California's Great America Update - December 30th, 2023
WinterFest 2023!
I cut it a little close with visiting CGA for WinterFest this year but I made it! And just in time, closing day is tomorrow as of when I write this. Definitely a bummer that the park isn't year round this year but that's okay, abscence makes the heart grow fonder as they say! Without further ado, let's take a look at WinterFest!
Table of Contents
WinterFest
Let's take a walk around the park and see what WinterFest is!
In case you don't want to wait to see the map of entertainment!
And same for food
Also since I'm not 100% sure where to put this, I'll note here that this is a really cool idea. I didn't see any and I'm not sure how well it works in practice interacting with the park but I love the addition of more technology!
Entrance Plaza
The iconic carousel and skating rink greet you as you walk into the park!
If you turn right at the entrance, you'll get to the rental counter where you can rent a pair of skates and hit the ice
As always, I have to point out the fact that I think the park having a zamboni is amazing!
I ran into these walkaround characters near the entrance but you might find them in numerous locations around the park!
But if you keep going around you'll get to the big tree in the entrance plaza
Which has both the lighting ceremony and Cool Yule shows from last year
Orleans Place
Let's keep going to Orleans Place!
Let's start with our holiday bar: The Blitzen Bar!
The inside is suitably cheery
And here's the drink menu
As an aside, this area (and the whole park) looks so amazing for Christmas
These cool light projections are a good touch
Just like last year, the cookie decoration shop is back!
IT wasn't too busy when I stopped by!
But the cookies were looking as good as ever
Keeping going, as you expect from the park, there are stands set up throughout the area for food and drinks
The sky ride gets a little retheme as North Pole Parcel Company
With these cool package decorations in the station!
The stage at the back of Orleans Place was in use again
As was the Holly Jolly Trolley itself
Also in the area is the North Pole Post Master
Where you can write and send your own message to Santa
Tinsel Town
Next up was Tinsel Town which takes over All American Corners!
Of course, tinsel makes up a lot of the decoration like you'd expect
The Mistletones return this year at the stage in Tinsel Town
Merle's gets into the holiday spirit for the first time this year!
Orbit always looks so good
These characters were hanging out in Tinsel Town ready to meet guests!
As always I have to show off the beautiful bridge between Tinsel Town and Candy Cane Lane
Candy Cane Lane
Speaking of, let's take a look at it!
This area is so cool!
I adore the way it looks
As usual, you can find some big props for pictures at the (closed) entrance to South Bay Shores
Planet Snoopy
This bridge takes you into Planet Snoopy which also is nicely decorated!
Snoopy's doghouse is all ready for Christmas!
As in years past, you can make some crafts in the area
Or if a show is more your speed, then you can see A Peanuts Guide to Christmas
I caught a little of it and thought it was very cute
New this year is an extra booth at the back of the area to get something to eat and drink at!
Over in the annex, Snoopy is all dressed up
The tree lot is still set up in the old water play area space
And like the past, Cahrlie Brown's little tree was the prize at the center of the maze
NorCal County Fair
Continuing onward, as you enter NorCal County Fair you are put into a gingerbread village
With everyone's favorite - okay, maybe just my favorite - jelly filling station!
You'll also see some walkaround characters for pictures here
As you'd expect, the other side of the sky ride also has the same little retheme
I do really like these little sets, they're so cute!
This decoration is new this year and I think it looks so great!
There's a little Merry Christmas sign in front of Grizzly
Even Larry is singing along to his favorite Christmas tunes!
Of course, the games in the area get a little overlay
Redwood Rally doesn't necessarily become 12 Days of Christmas this year but it still gets the overlay!
Expect lots of lights and signs along your route!
Hometown Square
Continuing from the top of Hometown Square, behind the garden tunnel are all of the fire pits to sit down and warm up at
And the garden tunnel is all lit up too
I love this little tree lit up in all Railblazer colors
Also like in years past, there are plenty of merchants setting up shop near Railblazer
Although since it was so late in the season, a lot of them were closed
Santa and the reindeer were back on White Water Falls!
Railblazer was thundering through its course with a full queue tonight
I have to assume that this dessert being served near Auntie Anne's is patterned after Dollywood's cinnamon bread?
I will say that I am surprised to see such an overtly religious view of Christmas at the park instead of the secular one that's everywhere else in the park
But regardless, the square was as beautiful as ever. My favorite is the lights in the trees
Like last year, It's Christmas, Snoopy, the ice skating show was playing in Great America Theater
The most random decoration in the park has to be Reindeer Round Up
Where you can watch a herd of animatronic reindeer perform popular Christmas songs
Celebration Swings are as beautiful at night as ever
Other Updates
Here's the closed rides list. It's out of date since I know I saw a line for Mass Effect and I thought I saw Delirium running
Tiki Twirl was still down
The park was CROWDED tonight! Maybe more than I've ever seen it. Here Grizzly's line spills out of its entrance
Only one more day at the park for 2023!
Thanks again for following all of my coverage from the park for 2023. I definitely slacked off a little bit on my coverage of both CGA and SFDK this year. I had big plans but I couldn't execute on them. But that's the beauty of a new year, it's a time for change and to right wrongs and failings from years past. This new year will be a great year for me personally, for this site and hopefully for you as well! Coverage from CGA will continue next year!