Marriott's Great America (Santa Clara, California)

from the Super 8 film archives... a look back at the past... when Great America was still Marriott's and America was still Great. Here it was when it was just a few years new, surrounded by empty fields... and when the long lost San Jose alternative Frontier Village was still around.
Minor post edit correction... credits reference "San Jose" but the park is actually in Santa Clara... and the year (help owed to comments) between 1980 and 1981.

[@Audioandlyrics]

miss the log ride

[@WarhavenSC]

RIP "Triple Wheel," "The Lobster," "Tidal Wave," and "The Edge." You were several of my favorite rides ever.

[@SirWillow]

Love the look back at the park I grew up going to. I remember when it opened, and we went at least yearly every year until I graduated from college in the 90's. So many memories. I really miss when Marriott's ran the park.

[@sandyseddon-rice2405]

Brings back a flood of memories! I started going to the park in 1977 when it opened!!

[@TheTransatlanticExchange]

What amazing memories this brings back! This is such a heartwarming tribute, particularly as our family outing on Fourth of July was a surprise trip to Great America that we'd absolutely love. Having also had a season pass between 1986-1988, I'd go every Monday and Wednesday and knew the park, especially Hometown Square, backward and forward. It's bittersweet looking at this now, as Silicon Valley has changed so much that the open friendliness that typified the area no longer exists. Many of us have left as a result and I'm looking at this with a touch of nostalgia. Thank you for sharing this wonderful video that reminds us of a marvelous, fun time in our lives.

[@650ChicagoBearsFan]

Fantastic video! I take my kids to (California's) Great America every summer. Times have changed but we still have a pretty great time. Wonderful editing and great choice of music!

[@lesliechan31]

Thank you for bringing back one of the favorite times of my childhood. No smartphones, no internet....life was so much simpler (and WAY more fun) back then.

[@MAMEMAN1975]

Holy crap that video was awesome thanks so much for sharing! I giant flood of emotions came over me with those FPV shots. All those memories that are crystal clear to me are now in front of my eyes again! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[@kjirstinyoungberg6092]

We had family passes for many years in the 80's, and lived there most summers, taking along every kid in the neighborhood who also had a pass. Thanks so much for sharing this here, Club Dub. I'll have to get out my old Super 8's one of these days and have them transferred to digital, so I can edit them more easily. (Any suggestions appreciated!)

[@GAIJINMAN]

I used a place called digmypics... I believe they're in Arizona. I sent the film in and bought a hard drive from them which is better than getting back content on DVD's. The main thing to look for is frame-by-frame scanning which they offer.

[@Rebecca1075]

Brings back childhood memories!!

[@kevinor4162]

This brings back memories. I worked at MGA from after they opened,1976 to 1978, in payroll while I went to Santa Clara University. We were "seasonal workers" who worked 39 hours a week in summer and 10 in "off season" for 11 months (we were open a lot of weekends at that time). We were let go after New Years, and brought back before February. This is California, snow is something we drive to, not through. We ran every holiday special they could come up with. Not a bad gig for a college student. We worked in a office trailer in the backlot area. Since we did not have costumes, at lunch we would take off our name badges and go ride the rides (it would piss off the folks in costume, but our boss told us to not to do it too often and he would cover for us). Fun Facts: Marriott built the park to attract people to the hotel, which was in the middle of old farm land (Silicon Valley was not quite a thing at that time). The land was leased from the city of Santa Clara for nominal fee. The city spent millions putting in the freeway exchange and surrounding infrastructure (including a full fire station on the edge of the site). The 49ers stadium is built on one of their old overflow parking lots. The Santa Clara park phone number ended 1776, Gurnee ended 1976. There was going to be a 3rd park in the Washington DC area that would have identical to the other 2. The reason the A&W Root Beer was in the park was because Willard Marriott started out as an A&W franchisee and had a fondness for the memory. The food in the park was pretty good (Disney food at this time was, and may still be, dismal). The food in the cafeteria was also good and reasonably priced. They drafted over the entire food service management from the hotel chain. Most of the rides side of the business were out of Disney and Six Flags.

[@GAIJINMAN]

My younger brother (the small blond kid on the Merry Go-Round) went to Santa Clara University.

[@MrPGC137]

I remember in the very early days of the park, they used to have log-rolling contests in the pond next to the Yukon Territory log-ride. The contestants (park cast-members) would, naturally dress the park, looking for all the world like they just stepped out of the pages of a history-book, and once they got onto that log, they _really_ got into it. Either they were _very_ good actors or (being guys) their natural competitiveness kicked in, but either way, it always made for a good, fun show. As I recall, the only rule was, you couldn't touch any part of your opponent, but beyond that, it was pretty much anything goes. You could splash water on your opponent for example, and there was a _LOT_ of that, as I recall.

[@rrbbb1180]

Those were the days. California was so much fun back then. Had lots of great memories at Great America in the 70's-80s. Thanks for the video...this is exactly how I remember it. The Demon was known as The Turn of the Century when the park first opened. The track was lengthened with some thrills added to the new course, and the name changed. Demon is way better, and still going strong.

[@freightdog208]

Thank you for this. This is the Great America I remember as a kid growing in the Bay Area.

[@uutooyu]

The real Marriotts Great America with the worlds first Imax theater screen and camera .

[@uutooyu]

The Pictorium i believe it was called .

[@stuntpk]

Great stuff. I started working there in 1978 (until 1990) Your movie brought back some great memories.

[@frankorozcojr.5362]

Maybe you're the person to ask: In 1988-89 there was a movie showing at the IMAX at Marriott's that had to do with how speed has evolved through the ages. It included cars, race cars, planes, jets, etc. Do you know the name of the film, or if it's available? I'd love to show my kids...

[@YTIcemanGaming]

Did you ever find out?

[@djames4242]

I remember "To Fly!" showing at the "Pictorium" IMAX theater, but that was well before 1988. It started out with a car and transitioned into a balloon, hang glider, and airplanes. It's very likely they brought it back from time-to-time, so you may have seen it in the late 80's if this is the film you're thinking of. It was the first IMAX movie I'd ever seen, and may have been the first one that ever showed at Great America...

[@kjirstinyoungberg6092]

Now we're all curious, Stunpk...what jobs did you have there all those years? Our family may have taken some Super 8's with you in them!

[@armybeef68]

@@frankorozcojr.5362 It was called Speed, and I've got it on DVD, somewhere in storage, But it's so much better on the big screen, kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2fRmJqPibedg9k

[@alexandermatthews145]

My family and I would go to Great America every year for all most 20 + straight years during my dad's 2 week vacation in the summer of June from 1983 to 1995 we would be at the Park for 2 days then we would leave here and go to Fort Bragg California for 7 days 👍👍 I very much miss these times , especially with my mom and dad no longer with us on Earth. Kinda crazy I've not been to Great America in a long time 2000 was the last time I was there 22 years ago. I'm going to try and take my 12 year old son here this coming Spring or Summer time. I miss are family vacations 😢

[@125southernnh2]

I worked at Pizza Orleans the summer of '78.

[@Audioandlyrics]

RCs By A Dummy and still there

[@henrywong2375]

Rip great America. What fond memories. We went every year in the late 80s and early 90s. So sad to hear it’s gonna be teared down. Sad sad 😢

[@mikecesa4444]

I grew up there and was there opening day! Then, walked all the way home. Nice!

[@keithvnumber1]

Just look at that drop on The Demon. That is the drop that I remember and love. Not the lame reconfigured one. It used to feel like my stomach was ripped out and I loved it.

[@GAIJINMAN]

I didn't realize they messed that up!

[@keithvnumber1]

check out more recent pov videos, you can see a noticeable change in the angle of the first drop.

[@robertfinn8459]

I miss the Triple Wheel. :( Was THE ride to go on at the end of the day when your feet hurt. Just chill and get nice view of the park and skyline.

[@GAIJINMAN]

Wha? I didn't even realize they removed that iconic attraction!

[@armybeef68]

Technically it was called Sky Whirl, and for the people who worked there, we called it the barf buckets, for obvious reasons.

[@tommyaddison6539]

@@armybeef68Original name was Sky Whirl, later changed to the Triple Wheel

[@nathanlopez4771]

Yeah the whizzer accident in1980 this was also the parks first fatality I remember going on this ride back in 87 and being scared to death

[@clamgd]

Hey, yes a lot has changed. I am almost at a 10 year seasoned employee at the park. This video is very well put together and is so inspiring. That was full of life and fun. You should definitely go back and check out the change. May not be of greater taste but it will be nice to reminis a few great moments. Who knows you might see someone in management who has been there just as long. :-)

[@YTIcemanGaming]

Since you work there are there any old Marriott logos, Paramount logos, or old Nickelodeon stuff still there in the back or the storage areas?

[@DustinBowls003]

Tidal Wave!! The first roller coaster I braved when I was about 7.. I miss all these rides. I went there so many times on the season pass.

[@jackearl5445]

Looks like the Ferris wheel was where the go kart track is now, next to Psycho Mouse. That's where the Edge was too. Very nice video! That's exactly how I remember the park as a kid.

[@adriang6946]

Jack Earl no

[@adriang6946]

patch of grass in front of demon

[@GAIJINMAN]

Thank you Chris for sharing the insider perspective! Must have been a few changes over the past 10 years as well! Last time I visited was in 1998 or 1999... guess I'll have to pay another visit.

[@Crackmandan]

Fantastic video! I've been going to Great America since the late 80's and I still love that park.

[@ernstwhere]

Beautiful footage.

[@GAIJINMAN]

Thank you thank you!

[@erndog64]

I remember in the late 70's when they turned the bumper cars area into a dance floor and played disco music at night time. Some older girls liked the way I danced and started dancing with me. Great times.

[@Unitedhope4animalsOrg]

Worked there '78 - '80 seasons. '78 in the Games dept, then the next 2 years in Rides which included the sweepers. I eventually was a sweeper which was actually a pretty cool gig as there was a lot of autonomy. Working rides was sexier but it was kinda rote work; sweeping you could walk around and get to know a lot of the other employees and as long as the place was clean, nobody bugged you.

[@nicks78735]

I worked there in 82 on the "Whizzer." You were an "area host."

[@justcallmedylan6287]

Wow thank u for sharing this! It's really rare to find demon videos now with all the theming especially the swirling lights on the tunnel!

[@cleawox]

The steam going in, the swirling lights and the blood red lakes were the trifecta! and getting your head bashed on the bar during the corkscrews. Very good times. I was actually there all the time and It wasn't enough. Great park!

[@BaileySEA]

My family went there from 1976-1980. We always had the best times back then. Marriott's took really good care of the park back then, now it's kinda trashy.

[@GAIJINMAN]

Those were the good ol' days for that park. I still remember IBM day when the park was brand new and the entirety was reserved for IBM employees and their families. Virtually no lines... pristinely clean and 5 cent root beer.

[@BaileySEA]

They had the 5 cent root beer for several years.

[@kjirstinyoungberg6092]

Yes! Hewlett-Packard got a day, too, I think. We already had a family pass, but it was much less crowded, and really cool to see so many people you know, standing in the same line!

[@kjirstinyoungberg6092]

We Mormons LOVE our root beer, lol!

[@herndonofsunnyvale]

Wow - this takes me back. That was when they had a license from WB and Bugs and Daffy costumed characters roamed the park. I love the kids here goofing on the carousel pretending that they're terrified, annoying the adults in front of them. I had so many great times at this place.

[@Kylehudgins]

The Demon looks SO much better with all its theming. It’d be awesome if they restored it to its former glory.

[@Cpt.Sailor]

I work at the demon and it definitely does look better here in the early 80s than it does now, it would take barely anything to being it back though. Just some fire paint on the control booth and a more ornate ring before the takeoff tunnel. I might try to ask HR if they could make it look more like that

[@TheArsenalgooner]

This is astonishing. Thank you. To think it was all acres and acres of orchards, grasslands and blm land once. Not another building in sight.

[@The_Husband_of_Jane_Lane]

Back in 2007, my science teacher in high school told us the recently-renamed California's Great America used to be called Marriott's Great America. I wasn't born yet when this happened (but the video you are showing us is great. I'm surprised it has changed over the years).

[@GAIJINMAN]

When the park was brand new, IBM employees were treated to an IBM day, where the ENTIRE park was reserved just for IBMers and their families. The park was pristine, clean, and that day the lines were amazingly short.

[@robkrasinski6217]

There's an entire generation who were born after the park opened. Some probably don't even realize that a hotel company once owned the park. Then a movie company ran it from 1993-2006, Paramount. This park and Kings Dominion lost their steam trains which is sad. They were removed during Paramount ownership. King's Dominion's was gone by 1996, and Great America by 2000. But, Kings Island, Cedar Point, Worlds of Fun, other parks in the Cedar Fair chain still have them. The sister park Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Ill, still has its steam train with two stations.

[@kjirstinyoungberg6092]

It was more the Marriott family than their hotel company who owned the park, Rob. It was a labor of love for them to have a place where families could go to make lasting memories together. They even allowed you to bring your own picnic inside, which is probably why they didn't make enough money to keep it up, and eventually had to sell it to Paramount. (Leave it to a movie company to know how to limit outside food, and charge a small fortune for popcorn, lol.) We loved the trains, the carousel, and the cool breezes on hot summer days, where I could sit in the shade with the baby while the older kids ran from ride to ride, often going five times in a row on their favorite if the lines were short. Such beautiful memories of a peaceul time, when children could run free in the sunshine, without complaining that it destroyed the view on their cellphone screens. Sigh.

[@voodoochild6741]

I worked in Security in the late 80's. Those days we were allowed a lot of leeway in dealing with thugs and malcontents. Great times and memories.

[@TnseWlms]

Back when the Marriott hotel towered over all else- now they have a half dozen other hotels, high tech companies including Intel, the convention center and Levi's stadium surrounding the park.

[@cupcakeluv25]

love this so much

[@GAIJINMAN]

Thank you thank you!

[@richardstoc]

The turn of the century, roaring twenty's cars wow my sister worked there thought they opened in 1976 but too long ago .

[@jmarx_live]

great stuff

[@toddbergamaschi73]

You stated at the ending credits that the film was shot in 1978-79. That is wrong. It was between 1980-83. The Demon gave it away. The Demon started the 1980 Season. The ferris wheel ended in 1983.

[@GAIJINMAN]

+toddbergamaschi73 appreciate the catch. No time and date stamp on the old reel of film...In that case it would have to be between 1980 or possibly 1981. Again thanks!

[@nathanlopez5667]

between 1980 and 1982 in 1983 they had the edge and you do not see it nowhere in the background where the Ferris wheel is

[@Omorgan66]

+toddbergamaschi73 The ride was originally called the Turn of the Century. after the first drop were two humps before making the turn to the corkscrew. The Demon put a tunnel at the start, replaced the two humps with loops and then a tunnel after the second loop before for the turn to the corkscrew. I grew up in the area when it was surrounded by fields and spent many days there :)

[@GAIJINMAN]

That sounds right... I even remember a controversy by one of those grape juice drinking denominations concerning the plan to name the ride "the Demon" as if that were some grave concern.

[@nonebiz2132]

@@Omorgan66 I remember the Whizzer was open before the Demon... But "Turn of the Century'? I also remember waiting forever for the Demon to finish construction. I must have gone on it 1000 times, I was there one time the park was empty and the guy just let me sit there until I got sick... about 6 rides into it and my head had enough of banging into the foam shoulder holders...

[@user-oj7bn5fq4m]

You should take a visit there to see how it changed. It opens in March and they have a Halloween Haunt every October now.

[@Toast0808]

Great America was good back then. Much better than it is today. It went downhill when Paramount bought it. I remember going in 1979. Remember Willards Whizzer? And when the Demon was called "Turn of the Century".

[@YTIcemanGaming]

I think it went downhill when Cedar Fair bought it in my opinion

[@Ainsleythecoastergal]

Yeah ;)

[@charlieshoaxvideos5648]

@@YTIcemanGaming ceder fair has put millions into the park with goldstrker and railblazer they care about great America because it is highly profitable. next time know what you are talking about

[@nathanlopez5667]

@@charlieshoaxvideos5648 yeah you're right Cedar Fair takes pretty good care of this park Paramount was running it into the ground towards the end of ownership

[@AngryGumball]

Awesome! Seeing that Demon was there, this would have to be at least 1980. Turn of the Century (same coaster) was rethemed as "Demon" for the 1980 season where 2 loops were added/2 airtime hills were removed. And interesting, never realized they had a carnival ferris wheel :)

[@Ainsleythecoastergal]

I wish it was like this again...

[@GAIJINMAN]

Me too!

[@haveanicedave1551]

I went there on a school trip June 1979. Seemed like every time I rode the demon, the lights in the tunnel did not work.

[@Audioandlyrics]

As of today the light bulbs are taken out but the fixture is still there. So if they decide to put the lightbulbs back and turn it on it should probably work or else there’s electrical wires not working.

[@FNAFEDITS171]

RIP Tidal Wave, Whizzer, Yankee Clipper, Skywhirl, and most of all Loggers Run

[@occupydemocratsparody5318]

Guess they've been busy taken the good stuff down.

[@norcalemt02]

RIP great America

[@TheArsenalgooner]

yep. i was there when it opened.

[@loubadown]

wow thanks for sharing would go here every summer 78 to 80s then back to ohio

[@gailboos]

We'll done! I was trying to get a sense of where the Ferris wheel was located, but couldn't quite tell. Where did it use to be?

[@justcallmedylan6287]

It was located in county fair

[@adriang6946]

its that patch of grass in front of demon

[@TheWorldAccordingtoJim]

AWESOME

[@GAIJINMAN]

Thank you thank you!

[@flavertownyumm8302]

Ahhh Great America is so different now

[@GAIJINMAN]

Yep... it was once a very nice place for family and otherwise...

[@Audioandlyrics]

GAIJINMAN and now it’s all thrills and no family rides beside the Grizzly.

[@GAIJINMAN]

hadn't been there for a long while... guess lots has changed!

[@tommyaddison6539]

RIP Sky Whirl and Loggers Run

[@charlescrawf]

Wow!! It looks just like the one in Illinois same rides and name wow!!!

[@GAIJINMAN]

My buddy "borrowed" his parent's Super8 Camera (I didn't realize then it might not have been authorized.) Each roll of 3 minutes worth of film was $7 (developed.) So $140 an hour. In 1980 bucks that's about $470 today! A bit cheaper to shoot 4k on phones today!

[@cuyazzie]

Anyone work on or know of someone who worked on the original construction of the park?

[@mjmmorales]

Ask who want Hurricane Harbor whatever happened to the real log ride and boat ride ??? Miss it so much heck they don't even make Log rides anymore.if you're lucky you might be able to find and still ride some of the old remaining log ride that still exist to this day.very few and far between though

[@armybeef68]

Hurricane Harbor? It was known as Yankee Harbor and Yukon Territory

[@MATTHEW3438]

#SaveGreatAmerica!

[@ilancastro9237]

this made me kinda sad.

[@GAIJINMAN]

Another great bit of Super 8 film just published on nearby Frontier Village... which closed in 1980 to make room for condos. kzbin.info/www/bejne/in-1pKF8ot2YesU (correction... Frontier Village planned an EXPANSION to remain competitive and otherwise viable... the neighboring community organized to block their efforts... so this great Bay Area tradition was killed by local neighborhood politics)

[@mattglumactheautisticgolfe1608]

This is most likely in 1980. The Demon didn't have loops until 1980.

[@kjirstinyoungberg6092]

So sad...

[@nathanlopez5667]

It was too bad for that coaster only one left in the world at the other great america in Chicago

[@icelegacylol]

Demon used to have a rock entrance on the loops and the lights and the train used to be orange?

[@TheArsenalgooner]

True, Tidal wave was amazing but WW was a dangerous and flawed coaster. i was there when someone died when the incoming car's brakes failed. It was horrifying.

[@nathanlopez5667]

It had a very bad reputation after that accident but it operated for 8 more years until it was dismantled

[@KaliforniaLA]

Now it’s being closed forever. Too bad.

[@mjmmorales]

Why did they mess up this park just like all the others !!!! They took out all the old amazing rides that they've never been able to duplicate and then they continue to build the same rides over & over.😫Bring back Willard whizzer Roller coaster 🎢🎢

[@Ainsleythecoastergal]

When did they have a Ferris wheel?

[@GAIJINMAN]

Not sure when they got rid of it, but I believe this was from 1979 or 1980.

[@rawdog268]

goldstriker is worth going one more time and the waterpark is good for a hot summer day the rest is meh.Maybe the demon for a spin for old time sakes

[@Audioandlyrics]

rawdog268 I’d rather go on the demon than the gold striker.

[@mydogboofer3467]

Great memories! Too bad it’s a filthy dirty nightmare of a mess now

[@m.richard.helton1547]

Great America was good, but Frontier village was still a better park. So was Santa Village in Scotts Valley better.

[@cleawox]

@Coaster Weirdo Frontier Village was off Monterey Road in San Jose. It was a really good theme park. Not a small novelty like Happy Hollow. It was not at the level of Great America IMO. There was a great "frontier vibe" though, with real rides and nicely themed with old west charm. You could see how people could like it better than G.A. - It was legit.

[@nathanlopez4771]

No footage of the whizzer

[@GAIJINMAN]

that is regrettable... had I known it was going to go away so soon I'd have been sure to shoot it, but at the time I was just a kid having fun with Super 8 camera... and hadn't realized I was creating a time capsule! ;c)

[@GAIJINMAN]

it is also plausible (if not likely) that the ride was out of service during this visit to be modified due to a March fatality on the same ride in March the same year.

[@jackearl5445]

Whizzer was a favorite of mine...I loved how it hugged the ground during the ride. But yeah it always had been haunted by that awful death.