Surf's Up All Summer Long at Great America With the Debut of Its Great Barrier Reef(TM) Wave Pool

SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 29 /PRNewswire/ -- This summer the fun comes in waves now that Great America has opened its newest attraction, the 355,000- gallon GREAT BARRIER REEF (TM) wave pool. Santa Clara Mayor Patricia Mahan was on-hand to assist with the ribbon cutting ceremony and to celebrate the Grand Opening of the new attraction on May 26, 2007. "We are pleased that Mayor Mahan was able to join us for the Grand Opening of our all-new GREAT BARRIER REEF (TM) wave pool," said Bill Lentz, general manager of Great America. "The great city of Santa Clara and Great America have shared a long and positive relationship since 1975. And I believe that the mayor being with us this weekend demonstrates that the City of Santa Clara and Great America are dedicated to working together and that the relationship remains strong," said Lentz.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070529/AQTU209 )

GREAT BARRIER REEF (TM) is located in Boomerang Bay, the Australian inspired water park inside Great America. The ride combines the exhilaration and feel of real ocean waves without the sand. The GREAT BARRIER REEF (TM) wave pool adds an additional two acres to Boomerang Bay, totaling roughly thirteen acres of water park within Great America. The wave pool depth range is from 0 to a maximum of 6 feet, and has 21,882 square feet of water surface area. Lifeguards are always on duty and the 355,000-gallons of water in the wave pool provide for the cleanest splashin' good fun around. For the comfort and convenience of guests, Great America has also added new cabanas around the wave pool.

"The addition of the GREAT BARRIER REEF (TM) wave pool to Boomerang Bay is the final piece of the puzzle that we feel completes our water park and makes Great America one of the strongest water park attractions in Northern California," Lentz said. "Now more than ever, Great America offers the most rides and most water attractions and is the only theme park in Northern California that has a full-blown water park, within a theme park, for a single admission," said Lentz.

That's not all that's new at Great America. New to the list of summer shows are The Misfit of Magic and Twistin' to the 60's. The Misfit of Magic, international comedic magician Ed Alonzo, 2-time winner of the 'Stage Magician of the Year' and best know as Max on "Saved by the Bell" will grace our Showtime Theatre stage this season from June 16 through August 26. Ed's amazing illusions are hilarious, mesmerizing and FUN for all ages. Don't miss seeing this show -- there's no one like Ed!

Twistin' to the 60's is a ca-raaazy rockin' and rollin' dance party featuring the best sounds and moves of the 1960's. Twist yourself over to the Paramount Theatre, relax and enjoy our 30-minute blast to the past that will have you dancing in your seats! Twistin' to the 60's will run from May 19 through August 26.

Great America offers the most roller coasters in Northern California as well as the most rides and the most water rides. The 100-acre theme park is also the only place in the Bay Area where kids can meet their favorite Nickelodeon(R) friends. Bring the camera and visit Nicktoons(TM) Central where young children can get acquainted with SpongBob SquarePants(TM), Patrick(TM), the Rugrats(TM), Cosmo(TM) & Wanda(TM) and Jimmy Neutron(TM) as they stop by to visit throughout the day. Kids who are fans of Nick Jr. should also visit the Nick Jr. House and The Wild Thornberrys(TM) Comvee where they can meet Dora the Explorer(TM), Diego(TM), Blue(TM) and Little Bill(TM) as well as Eliza(TM) and Donnie(TM) who are waiting to play all day. Great America also provides other Nickelodeon(R) shows and attractions throughout the 2007 season that are included with the price of admission that kids are sure to love including, Meet the Nicktoons(TM), the Nickelodeon(R) Parade and Nick or Treat.

Great America, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cedar Fair Entertainment Company , a publicly traded partnership, which owns and operates 12 amusement parks and five water parks. Cedar Fair's 12 amusement parks include: Canada's Wonderland in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Carowinds in Charlotte, N.C., Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, Pa., Geauga Lake and Wildwater Kingdom in Aurora, Ohio, Great America in Santa Clara, Calif., Kings Dominion in Doswell, Va., Kings Island in Kings Mills, Ohio, Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif., Michigan's Adventure in Muskegon, Mich., Valleyfair in Shakopee, Minn., Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, Mo., and three separately gated Knott's Soak City Water Parks in San Diego, Palm Springs and Orange County. Cedar Fair also owns and operates the Castaway Bay Indoor Waterpark Resort in Sandusky, Ohio, and Star Trek: The Experience, an interactive adventure, in Las Vegas. Cedar Fair also has a management contract with Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park (formerly Bonfante Gardens) in Gilroy, Calif.

More information and downloadable photos can be found online at the park's media center: visit http://www.pgathrills.com/ or call 408-986-5856.