This is the OFFICIAL RU-vid channel for Great American Thrills®!
From "The Legacy of Arrow Development" and "Lost Parks of Northern California," to the latest from the amusement industry - you'll find it all right here. Step into line and join me for the journey. "Let's Ride!"
Wow hearing that commercial literally brought tears to my eyes. Also I love that now Great Wolf Lodge is here however I honestly liked that camping experience that came with Manteca Waterslides. That's probably one of the best. I remember us being out there for a week at a time and it didn't feel like it.
I lived in Manteca for a few years when I was in high school. We just called it Oakwood Lake. I have good memories riding my bike out to the lake. We would ask people leaving to give us their arm bands and we would get in for free. My very first concert ever was at Oakwood lake Y&T. yea we didn't pay for that either. lol
The song!!! I have always remembered that song and I am 31!! I was like 10 when I last went there or heard the song! Such a great place. I'll be going to the Manteca Great Wolf Lodge next month Jan 2022. But I know it will definitely not even compare.
I grew up near here and never got to go. I watched a video about how the gov passed some law they knew mantica couldn't ever make possible and it was dumb. My dad said it was one of the best 👌
My dad used to take my brother and I to Manteca Waterslides when we were kids. It was awesome because the slides were so gentle that you could put out your arms and hold yourself in one spot in the waterslide. Then my brother would crash into me. Then dad would crash into both of us and we'd tumble down the slide the rest of the way. It's AMAZING none of us were ever seriously injured doing this.
WOW, I've such incredible memories as a child going to our wondrous Santa's Village and it's current condition breaks my heart. But, I do still have all those incredible memories and boy do I treasure them. In the summer of 1953 my dad built our family summer cabin in a private community called Forest Lakes. It was just off hwy 9 near Henry Cowell State Park in Felton CA (Santa Cruz Cnty). I was born a year later, Sept. of 1954 and today that same summer cabin has become my year round residence. Each summer I used to beg my parents unmercifully to go to Santa's Village, it was so much fun and lucky for me they usually gave in. I remember the parks closing in 1979 I would have been 24 then, how sad I was for all the future young children that would miss experiencing it's magic and wonder. Sadly, I guess I've finally stopped looking for it off hwy 17. 😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪 However, how incredibly lucky was I to spend my summer's in my beloved Santa Cruz as it had such fabulous adventures to enjoy and experience. Such as Santa's Village, the world famous Mystery Spot, Felton's Roaring Camp Railroad and covered bridge, the Boardwalk, concerts on the beach, all our state parks and so much more. There was also magic to be found in my little Forest Lake's community, each summer they dammed a creek to turn it into our own private lake. They brought in sand to play and sun in, there were diving boards, a center raft, a baby pool and lots of kids and great fun. On Friday nights the community gathered for bingo for the adults, dancing for the teens and a huge bonfire to sing around and for the kids to roast hotdogs and marshmallows. For me, the best part was I was able to share and enjoy all this with my BFF, Kathy, we met in San Francisco when I was 4 and she 5. We became fast friends and did just about everything together and of course shared years of fun together in Santa Cruz. We're still BFF's today and love reminiscing over all those great memories. I loved my summers in Santa Cruz and know how truly blessed I was to have such wonderful parents to provide such adventures, magic and most importantly love. Thanks mom and dad for the incredible gift you gave us, what a way to growup. 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖 FYI, All those Santa Crus adventure sites, except Santa Village, are still open and thriving..... Come and make your own magic in Santa Cruz!!!
It's 5 years later and I'd love to know if that pipe organ is still in storage. Whomever is allowing that thing to remain down there aught to be arrested. It's a crime to leave such a beautiful instrument and valuable piece of history just locked up like that. Another nice piece of work Kris. I had no clue this exposition even existed until watching this!
Is it just audio or do I need to subscribe in order to see the video? These "videos" would be so great to show my 3rd graders as we study the history of SJ.
Hi Laurie - apologies for the delay in responding! There's no subscription required - these are audio segments I did while working for KLIV a few years ago, so there's no video component.
whats up with the little carts seen roaming the festival . I've just never seen pics of that what appears to be the first hoveround. gas or electric im curious for some reason
I’ve beeen to many water parks all over the country and still haven’t matched the experience of Manteca . I grew up in the bay so I went to raging waters majority of the time but nothing compares to Manteca I tell my kids about it and for them it’s a like a legend .
THE DEMON lyrics ---------------------------------- VERSE 1 So you're waitin' here in line better take a litte time for medatating, cause hes waiting HES THE DEMON! ---------------------------------- Theres time to change your mind cause soon your gonna find that youre on a trip in the grip of the DEMON! ---------------------------------- Is the Demon a creation of your imagination? How will you feel, if hes real? The Demon is the master, he'll smile as you go faster, then he'll sneak up behind you! ---------------------------------- CHORUS: Have you ever seen the Demon? have you ever heard him scream? Is the demon what he seems? Or just a bad, bad dream in your mind? You're gonna find out... about the DEMON! ---------------------------------- VERSE 2 So you think your really brave gonna see the Demons cave? You silly dude, youre only food... for the DEMON. Dont say we didnt tell you the demon can smell you... youre delicious, nutritious, to the DEMON! ---------------------------------- Dont look over your shoulder, just when youre feeling bolder. He'll be there, in the air. The Demon's so demanding, so have this understanding, that youre gonna ride! PETRIFIED!!!! ---------------------------------- CHORUS: Have you ever seen the Demon? have you ever heard him scream? Is the demon what he seems? Or just a bad, bad dream in your mind? Youre gonna find out... about the DEMON! ---------------------------------- The Demon No one can hear him. ---------------------------------- The Demon, you better fear him. ---------------------------------- The Demon, hes gonna shake you. ---------------------------------- The Demon, hes gonna break you. ---------------------------------- The Demon, Hes never lazy. ---------------------------------- The Demon, he'll drive you crazy. ---------------------------------- The Demon, well we can bet ya, ---------------------------------- The Demon, hes gonna get ya. ---------------------------------- The Demon, hes gonna find you ---------------------------------- The Demon, HES RIGHT BEHIND YOU! ---------------------------------- Hes the Demon, hes the Demon, Hes the Demon, THE DEMON!!!!
I loved going here as a kid, anyone planning to make a trip today be sure to read their rules and parking options before you go, they are very strict about parking times and fees.
The campground was an annual trip for our Boy Scout troop from San Jose. We would ride bicycles there via Coyote Creek Trail and camp for the weekend. It's been too overcrowded for me the last 15 years, probably good for business though.
My best friend's dad worked there, I miss seeing the tanks parked outside waiting to be loaded onto a train. So many jobs have been lost for the sake of another shopping center or condominiums.
I was four when I went there in 1964, so I don't recall TOO much detail. I do remember the ice-cold "North Pole" that you could touch (apparently refrigerated hardware within), an antique car ride, the smallish bobsled coaster, TALL elves walking around (tall to a little kid anyway) and not too much else except for one thing. I remember a bratty but unknowing kid (me) throwing a tantrum to go on the snowballs ride thinking it was a slow one despite warnings given, then being scared to death as it picked up speed. I climbed down in the middle of the ball-like car and screamed out so loud that the operator actually had to stop the ride and let my mother haul me off. Seems silly now.............. I noticed no cars in the video, so perhaps it was the track for the "horse" drawn sleds I saw. I don't recall the sleds themselves, so maybe that ride was down that day. ( Let's not forget the "Lost World" dinosaur park maybe 1/4 mile down and just on the other side of the freeway ;-) )
Thank you I tell people about it and used to dream about those wonderful times in my life and sadden when I wake up to realize it was then and only a dream and remember it again 🐇👖🐮🐂🍗🌽
This place was a big part of my child hood! My grandma and grandpa worked and lived there through out my child hood. You pulled into the park and followed the road and across from the actual enterance to the park by the office across the road from that was my grandparents house. I went there from when i was like 4 or 5 to when they closed. A lot of my cousin and my sister had there first jobs there. I miss it. We knew the Browns who owed it.
I was working in the Grand Music Hill when I was asked by Gene Patrick to help do some of the narration on the recording. I am the last reporter you hear in particular.
