Great America More Thrilling, Less Crowded In Fall

SANTA CLARA, CA — It's as if the rides aren't scary enough.

Halloween Haunt at California’s Great America started terrifying guests on Sept. 27 and remains in full swing on weekend nights through Nov. 2 including Halloween.

In the "Haunt," guests may seize in the thrills of eight, theme-based haunted mazes, two scare zones, ghoulish monsters, a lively Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) party on the midway and the new "Killer Clown Town" scare zone that brings a deranged carnival world to life.

There's even a "Tooth Fairy" trailer that may keep anyone from the dentist.

"Halloween Haunt is not only a guest favorite event, it’s truly the Bay Area’s leading Halloween experience," said Manny Gonzalez, Great America's general manager.

The younger set may enjoy Halloween in the park without the scares. The Great Pumpkin Fest dominates the park during daytime hours on weekends until Nov. 3. The Peanuts cartoon-inspired favorite features trick-or-treating with Snoopy and the whole gang. There's also pumpkin decorating, a hay maze and coloring venue. "It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" movie showings and book readings are staged throughout the day.

Tickets for Halloween Haunt and The Great Pumpkin Fest are available online at www.cagreatamerica.com.

For guests seeking bargains, the Gold Season Pass includes unlimited visits to the park and South Bay Shores waterpark on every public operating day for the rest of 2019 and throughout 2020, including Halloween Haunt, The Great Pumpkin Fest and WinterFest. Other pass holder perks include free parking, special events, early ride times and in-park discounts.

More to see in 2020

When visitors return in the summer, they'll find an amusement park that has expanded from 10- to 15 acres, with eight new rides.

The primary component of the expansion involves a coastal-themed waterpark featuring seven new water attractions, including four drop slides, two tubes, and lagoon area. The park is beefing up its food and beverage concessionaire offerings and upgrading cabanas with a sandy beach to play on.

With names like the Shark Reef Plunge, Feeding Frenzy & The Barracuda, the incoming attractions will add to the every-minute thrills that has given Great America's its premier amusement park reputation.

For one, it maintains the Gold Stryker — the fastest wooden roller coaster in Northern California that whips its riders through a 174-foot tunnel before plunging them into the pit of screams at 53 mph.

Guests wanting to leave the Earth will want to visit the Mass Effect holographic experience that takes them into another solar system. Prepare to be transported while simply rocking in a simulation chair.

For a smooth, but thrill-a-minute adventure, the Patriot takes riders on a banked maze of track, while the Rail Blazer gives new meaning to a total "loopy" excursion. The windy experience may serve to dry off clothes for those who dared to partake in the Rip Roaring Rapids. If the splashes don't get riders in the boat, guests on the side may choose to splash them going by.

Guests are advised to bring a little extra cash with them as the Thunder Raceway requires additional money to race the cars.

The fall offers a much less crowded experience, so it's advisable to put on walking shoes as it's easy to cover most of the park rides without the long lines of summer.