Howdy Micechatters, time for another Designed to Thrill! This week I’ll be covering recent construction on Gold Striker at California’s Great America. Enjoy . . .

great america gold striker, Great America Gold Striker Update

As many Bay Area amusement park goers know, Gold Striker is scheduled to open sometime in May at California’s Great America. This new GCI coaster has faced an uphill battle since the beginning; complaints from local businesses about noise pollution, disagreements between the City of Santa Clara and Cedar Fair, the future 49er’s Stadium and financial woes have all played a factor in delaying the build of Gold Striker.

The ride will completely change the landscape of Great America and should bring big crowds this summer. Great America has been raising hype for Gold Striker by posting updates to their Facebook page which include photos and video of the ride’s first test cycles.

Great America is still keeping the public in the dark regarding a specific opening date but the excitement is building in the Silicon Valley. Great America and the San Francisco 49er’s have joined together to auction off the first rides on Gold Striker with proceeds going to the 49er’s Foundation and Operation Care and Comfort. Bids can be placed HERE.

Let’s check out the progress of Gold Striker through the following photos by Morgan Richardson.

great america gold striker, Great America Gold Striker Update
The Mt. Rushmore area and one of the last reminisces of the Great America Scenic Railway have been removed to make room for this portion of the ride.
great america gold striker, Great America Gold Striker Update
Gold Striker will completely change the look of Great America’s iconic entrance
great america gold striker, Great America Gold Striker Update
The former pond and Wizzer foundations have been replaced to support the coaster
great america gold striker, Great America Gold Striker Update
Construction moves quickly
great america gold striker, Great America Gold Striker Update
The station
great america gold striker, Great America Gold Striker Update
Trucks in front of the new Gold Striker Gifts store
great america gold striker, Great America Gold Striker Update
Landscaping has begun at the entrance of the ride

great america gold striker, Great America Gold Striker Update

great america gold striker, Great America Gold Striker Update
Here we see the new entrance (and sign) for Star Tower
great america gold striker, Great America Gold Striker Update
New sign for Gold Striker Gifts
great america gold striker, Great America Gold Striker Update
Workers keep busy constructing the new entrance to Gold Striker
great america gold striker, Great America Gold Striker Update
The old IMAX Pictorium can still be seen behind the main lift
great america gold striker, Great America Gold Striker Update
The new Gold Striker Gifts (formerly Carrousel Souvenirs) is still receiving its new paint job. This will be the first new photo op ride to be installed at Great America since Psycho Mouse.
great america gold striker, Great America Gold Striker Update
New landscaping
great america gold striker, Great America Gold Striker Update
The new Star Tower sign has got to be one of my favorite additions to the park this year
great america gold striker, Great America Gold Striker Update
The sign for the queue entrance is almost done
great america gold striker, Great America Gold Striker Update
Great America has released a wonderful picture of the fantastic construction crew that has been working non-stop on Gold Striker
great america gold striker, Great America Gold Striker Update
The handsome new Gold Striker trains
great america gold striker, Great America Gold Striker Update
Another view from the back

 

And that’s the Great America Gold Striker wooden roller coaster. Any of you planning to bid on one of those first rides?

I’ll be back soon with more from the Northern California parks. Let me know if you have questions or requests.

 

 

Dusty Sage
Dusty is the founder and CEO of MiceChat.com. When he's not visiting theme parks and writing, editing or speaking about Disney and theme parks worldwide, Dusty is involved in multiple Disney related projects and charities. He helped save and restore the charming Walt Disney Birthplace in Chicago, launched the Dick Van Dyke Foundation, and is the curator of Walt Disney's historic 1930's estate in Hollywood. If you've got news or photos to share with the MiceChat community, or would like to book Dusty for an upcoming event, please contact [email protected]