Gold Striker to feature tunnel

In a move likely to appease the neighbors' complaints about noise, Gold Striker's first drop will feature a 174-foot enclosed tunnel, which the park describes as the "world's longest covered initial descent tunnel on a wooden coaster," according to a press release.

The tunnel will have wood on both sides, a corrugated metal roof and in-fill underneath the tracks, to give a feel of plunging into a pitch-dark mine.

New show for Action Theater?

According to a rumor from PureCoaster, the 10-year-old Spongebob 4D movie in the Action Theater could be on its way out.

The rumor said the film will be replaced with some sort of 2D white water rafting movie, possibly this season or next.

A Gold Striker photo update was posted as well.

Subway restaurant update

With all the recent Gold Striker news, such as construction crews topping off the lift hill, to the first drop being partially (or fully) enclosed, let's take a look at the other new-for-2013 attraction at CGA.

The park recently posted a photo of a building being remodeled. Although it didn't say, it's likely for Subway. The building also appears to be located close to the Great America Theater, across the way from Xtreme Skyflyer.

From CGA.

Perhaps the most exciting part? CGA applied for a permit to build a new bathroom in the restaurant. Now that's certainly more interesting than any Gold Striker announcement.

Yes, I'm kidding.

Gold Striker update 1-26

CGA posted an amazing new photo of Gold Striker on their Facebook page.

Via Facebook.

The lift hill should be finished in the next couple weeks and the station will be constructed next month, a worker told members from Theme Park Review recently.

American Coaster Enthusiasts also posted a nice behind-the-scenes construction update of the coaster.

Gold Striker logo changed

In likely response to the school shootings in Connecticut, CGA altered Gold Striker's miner logo. The miner now holds a lantern instead of a pistol:

New logo

Old logo

Subway restaurant moving in

According to the city of Santa Clara's permit website, Subway is moving in to the park. The permit calls for a building to be renovated, but which one is unclear.

Lost Attractions: Triple Play

For those who first visited Great America post-2004, ever wonder what the "queue line to nowhere" next to the season pass processing center used to be?

The ride was Triple Play, manufactured by Huss, which opened with the park in 1976 and removed during the Paramount era at the end of the 2004 season.