Pacific Gliders Opens at California's Great America to Complete New Themed Section

© California's Great America

© California's Great America

California's Great America recently opened the last piece of their newly rethemed section of the park - called NorCal County Fair - which was the park's expansion for 2023.  The project was announced in May of this year, must later than usual for larger parks, and opened in bits since then.  

© California's Great America

The area's concept art can be seen up top.  It was a total retheme of the park's Action Zone area, which was an odd leftover from the Paramount days.  The theme is tied directly to the area surrounding the park which is a trend we're seeing more and more from Cedar Fair in the theming department.

The retheme includes one new ride, a renamed and newly themed 2nd ride, upgrades to the picnic area and general thematic upgrades to the games area.  "From hiking and rafting amid the redwoods, soaring above the coastline's sandy beaches, cruising along wonderful scenic roadways, to enjoying the great fresh food and wine grown in its vast agriculture fields, Northern California has so much to see and do.  NorCal County Fair will be just that: An all-new ride, a retheming of a beloved attraction, a renovated games gallery and a fully upgraded picnic area for more fun in the sun."

© California's Great America

Barney's Oldfield Speedway, the park's antique auto ride, was rethemed into Barney Oldfield's Redwood Rally, to match its journey closer to the County Fair vibe.  There are a lot of videos out there that show all the theming the park added to the ride path, and it all looks very well done.

© California's Great America

Just recently the final piece of the NorCal County Fair came online, and that's the Pacific Gliders flat ride.  One of Zamperla's WindstarZ rides, which allows riders to control the up and down movement of their individual gliders while they speed around.  It's a family ride, but a fun one that kids enjoy.

For a park that seemed doomed to close after Cedar Fair's announcement last year, it's great that the park got some love in 2023.  Nothing was announced for next year, however since this expansion was announced so late you never know!