Gold Striker Review, California's Great America GCI Wood Coaster | Most Intense GCI

Gold Striker is a Great Coasters International wood coaster at California's Great America. This a great ride with elite pacing as you fly around the Star Tower and through the wooden support structure. And I think it's the most intense GCI. Find out why in this review!
Video Credits
Gold Striker Off-Ride (Coaster Thrills)- • Gold Striker Off-Ride ...
Gold Striker POV (California's Great America)- • Take a Virtual Ride on...
Background Music
Song: Cowboy
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[@CoasterDash]

Gold Striker is amazing. I can’t get enough of it.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I love it.

[@EdsStuff76]

My home park. I'm going to miss this thing when it's gone.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Sorry the park is closing. It was my home park too for a summer.

[@Shockzone1495]

Even if this coaster doesn't get relocated it will be one of the most missed GCI's ever created.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes

[@josecastro2332]

Nightrides on Gold Striker are ELITE.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes

[@Cje_-yj8ov]

My favorite GCI I’ve ridden to date, can’t believe it’s gonna be gone

[@CanobieCoaster]

I hope it's saved.

[@Cje_-yj8ov]

@@CanobieCoaster in my fantasy world, Carowinds just dumps this right on nighthawk’s land.

[@patrickcadiz6865]

I love this ride so much

[@CanobieCoaster]

Me too.

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

I also think it's the most intense GCI. It's my favorite ride at the park. It ran a little rough on my 2019 visit, but I could easily handle it. It's good to hear that they've got it running great this year.

[@CanobieCoaster]

The retrack really helped.

[@robert_is_man6595]

This is a great coaster! Ride at night for amazing airtime and a layout that rips you from one end to another!

[@CanobieCoaster]

The pacing is fantastic.

[@R7SkIlZ]

im sad to see that this coaster will be gone soon

[@CanobieCoaster]

I know!

[@lightt7213]

this coaster is my favorite wooden coaster and i hope they relocate or rebuild it somewhere else like this is the first ever true rollercoaster ive ridden and i dont want it to go

[@CanobieCoaster]

I hope it's saved.

[@alantrotter2077]

I've been on all the current GCI's operating in the US other than Roar, and for me GoldStriker is clearly the best one. I have it ahead of Renegade (#2), and Mystic Timbers (#3). Prowler and Thunderhead round out my Top 5. I first rode it back in 2018 and loved it. I rode it again in 2019 and again I loved it. I didn't find it too rough at all. I do prefer GhostRider, so GoldStriker is just the best wooden coaster in Northern California and I agree it is slightly behind RailBlazer as the best in the park. I would love to see it get relocated to Carowinds in the old Dino Alive area, but I have my doubts that it will occur. A really great wooden coaster!

[@CanobieCoaster]

I still like Mystic more, but this one is close.

[@reganpalmer2743]

I rode this a couple months ago. It's absolutely unhinged and I LOVE it!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@alkankondo89]

Thanks for the review and history lesson! Absolutely CANNOT WAIT to ride this coaster this weekend!!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Have fun!

[@andyroman8223]

Something that would make relocating Goldstriker very difficult is the fact that it likely has a beefed up support structure due to it being in an Earthquake prone area.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Quite possible.

[@bluetomato2184]

God I’m gonna miss this ride… 😢

[@CanobieCoaster]

Hope it's saved.

[@SarBChild]

This my fav by far. My other fav Woody is the Joker at Discovery Kingdom. Awesome review!

[@CanobieCoaster]

I consider Joker a steel coaster, but both are fantastic rides.

[@colemathews5911]

I am very proud to say that I currently operate this "Twisty-Turny Minecart Journey" -NM and I have been doing it for 4+ years. I also have rode it 462 times (without fastlane or as an employee). If anyone is looking to beat a high score, the number to beat is, 18 times in a row (I have over 20+ people that can varify that too.) If anyone has any question. Feel free to ask, I love ansering questions about this wooden coaster ride!

[@colemathews5911]

As an ACE member, long dispatches are not something we enjoy. I am proud to say that MY average dispatch time is 37s to 48s! (97% of the time, the other 3% is guests and other employees).

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'd love to try to beat that record, but I've never seen the park quiet enough to try. The reason I sometimes see long dispatches is mostly how long it takes guests to store items and get settled (same with Railblazer).

[@caffeinatedtrouble]

I'm from the UK (hi!!!) and will be going to CGA on a weekday in early June. Will it be busy then? I'm just debating whether or not to get Fast Lane, because it is priceyyyy.

[@Uncle_Nate]

Dick Knoebel needs to save this perfect coaster. GCI is only 20 minutes away from knoebels and might actually be able to make it work.

[@coasterglitch]

Idk man, Knoebels is pretty tight on space and they already have Twister which is pretty similar to Gold Striker. I can see Cedar Fair relocating Gold Striker to Carowinds or Dorney

[@AceAviations2]

I wonder if Gene Staples has any interest in this. Niagara Amusement Park & SW has some room where the wild mouse was by I195. Given that he saved Qimera, a ride that we thought was doomed, I could see Gold Striker (and maybe one of the B&M's) being appealing to him. Plus he could always acquire more parks between now and when CGA closes, ones that might have an easier time fitting a ride the size of Gold Striker in.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I wish they'd save it and I know it would run smooth as glass there.

[@thisguy_w0n]

Knoebel has his own lumberyard. It'd be better for him to just have GCI build a new coaster.

[@605coasters]

It's funny how less than a year after it's most recent retrack, you can feel some of the roughness coming back (not bad though, but you can feel more now compared to the start of the season). Gold Striker just runs so aggressively that it beats on the track a lot. And yes, they almost always will accommodate seating requests, which is awesome.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I wonder if the roughest part currently got trackwork.

[@brucegibson1813]

most of the first half and part of the second half were retracked, but the double down was not

[@605coasters]

@@CanobieCoaster most recently, it was most the turns and the bottom half of the first drop. That small hill after the first big turnaround still jackhammers you and is easily the roughest part of the ride. I would say Mystic Timbers is still a little smoother than Gold Striker is now.

[@clairefunnell8481]

Looks like so much fun. I love woodies.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Me too.

[@coasterconquistador2517]

Your reviews are so awesome. It’s a shame that this coaster may have to go. It’s pretty difficult to relocate a woodie, but it has happened before. I’ve only ridden two GCIs, Thunderhead and Mystic Timbers, and both were awesome. I know it isn’t technically a gci, but I might ride Ghostrider in March, so I’m interested to see how that is.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer GhostRider myself.

[@AndrewsOpinion15]

great gold striker roller coaster review - at california's great america !!!!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes

[@dougronald561]

Hearing about the recent track work makes me want to go next summer!

[@CanobieCoaster]

It paid dividends.

[@colemathews5911]

By the way, this GCI runs fastest when. 1) It's HOT, the hotter it is the better. 2) the trains MUST be running for 4+ hours to warm up the oil and other components. 3) have a full train of guests (I have found that it is best when most of the trains weight is in the middle.) 4) Last but not least is when I was in control saying "The louder you scream, the faster you go!"

[@CanobieCoaster]

1-3 help for a lot of woodies.

[@Paolo8772]

Can't wait to go to this park this Saturday!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Enjoy!

[@Paolo8772]

@@CanobieCoaster Thanks! It'll be my 1st timer there, and I've never rode any of the three smaller RMC Raptor clones yet either.

[@FanThemePark]

Hope I can get out to this park sometime before it shuts down to ride this and Railblazer!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Hopefully!

[@brucegibson1813]

Night rides put goldstriker on a different level

[@CanobieCoaster]

They're fantastic.

[@blockin9556]

highly doubt they would re locate it but would work at carowinds it would be a great fit

[@CanobieCoaster]

Ridewise it would.

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

It’s a shame this coaster could be gone even though it hasn’t been open long enough

[@CanobieCoaster]

It is.

[@NorthernRidesYaBoi]

Positive forces on woodies is so odd. I've had much experience on old scenic railways being forceful up front after drops, but I recently got to ride Wildfire, which managed to have great positive forces all over the layout. It was a grey-out worthy woodie, which I didn't even think was possible beforehand

[@CanobieCoaster]

Wildfire makes sense since it's a more modern construction technique, but having a traditional woodie with this kind of force is shocking.

[@danthecoasterman22]

I rode this a couple weeks ago for my first time, it’s absolutely amazing. It’s close between this and Mystic Timbers for my fav GCI. I like this layout more but mystic has the better theming and scenery.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer the airtime of Mystic too. This is more intense though.

[@Eltoro724]

got a night ride on goldstriker in the back seat and it was amazing and unreal

[@CanobieCoaster]

Sure is.

[@Stuntpilot22]

I very much hope this ride can find a new home! Cedar Point or Carowinds would be my pick

[@CanobieCoaster]

I hope!

[@jtwoolley]

cool.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes

[@Lucky_9705]

Hoping this gets relocated to Michigan’s Adventure. Imagine a twister like this interacting with Shivering Timbers.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That would be sweet.

[@urbex_coasters]

It's a fun ride but it was running a little rough when I rode it in December. Glad to hear it got some trackwork before this season, as: a) it was needed b) it means the park will probably at least be around for another 10 years, Cedar Fair wouldn't have made the investment if they weren't planning to keep the park open. I was not optomistic about this park's future before knowing about that investment but now I am, as a lot can change in 10 years.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I don't know when Cedar Fair knew they were selling the park.

[@urbex_coasters]

@@CanobieCoaster For sure, but I don't think they'll just up and close it after an investment like that. I think it's a good sign that the park will still be around in 5-10 years, and a lot can change in that anount of time so maybe it will have a stable future by then. I'd still tell people "don't wait to go" but I am no longer sounding the "Coaster Con at CGA won't happen" alarm that I initially thought.

[@doobertscoobert]

Gold Striker is my favorite wooden coaster and a top 5 coaster overall. I like it more than Voyage. It’s rough and aggressive and full of airtime and other forces.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I much prefer Voyage myself.

[@mateoalvira3514]

See in RCDB: Mystic Timbers at Kings Island InvadR at Busch Gardens Williamsburg Gold Striker at California's Great America Those three wooden coasters use Millennium Flyer trains, but how would you compare between the three in terms of pacing, smoothness and seat padding?

[@CanobieCoaster]

See my reviews for them.

[@michaeltaylor1603]

Yep! Get your "Ride ON!" In 10 years it likely wouldn't make $$$ sense to move it. I agree, the tunnels + force really makes this coaster.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I agree.

[@mateoalvira3514]

I think the seats on Gold Striker at California's Great America look soft. What do you think?

[@CanobieCoaster]

They are.

[@brianharelick4962]

Great ride but felt surprisingly bumpy in August. I assume it was just a bad ride - I’ve heard track work was done recently. Anyway, really fun ride, but number 2 in the park to Railblazer imo. Sad I’ll probably never be in CA again to ride it before it’s inevitable demise.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I think the trackwork was done before your ride.

[@brianharelick4962]

@@CanobieCoaster It was. I know people are saying it’s already starting to get a rougher again, so I wonder how much/how extensive the track work was if people are already noticing it a year later.

[@brucegibson1813]

@@brianharelick4962 it was retracked in April

[@Kittyhat]

Pretty funny how this park has 3 coasters in that 8.5/10 tier and then its a huge falloff from there, the next best rides are the skyride and enterprise

[@CanobieCoaster]

I like their non-coaster lineup beyond the big 3 coasters.

[@JimmyFremgen]

We’re you just there with El Toro Ryan?! Ran into him in the line of Flight Deck last month.

[@CanobieCoaster]

No, I was there Labor Day weekend.

[@JimmyFremgen]

@@CanobieCoaster Just missed you. I love your content and would have loved to have told you so in person like I had a chance to tell Ryan. Keep it up!

[@iHeart_TranceMusic]

With CA Great America being my home park, i rode this when they had the promo shoot for this/opening day (2013), Smooth as butter is what i can rembember? Best GCI along RMC Roar @SFDK in Vallejo CA. Such a monster GCI Gold Striker is, i'd say

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's a hot take to prefer Roar.

[@iHeart_TranceMusic]

@@CanobieCoaster both are great GCI's Roar is a bit faster, i can feel it when i get off. Roar was my first GCI before Gold Striker just like Kong (SLC) Medusa, Boomerang an V2.

[@mateoalvira3514]

So what would you rate Gold Striker at California's Great America?

[@CanobieCoaster]

See the review.

[@Reubensrails]

CGA review soon?

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'll have a countdown first.

[@markrobinowitz8473]

First drop is good in the back. Rest of the ride is just an endurance test. Could have used more real airtime hills but they probably wanted low turns to reduce noise for the neighbors. Guess I'm spoiled by RMCs. Railblazer is far superior and Flight Deck is also better. If CGA really closes at least that ride will find a new home somewhere in Cedar Fair's empire.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I agree the ride is an endurance test, but it's more from the intensity than roughness.

[@markrobinowitz8473]

@@CanobieCoaster Railblazer is an endurance test but I didn't find it shaky at all and it has ejector airtime ... Gold Striker isn't my style of ride. Been on 6 RMCs and Railblazer was my second favorite (after SV). Joker is a more complete ride and more hands up but not as intense (it's fun). Flight Deck is still excellent after all these years, too. Maybe if the real estate market crashes it won't become more real estate games, seems synergistic in a way with the stadium.

[@tdog8600]

The roughest coaster I’ve ever ridden at 74 credits but it was fun

[@CanobieCoaster]

When did you ride it?

[@tdog8600]

@@CanobieCoaster I rode in august 2022. Twice in the back and three times near the front. It was so violent because of the intensity mixed with the extreme roughness. I thought it wouldn’t be that bad with the retrack but I was wrong. Roughest coaster I’ve been on, and this is coming from someone who has American Eagle at their home park

[@WCfanboy]

ever greyed out on a non rmc Woodie?

[@CanobieCoaster]

I probably have. Just can't think of one off the top of my head.

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

Most Intense And Underrated GCI By Far

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

I've Only Now Realised Renegade Exists That Coaster Is Probably More Intense But Not As Underrated As Gold Striker

[@CanobieCoaster]

I think it gets plenty of love.

[@Joypyf]

Is this better than any RMC for you?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes some of the lower ones.

[@Joypyf]

@@CanobieCoaster inquiring minds want to know which ones? 😂

[@Dalton363]

Thunderhead is the best cgi imo

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

GCI

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer a few to Thunderhead.

[@maxhagenauer24]

Overall not a GCI person. I feel like GCIs have great pacing but lack in forces. I hadn't ridden this but I have ridden Mystic Timbers which everyone compares it to. I just hope it has good intensity and whip that you can really feel. The layout does look fantastic though.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Mystic Timbers has stronger airtime, but this has better positives.

[@mateoalvira3514]

I think Gold Striker looks intense

[@CanobieCoaster]

It is.

[@primeprestonn]

just lost my gucci hat on that dumb ride, it flew off while i was holding it and the worker said he would put it in the lost n found but came back a week later and the lady was like "i know all my hats in here i've never had a brown hat" i think he took it 😐

[@CanobieCoaster]

Oh no!

[@ducksfan_1149]

I only got to ride this twice in 2019 and I thought it was the most overrated ride I’ve ever ridden. Jackhammered me to death. I definitely gotta re ride before it bites the dust.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's running better now.

[@jtwoolley]

why not 10? z

[@CanobieCoaster]

Runs a bit rough

[@DownloadWoodworkingPlans]

"All wood is worth logs.."

[@CanobieCoaster]

?

[@triple7marc]

1:10 Technically Grizzly is 1.3 miles per hour faster 🤣

[@josecastro2332]

But feels like a snail after the 1st drop unfortunately. Though is still a great nightride.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I have a feeling that speed stat is overexagerrated.

[@zacharyyamashita8554]

GoldStriker couldn’t even make it to 20 years because stupid Cedar Fair decided to close the park.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Not the ride's fault.