Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Behind-the-scenes Tour - Photo TP

[sarki7]

Originally Posted by MirandaPen

I wish it was open later though. It would be cool to ride some of the rides in the dark.

Not sure what you mean here, the park is open until 8pm on weekends in the spring, and then until 11pm for pretty much the entirety of the summer.

Take a look here: June 2009 Operating Calendar for the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk amusement park

[JesterMn]

I love this park. Any word if they are getting that new, split level ghost dark ride to replace the current one? I had heard plans, but not much lately, making me think it's been pushed back quite a bit...

[sarki7]

It's still in the works, according to our tour guide in response to a direct question. He didn't offer any details but said it hasn't been tabled. I'm a little wait-and-see on it actually coming, but it's more than just a rumor.

[WOKcreative]

What was the special event that allowed a behind the scenes? That would be great. Is it something they are doing for the 100th?
We found the park on a trip to Monterey one time and loved it. Such a great old school amusement park feel.
Thanx for sharing.

[WheresMickey]

Thanks for the report!

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

I hope the DCA re-do imagineer team spent some time in Santa Cruz, to see what they did right as well as what's wrong with the place.

[sarki7]

Why is that? What does SCBB have in common with what is envisioned for the future of DCA?

Originally Posted by WOKcreative

What was the special event that allowed a behind the scenes?

Yea, it was a ACE event, put on by the Northern California region.

[Ride Warrior]

I've been visiting the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk all of my life. Never experienced any of the interesting behind the scenes sights.
Never would have imagined an underground maintainance area beneath the carousel. That and the cave train areas were my faves. Pretty cool how each of the carrousel ponies large metal ride rods move up and down underground as the ride rotates.

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Originally Posted by sarki7

Why is that? What does SCBB have in common with what is envisioned for the future of DCA?

I was referring to Paradise Pier. There are some elements of the new DCA that remind me of Santa Cruz: The Midway Mania ride building looks like the Giant Dipper ride building. And the Little Mermaid ride building looks a little like the giant Casino/Pool building at Santa Cruz.

[sarki7]

Ohoh, yea, I see what you mean. Say what you want about the incongruity of having a typical amusement section in a Disney park, but if you're gonna do it, there's no better place to model it after than SCBB.

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

It would be great if someone could post pics of all the period architecture at SCBB. Esp. if we could do side by side comparisons.

[SeaWolf38]

Neat behind the scenes tour! I was there 2 summers ago... the Giant Dipper IS super old! It's a funnnnn ride though, and I did the high-5 thing too! I missed that cave train though... idk how. I love how you can go from the boardwalk and beach to giant redwood trees in less than 20 min. drive, AND ride a scenic train through either the forest or down to the beach. Santa Cruz and the whole area around there is great.

[BlAcKoUt510]

Yeah i just hope if they do take inspiration off of SCBB they still get ride of the MB ride because SCBB got their drop ride still..
The cave area under the carousel was awsome. Ive been going there as long as i can remember and never new that its pretty awsome!

Originally Posted by CaliforniaAdventurer

I was referring to Paradise Pier. There are some elements of the new DCA that remind me of Santa Cruz: The Midway Mania ride building looks like the Giant Dipper ride building. And the Little Mermaid ride building looks a little like the giant Casino/Pool building at Santa Cruz.

I just noticed that too. It be cool if for the last few building the still have to redo(the stucco building or something like that) they make them a little bigger than the other victorian buildings and put little balconies on them like the do at SCBB. A nice variety of victorian buildings i think would look nice.

And the way SCBB fit rides inbetween buildings and rides reminds me of the way they built TSMM is too. It will be cool if the fit a ride up where MB is now in the future.

[sarki7]

Seawolf, you said it. We sure are lucky here, but just with the gem that is SCBB and the Santa Cruz beaches and mountains - but wine country, tahoe, and even a couple other passable theme parks so very close. And heck, we're only 5-6 hours from Disneyland!

From what I saw in the Blue Sky exhibition, it looked as though Maliboomer would be replaced by parachute drop towers. Kind of uninspired if you ask me, but plenty of people do love this classic attraction. Then again, who knows how much of those artist renditions are sent in stone.

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

What's the latest on Maliboomer? I've heard a million different stories.