Gilroy Gardens details possible expansion

Gilroy Gardens details possible expansion

Gilroy Gardens is known for its family-friendly coasters and attractions. But it could soon be a hotspot for extreme thrill-seekers. In 2016, Gilroy Gardens embarked on a 10-year master plan, which, among other things, aims to grow annual attendance from 450,000 to 500,000 by 2022 and attract a larger percentage of children in the 11-to […]

Great America announces massive water park expansion

Great America announces massive water park expansion

California’s Great America’s water park is getting its largest investment in its history, 13 years after the last new attraction opened. The park announced Boomerang Bay will be transformed into South Bay Shores for the 2020 season. The expanded water park, increasing its acreage from 10.5 to 15 acres, will feature seven new water attractions, […]

Crazy flips, cutting-edge technology: Batman opens at Discovery Kingdom

Crazy flips, cutting-edge technology: Batman opens at Discovery Kingdom

Joker, Harley Quinn and Penguin have terrorized Six Flags Discovery Kingdom for far too long. It’s about time the Caped Crusader has swooped in and put these villains in their place. Batman: The Ride opened Memorial Day weekend at the Vallejo park, and members of the American Coaster Enthusiasts were invited to try the ride […]

ACE tours Great America, honors Spirit Award recipients

ACE tours Great America, honors Spirit Award recipients

California’s Great America opens for the 2019 season on March 23, but for ACE members, the season typically kicks off much earlier than that. Such was the case on March 9, when Great America hosted ACE for the seventh annual behind-the-scenes tour, where members got the chance to not only check out the ongoing improvements, […]

Unique single-rail coaster RailBlazer opens at Great America

Unique single-rail coaster RailBlazer opens at Great America

For each of the past few seasons, California’s Great America has introduced a major new attraction. In 2016, the park took guests into space with Mass Effect: New Earth, and later that year, introduced WinterFest, adding millions of Christmas lights. In 2017, Great America’s Vortex coaster got a floorless remake and transformed into Patriot. Yet, […]

Great America 2018 preview: Construction, food, expanded entertainment and more

Great America 2018 preview: Construction, food, expanded entertainment and more

Last year, ACE NorCal’s annual California’s Great America preseason tour hit a record attendance of nearly 60 members and guests, all eager to get a glimpse at what was new for the 2017 season. This year, ACE NorCal smashed that record, two-fold. More than 130 ACE members and guests packed Great America on Feb. 24 […]

RailBlazer construction update, Oct. 21, 2017: Track arrives on site

RailBlazer construction update, Oct. 21, 2017: Track arrives on site

Work has ramped up on RailBlazer’s construction at California’s Great America. In the past week, heavy equipment has arrived on scene, and crews have drilled holes for foundation work. CGA also received the first shipment of track from Rocky Mountain Construction’s Idaho facility. That wraps up this update. Great America closes for the season on […]