Yankees99

Love the Spotlight requests. One of the best highlights of the entire web page. Any chance a spotlight on the construction of Fun Fair might be doable? Thanks in advance.

I actually remember those applications. I had a season pass for the 1998 and 1999 seasons at Magic Mountain and we had to fill out a similar form. There have been times when I wondered what it would be like to have had a season pass at GA way back in the day. The 1981 season was one of the best at GA. There were so many things at that time that made GA such a special place to visit.

Tilt-A-Whirl

That was such a fun ride to go on back in the day. Used to ride it at least 1-2 times per visit. Once in the middle of the afternoon to take a break from all the walking and standing on lines. And then again at night before the park closed. Was cool to see the lights from all of the other nearby rides (Bg Wheel, Lightning Loops, Grand Prix, Roundup and Calypso, etc.) when coming back to the station. Just for fun, it would be cool if they had a similar train ride that would go completely around the park.

I went to Great Adventure either the day before or after Paul Anka performed. Can't quite recall. A family friend of ours who worked in the PR department at GA told us the park would be crowded the day Anka performed, so we opted to go another day.

Looks like Anka and his family had a great time during a fantastic season in GA history.

By the way, I found this video of Great Adventure from 1978. Enjoy.

Exactly how I remember that first year (minus the leaves on the ground and the cold chill). Great memories of a simpler time.

Where did you find these classic photos?

From 1974-83:

1. SCARY - Giant Wheel

2. RELAXING - Sky Ride

3. UGLY - Tilt-A-Whirl

4. IMPRESSIVE - Parachute Perch

5. TIRING - Roundup

6. VOMIT-INDUCING - Rotor

7. LAME - Nothing at all

8. CLASSIC - Carousel

9. ROUGH - Rolling Thunder

10. SATISFYING - Log Flume

Does anybody know exactly where the ride will eventuially be placed? GA needs to get back to having more flat rides. 12 roller coasters is overkill.

Some cool stuff you got there. I miss that boardwalk. I used to go down to Wildwood every other summer for a few days back in the 70s and early 80s. Morey's Pier was the best of the piers. There was an awesome pizza joint across the boardwalk near the Morey's Pier entrance. They also had a great Italian ice store on the boardwalk just north of Morey's. Nothing like a slice or two of pizza, riding a bunch of cool rides and then an Italian ice before heading back to the motel.

You guys should be very proud for what you did with that museum. A lot of time, thought, energy and effort put into it. Well done. Wish I could have seen it firsthand.

The best part of the park (history museum) disappeared Sunday. They should have kept that site permantently. Why couldn't they have constructed another tent to house all of those wonderful artifacts?

The museum is something that must be a permanent attraction at GA. They should build another tent to house the collection of artifacts so that generations of visitors coming to GA have a clearer idea of what the park has meant since it opened in 1974. I'm sure Harry knows the ins and outs of the park more than any of those high up on the food chain who are running the park. Keep the museum in tact!!!!!!!

1. Sky Ride

2. Rolling Thunder

3. Log Flume

4. Enterprise (1 and 2)

5. Tie between Roundup and Rotor

Well done. Great stuff. Would love to see a permanent exhibit there. Love the Gingerbread Fancy sign post. What other former rides are in the tent?

Happy 40th to each and every one of you. I can still remember stepping foot into Great Adventure for the first time in August 1974 and thinking I was in another world for the rest of the day. Man, I have all of these memories flowing through my mind right now. Those pictures of the Calypso and Monster Spin really hit home.

By the way, has there ever been a documentary made on the history of GA?

Always feeling historic about the park. Make it like it was before.

Can't believe the park turns 40 this week.

Great tribute as it will always have its place in park lore. Man, I last rode Rolling Thunder in 1983 and I miss it from 3,000 miles away. If I were to ever come back to GA, it just wouldn't be the same. I can see it now...I'd be walking around the park and remembering what rides used to be in a certain locations. Hard to believe it's 40 years ago this summer when I first embraced GA.

While I could never spend an entire day at a water park, you'll always need water rides in the amusement park, i.e., Log Flume, Roarding Rapids. With the heat and humitity, you need something to break the day up. Water rides add variety, something amusements parks seem to be missing these days. (Wasn't the Moon Flume built to alleviate the long lines across the park at the Log Flume?)

There's only so many roller coasters you can go on. After a while, all roller coasters are the same.

Great photos. Looks like you had fun. Nice to see Roaring Rapids is still there.

What do you have planned for GA's 40th for the site?

Keep up the great work!

Has anybody been to GA when it got flooded from a major down pour? Any pictures to go with that?

Also, can we expect to see a special section regarding GA turning 40 in a month?

Keep up the great work.

By the way, Magic Mountain is located in the high desert and not anywhere near the ocean. Maybe 50 miles from the ocean at best.

There were rumors flying around out here that Colossus would be closing. It just wasn't clear until the information went public today.

I always loved riding it once I moved out here 30 years ago. It reminded me of Rolling Thunder.

First time I rode it was backwards in 1984.

Plus, a handful of movies used the coaster for shooting scenes, including Vacation.

Like Great Adventure, Magic Mountain loses another classic. Too bad.

Haven't been to Magic Mountain since 1999, when I had a season pass and lived less than two miles from the park. (I could see the top of the red tower from my house at one time, too).

Some very nice shots. I'm sure the park will be hopping when they open up the new coaster.

Amazing that it's almost time for the 40th birthday/anniversary of GA. Almost positive the Sky Ride was the first ride I went on when I went there in 1974. Love some of the old-time photos you recently added. One of the most significant rides in the park's history.

By the way, will you be doing a 40-year collage of the park's history in July?

The web site looks fantastic. Keep up the good work!