Yankees99

Did anybody happen to see Great Adventure for a moment on 60 Minutes on Sunday night?

I swear...you guys turn me into a kid every time I see something like this. What great days those were hanging around the original Great Adventure. God Bless each and every one of you back there!

This has turned into a very debatable subject, which is good. I was talking with somebody I know back East who I went to GA with several times when we were kids. He now brings his family there (every 2-3 years) and he too doesn't see the variety the park used to offer. I just looked at the 2011 map. Practically every corner you turn, there's a roller coaster. If they ever opt to get more flats back, then they'll have higher attendance marks, which is what the company (any company) wants. It's all about profit. The more variety you have, the more people walk through those turnstiles.

In the Los Angeles area, in my opinion, Knott's Berry Farm is the closest comparison I can make to Great Adventure of yesteryear. Quality roller coasters and an excellent assortment of flat rides. Not to mention that they have the best chicken on the West Coast. YUM!

I agree about bringing back the flats. THAT is what made GA fabulous after it opened with rides like the Pretty Monster, Musik Express, Enterprise, Roundup, Calypso, etc. Yes, times change. But you want to strike a balance between the old and new that keeps the people coming. Out here, we have Magic Mountain, Disney and Knotts. I always recommend people go to Knotts because that's where there's a terrific mixture of rides.

August, 1983. I saw the 2011 map that you put up the other day and was curious to see how many rides were still there from the last time I went. Those were the ones that I could recall. Did I miss any?

Just previewed the map. Only 10 rides remaining from the last time I was there. Giant Wheel, Carousel, Sky Ride, Log Flume, Roaring Rapids, Buccaneer, Parachute Perch, Rolling Thunder, Roundup and Runaway Train.

Interesting feature with the winter tour photos/guide. Saw the one you did in 1982. Do you have any more similar ones through the years, and, if so, what years are they? Thanks!!!!

Love it! Seriously, what memories.

I remember that original part of the flume. Other than the final drop, that track dip was the best part of the ride. Great discovery! Looking forward to the Spotlight on the Flume - always the backbone to the "Western Section."

Might there be any photos of Fun Fair in the near future? Maybe construction of it or the putting up/dismantling of the rides? Thanks!

Ate a couple of times at Lightning Loops Cafe. (Do you have a copy of the menu?) Our routine was Gingerbread Fancy for the fried chicken and Yum Yum Palace for the ice cream. In between, drank the fruit juices from the wagon stands along Dream Street. Keep those spotlights coming!!!

Wow!!!!!!!! Now this is some real cool stuff. Too bad they didn't let you go up in the fort and get some shots. You must have had a free license to do whatever you felt like doing that day with the picture taking. Those photos were probably shot just before the spring blizzard in 1982. I played mini golf one time there. Here's a trivia question for you: How much did they charge per player?

Without question, Rolling Thunder. The Dean of Coasters at GA.

I never went on the one at GA, but did go on it at Magic Mountain once or twice. In order to build the one at GA, they had to take out some good rides. Wonder if it was necessary for GA to build this ride, which took up a tremendous amount of space sort of in the middle of the park, when they already had the flumes and Roaring Rapids in place. By the way, I like the shots of the Little Wheel in the background.

When might you be putting up a Spotlight on the Log Flume? Also, do you have any additional shots of the Dream Street Landscape (original entrance to the Giant Wheel) from its early days? Or even shots of the other walk ways leading throughout the forest? Any word on when that History Database will be up and running? I'm sure you have some good stuff lined up for the latter because a lot of memories are going to be popping up.

Bring it back! Bring the old park back! btw--great photo

I do remember a time when the puppet made fun of an obese guest, who took the ribbing in stride. Pelican said something like, "there probably aren't many rides you can get in and out of." Not so sure you'd get away with that today.

Percy WAS the best. They had that theater in a good part of the park...right near some classic rides and the lakefront. I agree with Railer...those days are missed.

Yes, I believe they did.

Just saw these fantastic photos and they brought a tear to my eye. THAT is exactly how I remember the park shortly after it was born. Never forget one time (1975) that we were on line to go up in the Balloon. However, a massive rain/thunderstorm rolled into the area that afternoon and they grounded the Balloon for the remainder of the day. Out here in California, there are a lot of hot-air balloons. Every time I see one of them, I reflect back to GA's Balloon. Mr. Le Roy had a great idea when he brought that thing to the park. Keep those old photos coming. I look forward to your next Enchanted Forest Canopy!

Bmax, I completely concur. VARIETY brought the people to GA in the 70s and early 80s. I live about 20 minutes from Magic Mountain. Every time I drive past it, all I see are roller coasters all over the place. Love roller coasters (all kinds), but I'm looking at more variety when paying those kind of ticket prices. When the guys put up these spotlights of some of those classic rides in GA's history, it brings a great big smile.

A round of thanks for putting up pictures of one of my all-time favorite wooden coasters. Remember getting a T-shirt after riding it the first time in 1979 with my father, who went on despite having some minor back problems at the time. Ironically, we were supposed to go to GA the day after the accident in 1981, but we waited until we knew the ride would be reopened. Thanks for all of those great pictures. I needed that!!!

Wow! What a ride. What fun. Brings back plenty of great memories watching that short video. One of my favorites. Remember riding Calypso often during that time of the day and looking into the late-afternoon sun. Please keep those old-school ride photos/videos coming our way.

THIS is how I remember the park! What great photos and memories. Love all the greenery and woodlands with the rides hidden.