California's Great America neighbor objects to proposed wood coaster

NIMBY? What did they expect when they moved in 8 years ago.

Let's see... the park has been there 32 years, the office building only 8. Did they think the park would never build again? I doubt that this will halt production, at least I hope not.

I hope some Great America patrons consider suing those companies for putting up boring office towers that diminish the view from the roller coasters . . .

What really sucks is that those office buildings would probably not be there if the amusement park had not been there. I don't know much about the California Great America, but they built the Illinois one out in the middle of nowhere. Now there are tons of businesses, a huge mall and a huge office complex within a mile of the park.

These office complexes can suck it. My guess is they wouldn't be able to hear the wooden coaster over the roars and screaming coming from the parks other attractions...

The businesses would have built in the area park or not. Although it was KIND of in the middle of nowhere, the land is right next to the freeway . Primo real estate.

But to be honest, if they are worried about noise, the need to talk to the airport folks. Those 737s are MUCH louder than any coaster!

"If it's by some offices, just keep this one," said Logan Breitbart of San Jose, emerging from the theme park's other cherished wood coaster, the Grizzly, on Saturday afternoon. "Another one is unnecessary."

The only reason I can think of anyone being happy with Grizzly is that they have never been on another wooden coaster and are trying to avoid more opportunities for pain. Unless some serious changes have happened to that ride since I was on it about 6 years ago. It was a horrible experience and I can usually find some good in the crappiest of rides but not with this one.

janfrederick said:
The businesses would have built in the area park or not. Although it was KIND of in the middle of nowhere, the land is right next to the freeway . Primo real estate.

But to be honest, if they are worried about noise, the need to talk to the airport folks. Those 737s are MUCH louder than any coaster!

Yeah, not to mention a noisy football stadium. Where is the outrage there?

^Well, football will mostly be on Sundays with the people being in the office mostly on weekdays. Even the occasional Monday or Thursday game would be at night. You could say the park is busier on weekends than weekdays, but it will be open almost everyday during regular business hours during the months in which the park operates.

Something tells me a compromise will be struck. Meaning CGA's new coaster will probably be the most unique wooden coaster in existance. That's if Cedar Fair even keeps hold of the park at this point. I wouldn't be surprised if they were seriously looking to unload it.

This is where the benefits of it being a GCI coaster come in. First, those rides tend to run more quietly than less-solid rides running trains that don't track as well. Second, as an example, take a look at Evel Knievel as an example of the kind of cool stuff that GCI does with its rides...in this case, it's a triple out and back, with each pass positioned so that the whole ride points towards the midway. That ride backs up to a parking lot, but if instead of a parking lot they out a row of pine trees behind it, people standing 50' away would never know it was there.

Expect a "NO SCREAMING" sign at the top of the lift hill. :)

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

RideMan said:

Expect a "NO SCREAMING" sign at the top of the lift hill. :)

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Yeah...um...no....a "no screaming" sign would tell park guests to scream their brains out on the ride! :)

Like Ghostrider or California Screamin' (pun intended), I'd expect any large drops to be blocked by built on sheds, probably down the entire first and second drops.

RideMan said:
This is where the benefits of it being a GCI coaster come in. First, those rides tend to run more quietly than less-solid rides running trains that don't track as well. Second, as an example, take a look at Evel Knievel as an example of the kind of cool stuff that GCI does with its rides...That ride backs up to a parking lot, but if instead of a parking lot they out a row of pine trees behind it, people standing 50' away would never know it was there.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

...except that Evel is ridiculously loud (you are right though with GCI's generally being quiet). Do you know why Evel squeals uncontrollably? I was there a few weeks ago and it was nearly unbearable. It seemed to only do it when the cars yawed...does it just need some grease?

This is just like what Waldameer had to deal with to get RFII built. It took many years of court battles for Waldameer to finally win. Those stupid owners of that stupid little campground finally lost and we ended up with one of the best woodies ever built! Better late than never!

Interesting. I saw/rode Evel Knievel on July 6, and it wasn't squealing at all. But I'll bet some grease would fix it.

As for Waldameer...they put tunnels on Ravine Flyer where it passes behind the trailer park. Oddly enough, the train is NOISIER going through the tunnels than is is where there are no tunnels. The drum effect, y'know.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

People these day have to find something to complain about.

Maybe all the tight-a$$es in the office building are just jealous because they are stuck at work and they can't be riding those shiny new coasters they build? ;)

If I had an office with a view of a roller coaster, I'd never get anything done.

Ensign Smith said:
If I had an office with a view of a roller coaster, I'd never get anything done.

Because of the noise. ;)