a lift system like that. Also, when I was last there I remember a lot of Star Trek characters going around. I remember posing for pictures w/ Vulcans and Klingons🖖. Fun times. I'm glad to see it's still there. Thanks so much Dylan for the fun nostalgic look! Take care!
I’m so surprised by how clean and nice Great America is looking, thanks for sharing. Might need to pay it a visit!
Your videos are so good Dillan, probably the best American theme park vlogger by far
So loving this video - the poor Demon, it was build in like 1976!! (previously the Turn of the Century).
My "home" park growing up and my job summers in College was Marriots / Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, IL.
They were twin parks for a long time up until someone bought Six Flags out of the CA park, and it's had a few other owners from what I know.
I've been watching to see what things were still the same between the 2. The Carousel and entrance being key amongst the twin features.
So much fun!
CGA is my home park, ever since the Marriots days. I eventually worked there during the Paramount years and had a great time. I'm glad you've made it up here and glad you enjoyed your visit. Southern Cali theme parks may get all the hype but up on the North we've got some great thrills as well!
I work in the Subway at Great America I see this video on my suggested and immediately remembered you 😂 glad you enjoyed the park
I love this park, I used to live in the bay I would go there all the time when I was younger
" oh, look out we have a sharp tur...oh, those are some beautiful flowers!" 🤣🤣 love it! Thanks for the laugh.
This park is my childhood. Middle school graduation and science class field trips were here. Flight deck was my first roller coaster back when it was owned by paramount and was top gun.
This is my home park, been there since i was a kid. You should have seen it when Paramount owned it! All Nickelodeon themed everywhere
Hell yeah Nickelodeon was fire!
Wow.... a FLOOD of memories coming back...this was the amusement park closest to us (Six Flag Marine World is closer but that was just Marine World back then) when I was a kid and I spent a lot of time here...saw Oingo Boingo in concert here. Some friends took a video on a 1980's video camera POV on the Demon and we thought that was pretty epic at the time lol Also some malfunction happened to the car that came in after ours and we heard screams and a ton of park people running to the ride. The rumor was the cars collided and someone was run over by the coaster BUT I can't find any news online about that, we went in 83 I believe. So, something happened, but I dunno what exactly. Top Gun (former name) is still my favorite coaster I've ever been on!! I have a photo of my mom and I in front of the double decker carousel...such an icon. I still have one of those peep hole thingy they sold back in the 80's with a picture of me and my boyfriend at the time inside...you look through this tiny hole and see the photo. lol ah the 80's....lol The park looks so much cleaner than the last time I was there in the 90's.
It’s so awesome to see you visit my two local theme parks!!! When I was 12 we had a season pass to Great America and we literally went every weekend during the summer. It was so much fun but I got kinda burnt out towards the end 😂 I haven’t been back in more than 10 years. I had a membership for Discovery Kingdom and went a bunch of times. I highly recommend Medusa, my favorite coaster there
Outstanding video! We live in WI and have been to Six Flags Great America a bunch of times. It also has the double decker carousel with a water feature in the foreground. Signature Great America?! Also has the old rough Demon and amazing chicken dinner!
when i tell you i have BEEEEEEEEN waiting for this im screaming
I'm originally from San Francisco and i went there once or twice when it was called Paramount's Great America. I heard you mention Discovery Kingdom - I absolutely love it there and I hope I can go back some day. Thank you for all that you do and keeping us updated about the parks.
Railblazer/Wonder Woman sits in my #1 spot. I can't get enough of it!
I haven’t seen that carousel since I was a kid!!!! So happy it’s still there. Thanks for another great video!
That’s my backyard! I grew up going to Great America.
I live in the Bay Area and I was just there on Saturday. I’ve had a gold pass every year since summer 2015.
Your reaction to Rail Blazer was so exciting to see. We haven't been up the CGA in a couple of years as I was waiting for the infamous Hyper Coaster to arrive. This makes me think I'll head up there next spring. Bravo!
Your horse impression was spot on!
Maggie Brown's was my mom's favorite place when she used to go with us followed by the hot dogs 20-25 years ago when they used to grill the buns and hot dogs in butter. I cook mine that way to bring back the good memories. Lord rest her soul.
I went once when I was younger it was maybe early 90's or late 80's. They had a ride called Vortex. I remember that one because I have the photo keychain lol
My daughter hated Vortex. Her shoulder bar was loose. It was scary. We have the keychain somewhere. I picture yellow and blue.
Man I miss this park. Was my homepark. Was a regular seasonpass holder from 2008-2014. Went back in 2016 and man alot has changed since then. I’ve noticed they actually did aloooott of paintwork and man it looks like a completely different park than what I remember. Colors definitely pop.
I live in California and love coming here.
Opened as Marriott’s Great America and character theme was Warner Bros. Like Mickey Mouse, their lead character was Bugs Bunny...rabbit ears instead of mouse ears! Thanks for the trip Dylan! 😎👍🏽
I have lived in California all my life and I have never been here. It looks so very cool. Dillion...thank you so much! That Rail Blazer....I almost had a heart attack just watching the vid!!.....lol. That first drop is mind blowing. One day I will make it up and get on that ride. Amazing job Dillion!!!
THANK YOU FOR THIS! i grew up in santa clara and was lucky to get a season pass every year, spent A LOT of time here when it was Paramount's Great America. very cool to see how it looks today.
I remember Marriotts; but I think Paramount was the best era.
We will miss this family park. Since the early 1980s we have been going here.. Great Rides Great Foods.. You will never find a better theme park like for the whole family serving the San Francisco Bay Area.. We will visit this park one last time before its all gone..
Thank you Dillon for visiting the Great Family Park of American History. A😥😥😥😢😢
i simply hope that Busch Gardens (Sea World Parks & Entertainment) could possibly step in and take over the soon-to-be defunct California's Great America (Cedar Fair). The hypothetical Busch Gardens San Francisco would essentially be an 'Americana'-type theme park.
This was my park growing up, back when they had Smurf Village.
Smurf Woods
@California Dreamer I was born in 83
My abnormally large kid was 49 inches tall at 4 years old. That boy rode everything offered at that park. I’m sure people were questioning my parenting sending a 4 year old on some of those coasters. He survived though and still LOVES his coasters.
I first went there the week that it opened in 1976 and recall seeing a presentation model of it at out local mall a few months before. It’s a pretty good park, but the crowd can get a little rough around the edges sometimes.
I didn’t go the first week but not long after it opened. Yeah, it’s too bad the area can be a bit sketchy. My parents used to drop us off for the day. I felt so grown up at 13. Fond memories.
Thanks so much for making a video of your visit to the park! 🙂. I worked there for three seasons (1983 - 1985) in the County Fair section of the park for two seasons, and at the Moosejaw Trading Post for one season. When I worked there, it was still Marriotts Great America. The park has changed so much.... Wow!!! I got to ride the Demon on it's opening day.... It's a real bone rattler, but fun coaster. Barney Oldfield's is way better than Autopia... (at least that's what it was called when I was working there... They may have changed the name since) I'm glad you had a great time at the park. Next time you are in the area, take a tour of the Winchester Mystery House.... absolutely my favorite Bay Area haunt!
So nice to see you guys enjoying a new spot!🥰 keep them coming.
You should have a trip back to great america. Reports the park to close within the coming years
First. AMAZING PARK. BEEN THERE once.🙃🔥
“Yeah This Park Is GREAT! Super Clean, And *Inviting”*
*Cuts To Railblazer*
Great Video Though I Live Sort Of Near This Place Such A Good Time
I love how all the Bay natives found this video haha
Im going to great America-this weekend, same park he’s at and so I’m searching this up ,😂 haha..
Haven't been watching much youtube lately. Glad to see you venture north and enjoy some of the state's other parks.
I never saw a double decker carausel. Before Cool Trailblazer looks awesome.
Railblazer*
@@seanlewis1148
Thanks Sean Lewis. I stand corrected. I appreciate that.
Love the content you put out. So fun and detailed. Love your reactions and the shots you get of these beautiful parks. More!!!
went to this park during high school years.. i''m guessing late 70's... I'm embarrassed to say I can't remember a thing about it. Wish I had taken some pics !
It was super awesome meeting you guys at Patriot! Looks like the ride reopened right after we left haha!
I’m sure I’m bias cause I used to go there almost every weekend in the 90’s but CGA is the second best thrill park in California behind magic mountain. It’s just a solid fun park with lots of room and great rides plus they got a water park in the center of the dang thing that’s awesome as well. 3rd knots 4th discovery Kingdom. Your thoughts?
If possible please show more footage riding the roller coasters. Keep up the good job Dylan.
Awesome vlog guys ❤️👏👏👏 my wife and I had our honeymoon in 2014 in Northern Cal, where we went to Universal Studios, Disneyland, Six Flags, California Adventure and of course GREAT AMERICA. We absolutely
LOVED every moment of it and this video is so nostalgic, brings back so many precious, fun memories ❤❤❤ keep vlogging these awesome videos guys. God bless you!
Well I’m so happy you enjoyed the vlog. CGA was a great park and I can’t wait to go back soon.
I’ve been going to Great America since it opened I in the sentries. My older sister worked there and gave me free tickets
Now we get passes every year and took my kids and now my grand babies love this park. You should go to gilroy gardens next time it doesn’t have the big rides but it is beautiful and I think it’s free with your pass. I think you’ll enjoy it
Even Flight Deck sounds like a fighter jet
Hi Dylan,
First, I loved that Spencer complimented you on his and Katie’s live today about the quality of your videos. I couldn’t agree more and have mentioned that many times in my comments.
Today was another example of how you brought this park to life with professional filming.
Thanks for bringing me along. Don’t know how you can handle those roller coasters, lol....
Have a fantastic day.
I’m going this Saturday I’m so excited I can’t wait I’m going on every ride even the kid rides
Wow I so just watched Beverly Hills 3 yesterday. 🤣🤣🤣 that is so where they filmed ! Plus a little of Six Flags too. I thought it was made up or old 94’ demolished forgotten theme park. . It’s seriously still around. Wow 😳 Wonder World!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I have pictures somewhere we took of all the props and such they had around the park. Of course that triple Ferris wheel is gone - can’t remember the name.
@@RaeAnn_1202 It’s called the Sky Whirl but in the movie it was called The Spider.
@@wendyclever4827 oh, Thank you! That was bugging me! 😀
@@wendyclever4827
Otherwise known as "the barf buckets"
fun fact about california's great america: u can tell that it and six flags great america both used to marriott parks bc the 2 parks not only have the double decker carousel, they both have an arrow looper named demon with the exact same layout. the only real difference is that there's more rockwork theming features on the six flags one and they still use the lights in the tunnels at six flags. even the goofy rock face that u go into is at the same point in the ride
I don't think I've ever been to Cali Great America, so that was a cool tour! Thanks!
This is my hometown theme park! So crazy to see you there lol
This is the nicest video I have seen about Great America.
This is so surreal. I grew up going to this park, from Marriot’s to Paramounts. My dad was a walk around magician at the park in the 90s and I got to watch them shoot Beverly Hills Cop 3 there at the time. It was also my first job when I was 16 in 2002. Lots of great memories here. Haven’t been there for years, and everything looks so different now. I was sad when they removed Tital Wave, which was my favorite ride. Some day I’m going to take my kids.
Omg how have I not heard of this park?? Totally going to plan a trip to NorCal for this!! Thanks for the video!!
LandCrusher!! Glad to see topgun still there went in the 70s.
I also grew up in the Bay Area and would go to this park with friends. Most of the time I went there I remember it as Paramount’s Great America in the 90s and most of the 2000s. Flight Deck is formerly Top Gun and drop tower was Drop Zone based on a movie of the same name released by paramount (can’t remember who starred in that movie). They even used to have spongebob squarepants rides for kids. Nice to see the demon coaster and the double-decker carousel are still there. Your visit to this park brought a smile to my face as well as fun memories of that park. I’m looking forward to your vlog from Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, another Bay Area home park I visited before.