California's Great America Update - March 5th, 2020
Season Pass Preview Day - South Bay Shores, Halloween Haunt and much more!
Like I mentioned earlier, CGA just hosted a Season Passholder preview event and wow, there's a lot to talk about! So let's take a walk through their announcements and check out what's coming to the park in 2020!
Table of Contents
Events
The majority of the updates given in the event focused on the events that are coming to the park in 2020, so let's see what CGA has in store for us!
After being led into the park, it was off to the auditorium!
Seasons of Fun Buttons
CGA announced a special collectible button program with buttons being given away at various times throughout the year. There will be 9 total and we got a special 10th one given to us for attending the preview!
Spring Fiesta
The first new event announced is a multi-weekend affair celebrating Hispanic culture. Running three weekends from April 25-May 10, the first weekend (April 25 & 26) is focused on children featuring kid's activities.
The second weekend (May 2 & 3) is a Cinco De Mayo celebration featuring a new tasting menu. And the final weekend (May 9 & 10) is a Latin music festival featuring plenty of live music.
Monster Jam Thunder Alley
Monster Jam Thunder Alley finally makes it's way to CGA running from June 20th - July 12th! In this exciting event you'll get the chance to ride in a real monster truck and get up close and personal with your favorite trucks including El Toro Loco and Grave Digger. On select days, you'll also get the chance to meet with some of the drivers of the trucks themselves!
Red White & Brews
Red White & Brews returns for a 4th year this year running on weekends from June 27-July 12th! Featuring all of the live entertainment, drinks and fireworks that you're used to, this year also will bring a new tasting menu to experience!
Carnivale at Orleans Place
Replacing Mardi Gras this year is Carnivale at Orleans Place. Likewise coming from other Cedar Fair parks, this event's highlight is the Spectacle of Color parade. It will run from July 18th to August 2nd.
Great Pumpkin Fest
Great Pumpkin Fest returns and runs from September 26-November 1st.
Halloween Haunt
Halloween Haunt has something to be excited about this year! New for 2020 will be a new house: Shadowlands: Live by the Sword, Die by the Sword.
This maze will replace Zombie High and comes direct from Knott's Scary Farm and is sure to be a hit!
This year's event will run from September 25th to October 31st.
Winter Fest
And the last event of the evening was Winter Fest. It will return this year with the same characters, events and rides you've loved and it will run from November 27th to December 31st.
South Bay Shores
CGA shared a great update with us regarding the progress of SBS.
New Additions
- New entry portal
- Tide Pool - Kiddy Slide Area (8 new kiddy slides)
- New Changing Rooms (Using the former Stealth station)
- 2 new dining locations (Pier 76 and the Sandbar)
- Pacific Surge slide complex (4 new drop slides, 2 tube slides)
- Premium Cabanas
Attraction Renames
- Didgeridoo Falls -> Coastal Cruz
- Down Under Thunder -> Mission Falls
- Tasmanian Typhoon -> Nor Cal Wipe Out
- Screamin' Wombat and Ripsnort Ridge -> Reef Racer
- Great Barrier Reef -> Breakers Bay
- Castaway Creek -> Rushin' River
- Jackaroo Landing -> Pup's Pier
No opening date has been given beyond "Summer 2020" but we looks forward to it!
Park Updates
Upcoming Merch and Food
A merch tent was set up outside of the theater highlighting some of the new merchandise that we can expect to see next year.
I'm really digging the design on both of the women's shirts in this picture
In addition, the park set up 4 booths for us to try some new food from.
Fried Bananas with Caramel Sauce - Wow, this was incredible, one of the best theme park desserts I've ever had. I will eat this every visit this upcoming year!
Fish Tacos - Very tasty
Wings
Wonton
I'm looking forward to these new dishes at CGA during the year!
Park Construction
The ticket booths are being repainted and should be fresh in a few weekends!
Lots of construction in front of Panda Express. Looks like the counter might be enclosed.
The fountains aren't quite ready yet for the year but hopefully will be soon!
INSIDE WHAT? I NEED TO KNOW!
General Updates
Coming into the park, there are new entrance billboards highlighting the new events and additions for 2020.
Xtreme Skyflyer was free tonight!
But Railblazer was the highlight
And didn't have a line all night
I love the lights of the theater at night
And the Peanuts gang were around to take pictures
I love the little decorations CGA adds to Hometown Square for the various yearly events and they showed it off today:
Mardi Gras/Carnivale
Haunt
Spring Fiesta
South Bay Shores
So that's it for our update. Big thanks to CGA for putting this on for us, what a fantastic event! There's so much to be excited for for CGA this year, I cannot wait until March 21st!