Places 6 Defunct Great America Rides We All Used To Love

Over the years many of the best Great America rides have come and gone. Rides such as Invertigo and The Edge, which thrilled rides for years are now long gone. But that doesn’t mean they are forgotten!

Opening in 1976, Great America is an amusement park based in Santa Clara, California. Those who have never been to the park may recognise it from movies such as Getting Even With Dad and Beverly Hills Cop III which was filmed there in 1994, making the Sky Whirl ride famous across the globe.

However, despite its screen time, Sky Whirl also became a victim of an ever changing landscape at Great America. Making way for newer rides that would attract more customers. We take a look at some of those great rides that are no longer at the park, either moved on to new locations, or scrapped entirely.

GREAT AMERICA RIDES FROM THE 70'S

SKY WHIRL/TRIPLE WHEEL 1976-1997

Sky Whirl opened in 1976, it resembled a tree with three arms each supporting 12 carts. The two arms would spin while the third wheel was on the ground.

In 1994 the ride was renamed ‘Triple Wheel’, however just three years later it would close after 21 years in the park.

The ride is probably best known for its role in the movie ‘Beverley Hills Cop III‘, starring Eddie Murphy.

YANKEE CLIPPER 1976-1998

The Yankee Clipper was a super flume ride that soon established itself as one of the most popular rides in the park. It was built on a grand scale but had to be removed in 1998 to make way for Stealth.

TIDAL WAVE/GREASED LIGHTNIN' 1977-1998

Tidal Wave was was a shuttle loop roller coaster that opened in in 1977, it could reach speeds of up to 60 MPH. In 1998 it got repainted and re-branded as Greased Lightnin’ and lasted until 2002 when it finally closed for good.

After the roller coaster was taken down different pieces went to various places. The train went to Six Flags Over Georgia, while other parts went to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom.

GREAT AMERICA RIDES FROM THE 80'S

THE EDGE 1983-1995

The Edge made its debut at Great America in 1983, it was a major attraction that didn’t get integrated into the theme of the surrounding area.

In 1995, after 12 years in the park, The Edge closed its doors for the final time and was replaced by the Drop Zone: Stunt Tower.

GREAT AMERICA RIDES FROM THE 90'S

INVERTIGO 1998-2011

Invertigo is a shuttle roller coaster that resided at the park between 1998 and 2011. It would be removed at the end of the 2011 season and relocated to Dorney Park in Pennsylvania.

In 2012, after relocation and a paint job it would be renamed ‘Stinger’. However, its time at Dorney Park was limited, the ride would be demolished before the start of the 2018 season.

GREAT AMERICA RIDES FROM THE 00'S

STEALTH 2000-2003

In 1999, Great America announced Stealth as “the world’s first true flying coaster”. The ride opened in 2000 but was only operational for three years, making way for a new water park called Boomerang Bay.