The Napa Valley Register from Napa, California • 18

Saturday, May 1,1976 2 A THE REGISTER, Napa, Calif. Great America's most popular attraction is the Turn of the Century roller coaster, shown here in its second upside-down barrel roll. Centrifugal force prevents riders from falling out while upside down. At new amusement park Marriott's Great America offers plenty of family fun and thrills By AL FRANCIS "Ah what's up, doc? is the usual question that tricky rabbit Bugs Bunny asks Elmer Fudd. But in this instance, Bugs stands seven feet tall, is clad in a red, white and blue top hat and tails and isn't being chased by shotgun-totin' Fudd.

Bugs and other Warner Brothers' varmints are official greeters at the Bay Area's latest family attraction Marriott's Great America. What's up? Plenty of fun and entertainment for the family at this 200-acre amusement park, divided into five different eras and places out of Americas nostalgic past. isitors can stroll right into the past with settings of the Old South, and 1800s New England fishing village, through the Yukon Territory, the carnival atmosphere of the Great Midwest Livestock Exposition and County Fair, and the 1920' version of the Hometown Square. The Santa Clara fantasyland has transformed the best ideas of Southern California funspots and then some to this cozy, wide-open setting at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay. The huge park in the making for five years at a cost of $50 million boasts 27 rides, 28 restaurants and many other features that make a days stay worthwhile.

Unlike Disneyland, Great America charges one admission price, which allows visitors into all shows and onto all rides as many times as wished. Great America also features popular rides cribbed from various Southern California amusement parks such as the Yankee Clipper and Loggers Run water rides, the triple ferris wheel (Sky Whirl) and the thriller of them all the Turn of the Century corkscrew roller coaster. udging from the waiting lines, Turn of the Century is by far the most popular ride, featuring two complete barrel rolls upside down after picking up speed with a drop from a 95-foot tower. That's what's up rather upside down. The Yankee Clipper and Logger's Run provide breathtaking excitement as boats sail over a waterfall with a big splash guaranteed at the bottom of the drop.

Sky Whirl, which looks like a 20th century octopus, is the world's first triple ferris wheel. The family can climb into a Sky Whirl gondola and take in an overall view of the park and Santa Clara from high above the complex. Great America pops eyes with its unique attraction the Columbia, a 100-foot-high double decker carousel. The two-story white and gold Columbia is the first major carousel to be built in the United States since the 1920's. Besides live music quartets scattered around the park and (Continued on Page 4) On the cover Great America's triple ferris wheel suspends gondolas high above the Bay Area's newest family amusement park.

The Sky Whirl is the worlds first triple ferris wheel and one of the top attractions at the 200-acre Santa Clara fun spot. Security officers clad in Keystone cop uniforms also add to 'the nostalgic past at Great America. Besides keeping the peace, officers play the role of guides, pointing out restrooms and the fastest route to a particular attraction..