California's Great America facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
California's Great America

Previously known as Marriott's Great America (1976–1985) Great America (1985–1992; 2007) Paramount's Great America (1993–2006)
Logo used since 2008
The Carousel Columbia, the park's centerpiece attraction (pictured in 2015)
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Location	Santa Clara, California, U.S.
Coordinates	37°23′45.4″N 121°58′20.1″W / 37.395944°N 121.972250°W / 37.395944; -121.972250
Status	Operating
Public transit	Santa Clara – Great America Great America
Opened	March 20, 1976 (1976-03-20)
Owner	Six Flags
Slogan	Northern California's Home to Iconic Thrills
Operating season	March through November
Area	112 acres (45 ha)
Attractions
Total	42 (as of 2024)
Roller coasters	9
Water rides	2

California's Great America is a fun amusement park in Santa Clara, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is owned and run by Six Flags. The park has over 40 rides, including nine exciting roller coasters and a cool water park called South Bay Shores. It first opened on March 20, 1976. It was one of two similar parks built by the Marriott Corporation. The other park is Six Flags Great America in Illinois. The land where the park sits belongs to Prologis. Six Flags leases it. The park is currently expected to close after the 2027 season if its lease is not extended.

This park covers about 112 acres. It has six themed areas. One area celebrates American culture, and another is a special kids' zone called Planet Snoopy, featuring characters like Snoopy from Peanuts. The park is open from March to November each year. However, it has not hosted special Halloween or Holiday events since 2024. Some famous rides include Gold Striker, a wooden roller coaster often called one of the best. Another is RailBlazer, a unique roller coaster with a single track. You might have seen the park in movies like Beverly Hills Cop III and Getting Even with Dad.

Since it opened, the park has had several owners. The city of Santa Clara bought the land from Marriott in 1985. Then, Kings Entertainment Company managed the park. In 1992, Paramount Parks took over. Later, in 2006, Cedar Fair became the owner. Cedar Fair bought the land in 2019. In 2022, the land was sold to Prologis and leased back to Cedar Fair. Cedar Fair then merged with Six Flags. The lease is for six years, through June 2028, with a chance to extend it.

Park History

Early Years: Marriott Corporation (1976–1985)

The Marriott Corporation built Marriott's Great America where a pear orchard once stood. It opened on March 20, 1976. The park had 1,500 employees when it first welcomed guests.

Soon after, Marriott opened a second similar park in Gurnee, Illinois. This park is now known as Six Flags Great America. There were plans for a third park, but it was never built.

View of California's Great America from above

Even though the park made money, Marriott decided to sell it in 1983. The city of Santa Clara became interested in buying the park. After some discussions, the city agreed to buy the park. However, another company tried to stop the sale. This led to more talks to sort things out.

The city council initially stopped the sale in February 1985. But the city still wanted to own the park. After more talks, everyone agreed in June 1985. The city bought the park from Marriott. The park was then renamed Great America.

City and Kings Entertainment (1985–1992)

In 1985, Kings Entertainment Company started managing the park for the city. Kings Entertainment owned other amusement parks. In 1989, the city sold the park itself to Kings Entertainment. The city kept ownership of the land.

Paramount Parks Era (1992–2006)

In 1992, Paramount Pictures bought Kings Entertainment. They created Paramount Parks. This meant Great America became part of a larger group of parks. Later, Viacom, which owned Nickelodeon, took control of Paramount. This brought Nickelodeon characters and themes to the park. During this time, many new and exciting rides were added. Some older rides, like the train and Sky Whirl, were removed to make space for these new attractions.

Aerial view of the park in 2000

Viacom later split into two companies in 2005. CBS Corporation took over Paramount Parks. Then, CBS sold the parks to Cedar Fair in 2006.

Cedar Fair and Six Flags Ownership (2006–Present)

After the sale, Cedar Fair decided to change the park's branding. In 2007, "Paramount" was removed from the name. The park was simply called Great America. The next year, it became California's Great America. This name honored the park's original identity.

New attractions like FireFall were added. A new ice show also debuted. In 2008, Halloween Haunt, a spooky fall event, started. By 2010, Nickelodeon themes were replaced with Peanuts characters. The children's area was renamed Planet Snoopy.

In 2011, Cedar Fair planned to sell the park to JMA Ventures. However, the sale was canceled. Cedar Fair then reached an agreement with the San Francisco 49ers for parking. In March 2019, Cedar Fair bought the land under Great America from the city.

The park did not open in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened on May 22, 2021, with some safety rules. Also in 2021, the water park, Boomerang Bay, reopened as South Bay Shores. It featured new water slides.

In June 2022, Cedar Fair announced the sale of the park's land to Prologis. Prologis is a real estate company. Cedar Fair stated that the park was expected to close by 2033. The agreement included Prologis leasing the land back to Cedar Fair for six years. This lease runs through June 2028, with an option to extend.

In April 2023, the park updated its rules. Visitors under 16 needed an adult chaperone (at least 21) after 4:00 pm.

On July 1, 2024, Cedar Fair and Six Flags merged. The new company is Six Flags Entertainment Corporation. This brought California's Great America into the same family as its former sister park, Six Flags Great America. It also joined its Bay Area rival, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.

During an investor meeting in May 2025, Six Flags mentioned the park's future. They stated that California's Great America was not a top earner. There were no current plans to extend its lease beyond 2028. This means the park's last year without an extension would be after the 2027 season. Six Flags later clarified in July 2025 that no final decision had been made. They are still working with local groups.

Park Mascots

When the park opened in 1976, Looney Tunes characters like Bugs Bunny appeared. After Marriott sold the Gurnee park to Six Flags, the Looney Tunes rights went with it. The 1984 season was their last at Great America.

The park then started using Hanna-Barbera characters in 1985. These included The Smurfs, Scooby-Doo, and Yogi Bear. They stayed until the end of the 2009 season. In 1995, Nickelodeon characters arrived. This happened after Paramount bought the park. Characters from shows like SpongeBob SquarePants, Rugrats, and Dora the Explorer were featured.

After Cedar Fair (now Six Flags) bought the park, they used Peanuts characters. The children's area was rethemed as Planet Snoopy.

Rides and Attractions

Note: Number ratings are from California's Great America. Colors are for Wikipedia. See the park's Guest Assistance Guide for more.

Roller Coasters

Name	Image	Location	Manufacturer	Opened	Rating	Description
Demon	Demon roller coaster	NorCal County Fair	Arrow Dynamics	1976	5	A custom looping roller coaster. It was first called Turn of the Century.
Flight Deck	Flight Deck inverted roller coaster	Orleans Place	Bolliger & Mabillard	1993	5	An inverted roller coaster. It was first known as Top Gun.
Gold Striker	Gold Striker Roller Coaster at Great America	Celebration Plaza	Great Coasters International	2013	4	A wooden roller coaster themed to the California gold rush.
The Grizzly	The Grizzly wooden roller coaster	NorCal County Fair	Curtis D. Summers	1986	4	A wooden double out and back coaster.
Lucy's Crabbie Cabbies	Lucy's Crabbie Cabbies	Planet Snoopy	E&F Miler Industries	1999	2	A family roller coaster themed to Lucy Van Pelt from Peanuts.
Patriot	Patriot floorless coaster	Hometown Square	Bolliger & Mabillard	1991 (2017)	5	A floorless coaster. It originally used stand-up trains and was named Vortex.
Psycho Mouse	Psycho Mouse roller coaster	NorCal County Fair	Arrow Dynamics	2001	4	A wild mouse style roller coaster.
RailBlazer	RailBlazer single-rail coaster	NorCal County Fair	Rocky Mountain Construction	2018	5	A "Raptor" model single-rail roller coaster. It dives under rockwork.
Woodstock Express	Woodstock Express	Planet Snoopy	Intamin	1987	3	A children's roller coaster themed to Woodstock from Peanuts.

Thrill Rides

Name	Image	Location	Manufacturer	Model Name	Opened	Rating
Delirium	Delirium ride	All American Corners	Chance Rides	Revolution 32	2002	5
Drop Tower	Drop Tower	NorCal County Fair	Intamin	Giant Drop	1996	4
Orbit	Orbit ride	All American Corners	Schwarzkopf	Enterprise	1976	4
Thunder Raceway	Thunder Raceway	NorCal County Fair		Go Kart Ride	2001	4
Tiki Twirl	Tiki Twirl	NorCal County Fair	Zamperla	Disk'O Coaster	2006	4
Xtreme Skyflyer	Xtreme Skyflyer	Hometown Square	Skycoaster		1997	4

Park Areas

The park is divided into several themed areas. These areas are laid out along a path called the "Duell Loop." This design helps visitors explore the whole park easily. When the park opened in 1976, it had five themed areas. These included Orleans Place, Yankee Harbor, and Yukon Territory.

From the main entrance, visitors enter Celebration Plaza. If you turn left, you'll find these themed areas:

• Orleans Place
• All American Corners
• Planet Snoopy
• NorCal County Fair
• Hometown Square

The entrance to the South Bay Shores water park is in All American Corners. It is near the bridge to Planet Snoopy.

All American Corners

Aerial view of the former Yukon Territory and Yankee Harbor (2017) from the Eagle's Flight/Delta Flyer Von Roll skyride.

All American Plaza was created by combining Yankee Harbor, Yukon Territory, and part of Orleans Place. These areas were once separated by covered bridges. The original Yankee Harbor and Yukon Territory featured interlocking log flumes.

Much of what was Yukon Territory became Nickelodeon Central by 2003. This was an extension of the children's area. This area was renamed All American Corners by 2009. The expansion of South Bay Shores in 2019–20 took over part of All American Corners.

In 2022, the park added Liberty Twirler, a new Scrambler ride. A new show, The Corner Notes, also debuted.

Ride	Image	Opened	Manufacturer	Model	Notes	Rating
Delirium	Delirium ride	2002	Chance Rides	Revolution 32	Designed by KMG of the Netherlands.	5
Flying Eagles	Flying Eagles ride	2002	Larson International	Flying Scooters	Cars can reach a height of 28 feet (8.5 m) during the ride.	3
Liberty Twirler	Liberty Twirler opened August 19, 2022	2022	Eli Bridge Company	Scrambler	A classic scrambler ride.	3
Mass Effect: New Earth	Mass Effect: New Earth	2016 (1994)	Iwerks Entertainment	4-D Theater	Originally 'Action Theater' with several shows. It debuted in March 1994.	3
Orbit	Orbit ride	1976	Schwarzkopf	Enterprise	Originally the Orleans Orbit.	4
Rip Roaring Rapids	Rip Roaring Rapids	1988	Intamin	Rapids Ride	Riders go through channels in 6-person rafts. They face rapids, whirlpools, and waterfalls.	4

Celebration Plaza

Celebration Plaza is the park's main entrance area. It features the reflecting pool, Carousel Columbia, and the park's name in flowers. By 1988, it was called Carousel Plaza. It was separated from Hometown Square by the park's railroad. After the railroad was removed in 2000, Hometown Square was combined with it. The area was briefly called Hollywood Plaza. Hometown Square was separated again in 2021.

Ride	Image	Opened	Manufacturer	Model	Notes	Rating
Carousel Columbia	Carousel Columbia	1976	Chance Rides	Double Decker Carousel	A double-decker carousel with over 100 horses. It stands 101 feet (31 m) tall.	1
Gold Striker	Gold Striker	2013	Great Coasters International	Wooden roller coaster	Ranked as a top wooden roller coaster by Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards.	4
Star Tower	Star Tower	1979	Intamin	Gyro Tower	Passengers ride in a rotating cabin. It reaches a height of 200 feet (61 m) for great views.	2

NorCal County Fair

This walkway/arbor in County Fair is a prominent part of the western arm, formerly Festival Plaza (2017).

NorCal County Fair was originally named The Great Midwest Livestock Exposition and County Fair. Parts of it were split off, but later rejoined. The original area was in the park's southern part. It had a railroad station and a gondola station.

By 2003, the area was divided. County Fair stayed in the south. The western arm became Festival Plaza. By 2009, the southern part was renamed Action Zone. Festival Plaza took the County Fair name.

In early 2011, the park moved the Invertigo coaster to another park. This made room for a new attraction. RailBlazer, a single-rail roller coaster, opened in its place in 2018.

On May 4, 2023, the park announced a retheme of Action Zone and County Fair to NorCal County Fair. This included a new Games Gallery and a new ride, Pacific Gliders. Barney Oldfield's Speedway was also updated and renamed Barney Oldfield's Redwood Rally. Pacific Gliders opened on August 13, 2023.

Ride	Image	Opened	Manufacturer	Model	Notes	Rating
Barney Oldfield's Redwood Rally		1976	Arrow Dynamics	Antique Car ride	Passengers ride in old-styled cars on a track. It was originally called Barney Oldfield Speedway.	2
Berserker	Berserker ride	1976	Schwarzkopf	Bayern Kurve	Originally known as Yukon Yahoo.	3
Centrifuge	Centrifuge ride	1976	Schwarzkopf	Calypso	Originally known as Fiddler's Fling.	3
Drop Tower	Drop Tower	1996	Intamin	Giant Drop	A 227 ft-tall (69 m) tower. Riders drop at speeds up to 100 km/h (62 mph).	4
Demon	Demon roller coaster	1976	Arrow Dynamics	Looping Coaster	Opened as "Turn of the Century" in 1976. It was renamed "Demon" in 1980.	5
Eagle's Flight	Eagle's Flight gondola	1976	Von Roll	Gondola lift	Eagle's Flight is the name for the Action Zone gondola station.	3
Pacific Gliders		2023	Zamperla	Windstar		3
Psycho Mouse	Psycho Mouse	2001	Arrow Dynamics	Wild mouse roller coaster	The last Mad Mouse coaster made by Arrow Dynamics.	4
RailBlazer	RailBlazer	2018	Rocky Mountain Construction	Single Rail	It replaced Invertigo, a roller coaster that closed in 2011.	5
The Grizzly	The Grizzly	1986	Kings Island	Wooden roller coaster	Modeled after the original Coney Island Wildcat.	4
Thunder Raceway		2001		Go-kart track	This is a pay-per-ride attraction.	4
Tiki Twirl	Tiki Twirl	2006	Zamperla	Disk'O	Originally known as Survivor: The Ride!	4

Hometown Square

Hometown Square was once part of Celebration Plaza. It was later restored as its own area. The park's railroad used to have a station here. Trolley cars also ran in a loop around the square.

After the railroad and trolley were removed, Hometown Square combined with Celebration Plaza by 2003. The areas were divided again by 2021.

Ride	Image	Opened	Manufacturer	Model	Notes	Rating
Celebration Swings	Celebration Swings	2001	Zierer	Wave swinger	It first operated at Carowinds as Whirling Dervish.	3
Patriot	Patriot roller coaster	2017 (1991)	B&M	Floorless coaster	A floorless coaster with a 91 ft (28 m) drop. It reaches speeds of 45 mph (72 km/h). It was formerly Vortex, a stand-up roller coaster.	5
Whitewater Falls	Whitewater Falls	1990	Intamin	Spillwater	A water ride where 20 passengers drop 50 ft (15 m). It creates a 20-foot-tall (6.1 m) wave.	4
Xtreme Skyflyer		1997	Skycoaster	Skycoaster	This is a pay-per-ride attraction.	4

Orleans Place

Orleans Place was once called Pavilion Plaza. It led to the Great America Pavilion picnic area. This area used to extend from Celebration Plaza to a covered bridge. Part of it was later added to All American Plaza. The 'Orleans Orbit' ride was renamed 'Orbit' and moved to 'All American Corners'.

Ride	Image	Opened	Manufacturer	Model	Notes	Rating
Delta Flyer	Delta Flyer gondola	1976	Von Roll	Gondola line	Delta Flyer is the name for the Orleans Place station.	3
Flight Deck	Flight Deck	1993	Bolliger & Mabillard	Inverted roller coaster	Formerly known as Top Gun. It reaches a maximum speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).	5
Rue Le Dodge	Rue Le Dodge bumper cars	1976	Soli	Bumper Cars	A classic bumper car ride.	4

Planet Snoopy

The original Fort Fun area (now Planet Snoopy) in 2017.

Planet Snoopy is California's Great America's kids' area. It opened in 2010. The area was first called Fort Fun. It has changed names many times due to different owners. Other names included Kids Kingdom, Smurf Woods, and Nickelodeon Central.

The original Fort Fun was a 1 acre (0.40 ha) area for children. It was in the center of the park. Smurf Woods opened in 1987.

By 1999, the water separating Fort Fun from Yukon Territory was filled. By 2003, Smurf Woods was replaced by Nickelodeon Central. This area joined Fort Fun, which was renamed KidZville. The Nickelodeon Central area became Planet Snoopy in 2010. By 2016, Planet Snoopy had grown to include the former KidZville area.

Ride	Image	Opened	Manufacturer	Model	Notes	Rating
Planet Snoopy Construction Zone		2014		Playground	Originally known as KidZ Construction Co.	1
Character Carousel		1976	Previously included Hanna-Barbera characters	Carousel	Previously included Hanna-Barbera characters.
Flying Ace		1999	Zamperla	Crazy Bus	Originally known as KidzAir.	2
GR8 SK8		2015	Interactive Rides	Sky Skater	Originally at Knott's Berry Farm as Joe Cool's GR8 SK8.	3
Joe Cool's Dodgem School		1999		Kiddie bumper cars	Originally known as Fender Bender 500.	2
Kite-Eating Tree		1999	S&S Worldwide	Frog Hopper	Originally known as Junior Jump Club.	2
Lucy's Crabbie Cabbie	Lucy's Crabbie Cabbie	1999	E&F Miler	Kiddie roller coaster	Originally known as Taxi Jam.	2
Peanuts 500		2015			Originally operated at Knott's Berry Farm as Charlie Brown's Speedway.	2
PEANUTS Pirates	PEANUTS Pirates	2003	Huss	Breakdance 4	Originally known as SpongeBob's Boat Mobiles.	2
Sally's Love Buggies	Sally's Love Buggies	2003			Originally known as Dora's Dune Buggies.	2
Sally's Swing Set				Family Wave Swinger	Originally known as Swing Swing Swing.	2
Snoopy's Space Buggies		2015	Zamperla	Jump Around		2
Snoopy's Space Race		1976			Originally known as Buzzy Bee and later Ghost Chasers.	1
The Pumpkin Patch	The Pumpkin Patch	2003			Originally known as Wild Thornberry's Treetop Lookout.	2
Woodstock Express	Woodstock Express	1987	Intamin	Steel roller coaster	Originally known as Blue Streak, Rugrats Runaway Reptar.	3

South Bay Shores

South Bay Shores is a water park inside California's Great America. It opened in 2004 as Crocodile Dundee's Boomerang Bay. The name was shortened to Boomerang Bay in 2007. In August 2019, it was announced that Boomerang Bay would be expanded. It was then renamed South Bay Shores. You can enter the water park with your admission to California's Great America.

Time Capsule

A time capsule was buried at the park on March 29, 2002. It is in the former KidZville area. The time capsule is set to open on March 29, 2152. It contains essays from students about what Santa Clara might be like in the future.

Past Attractions

Ride	Image	Opened	Manufacturer, type	Location	Closed	Notes	Rating
H.M.B. Endeavor	H.M.B. Endeavor	1987	Intamin Looping Starship	All American Plaza	2017	Removed after the 2017 season. It is now a grass picnic area. Originally named The Revolution.	4
Snoopy's Splash Dance	Snoopy's Splash Dance		Kiddie splash walk-through	Planet Snoopy	2017	Removed after the 2017 season for a South Bay Shores expansion.	N/A
Logger's Run	Logger's Run	1976	log flume	All American Plaza	2017	Removed after the 2017 season for a South Bay Shores expansion.	4
Firefall	Firefall	2008	HUSS Park Attractions Top Spin	All American Plaza	2016	Relocated from Geauga Lake. It was replaced by Liberty Twirler.	5
Vortex	Vortex roller coaster	1991	Bolliger & Mabillard stand-up roller coaster	Hometown Square	2016	Converted into a Floorless Coaster called Patriot for 2017.	5
Invertigo	Invertigo roller coaster	1998	Vekoma inverted shuttle coaster	Festival Plaza	2011	The first of its kind in North America. It was moved to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom.	5
Stealth	Stealth roller coaster	2000	Vekoma flying roller coaster	All American Plaza	2003	Moved to Carowinds in 2004 and renamed Nighthawk.
Great America Scenic Railway		1976	Custom 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge railroad	Stations in Hometown Square and County Fair	2000	Traversed the perimeter of the park.
Yankee Clipper		1976	Arrow Dynamics log flume	All American Corners	1998	Removed to make room for Stealth.
Greased Lightnin'	Greased Lightnin'	1977	Anton Schwarzkopf Shuttle Loop roller coaster	All American Corners	2002	Originally called The Tidal Wave.
IMAX Pictorium Theater		1978	IMAX movie theater	Celebration Plaza	2001	First IMAX theater in California.
The Edge		1983	Intamin Freefall	Action Zone	1995	A first-generation Freefall ride.
Skyhawk		1989	Intamin flight trainer simulator	Hometown Square	2000
Sky Whirl		1976	Intamin Triple Tree Wheel (Ferris wheel)	County Fair	1997	A signature attraction for Marriott parks.
Lobster		1976	Octopus ride	All American Corners	1993	Removed to make room for Action Theater.
Bottom's Up		1976	Trabant flat ride	Hometown Square	1988
Triple Play		1976	Huss Troika	Hometown Square	2004
Smurf Woods		1987	Kids-themed area	Now Planet Snoopy	1990s	Themed to The Smurfs.
Nickelodeon Central		1990s			1997	Based on shows from Nickelodeon.
KidZville	KidZville	1998			2010	Included themes from Hanna-Barbera.
Whizzer		1976	Anton Schwarzkopf steel family roller coaster	Hometown Square	1988	Originally named Willard's Whizzer.
Trolley Cars		1976	Trolley	Hometown Square and Orleans Place	c.2000	Traveled to other locations within Great America.
Dolphin and Seal Show			Daily shows featuring dolphins and seals	Planet Snoopy	1989	Removed after Paramount Parks took over.
Cajun Carpet			Huss Rainbow flat ride	Orleans Place	1989
Gulf Coaster		1976	steel kiddie coaster		1980
Ameri-Go-Round		1976	Philadelphia Toboggan Company carousel	County Fair	1995	Replaced by Drop Tower.
Hilltopper			Himalaya flat ride		1984
Saskatchewan Scrambler		1976	Scrambler flat ride	Yukon Territory	1991	Renamed Industrial Revolution after moving.

Fast Lane

Fast Lane is a special pass that lets you skip the regular lines for popular rides. You buy a wristband in addition to your park ticket. This wristband gives you access to a shorter Fast Lane queue. A limited number of these wristbands are available each day.

In 2023, the park also introduced Single-Use Fast Lane. This pass can be used only one time for a specific ride.

Park Events

The park used to host many events throughout the year. However, all seasonal events were canceled for the 2025 season.

Former Tricks and Treats Festival

Halloween Haunt logo

Tricks and Treats was an autumn festival at the park. It ran from mid-September to October. It featured crafts, shows, and games. The park announced that Tricks and Treats would not return in the 2025 season, and it has not been held since.

Former Halloween Haunt

Front of park during Halloween Haunt in 2017

Halloween Haunt was a spooky event held in the fall. It debuted in 2008 and last ran in 2021. It featured haunted houses, mazes, live shows, and scare actors. Most rides stayed open, and the park had longer hours. The event last operated on October 31, 2021.

On February 25, 2022, the park announced a new family-friendly event. This event, called "Tricks and Treats," replaced Halloween Haunt. There has not been an adult, nighttime Halloween event at California's Great America since 2021.

Former Winterfest

Winterfest was the park's holiday event. It ran from mid-November to early January. It featured winter-themed attractions, shows, games, and ice skating. The park announced that Winterfest would not return in the 2025 season, and it has not been held since.

Park Timeline

2010–2019

• 2019: Drop Tower received a new paint scheme. A Pre-K pass was introduced.
• 2018: The single-rail coaster RailBlazer debuted. Halloween Haunt and WinterFest were expanded.
• 2017: Patriot was converted to a floorless coaster. Vortex was repainted and re-themed. FireFall, Logger's Run, H.M.B Endeavour, and Snoopy's Splash Dance were removed.
• 2016: A 4D holographic attraction themed to the video game Mass Effect debuted. The Winterfest event was added.
• 2015: Planet Snoopy replaced KidZville.
• 2014: Flight Deck was repainted red and white. Grizzly was retracked.
• 2013: The new wooden coaster "Gold Striker" opened. Happy Feet: Mumble's Wild Ride debuted in the Action Theater.
• 2012: Demon and Flight Deck were repainted. The Grizzly was retracked. Fast Lane was added.

The former Invertigo coaster (Removed 2011)

• 2011: Invertigo was removed and moved to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom.
• 2010: Planet Snoopy replaced Nickelodeon Central. Hanna Barbera references were removed in KidZville.

1990–1999

• 1999: KidZVille opened. Tidal Wave was renamed Greased Lightnin'. Stealth was constructed.

Complete View of the former Invertigo coaster

• 1998: Invertigo opened. Yankee Clipper was removed.
• 1997: Xtreme Skyflyer opened. Triple Wheel (Sky Whirl) was removed.
• 1996: Drop Tower Scream Zone opened.
• 1995: Nickelodeon Splat City opened. The Edge and Ameri-Go-Round were removed.
• 1994: Action Theater featuring Days of Thunder opened.
• 1993: The park was renamed Paramount's Great America. Flight Deck (formerly Top Gun) opened. Lobster was removed.
• 1992: KECO was acquired by Paramount, creating Paramount Parks. The IMAX Pictorium Theater was upgraded.
• 1991: Vortex opened. Saskatchewan Scrambler was removed.
• 1990: Whitewater Falls opened.

A panorama from the peak of Star Tower at California's Great America in 2015

In Film and Television

Beverly Hills Cop III

The park appeared as "Wonder World" in the 1994 film Beverly Hills Cop III. Paramount's Great America was used for outside scenes. Some changes were made to the Columbia Carousel and Vortex roller coaster. Many rides seen in the movie, like Triple Play, have since been removed.

Other Appearances

• Paramount's Great America was also used in the 1994 film Getting Even with Dad.
• The park's inverted steel coaster "Top Gun" (now "Flight Deck") was in a 2007 Excedrin commercial.
• Marriott's Great America was used in the 1983 animated film Twice Upon A Time.