Celebrating 40 seasons of fun at California's Great America


California's Great America

The summer holidays may be almost over, but don't stop planning those visits to California's Great America! They are on their 40th season, and the fun is still going strong. I took the family there this weekend to celebrate making it through our first week of school, and it felt like summer had just begun.

If you've never been to California's Great America before, it's not too late to join in the fun, because the park is still open on weekends until November 1.  California's Great America is a great family theme park, with something for everyone. I recommend spending at least 5 hours in the park to be able to experience the most popular rides, and even then you won't be able to do every single ride (there are over 70 rides, shows, and attractions!). That's why a season pass for locals makes so much sense: for the cost of a full-price ticket, you get unlimited entry for the season. If you're just visiting, you can find discounts from AAA as well as the awesome $25 discount at the bottom of this post.

One thing to note: Boomerang Bay is closing on September 20, so make sure you enjoy this awesome water park while the weather is warm! Boomerang Bay has a lazy river, a wave pool, a water play structure, and several amazing water slides. It's our favorite water park in the Bay Area!
California's Great America Boomerang Bay


Since it's the park's 40th anniversary, don't forget to take a spin on their original rides: Demon, Centrifuge, Celebration Swings, Delta Flyer/Eagle's Flight (gondola), Rue Le Dodge (bumper cars), Barney Oldfield Speedway, and of course the Carousel Columbia, the world's tallest double-decker carousel. These rides are just as awesome and just as popular as they were in 1976!
California's Great America


Of course, it wouldn't be a proper visit without experiencing at least one of their thrill rides. My favorite is the Drop Zone, but Flight Deck is a pretty close second. Both were among the first of their kind when they opened in 1996 and 1993, and I will never forget the feeling when I first rode on them.
California's Great America


But just because a ride isn't a fancy shmancy roller coaster doesn't mean it can't be thrilling or amazing! Great America is chock full of rides like these. It looks like a regular old viking ship, but it actually swings upside down and in a complete loop!  My kids love this ride!
California's Great America



The big addition at the park this year is the expansion of the Planet Snoopy kids area.
California's Great America Planet Snoopy

The area formerly known as Kidzville has now been integrated into Planet Snoopy, and the entire area (signs, food outlets, attractions) has been rebranded with images of everyone's favorite beagle and his human friends.
California's Great America Planet Snoopy
California's Great America Planet Snoopy


They've also added 3 new rides: Joe Cool's Gr8Sk8, Peanuts 500 and Snoopy's Space Buggies. I love the rebrand because it makes everything more cohesive (and who doesn't love Snoopy!).
California's Great America Planet Snoopy


What's up next

Season pass holders will be really glad they get unlimited entry into the park, because the park is open on weekends through October, so there are still plenty of opportunities to play. The park has several fun special events, including Guest Appreciation Day on Labor Day (featuring $1 hotdogs, soda, and popcorn!), a couple of Halloween -themed events for Girl Scouts, and the 2015 USA Cheerleading and Dance Competition. People are already looking forward to Great America's famous Halloween Haunt, which starts on September 25 and runs every weekend night (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) until November 1.

Save $25 off Great America Tickets

Great news! Bonggamom Finds readers can Save $25 off Tickets at California's Great America Theme Park! Just use code: BLOG4CGA when purchasing tickets at http://cagreatamerica.com

California's Great America Planet Snoopy



Disclosure: I received free day passes to California's Great America. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

Pin It

0 Comments, Leave yours here:

Post a Comment

Search This Blog

Bongga Posts

Bongga Tweets

I'm Going!

Blog Archive

 

Bonggamom Finds Copyright © 2009 Cosmetic Girl Designed by Ipietoon | In Collaboration with FIFA
Girl Illustration Copyrighted to Dapino Colada