Halloween Haunt 2013 website now up

Great America's Halloween Haunt website is now live, featuring details of this year's event.

Of note this year is two new mazes, Zombie High (located in a new building behind Grizzly) and Dia de los Muertos (replacing Club Blood in the Pictorium).

A new show, Funhouse Express, will be in Action Theater, although it's not known yet if it will be replacing Happy Feet or will be shown in the long-dormant right side of the theater.

Blades of Horror will be performed in Great America Theater.

Black Widow's Cavern will not return, and will not be replaced with a new attraction.

Halloween Haunt 2013: Club Blood retired, to be replaced by Dia de los Muertos

News about Halloween Haunt is slowly trickling out. Club Blood will be retired and replaced by a Dia de los Muertos-themed maze, according to members from Theme Park Review.

Also, CGA recently applied for a permit to build a new storage shed at the "south edge" of the park, likely for a new maze. The park made a similar move last year when they built a structure for Madame Marie's Massacre Manor.

EDIT: Gold Striker reopens after temporary closure

An email sent out from the park announced that Gold Striker has reopened:

"Great news regarding Gold Striker just arrived! All remediation work to comply with noise issues has been completed and approved by the proper authorities. The additional 70 ft. tunnel (which is themed similar to the initial descent tunnel which has been so well received by riders) will allow Gold Striker to run free the rest of the season."

ORIGINAL STORY:

Because of previous noise complaints by CGA's neighbors (i.e. Prudential), Gold Striker is currently closed as crews install another sound tunnel to the ride. You can read more about the agreement on the ride's permit page (scroll down).

The park hopes to get the ride open by July 4, according to this article.

Gold Striker is now open

I was fortunate enough to be invited as a media VIP for the Grand Opening/media day event for Gold Striker on Saturday.

I was given a Gold Striker goodie bag filled with a T-shirt, gold bar USB drive and a block of wood with the logo branded on the front. Also was able to nab a Gold Striker towel for being one of the first 9,000 riders!

Thank you CGA for putting on such an incredible grand opening event for Gold Striker. I want to give a huge thanks to CGA's Roger, Ryan, Kristin and the rest of the staff who really went above and beyond to make sure everything went smoothly and amazing!

After a short ceremony, the ribbon was cut, resulting in fireworks shooting up along the lift hill and other places as the first train of the day made its way through the course.

Why the delay, Gold Striker?

It's almost been a month since the promo shoot, and with May nearly over, Gold Striker still hasn't opened to the public. Soundwalls and track infill have been going up all over the ride, delaying the opening.

CGA has been quiet about the ride's opening date, but we should be hearing something very soon.

Photo by CGA Insider.

Gold Striker first ride impressions

I was chosen to take part in a promotional shoot for Gold Striker. I want to thank CGA for putting on this amazing event, it really shows a commitment to the fans. And it was all free!

The ride is not yet open to the public, but should be very soon.

Gold Striker ... wow. I rode it nine times, and I wanted more. Much more.

Star Tower is now open

Star Tower opened up this weekend after a long hiatus. Great views of Gold Striker to be had.

Star Tower now has its own little plaza area, complete with benches.