National Roller Coaster Day was celebrated in a big way on Aug. 16, when California’s Great America introduced its newest coaster, RailBlazer. Manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction, RailBlazer is a prototype coaster based on RMC’s new “Raptor” model. Eight riders will traverse in a single file train on a single rail, giving riders a unique […]
California’s Great America Debuts First of its Kind Single Rail Steel Coaster for 2018
SANTA CLARA, CA – California’s Great America will introduce a groundbreaking new single rail steel coaster, RailBlazer, for the 2018 season. RailBlazer will be the first coaster of its kind on the West Coast featuring a single rail track throughout; the design requires the rider to straddle the rail, creating an extremely low center of […]
Great America offers a taste of Cajun culture
California’s Great America’s Taste of Orleans festival is taking guests on a Cajun experience of food, art and music. The second annual festival, which is also the park’s second food festival of the year after Red, White and Brews in May, features Cajun cuisine such as crisp frog legs with Creole aioli, craw fish etouffée, […]
Great America teases 2018 coaster
California’s Great America has been teasing a new roller coaster at the park for 2018, dubbed “Project SR1.” In late June, observant park visitors noticed a set of painted white tire tracks leading to a construction stake placed in the large grassy area that formerly housed the Invertigo coaster. Written on the stake was “2018” […]
Red, White & Brews launches at Great America
California’s Great America launched the first-ever Red, White & Brews over Memorial Day weekend, a lively Americana-themed festival with a variety of food, more than 25 regional craft brews, Northern California wines, Bay Area bands, outdoor games and entertainment for children. Underneath the park’s refurbished Patriot roller coaster in Hometown Square, a slew of booths […]
Six Flags agrees to operate Waterworld
Six Flags announced recently that it will operate Waterworld California in Concord, 10 years after it sold the 30-acre water park. The park, which is located about 18 miles southeast of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, features more than 35 water attractions. “This is an exciting new venture and a great opportunity to provide […]
Boardwalk’s Main Entrance project moves forward
Work is moving swiftly on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s Main Entrance project, and park officials are eyeing a Memorial Day opening date. The $14 million project, which broke ground in September, will include two new rides, more ticket windows, a new Fright Walk experience, two arenas for The Vault Lazer Maze and more. Sitting […]
Patriot opens at Great America with much fanfare
Just a week into the 2017 season, California’s Great America launched Patriot on April 1, a floorless conversion of the park’s 1991 Vortex standup roller coaster. Before the ride officially opened to the public, Great America invited ACE to a media day preview event on March 31, featuring a ribbon cutting ceremony and exclusive ride […]
Great America hosts ACE NorCal for preseason tour
With all the excitement for the upcoming season and future of California’s Great America, it should come as no surprise that ACE NorCal’s annual preseason tour of the park had a record turnout on March 4. Nicholas Laschkewitsch, regional representative of ACE NorCal, said nearly 60 ACE members and their guests attended the two-hour tour, […]
INTERVIEW: Surviving the Ride with Dave Cobb
“As Principal, Creative Development, Dave guides project development from concept through all the phases of design with a focus on story and guest experience. From theme parks, rides, and attractions to museums, retail, and resorts, Dave has collaborated on numerous entertainment projects all over the world, constantly looking for new ways to integrate technology, interactivity, […]