California Great America (CGA) Discussion Thread

I could walk faster then Grizzly's top "speed"

I think we get it now that GS will be faster than Grizzly and the Giant Dipper.

Warning, technical post ahead...

According to the laws of conservation of energy, the potential plus kinetic energy at the top of the lift will equal the kinetic energy at the bottom of the first drop (this is a rough and simplified example, so we'll ignore friction and drag). Kinetic energy is equal to half the mass times the velocity squared, or 1/2mv^2, and potential energy is equal to mass times height times the acceleration due to gravity at a point, or mgh (we'll use 32.2 ft/s^2 as an approximation). Therefore, by applying algebraic concepts, the speed at the bottom of the first drop (in feet per second) is the square root of the velocity of the lift (in feet per second) squared plus twice the height times the acceleration due to gravity, or sqrt(v^2+2gh). This will give the answer in feet per second, and to convert it to miles per hour, multiply the answer by 3600/5280 (approximately 0.682). Applying this math, and assuming the speed of the lift is negligibe, you get:

The maximum possible speed of a 91 foot tall coaster (such as Grizzly) is approximately 52 MPH

The maximum possible speed of a 70 foot tall coaster (such as Giant Dipper) is approximately 45 MPH

The maximum possible speed of a 108 foot tall coaster (such as Gold Striker) is approximately 56 MPH

So while some speeds are likely exagerrated, most of them are probably pretty close to the actual speed. This method won't get you the true top speed, but it can prove if the "official" speed for a ride is high (however, keep in mind that lift speed can play a role, especially in coasters with cable lifts, and the full drop length must be taken into account if the ride drops below ground level). If the laws of physics don't allow that speed to be achieved in an ideal case, it won't occur in a real world case.

^Seems about right. My No Limits creation, if I were go base off of No Limits' physics hits just about 53mph at a 108-foot height. Definitely a lot of math for my brain to chew on

And a coaster update - CGA was kind and gave us an update via their Facebook:

I'll be there this weekend to check it out!

Another Update from GCI:

Some more photos, from GCI's Facebook (As if there wasn't enough photos already!)

^I can almost smell the fresh new wood from those pics already

The fresh scent of Southern Yellow Pine....Is that what they use?

As if there wasn't enough photos already

There's never enough photos!

Mmmm...love the new sections going up, I can already picture the train racing through those sexy GCI curves. It'll be even better when I see it in person this Saturday, can't wait!

So I was messing around with Google Maps and looking around the park, then I noticed the street view went on this little backstage path and I found something interesting and really cool.

The park uses two of the old train cars in the Redwood Amphitheater! Not really sure what the rooms in there are for though. Plus the name of the area is the Redwood Depot.

Here's a picture of comparison, you notice the curved roof and the same back railing that is still there today.

Here's a close of view confirming that is the train cars, since they still have the original wheels and sitting on rails.

For a backstage area, that's considerably well landscaped...with the signage and cacti, it almost looks like they want you to see it!

+1 for *Charm*

Love it!

I believe (not sure at all though) that they use those as the "green room" for acts performing. Anyone know if this is true?

^You are correct.

From CGA's Haunt Facebook:

"Madame Marie went shopping..."

I can only imagine how this maze is going to look when finished!

May as well like their Haunt Facebook page as well, ran separately from the regular park Facebook page....that is if you haven't already liked it!

http://www.facebook.com/cgahaunt

Ah I remember walking in the back area of Redwood Amphitheater and seeing the former train/turned trailers and the themed cactus. Wonder if they'll add cactus as part of the theming for GS! Now I just had a "HEY DUDE" flashback, 90's kids remember this lol

Ah I remember walking in the back area of Redwood Amphitheater and seeing the former train/turned trailers and the themed cactus. Wonder if they'll add cactus as part of the theming for GS! Now I just had a "HEY DUDE" flashback, 90's kids remember this lol

^Good times indeed. Looking like we'll have about 8-10 people tomorrow for our usual bi-weekly trip, will be another interesting Logger's Run ride again..

^yea, I'm excited! We can take over the flyer and Woodstock's, and almost take over Peanuts Pirates. Should be an overall fun day and far less hectic than most of our summer CGA runs. Sunday however I hear is going to be busy.

If tomorrow is like anything I experienced last Saturday, we should have a great time tomorrow with hardly any waits! Nothing like walking up to a station and having it be empty!

^ I'm hoping for the same situation too! For the clench-and-squish Logger's session this time, I'll have to sit in the back half for the true experience, the front had some good room for my looooong legs. Excitement brews...

^And your Vortex credit. I'm sure the skull is quite excited for that!

So I went to the park today with the usual group of people plus more! At one point in the day we had ten TPR members and had an interesting ride on Loggers Run! I will let some of the others explain more about the day.I will post the good stuff,pictures! Plus more will be posted as well by others. Also the park was dead today just like last weekend, so if you want no waits go on a Saturday!

POV of Star Tower from today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcB-yQ1Cx_k

Taking a ride on Star Tower to check out our new hotness, Gold Striker!

Some more concrete has be poured!

The doughnut turn! For those of you following updates, a lot had been done in a week!

Wide view of the area.

Closer look at the new footers.

Ground view of the area from my secret window!

Over near the white tent checking out Gold Striker.

TWISTY

Noticed a gate was open, some Haunt props were back here.

From here to the end is Haunt pictures, M^4 has a facade being built.

Some props waiting to go in.

Open door...

Looking back...

The time we made it back again the door was feeling a little blue.

My office is getting ready.

The Club Bloid sign is up.

To add on to today's amazing adventure, here's my report

We had a total of 10 of us at one point, being Jeff, Robman, Flagg O' Dim, Rjvader, Blue Fire Guy, Rolercstrluvr, RawkinCoaster, my cousin, neighbor, and myself. Crowds were very light, most rides were 2-3 train wait, some walk-on. I could totally get used to this again

Gold Striker's progressing nicely, got some action photos of work being done! Massacre Manor (as shown) was being worked on today as well, a facade for the entrance has gone up. Grizzly's roughening up quite a bit towards the end of the ride and the drop after the 10-minute turnaround, and Demon was hauling @$$ once evening set, speed-wise!

Some highlights:

-Intense rides on Flying Eagles

-Mad spinning session pre-ride and start of ride on Peanuts Pirates (Breakdance)

-Take Over on Flying Eagles 2 times

-2 5-person logs on Logger's this time

-Almost Woodstock take over

-More kiddy rides!

I'll let the photos tell the rest of the story!

Got here early, first in line at the detectors...not that it was crowded.

Switching over to my 55-250mm lens for GS construction, may as well snap some coaster photos as well.

Yay, action shots! Bent assembly/coaster erection!

"Alright guys, get back to work!"

Aw...it looks like it's frowning...

Ooh! They're moving fast, considering what we saw the other day!

After a first ride on Star Tower, we completely passed FD (Sorry!) to ride Eagles, got some wild rides on it!

Robman's new office

Hmm...running 1 empty cabin? Naw, can't be!

Clench 'n Squish on Logger's!

"Ah, yes! I can breathe now!"

Eek! Spider! (Yes it's real!)

Nom nom nom...

Well, let's check out Jr Windseeker!

"I'm ready!"

"Ready!"

"Whee! Let's go!"

Jeff taking a picture of me, taking a picture of him, taking a picture of...

The rest of the group who kind of missed the memo...had to wait for the next cycle!

"No, Snoopy that's my chocolate chip cookie! No, Snoopy, that's a bad Snoopy!"

The rest of the group

Alright, let the speculation begin! New paint? Marks to check certain welds? Tomatoes? Carrots? You decide.

Hi Jack!

*Crash!*

Lunch with coaster POVs...I think we were watching "The Ultimate."

Post lunch Flight Deck run!

Are you guys ready?

Another quick trip on Star Tower

Working hard or hardly working? You decide! (We got to watch the crane move about as well)

Oh yea...this is shaping up fast too!

More work...

A 'ground level' view of the "midway turn" foundation from a certain location (which will remain a mystery)

Twisty!

Mr. Immortal Elephant still lives! He is getting a bit concerned though so he hid himself really well!

Wood delivery at your service!

And over to MMMM to see what's going down over there! Had a nice conversation with the guy who was working over here as well!

Random shots

Here's where they left off for the day...made great progress over the course of the week!

Random evening shots, final ride on Flying Eagles.

And I'll end it with what worried the ride operator to the point that the ride was stopped and he notified a mechanic that the ride was "moving in weird ways and making noise."

I LOVE THIS PICTURE!!!

A quick little clip of Blue Fire Guy taking in one of the last rides for the night on Flying Eagles last night, managing to snap pretty quick!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dE-i5XgUPA

I was originally going to film both Rolercstrluvr and Blue Fire Guy but they were at opposite ends, making it quite difficult to follow.