Title: Great America amusement Park in Santa Clara, California
Preparation: Address: 4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054 We booked tickets online, each person 39.99 (price before June 30), $20 parking paid online, processing fee $10. Meal: panda express about $17 or $15 per person. For a family who has 2 adults, 2 Children ( > 5 years old), cost around: Tickets + parking + lunch about $260. if you kids are 2 years old or younger, it's free. if your kids are 3 to 5 years old, you may be able to register to get a free pre-k-pass that will reduce your total cost. Kids will have fun. What to bring in: 0. Either e tickets or print hard copy of your tickets if you ordered online in advance. 1. No food or other outside beverage are allowed although you can bring in water. 2. Extra clothes, socks, sandals or shoes, towels in case your kids like to do water rides or playing in the water park, they will have dry clothes to change after they get wet. Check online to see when the water park will open. 3. Morning is good. After 2 or 3 pm, lines will be long for some popular rides.
General opinion: Kids will have fun there. Different age group can find their suitable rides or activities.
Attractions and activities: A few roller-coasters that teens or age above 9 years old love. Many rides available. See details in the map. What we have tried: The most comfortable rides are level 3, 2, 1: 1. Star Tower, near the entrance 2. Carousel Columbia in Celebration Plaza near the entrance 3. Flying Eagles, level 3, I like this one the most. 4. Celebration Swings For teens or age 10 above kids, they may like the level 4 or 5, just a warning, if you are a parent and not used to the roller coaster, do not take Gold Striker, although the map marks it as level 4 but actually it was very uncomfortable for me due to the dramatic shaken. If you want to try, do not wear glasses on this ride or bring any lose items with you. All rides has minimum height requirements. For very young age kids, there is a PLANET SNOOPY area for them. Remember, it's better to go in the morning, before lunch, take those rides. There are many families come around 2 or 3pm with little kids, that should be OK if you are not planning to take roller coasters.
Dining: There are many restaurants. 1. Panda Express. We like it. 2. Chicken Smoke house 3. Starbucks, pizza house, Antietam Annie, 4. There is a Food Festival food court and you can buy most of the typical fast food.
Commute: Traffic is not a problem and parking is also OK. We bought the parking ticket online when we bought the tickets. Buying parking ticket online will be $5 cheaper.
Things I wish I had known before: I wish I had brought extra clothes for my kids to change after they got wet. Bring extra clothes and towel, shoes, socks in case you or your kids likes to do water ride and play in the water park area.
