tjpavlik Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 I got to sample some of the local flavor while traveling out to the bay area on business this weekend. California Great American is down by San Jose, and staying in Oakland with not a whole lot planned I packed the Platnium Pass to experience a little NorCal coaster action. I arrived at the park at about 9:45 and waited in line till they opened at 10:00. No early ride times, although the girl scouts were having a day and were let in prior to general opening. Security was in effect with bag searches and wand downs. After entering I immediately went over to the Gold Striker; their new coaster for this year. It was a one train wait. I think its a new GCI coaster and it is incredibly smooth for a woody (If your looking for The Beast/Racer style shuddering of the car you're going to be disappointed) . Its a quick, intense ride but what made it cool was the way overbanked turns. The Demon was next, and I felt kind of bad because when I got to the loading area I was the only patron there with three ride ops. (They have to run all three trains to get me back to the station) I got in the front seat and off I went. Its a lot like the Corkscrew at CP. They have some good theming in the ride ( the skull cave before the corkscrew was the best) but you won't notice if you don't look around. I then wandered down the midway to the Grizzly, but it wasn't up yet so I ended up at the FireFall. Its a Huss Top Spin. Its not my favorite ride but if I remember correctly they were playing the The Crypt music with the ride operation. Lots of water effects but no fire effects. I then did Flight Deck, their inverted coaster. Great theming in the line. Radar dishes, missles, pictures of F-15s over a carrier (?!?) The ride was ok. Its an older inverter with the over head restraints and it beat me up pretty good. I started in the front seat and when it came back to the station no one was in line so I rode again in the back. Same result. Then it was time to do The Vortex, their stand up coaster. A one train wait and I was on. I don't know why I do it to myself but Stand ups are killers for me. Boxed my ears continuously! I was ready to get off after the first descending turn! I think the best thing they could do is put sit down cars in or re engineer the restraint system. It hurts! Lastly I ran back the Grizzly and rode it. It was their original coaster and a good, but once again quick ride. I then had to leave the park for other scenic views: A good, quick trip. BTW they made me take my glasses off on most of the rides, so it must be a California thing. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vortex lover Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 glad you had a good trip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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