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California's Great America
Category: Active Life Amusement Parks Amusement Parks [Edit]
4701 Great America PkwySanta Clara, CA 95050
(408) 988-1776
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
461 reviews for California's Great America
Review Highlights
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"Drop Zone - Oh yes I love this one." In 65 reviews -
"There are lots of great highly dynamic rides." In 284 reviews -
"Flight deck & Vortex were lots of fun." In 72 reviews
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460 reviews in English
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Review from Eri H.
5/15/2012
If you are a huge Disney or Magic Mountain fan. DO NOT COME HERE AND COMPARE!!! Because you can't compare Great America with any of those places.
Great America is mainly a place for children who like to go on rides and use their wonderful water features. It is not so much for young adults or preschool aged children since their height requirements are pretty strict and the rides are kinda short in comparison with the wait time. You might stay in line for 30-45 min. in line to get on the ride but the ride is less then a 45 seconds.
It's in the heart of Silicon Valley and if you get the membership card which is the same price as a daily admission you and your children can have lots of fun for a day! -
Review from Linda L.
San Francisco, CA
5/8/2012
Not what I remembered as a kid. Snoopy instead of movie references, no loud music. =/
Went the other day and cause it was a Sunday and before the offical season there was NO lines. It was great walking up to the front and hoping on a ride. But that's when the awesomeness stopped.
Maggie Browns Fried Chicken use to be really good so what happened? Tasted like something from the microwave. Candy is still outrageously over priced. Sponge Bob ride (use to be Days of Thunder) is pretty neat however the 3-D glasses didn't work very well.
Got a season pass so I guess I will be back just to get my monies worth. -
Review from Stephanie C.
Rohnert Park, CA
5/7/2012
My Fiancee and I concluded that at 30, we both must just be getting old because this place does not have the charm it use too.
The "Staff" is primarily teenagers who don't seem to have any prior work experience, or training dealing with the public. They also need to invest some serious money in the intercom system. If you want people to listen to your instructions for the rides can you at least give them clearly, over a good sound system by someone who speaks English and can enunciate properly? It sounds like "dkjhfdjkd, dkfjdf, Handrail. djkfdkjfhk, sdjkfhdkhf, dkjdfdkj come to a complete stop."
THEY FORCE YOU TO TAKE OFF HATS AND SUNGLASSES ON ALL OF THE ROLLER COASTERS AND MANY OF THE OTHER RIDES. I mention this because in 90 degree weather at 1pm in the afternoon, it is very relevant. You've got the sun shining in your eyes, and forget trying to avoid a sunburn or excess sun exposure. It also takes much longer to board rides as pretty much EVERYONE has to go stow their glasses and hats in the cubes off to the side. They claim it is for safety and I'm sure that someone sued after getting hit in the face with a rogue pair of glasses, but they should allow people to wear them if they choose to do so at their own risk. We're suppose to be Adults, and this is suppose to be a free Country.
The food costs a fortune and is of poor quality. They do not allow outside food or beverages in aside from baby food or special diet food that is medically necessary. To give you an idea of the pricing, they have a Panda Express located in the park and the plates average over $11 each. These same portions would be $6 or $7 outside of the park. They charge nearly $4 for a single soda (no refills). You could try to drink only water from the sparsely scattered, low pressure water fountains if you can find them.
The "All you can eat BBQ" is disgusting. We got far more food for the price than we could have anywhere else in the park, but the quality was bad even for amusement park food. I don't know how it is possible to screw up BBQ Chicken and Hot Dogs but somehow they manage it.
This is not something that I blame Management for, but more than a few of the visitors to the park are pretty ghetto. This is something that you may want to consider if you plan on bringing your family. There are a ton of foul mouthed, gangster wanna be teenagers walking around mean mugging everyone. "Ooh, you're the toughest bad @ss in all of Great America, oooooo!" If you bring young kids here they will go home having learned a few new words for sure!
Just a disappointing waste of money overall. Not the family haven it use to be and looking really run down and rickety these days. -
Review from Mihir M.
Fremont, CA
5/23/2012
Average rides. Limited vegetarian food. If coming, look for coupons through your employer or online. Parking is expensive.
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Review from Enno R.
Menlo Park, CA
5/18/2012
We went for a 30th birthday, and had tons of fun. If you aren't into g-force rides, it's probably not for you, but there was enough variety for the rest of us to fill an entire day and not get bored. The Peanuts theme is a little weird at times, and I wonder if kids even connect with those characters anymore?
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Review from rebecca g.
Fremont, CA
5/20/2012
This place sucks! First now to park it costs $15.00, a hot dog, coke, and a the tinyest bag of chips cost $15.00! They close at 8 npm on a Saturday night but they have zero price reduction! The rides were blah! to say the least and too short to actually really enjoy! The workers on the Grizzly, did not make the riders wear the seatbelts, which I thought was strange! We waited over 40 minutes for the TIKI ride, only to be told it is not working! Why they do not give people little coupons to have them come back at the front of the line at different times is beyond me! I think they should do something special for the people who spent so much time waiting in line for a ride that does not work!
I was thinking that we would go to Great America once a year, but now it is more like every 5 years, as it really does suck now, and the workers suck! and the prices it feels as though you were held up robbed, outrageous prices and in this recession, it is ridiculous! Lower youir prices ,and make more money through quanit,y as opposed to sucking the blood out of the very few, who have managed to be conned by your hype!
PS we got out tivkets for free amd we still feel cheated! 2 rides in 3hours forget about it! Magic Mountain is soooo much better!!! Including the prices and the rides, I will definitely go back to Magic Mountain!! -
Review from Jessica W.
Sunnyvale, CA
Updated - 4/23/2012
I received their annual deals again,
I am disappointed being their loyal customer for the last 3 years and they don't offer anything special for people like me than other non members1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/29/2012
I love this place, the only problem you will face long ques for boomerang bay ( water games ) in the… Read more »
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Review from Aaron H.
Modesto, CA
4/27/2012
This place is getting slammed in the reviews, but I still think it's fun.
Went the other day and had the time of my life. I would have given it five stars for the memorable rides but I took away:
1/3 star for ridiculous guests and staff. The staff looked displeased...and the guests! After using the Vortex line's vending machines, we tried to head out of line but these d-bag teenagers made me crawl on the cement in sweltering heat. There were people walking around in swimsuits when the waterpark wasn't even open, a toddler in just his underpants, and a man with a vulgar T-shirt.
1/3 star taken thanks to overpricing. Paid $10 for a mediocre enchilada and $4 for a bottle of water. What else can I say?
1/3 star sacrificed due to headache-inducing rides. Yes, they were all fun, but some gave me gnarly headaches, especially head-banging in Demon's corkscrews. One word: OUCH!
I had a great day, but there were some things that subtracted from the overall experience. -
Review from Eugene S.
Sunnyvale, CA
5/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
Typical amusement park: some fun rides, over priced food, water park, and kids area. The lines are short by most standards except for the best rides on the weekend. Most of the workers are clueless, but the rides seem like their in good shape so I think you're safe. Find a discounted ticket online.
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Review from Stacy S.
Redwood City, CA
4/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
Sketchy!! This park has gone seriously downhill in the recent years! On my recent visit - The Demon broke down because a couple of safety harnesses wouldn't lock into place; A friend got stuck high up in the air on FireFall that broke down mid-ride (which was apparently the second time that day); On the Grizzly, the safety bar popped open on me and my husband IN THE MIDDLE of the ride. I told the attendant about the safety malfunction and he politely apologized as they loaded up more people onto the ride. Granted there are also seatbelts on that ride and it doesn't go upside down BUT STILL! It felt like we were test dummies for the opening of the season!
On the plus side, the lines were short... Maybe because people know better? I think I would stick with Six Flags or Disneyland... Sure it's more $$, but wouldn't you like to live through the day?
Also, they should demolish Vortex! That ride does nothing but slam your head back and forth between the harness... Instant headache that will ruin your day! -
Review from Brandon Y.
San Jose, CA
3/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
In Middle School and most of HIgh School, it was all about Great America. I remember getting season passes and my friends getting me to go on my first tower drop ride (Drop Zone) and first real roller coaster (Top Gun, now Flight Deck) here. Thus, I have a good amount of history here at Great America, but I feel like things have been going downhill since Great America's heyday.
Last time I visited was during Lockheed day, where they open up the park to Lockheed employees and their families, so the lines were better than a normal weekend, however it was also way rainy, so they began closing rides left and right around the afternoon. Not too fun for a sick Brandon bringing first timer Kathleen W. to this theme park. We did manage to go on a few rides before they started closing down things, but even those rides were beginning to get messed up. For example, 2-3 seats in the one Demon car they were running were unavailable, throwing off couples that wanted to sit together.
I think as a young adult, I may be outgrowing Great America and leaning toward Six Flags with its intense roller coasters, but I still see Great America as a good place for the middle schoolers and young high schoolers to get together and have a good time. -
Review from Sergio S.
San Jose, CA
5/11/2012
Amusement fun without having to go in a car for hours. Decent amount of coasters and thrills but the fact that there is a waterpark inside the park is a definite plus. Good for fun with or without kids
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Review from Joe D.
San Francisco, CA
4/18/2012
Please stop that commercial of yours with the family screaming. Please, it hurts every time i see it. I refuse to go to Great America because of the commercial. Several friends have mentioned the same thing.
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Review from Emilee B.
Fishers, IN
3/28/2012 1 photo
Growing up in Indiana, the closest amusement park was a few hours away. So when I moved to San Jose and learned Great America was basically right next door I was thrilled! I moved in March and and went to the park with my family in June.
We all had a blast! My addiction to roller coasters was appeased, and the kids enjoyed all the crazy spinning rides. We had our fair share of park treats too. Only downside - food is ridiculously expensive and not that great for the price. You definitely won't be lacking in the memory department by day's end.
Grab a buddy and spend a day at Great America. You won't regret it! -
Review from Phillip G.
Discovery Bay, CA
4/4/2012
They have the most obnoxious commercial in TV history. It features an ugly family at a meal table just screaming their f@cking mouths off. As usual most commercials are 5 times as loud as the actual TV show this makes the commercial about as annoying as I have ever experienced . Hence I will never go here. Who in the living sh!t approved this cr@p.
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Review from Cody A.
San Francisco, CA
4/4/2012
My first visit to Great America is when Paramount still owned the park before changing membership. This is when i was about 12 years old. My first visit or two was Awesome! it was my first actual theme park where you pay for your admission and wait in lines for awesome rides. Over the years I've grown more attached to the park, so i went more often. However, the price of the park was a bit of a rip off. I believe the price went up a little after changing ownership a few years back. Prices are now around $60. That's good i suppose and Reasonable, but for people like parents, mothers and people who are physically disabled and cannot do anything but watch the rides, or dont want to go on the rides, they have to pay regular admission. I Wish Great America did something like the Santa Cruz Boardwalk where it's free admission and you pay for each ride individually unless you buy an unlimited wristband. I actually think that'll attract more guests and even some more money. But unfortunately the park has never done that, or to give a crap about people's opinions. Anyway, i went just this past sunday for its second week of opening operation, and I had a much better experience than the last few times. Sadly, Invertigo was taken out, (the best ride) and no ride was replaced or built new. The park lacks of interesting and fun rides as well as new ones. The only rides i actually like are vortex and drop zone. without these rides the park would not deserve a review...on my part. If Six Flags in Vallejo had a drop zone, much like this one, and near the same height, Great America would never appeal to me again. The only actual rides that attract me to the park are vortex, drop zone and the bungee. Those rides are awesome. Besides them, there's nothing that "Great" about Great America. Besides that the food is junk and a rip off, and the retail stuff is crap. Staff are okay, a bit clueless of their surroundings.
If you live in the area of Great America, it's a good one, otherwise go Six Flags.
PS-THE AUSTRALIAN THEMED WATER PARK SUCKS! But the water ride that goes around and over it, rocks. -
Review from Ignacio B.
Honolulu, HI
4/24/2012
the worst TV Ad in history! I refuse to go to the park because of this annoying commercial. The family screaming ... I have to switch channel every time!
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Review from Hooria T.
12/11/2011 2 Check-ins Here
We visited Great America for the first time and it was a great disappointment. I'm sure what I was expecting but it definitely didn't live up to what I consider to be a good theme park. The place was fairly busy and there were some OK rides but for the most part it seemed to consist of lots of games, arcades, and food areas. The park itself seems in desperate need of some TLC. We went on a fair amount of the rides: Tiki Twirl (one of the better ones), Demon roller coaster, Psycho Mouse (headache inducing ride), Flight Deck, Vortex, and Star Tower (great view of Silicon Valley). Note that parking is $12 and you're allowed one in and out.
Bottom line, experienced it once but would never go back or recommend to others. -
Review from Albert L.
FINALLYYY, AT LONG LAST! THE SEARCH IS OVER!
Who remembers the little minions from the movie Despicable Me? They're pretty unforgettable considering they were the highlight of the film.
and if you haven't already watched Despicable Me..
.. BUY/RENT/DOWNLOAD -- GO WATCH IT MEOW!
Watched it?
Good?
Alright, moving along.
So if your like my girlfriend, that loves those little yellow buggers, and wanted to own one of those collectable plushie dolls, then you must know how difficult it is to find/win/purchase these things! They go for a outrageous amount online, they don't sell them at a Disney store or anything, AND.. I HATE THE STUPID RIGGED CLAW MACHINE THAT JUST STEALS YOUR MONEY!!
But during a recent trip to CGA's Halloween Haunt, I spotted these little rascals as a prize to the winner for the Water-Gun game.
The catch?
3 player minimum. $3 per player.
"THAT'S IT!? HERE'S $18, FERGET THE GAME, JUST GIMME TWOOO!"
and wallah! [http://s3-media1.ak.ye...
So that concludes a year+ long search to finally obtain a minion for my girlfriend. Thank you CGA!
Hmm..? Despicable Me 2 coming out Summer 2013?
.. ASDF!@#$herewegoagain. -
Review from Brenda L.
12/29/2011
This place is great. I used to come here in high school and middle school several times a summer (getting the WOW pass). Top Gun was the first roller coaster w/ an upside down loop that I had ever been on. I heard that they were going to remove it because it is slowly sinking into the water :(. The best part of Top Gun is the part when your feet dangle a few feet away from the water!
They also took out the superman ride Stealth which I am sad about because it was pretty unique, and scary! -
Review from Steve T.
Cupertino, CA
3/22/2012 2 Check-ins Here
It opens this Saturday! I had chance to see behind the scene.
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Review from Jenn M.
Burlingame, CA
9/18/2011
This place isn't what it used to be. DO NOT PUT YOUR STUFF IN THE CUBIES.
My friend's bag was nearly stolen by an off-duty Great America employee and his "ring" of on-duty staff. Fortunately, we were able to stop the guy and did some quick work to retrieve my friend's bag (while on-duty employees stood by and watched apathetically and others fled the scene.)
If this happens to you demand Security be called. If Security is not promptly called then call Santa Clara PD. I believe they are always stationed near the entrance to the park.
Security did arrive at the Vortex and we were assisted. Our group and the culprit, escorted by Security, went to speak with SCPD. After our statements were taken, the Operations Manager personally apologized and coordinated a refund for us. Things worked out okay for us because we got my friend's stuff back and at least one of the culprits was apprehended. -
Review from Jordi P.
Sunnyvale, CA
3/16/2012
Disneyland is much better.
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Review from Donna L.
San Rafael, CA
4/23/2012
I don't want to go just because of the Obnoxious screaming commercial on tv. It's absolutely irritating. They should remove it forever.
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Review from Lan N.
9/30/2011
Too weak now. No more Paramount backing. Top Gun is now called flight deck. All the ride operators look surly and rides aren't well kept. There's no more magical feeling here.
You have to get past metal detectors to just get inside the park. not a good first impression.
Only ride worth going on is Top Gun. Yes, I will still call it top gun until they tear it down. -
Review from Miss Bonnie B.
Sunnyvale, CA
9/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
The place isn't what it used to be.
How can you mess up a corn dog?!
I wish I saw Panda Express sooner as the food here typically sucked. The only thing I enjoyed was the curly fries and the Icee. I would have gotten my usual funnel cake but lost my appetite on said corn-dog.
The rides are hit or miss. Does anyone else feel sick from the horrid head banging from the Vortex? It's pretty awful. I didn't care for the Grizzly much either. Flight Deck, Psycho Mouse, and Tiki Twirl are still fun.
It seems they are attracting families with young kids, as they tended to be the longest lines. The roller coasters barely had any wait... but that may be because they aren't in par to other amusement parks.
Maybe I'm getting old but I much rather go to Disneyland. -
Review from Karen H.
9/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
I used to think Great America was such a huge themepark-- until I went to magic mountain (Los Angeles).
I went on Labor Day (Monday) and it was amazing- there was very few people in line, and I was able to ride all the rides I wanted to without waiting more than 15 minutes per ride!
I love the boomerang bay area- full of water filled fun!
Food here is totally overpriced, as is the water. I definitely recommended bringing your own water and/or your own food. I see many people who bring their own sandwiches as food in the food court and surrounding areas run from $7-10.
However, if you want to eat there and not have to bring your own food- I recommend the fried chicken place in the food court (I don't remember the name at the moment...), and I definitely recommend trying the funnel cakes (which are delicious (strawberry funnel cake was $10) )
Also, Costco has a deal where you get 2 tickets for ~$55 which is amazing, as at the door tickets are about $55/person! Wow! -
Review from Andy S.
Dublin, CA
10/23/2011
I have been there several times when they were Marriotts and Paramount. The place has really gone down hill. Looking at the care and maintenance of the place it worries me to get on rides there now. I can compare it to other parks and the overall experience is by far better for EVERY guest at other parks (Magic Mountain, Disneyland, etc).
People were kicked off rides for being too big which I felt was unfair. My friend was embarrassed on two rides because he was just a bit too big. He was never kicked off a ride at any other amusement park. And it really limited what rides he could go on after that. He just didn't want to get embarrassed again.
It's just sad that they don't keep up the rides. Rust, spider webs, vandalism is all apparent. It was kept pretty clean but granted it was slow for a Saturday and lots of the stuff was closed or down for maintenance. Just disappointing to see my youth amusement park be in such bad condition. -
Review from Patricia V.
Mountain View, CA
12/3/2011
What can I say that hasn't already been said about this 35 year old Great America Theme Park?
I guess you know it is called Great America because it opened in the USA centennial year of 1976 but it certainly has seen and provided better entertainment days.
Roller coasters, drop zone, water rides, arcades, and expensive eateries.
Try to get a discount ticket cuz otherwise the single tickets are very expensive.
Open from March thur October. -
Review from Emmalouise B.
San Mateo, CA
This place is ok.. nothing spectacular but will keep you somewhat entertained for a couple of hours.
I agree with other reviewers that it's really outdated and needs some work but for $60 for a season pass what do you expect?
Most of the rides are what I call 'Brain rattlers'. Those being ones when you get shaken about so much it feels like your brain is rattling around in your head you'll need an Advil or two when you're done. Flight Deck being the only ride that didn't make be feel like I was being repeatedly punched in the head and the best ride of them all.
Food here is typical theme park junk - Burgers, Hotdogs, Funnel cake, Garlic Fries and all extortionately priced so if you can - sneak some food in at the bottom of your bag or leave a cool box in the car. Bags are checked upon entering so be warned. I managed to sneak in a Banana and Cereal bar for my lunch under a jumper in my bag while my husband paid $9 for a greasy (small) Bacon Cheeseburger (http://www.yelp.com/bi...). Eeaw, no thanx.
Towards the back of the park is the water park, Boomberang Bay. I was expecting it to be separate from the rest but sort of makes sense. If you wear swimwear under your regular clothes when you get too hot you can head straight there to cool off. I haven't been to that particular area of the park though so don't know if it's any good.
Probably better for children and young teenagers.Listed in: Activities
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Review from Edward V.
Los Angeles, CA
7/7/2011
This place is BEAT! And it's sad.
Dusty, dirty, hazardous, VERY expensive, trash everywhere. They should just change the name of the park to "San Francisco". ZING!!
When I'm at this park I feel like I'm watching my grandmother die and the doctors responsible for curing are giving me the finger and telling me to sit on it. I love our country BUT there is nothing GREAT about this America.
This place has never been the same since Cedar Fair took it over. Shame on you for robbing my childhood from me. -
Review from Dannah S.
Santa Clara, CA
7/3/2011
I hate this place.
ghetto.
ghetto people.
overpriced.
little girls with no boobs and their mother's push up bra, running around the place
THE MOST MISERABLE LOOKING EMPLOYEES YOU WILL EVER MEET.
gangsta wannabe little boys, most of whom still sound like Mickey Mouse, running around the park
miserable.
dirty bathrooms.
the employees steal in front of the customers. WHERE' MY RECEIPT, BRO? And why didn't you enter the transaction? OH RIGHT, because your ghetto ass pocketed it. (I also watched the same guy pocket another patrons money, just to be sure this is is actually happening)
The place is seriously in need of a make over.
STAY AWAY. Not worth the moneeyyyy!!! -
Review from Jenna K.
8/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
We met our friends at the gate and prepared ourselves for some epic roller coasters.
Unfortunately we prepared too much. There is nothing epic here except for the Drop Tower, which only gives you a moment's worth of adrenaline.
I guess you get what you paid for. We got tickets for only $32. But even if it's cheap, I'm still not going back. I'd rather drive down to LA. -
Review from Justin C.
8/14/2011
This place has seen some better days. When it was under the ownership of Paramount, the place was much cleaner, the staff friendlier, and the rides more ride-ier.
Since it became "California's," my beloved Top Gun has been renamed "Flight Deck." What kind of crap is that? It doesn't even sound cool. Not to mention all of the movie memorabilia that has been thrown out.
I truly miss the old Great America.
This new fangled Great America is dirty, filled with incompetent employees, and over priced crap food. Nothing is well kept, especially the restrooms. You know how clean Disneyland is? This place is the EXACT opposite.Listed in: Sunday Funday, A bro's night out
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Review from Kenny Y.
Danville, CA
7/13/2011 2 Check-ins Here
What the hell happened to this place!@#?@!?#@!?@!#?!
Maybe my tastes have changed, or maybe I'm getting old, or maybe my memory is foggy... or maybe all of the above...
I remember coming here as a little kid all the way up to high school... and it was the place to be. I remember thinking how awesome all the rides were, how huge the park was, and how exciting the whole experience was.
10 years later... all I have are my memories.
Some of my younger cousins from out of town were visiting so we decided to give it a shot. Tickets are $60 at the door, but buying a 4 pack online we paid $35 a person. Parking was an additional $12.
We came on a Sunday and wow... this place was empty. There were still lines at most of the roller coasters... and you could tell why.. the workers take forever to do their pre-ride checks with as little enthusiasm as possible. The crowd has turned mostly to very young children or teeny-boppers... and the food is catered towards them. Cafeteria style pizza, chicken strips, fries, etc are abundant.
The rides are kind of lame and super short. The best of them would be "Flight Deck" which I think used to be named Top Gun when Great America was still part of Paramount... the other rides such as Vortex, Demon, Grizzly, are all not worth the wait and kind of give you a headache. Especially the Vortex, that damned ride makes you feel like a bobble head. All I could think of during the ride was how much my head and ears were hurting due to being thrown against the headrest areas which had no cushioning at all.
They do have some nice water rides and water features... but this is supposed to be a thrill seekers theme park not a water park.. if I wanted water I would go to water world...
Sad sad sad how some of these great places I used to come to are just things of the past now... even the cousins I were with, who were aged 13, 14, and 14, got bored and tired of everything by 4 pm (and we didn't get there until noon).
The best way to describe this is like expecting to go to Las Vegas, but ending up in Reno. The joint seems run-down, dirty, and just has a depressing atmosphere. All the bright lights and pizzazz are gone. What a shame.
The only great thing that still remains is the funnel cake... for 5 bucks... it's all that's left of my memories here... =( -
Review from Deep S.
7/24/2011 8 photos
Love Great America, great place to take kids or just go with friends. Parking is like $12-15 but I think you can also take the VTA here but there are a lot of places to eat around there so I would just park there. So many things to talk about so let's break it down:
Rides
Scary: Top Gun, Drop Tower, Demon, Invertigo, and Revolution
Fun: Psycho Mouse, Firefly, Grizzly, and Survivor Ride
Water: Rip Rode Rapids, Logger, and White Water Fall
Boring Rides: Orbit, Flying Eagles and Vortex
Favorite Games: Milk Can, Foul Shot, 3pt shootout, and Bushel Ball
Now the food here you have to try is their slice of pepperoni pizza, really good. The garlic fries here are really good and crispy. Things to stay away from Fish and Chips and their Sushi from the food court, really bad in my opinion. For desserts you have to try their funnel cake, it is a little pricey but so worth it!! -
Review from Jennifer A.
San Diego, CA
8/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been a little spoiled growing up going to Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia. I find most roller coaster parks pale in comparison...especially since many don't update their rides year after year.
Great America is a little dated, but some of the rides were still fun! Liked Flight Deck (apparently formerly known as Top Gun), Loggers Run, Demon, and Drop Tower.
They also have a decent sized water park so you can get two parks in one. I see how its great for kids, especially on a hot day.
On a Sunday afternoon, the lines were minimal which was great. You probably can get through everything in a half a day or so. -
Review from Mico C.
Santa Clara, CA
12/27/2011
Abandon your valuables when entering California's Ghetto America. Quadriplegic attractions include: the demon, grizzly, flight deck, vortex, invertigo, endeavor, star tower, barney speedway, and columbia carousel. Dysentery provided at food court. For a taste of the genuine great america explore Ghirardelli Square.
Listed in: SC visits
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Review from David S.
Berkeley, CA
7/11/2011
Past its prime to say the least. It looks like it is run by a private equity group: season pass for a few dollars more than one day's admission, as little as possible spent on fresh paint and general maintenance, long lines and too few employees except where there is margin revenue to be made like in the stores, ride pictures, and overpriced food shops. Oh yes, lots of life guards around the water rides -- guess they are fearful of litigation. Sort of ghetto population with lots of pre- to young teens running around without apparent adult supervision.
It is a good deal if you are a cheapskate with season pass and don't buy any of the extras, but I really do not want to expose my children to this place and its sample of northern California society on a daily basis. -
Review from Shana W.
South San Francisco, CA
Updated - 10/17/2011
I'm writing this review for their Halloween Haunt.
We were here this past weekend for their Halloween Haunt and we didn't know what to expect because we've never been. When we got to the entrance of Great America, it was SUPER packet. We would've never expect it would be busy because during the normal sesaon, it's pretty steady.
It's totally worth your money if you purchase the Gold pass because you get parking included and the pass pays for the Halloween Haunt.
They had great effects for the haunted mazes and I absoutely loved how they had certain areas of the park with the employees dressed up and scarying people.
I would highly recommend this during this time of the year. They say it isn't good for children under the age of 13, but hey if your children get a kick out of haunted houses, it's worth it.
Can't wait till next year's haunted mazes!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/9/2011
Last weekend was the first time back in years. I can't believe how much Great America has changed… Read more »
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