Building Marriott's Great America Santa Clara

Companion to the book "Images of Modern America: California's Great America", this is a documentary on the construction of Marriott's Great America in Santa Clara, California. For more info, see: www.greatamericaparks.com/

[@randytaylorweber]

Who remembers the Pictorium? Or the show concert they had called "Evolution of Rock"?

[@fourthgirl]

This park opened two weeks before my 13th birthday. Miss Ida Glover, English/Drama teacher at Havenscourt Jr. High in Oakland paid from her own pocket two charter buses so her students could attend the park as an end of the semester celebration. $5.50 admission price, and I earned it washing my sister Firstgirl's school bus. I was blown away at the attention to detail of the park. Workers wore costumes that matched the ride or section of the park. The food was terrific and I had a blast growing up with this park. When Marriott's sold the park, it really went downhill.

[@TheWorldAccordingtoJim]

Growing up in the Bay Area and watching the growth is amazing. I can remember as a kid driving down 101 and seeing the signs for the new Marriott's Great America!

[@rss2105]

I worked at her sister park in Gurnee, Illinois in the early 80's. Best job ever!

[@marydx589]

That sure did bring back memories!! It's hard to believe there was ever so much vacant land. Great America will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you, you represented her well

[@Greatamericaparks]

Thank you!

[@andrek1709]

I just came across this video of Marriott's Great America in Santa Clara, CA. I grew up in the South Bay, and I'd visited this park several times in the late 70's and early 80's. Eventually, I got a job at MGA while I was in high school, and I worked a total of 3 seasons in merchandise/retail sales. Plenty of awesome memories and friendships made throughout the years. With free admission to the park, I enjoyed attending the many summer concerts in the amphitheater as well as the occasional movie nights in the IMAX Pictorium. One thing I'll never forget was the "Carousel Song" that was played just prior to the parks closings at night and is included in this video. Now it's stuck in my head, once again!

[@bladerunner752]

47 years go by so fast. If you weren't there in the 70s and early 80s you really missed a treat. It was 4th of July every day, red white and blue patriotism all around and bugs bunny and all the looney toons characters. I really miss it. This brought back tons of great memories. Thanks for sharing this video

[@fivecentfather]

Thank you. Marriott's was "my" park back in the day. I'd never seen that construction footage. And that it was of the most iconic rides, Grand Carousel, Sky Whirl and Willard's Wizard made it even better. I loved all those rides.

[@nathanlopez5667]

love the footage of the willards whizzer roller coaster being built

[@Greatamericaparks]

Thanks, Nathan.

[@SouthernOregonReps]

Awesome video! A part of my died when I heard they were closing this park 😢

[@bartonpercival3216]

I remember going there in 1977 with my brother. It had good food & fun rides. Sometimes we'd go on a Saturday afternoon, then leave and have a nice dinner at San Jose Joe's. Fun memories.

[@MaarkW]

They seemed like such nice parks when they were owned by Marriott

[@Greatamericaparks]

Thanks, Mark.

[@CoriLane3060]

Is it not good now? Because I love this place

[@stevemccormick6908]

They were better back then that's for sure

[@lanceflx63]

@@CoriLane3060 it’s just a shell of what it used to be.

[@bladerunner752]

I was a kid in the 70s and 80s and I loved going there in Santa Clara every summer especially for their 4th of July celebration. So much patriotism back then. It was 4th of July everyday there. Bugs bunny and all the warner bros characters there. Then the late 80s came and with that hana Barbara and the park was owned by the city then paramount in the 90s and now just California's great America. A whirlwind of 47 years. Thanks for sharing this video

[@MrBlazer408]

i never knew the history behind the park until now. Really enjoyed this video. Best thing I seen all day.

[@Greatamericaparks]

Thanks for the kind words, Anthony!

[@SpiritOfTheSeasons]

This is a great documentary! It's astounding! Great job!

[@Greatamericaparks]

Thanks for your very kind words!

[@paulcavigliano6388]

One of the main reasons Frontier Village went under. I went in 76 as a kid. What I remember was the red white n blue ice cream. Had a great time.

[@TOONMAN200]

Wonderful video I remember at the Serramonte shopping center, they set up a preview of Great America, it was quite a deal, handed out pamphlets, having the characters sing and dance, it did the job I was so excited I just couldn't wait for opening day which I attended. I must thank you again for locating and showing this rare footage, I know it was a lot of work, but the feelings I got from watching it was well worth your trouble, thanks again. 🤓

[@jontenbroeck7617]

Worked there full-time during construction and a few years afterward. Great job, great memories!

[@KaliforniaLA]

I stood near Bill Marriott on opening day as a kid. Now it’s closing forever.

[@tangentslayer]

Oh man, that Carousel song. I used to work closing shifts at Delta Flyer in the late 80s, and it always came up after the closing announcements.

[@Audioandlyrics]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6KVo4B-j7SJftE

[@Greatamericaparks]

Yes, the Carousel Song is classic Marriott's Great America. It's usually still being played at least occasionally at both parks.

[@LBedo1200]

I heard that song all day on loop when I was operating the Carousel

[@triple7marc]

Still played every day at the park!!

[@ckap7276]

Never been to this park but being from the midwest I spend many days of my childhood at the twin park in Gurnee, Illinois. Sadly the place was sold to Six Flags in 1985 and was never the same. Too bad Marriott could not make a go of it in the long run. Their concept was spectacular.

[@greyroom6730]

I can relate to the comments on this page. Having grown up in San Jose. I'd spend my weekends either at Frontier Village or Marriott's. I have vivid memories of the Sky Whirl, Turn of the Century (Demon), the Whizzer, Tidal Wave and Yankee Harbor. I'm now 46 and run a podcast on Disneyland, so I love theme parks. But, Marriott's still holds a special place for me. Yukon Territory and Yankee Harbor were quite unique among the themed lands that other parks offered....or still offer. I still haven't seen anything else like Yankee Harbor. Sadly, I visited the park on July 7th....and rode RailBlazer and reviewed the park. The park was almost empty, most rides didn't open until 11 or 12, the whole back area where was Yukon Territory and Yankee Harbor were was just nothing to speak of.....I liked the new Sierra Lodge....and strangely, RailBlazer would have fit it better in that area than where they placed it. The only gems left were the Demon and the VonRoll 101 (Delta Flyer/Eagle's Flight)...the rest of the park left me with more questions than answers....I'd love to be on the board for this park....ugh...

[@mrjamez184]

Grey Room Damn you really do know your stuff about this park haha. I have to agree with you on Railblazer it’s in an awkward position and I think would’ve been better in the back of the park, but we never know they could be adding in a Hyper coaster in the upcoming years which would be cool.

[@greyroom6730]

Well thank you. A hyper coaster would be cool for sure....but it made my stomach turn a little to see the void left by what was Logger's Run and the dirt that was Yankee Harbor. If that's the area that you're talking about, hmm...I could see that, but I'd rather see an incredibly themed family water ride like Splash Mountain or Timber Mountain from Knotts. But if what I'm hearing (which is expanding the waterslide park) then GA has completely missed the mark. RailBlazer was fun and crazy, but it was just sort of plopped in the middle and doesn't fit any theme. The bigger question for me, which I sent a letter to GA, is that it was the middle of summer when I went and the park was understaffed and the crowds were sparse, rides didn't open until 11 or 12...You'd think this was their busy season, but it sure didn't feel that way.

[@BenneLuke]

Great Video! The quality of the song clips you have is amazing, especially the "Great America" version with Bugs Bunny. Man, I'd love to go through all your archives!

[@Greatamericaparks]

Thank you, BenneLuke!

[@SP-fc9bx]

Great America was never the same after they were sold by Marriott. I was lucky enough to be old enough to remember the "Loony Toons" theme of Great America. No themes seemed to fit the park after that. It's still one of my favorite amusement parks.

[@samsonwong1897]

@Coaster Weirdo - I loved all three things that you mention.

[@kabe-ster4939]

Great presentation and preservation.

[@CesarHernandez-gn4sy]

Wow great to watch this video bring back lots of memories

[@norcalemt02]

Coming to an end in less than 11 years RIP Great America!

[@AgustusM]

Wow what a trip back in time. Amazing how every image and jingle is burned into my head from my youth

[@googalacticgoo]

I remember going as a 2 year old in 1979 and being afraid to shake sylvesters hand because he had claws in the cartoon

[@cynthiacler9284]

Jesus I have lived in Cupertino my entire life and I have NEVER seen that area of Santa Clara that undeveloped before. Man that makes me feel old.

[@xgtiguy]

Welcome to the club 😬😱

[@DR729er]

@greatamericaparks thanks for posting this I feel those Marriott's Great America days in Santa Clara again.I remember many times driving with family and driving later myself from San Francisco down Highway 101 to Santa Clara great memories.

[@Greatamericaparks]

Thanks, Deon.

[@mikeriley2766]

What a blast from the past. I lived in Santa Clara area when this park opened and went there quite frequently until I moved away in the early 80s. I even worked there for a few years as a teenager, which was great, as an employee I was able to enter the park free of charge and I did a lot! It was neat to see in this video the quick shot of "The Hot Shoppe", that is where I worked when I worked at Marriott's Great America, selling root beers for a quarter! I will always have great memories of this wonderful place!

[@DanielOLeary]

The music was so catchy!

[@charlessmith263]

7:51 mark - I had been at another Six Flags at Gurnee, IL, and recognized this not-so-scary rollercoaster ride I rode in 1986 - it is called The Whizzer. But I did go to the other Six Flags at Santa Clara in 1979, a few days after the 4th of July holiday!!!!! I was 8 years young then!!!

[@Audioandlyrics]

First the one over here is not Six Flag it owned by Cedar Fair (in Santa Clara).

[@alexandermatthews145]

Me and my family would go here from 1983 to 1995 when my dad had his 2 week vacation every summer. I miss those days sooooo much my 1st time ever on a rollercoaster was here the ride was called TIDAL WAVE The it was a single 360 loop coster. Marriotts Great America ,it has gone through several name changes Paramount WB and I think to other names. Marriotts Great America Paramount Great America WB Great America and Six Flags Great America ,I think I'm missing 1 or 2 different names maybe just 1 🤔 BTW guys Eddie Murphy's movie Beverly Hills Cop was filmed here at Great America ,awesome video Thanks 👍👍

[@chrischoate2341]

Such good memories and fun. Remember being about 6 and I had to ride on the top level of the 🎠. So much fun back then.

[@robdude1969]

Fun! thanks for the memories!

[@MaximusDesimusMeridius]

I was there opening day for the construction crews. My dad was a tile Forman in the union back then. We have vid of the construction as well.

[@NyeGuy-yv2dv]

I lived off Monroe Ave and Bowers Ave in Santa Clara from 1974 to 2008. I spent thousands of hours at GA. What a magical place. I miss the mid 80s when during the evening in line for the Demon a hot girl in a Van Halen shirt passed a Jay to me. Oh yeah i inhaled. Her name was Christy. Good times.

[@Greatamericaparks]

The park was pretty convenient to your home back then!

[@Toast0808]

A hot girl in a Van Halen shirt! LOL Hahahahahaha!

[@toddmichaelwillis]

I was there in 1976. It was amazing!

[@SuperAwesomeness64]

That was a wonderful video. It's interesting to see how far this park has come along over the past 40 years, and it'll be interesting to see where it'll go in the next 40 with the planned expansion. Though I'm still a tad confused, which Great America park was planned first: Santa Clara or Gurnee?

[@Greatamericaparks]

Thank you! They were pretty much planned in parallel. However, Santa Clara started out as a project of Fess Parker. Marriott soon joined in with Parker and the project transitioned into Marriott's Great America from Parker's Frontier Worlds. Both parks opened in 1976. Santa Clara was first in March and Gurnee followed just over two months later, near the end of May.

[@justcallmedylan6287]

Outstanding work! Quick question though, will you do something similar for the Gurnee park? Or does Screams and Dreams already do that? I would love to see it since my home park is the Gurnee park. Great job once again!

[@Greatamericaparks]

Thanks for your kind words! Screams and Dreams pretty much covers it for Gurnee. I wouldn't be able to add much more than it already covers. I did contribute some material for Screams and Dreams.

[@michaelleadingham527]

Wow what a great video I worked at great America from 1995 to 2019 and just seeing all the happy faces really made my job fun am sure going to miss this park I can’t believe it’s going to me permanently closed this going to be so sad great America holds a special place in my heart thank you so much for posting this video

[@charlessmith263]

What was that "See The Carousel" waltz song? Which group of singing artists did it?

[@christophereichorn7918]

Did Marriott's Great America did was first order one of three Arrow Custom Looping Coaster in 1976 from 1974?

[@TheMichael408]

What was the music used?

[@bladerunner752]

The late 80s in California the city of Santa Clara parks and recreation took over and hana Barbara characters were in the park. Then on the mid 90s paramount took possession, now its called California's great America with snoopy and peanuts characters

[@xgtiguy]

We used to ride our bikes from wolf rd & el camino to watch construction what memories. danm I'm an ( middle aged ) old fart now 😱 thanks for the memories 🥰

[@tomhenning2809]

at 6:58 it looks like a constuction worker fell

[@Camaro_Mike17]

Railroad music from six flags great America 1:25 6:30 6:56

[@lightningboat]

Rip its closing :(

[@ChadElk88]

Remember how clean and white the San Jose areas were at one time? Me neither.

[@dkrohnjr1]

I'm going to be 47 I remember my first time at my home Park in gurnee

[@Greatamericaparks]

Thanks, Dennis.

[@stevemccormick6908]

I'm STILL bitter about the Trains removal!

[@TnseWlms]

Was Bugs Bunny in an Uncle Sam outfit thought up by the park developers or did Bugs wear it in some 1950's cartoon?

[@jrjr5343]

I regret being so scared to get on rides there when I was young, I was such a chicken to even ride Triple Play lol now I ride everything, wish I could go back in time and ride with my parents.

[@philipmendisco6656]

I went to high school with a dude who sold joints in the parking lot on weekends

[@danielgudinojuarez6729]

Pretty sad that my home park is gonna be gone/ destroyed by 2033 🥲🥲🥲

[@RobK1001]

think Chicago opened the same time. Remember it well.

[@seanlewis1148]

Two months later.

[@michaelgreenslade7260]

Terrible shame Santa Clara never got the Iove Gurnee received.

[@seanlewis1148]

Different owners.

[@VBaskin2010]

Is that Bugs Bunny singing the theme song?!

[@Toast0808]

It was so much better when it was Marriot’s Great America. Now it sucks. And I miss the Tidal Wave! And the Yankee Clipper! Willard’s Whizzer! Yankee Harbor, Now Log Jammer is gone.

[@triple7marc]

Le Visionarium It’s Loggers Run - Log Jammer was at Kennywood and Six Flags Magic Mountain.

[@danacarter9147]

Le Visionarium It's SIx Flags Great America.

[@samsonwong1897]

@@danacarter9147 - Not a Six Flags park. It is owned by Cedar Fair.

[@stevemccormick6908]

And NO TRAIN

[@jbponzi1]

Many of the attractions removed from Santa Clara, like the Great America Scenic Railway, still operate in Gurnee.

[@djs2356]

@1:22 "the New Orleans area, which will be the Old South"............................ Lovely......go to the auction!

[@ruready4adventure743]

Heck, I came across this video by accident. Honestly, I didn't even know there was a Great America in Cali. It was always Magic Mountain not the over-rated Disney. Too bad the state has been over ran by mexicans. AND, I love all people. We have allowed our beloved country to become over run, were losing our heritage, what the Euro-Americans built. God help us.

[@yveltale6466]

Spider Watson what’s wrong with mexicans?

[@ruready4adventure743]

yveltale Nothing, I love everyone. When I visited Woodland in 05 I was shocked to see it changed for the worst. Over ran with Mexicans, I'm not making a racist statement just an observation. What was once an area with mixed folks (ethnicities) is now leaning towards only one. Sad in my opinion. FYI...I'm of a Spanish, French, Irish and Native American decent.

[@yveltale6466]

oh i see, sorry for the misunderstanding.

[@justinhernandez5119]

Spider Watson I agree man, I'm of English and Mexican descent and nowadays northern California is full of latinos

[@ruready4adventure743]

Wack Honestly, have nothing against anyone just surprised by the state as a whole. Would like to see a balance of everyone.