March 21, 2017
California’s Great America—an amusement park in Santa Clara, California—will launch its 2017 season on March 25. Great America will open daily beginning May 25, and Boomerang Bay water park will open daily beginning May 27. The park has several new attractions this year, according to a press release:
New Rollercoaster
Patriot, the first floorless coaster at Great America, is set to debut on April 1. Patriot will take riders to a nine-story height before plummeting them into a 360-degree loop and a series of hairpin turns. The floorless ride will include state-of-the-art blue and white floorless trains positioning guests with their feet dangling inches above the track. To celebrate Patriot, all current and past military service members will be provided free admission from March 25 to May 29 (with valid ID), along with special $30 tickets for up to six guests (available at the front gate).
New Dining Options
Maggie Brown’s restaurant has been renamed Maggie’s Smokehouse & Fried Chicken. In addition to the legendary fried chicken, the restaurant will also delight guests with smoked tri tip, pulled pork and rotisserie chicken. Seasonally, Maggie’s will also serve beef and pork ribs in the completely refurbished interior. Food Festival will also feature new dining options, including crab sandwiches and lobster rolls for seafood lovers, burritos and tacos, clam chowder bread bowls and highly popular Boba tea drinks.
Food Festival will also feature new dining options, including crab sandwiches and lobster rolls for seafood lovers, burritos and tacos, clam chowder bread bowls and highly popular Boba tea drinks. Season Passholders can take advantage of the All Season Dining Plan that, for as low as $84, provides two meals per visit (4 hour interval between meals) and pays for itself in just three visits. This year, the on-property Panda Express and Subway are included in the plan.
New Beer Festival
The brand new Red, White & Brews festival will debut Memorial Day weekend and run five total days (May 27 to 29, June 3 to 4). Red, White & Brews will be located in Hometown Square, adjacent to Patriot, and features locally crafted beers, great barbeque and live music, all wrapped in a fun family atmosphere. The Taste of Orleans festival with Cajun cuisine, bayou music, themed fireworks and Mardi Gras atmosphere returns for two weekends (July 22 to 23 and July 29 to 30).
New Live Entertainment
Vertical Impact, in Great America Theater, is a high-flying acrobatic display with trampoline artists and amazing choreography, along with The Great American Game Show in Theatre Royale.
New Digital Photo Experience
FunPix, the ultimate way to capture and share unlimited Great America digital photos on social media. FunPix is available for $19.99 for a day-long pass or $39.99 for a season-long package. With FunPix, guests can digitally capture their favorite memories, whether it’s the classic family shot in front of the carousel, thrilling on-ride moments aboard Great America’s roller coasters or fun character shots with Snoopy and Charlie Brown.