End of the Season Gold Striker Update!

 Well, it's now officially the end of the season, meaning it's time for an end of the season Gold Striker update. Keep in mind that the Sky Tower closed for the season last weekend, therefore making it tough to photograph what's going on. A lot of the changes are not really visible from ground level and are actually best viewed outside of the park.

One of the views from outside of the park, where season pass processing is done late in the season.
Note the leveled ground in the back. The drop will be coming down this area.

Also seen from outside of the park, it looks like the dead man's turn has really taken shape. The airtime hill before the midway turn is also beginning to form. Lastly, the (rather high) brake run is going up.

Minus the brake run in the back, nothing has really changed out on this end. However, as mentioned, this will dramatically change the park's skyline and Celebration Plaza.

Here is a clearer view of the recent changes.

The overview taken from Carousel Columbia.

The midway turn could very well get bigger this week! I just wish I could be there to see it next weekend :)

Another overview shot of the back side taken from Delta Flyer/Eagle's Flight.

In line for Slaughter House, it does appear like the midway turn has grown a bit. Taken from the backside.

The bottom of the Dead Man's Turn, curving upward!

Coming out of the midway turn, closeup.

And I'll end it with a panoramic view of the Dead Man's Turn.

That's all for now, stay tuned for off-season updates! I do plan on checking out California's Great America's "Global Winter Wonderland" (http://globalwonderland.org/) to see how things are going with the construction as well as catch some offseason rides!

Gold Striker Update (Another weekly update)

I'm back with the 4th consecutive week of updates as I've been attending the park's Haunt event. If you have not made it out to Haunt yet, do so now! You've got 1 last weekend to do so and it will be busy! Anyway, back to Gold Striker. Unfortunately, the Star Tower ride was down, making it a challenge on getting any good views of the coaster. Luckily, Carousel Columbia offers a decent view of what's going on behind that wall. If you do want another nice view, you could always check out Xtreme Skyflyer as well, just no picture-taking.

Star Tower was closed all day today.

This attraction is closed for a good reason. Note how much more groundwork is going on back there.

Some new vertical construction is rising right behind the wall!

This is quite close to the walkway. You can actually smell the fresh wood!

An overview at ground level. This is going to dramatically change Celebration Plaza!

As you can see, there are still layers of wood in need to be laid out for the track.

An overview from Carousel Columbia will have to do.

While it may not look like much has changed on this side, the Dead Man's Turn received its first layer of wood!

The midway turn from the "Slaughter House" entrance.

Another view of the Dead Man's Turn

Bottom of Dead Man's Turn and backside of crane.

Stay tuned for next weekend as the park season comes to a close. I will attempt to keep the updates coming in during the offseason as a webcam should be going live real soon!

Gold Striker Update (again!)

Since I'm at the park every week, this past month I've been able to really follow the Gold Striker construction. A lot has changed within the past week and I'll be curious as to how it will look when the park opens in limited op mode for Global Winter Wonderland.

Anyway, here's what's going on as of late.

When making my routine run on the park's observation tower, I noticed the surrounding normally landscaped area looked rather...bare. Allergy sufferers, you have been warned!

The latest happenings on the wood structure. It is amazing to see how much has happened in just a single week. These sections are really starting to become connected to each other.

Some more bents await their vertical positions over on the other side. Notice how empty it looks down at the bottom of the photo due to missing greenery.

Not a whole lot has happened here quite yet but this will dramatically change the entrance into Celebration Plaza once the midway turn goes up.

Note the tiny opening that the track will go through. Anyone brave enough to keep their hands up in this area? 

  

 Taken from under the construction wall, you can see how much the terrain is not flat, making this somewhat a terrain-based coaster.

Front view of the site. Once the midway turn goes up, everything you see now will no longer be visible...so enjoy the view while you can!

Making way towards Xtreme, this may be some of the last views we will see as there will not be a whole lot more changes you can spot from back here.

As mentioned, greenery has been removed to make way for the one-of-a-kind drop wrapping the Star Tower. In the mean time, it is very strange being in line for the tower.

Rebar has gone in for the foundation for the lift and bottom of the first drop. I can almost guarantee that this will be cemented in before the weekend.

More shredded greenery...I've never seen us so excited over green waste.

This turn looks pretty tall from this angle. From the other side, it doesn't look as high due to the terrain.

Some night time photos from Great America's "Slaughter House" line. Plenty of head choppers to be had towards the right!

 A nice, panoramic view of the area in the early morning fog. Taken via the iPhone's panoramic mode just in case you're curious.

A new view taken from the Carousel Columbia. I have not ridden this attraction in a while so I never realized the view it offers.

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for next week's update!

Yet another Gold Striker Update

California's Great America's Halloween Haunt is in full swing now as the 2nd week of Haunt has already gone by. Being out at the park during the day, I decided to get some more photos on the progress Gold Striker is making.

An early morning ride on the Star Tower on a non foggy day provided some nice photo opportunities. The 'Dead Man's Turn' (left) is making great progress!

Some more bents wait in the lot to go up! More pieces are waiting to be assembled.

Another overview of the site!

I would not be surprised if that tree gets removed. This beast of a coaster is really starting to rise above the construction wall!

Some footers nearly ready for vertical construction, this is the 'Midway Turn' right behind that construction wall.

We can never have enough photos of this twisty turn!

What was once hidden below tree line, this monster is rising above it!

A back view of the 'Dead Man's Turn' from over at Xtreme Skyflyer.

Lastly, Great America added a "Preview Center" showcasing Gold Striker. On Ride POV is to the right, and an Off Ride POV is to the left. Being the coaster fanatic I am as well as our crazy group, there were several fun moments to be had here...

There can't be an update without a little coaster fanatic humor! Stay tuned, I'll be back out at the park this weekend for the 3rd weekend of Halloween Haunt!