New Patriot Floorless Coaster To Open Saturday, April 1

by ·

California’s Great America opens its 2017 season on March 25 and will introduce an array of new attractions, entertainment and dining experiences. Patriot, the first floorless coaster in the park’s history, will make its official park debut on Saturday, April 1.

Patriot will take riders to a nine-story height before plummeting them into a 360-degree loop and a series of hairpin turns. The floorless ride will include state-of-the-art blue and white floorless trains positioning guests with their feet dangling inches above the track.

To celebrate Patriot, all current and past military service members will be provided free admission from March 25-May 29 (with valid ID), along with special $30 tickets for up to 6 guests (available at the Front Gate).

“Patriot will be an outstanding addition to our family of roller coasters,” said California’s Great America Vice President and General Manager Raul Rehnborg. “We’re honored to provide active and past military service members free admission through Memorial Day weekend. They do so much for our country, and we’re happy to provide them fun family entertainment.”

One of the most notable changes for 2017 comes at the iconic Maggie Brown’s restaurant. Renamed Maggie’s Smokehouse & Fried Chicken, in addition to the legendary fried chicken, the restaurant will also delight guests with smoked tri tip, pulled pork and rotisserie chicken. Seasonally, Maggie’s will also serve beef and pork ribs in the completely refurbished interior.

Food Festival will also feature new dining options, including crab sandwiches and lobster rolls for seafood lovers, burritos and tacos, clam chowder bread bowls and highly popular Boba tea drinks.

Season Passholders can take advantage of the All Season Dining Plan that, for as low as $84, provides two meals per visit (4 hour interval between meals) and pays for itself in just three visits. This year the on property Panda Express and Subway are included in the plan.

The brand new Red, White & Brews festival will debut Memorial Day weekend and run five total days (May 27-29, June 3-4). Red, White & Brews will be located in Hometown Square, adjacent to Patriot, and features locally crafted beers, great barbeque and live music, all wrapped in a fun family atmosphere. The Taste of Orleans festival with Cajun cuisine, bayou music, themed fireworks and Mardi Gras atmosphere returns for two weekends (July 22-23, 29-30).

Other seasonal entertainment events include Opening Day (March 25), Fiesta Hispana (Aug. 13), The Great Pumpkin Fest (weekends Sept. 30-Oct. 29), Halloween Haunt (Friday-Sunday, Sept. 22-Oct. 29) and WinterFest (select nights Nov. 24-Dec. 29). Halloween Haunt will celebrate its 10th anniversary, and the highly decorated WinterFest will be back for a second season of holiday fun beginning November 24.

New live entertainment in 2017 features Vertical Impact in Great America Theater, a high-flying acrobatic display with trampoline artists and amazing choreography, along with The Great American Game Show in Theatre Royale.

Also new in 2017 is FunPix, the ultimate way to capture and share unlimited Great America digital photos on social media. FunPix is available for as low as $19.99 for a day-long pass or $39.99 for a season-long package. With FunPix, guests can digitally capture their favorite memories, whether it’s the classic family shot in front of the carousel, thrilling on-ride moments aboard Great America’s roller coasters or fun character shots with Snoopy and Charlie Brown.

Great America will open daily beginning May 25, and Boomerang Bay water park will open daily beginning May 27.

2017 Season Passes are currently on sale for just $69, and a Gold Pass is as low as $93, or six easy payments of $15.50 (when purchased online), plus applicable fees, for a limited time. Halloween Haunt and WinterFest will be free for Gold and Platinum Passholders. Boomerang Bay Water Park, free Great America parking, admission to Gilroy Gardens, Halloween Haunt and WinterFest make a Gold Pass the ultimate family entertainment value.

More Lifestyle News:

  1. 2017 Princeton Festival’s 13th Season For its 13th season The Princeton Festival (www.princetonfestival.org) is offering 22 performances of 11 different programs between June 3 and June 25, 2017 in venues throughout the Princeton area. The Festival has scheduled its first-ever Baroque chamber music recital in...
  2. Spring and Summer Events in Claremont, California, Offer Visitors Tasty Bites, Refreshing Cocktails and Activities Under the Stars Claremont, California, is one of the nation’s most acclaimed college towns, located just 30 miles east of Los Angeles. The city’s upcoming food, shopping and entertainment events make a weekend stay in Claremont an even more enticing getaway from “busy...
  3. A New Season of FUN at Worlds of Fun As Worlds of Fun kicks off its 45th season this upcoming weekend, park goers will experience many new exciting changes and additions.  For starters, guests will be greeted with a remodeled front gate featuring a beautiful iconic hot air balloon...
  4. Miami Beach Embraces and Entertains LGBT Travelers with Host of Events Celebrated as an international LGBT-friendly destination for travelers across the globe, Miami Beach is enticing guests to experience the beauty and liveliness of the city with a packed calendar of events during the month of April. From Miami Beach Gay...
  5. SeaWorld San Antonio – Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster opens to the public Friday, June 16, launching guests into a fun, adrenaline-pounding mission inspired by the heroics of the SeaWorld Animal Rescue Team. Named by USA Today as one of the Ten New Cool Rides Coming...
  6. SeaWorld Orlando: Kraken Unleashed virtual reality roller coaster Just in time for summer vacation, one of the fiercest underwater legends has come to life in an entirely new way. SeaWorld Orlando’s original roller coaster offers an adventure for thrill-seeking guests unlike any other when Kraken Unleashed opens to...
  7. 5th annual BET Experience at L.A. LIVE, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY JUNE 24-25 BET NETWORKS and AEG announced the first wave of star-studded talent that will take the stage at the 5th annual BET Experience at L.A. LIVE presented by Coca-Cola®. This year’s lineup of concerts at STAPLES Center will feature some of...
  8. World’s First Ski-in/Ski-out Treehouses Open This June Snow Bear Chalets, the world’s first slopeside, ski-in/ski-out treehouse chalets, opens to guests this June. Located in Northwestern Montana at Whitefish Mountain Resort, Snow Bear Chalets offers the ultimate accommodations to enjoy hiking, mountain biking and outdoor adventure for this...
  9. “Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon” Is Now Open At Universal Orlando Resort This morning, guests joined “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon to celebrate the grand opening of Universal Orlando Resort’s newest ride, Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon. The all-new ride takes guests on an action-packed race through the Big Apple...
  10. Raise a Glass to “Green” California Wines During Down to Earth Month in April Eco-conscious consumers have many ways to celebrate with sustainably produced wines during California’s 6th Annual Down to Earth Month in April. California wineries will be offering dozens of sustainability-focused events and activities throughout the month from Earth Day wine festivals,...