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Why is Great America shutting down? Internet mourns loss of 55 years of family fun

The park's owner and operator Cedar Fair disclosed on Monday, June 27 that it had sold the land to Bay Area's Prologis for $310 million

California's Great America, a Bay Area amusement park that has provided fun for families for over 50 years, will soon close its doors permanently. The park's owner and operator Cedar Fair disclosed on Monday, June 27 that it had sold the land to Bay Area's Prologis for $310 million. The 112-acre site, which even has its own light-rail stop, is tucked away between Route 237 and Highway 101, right adjacent to Levi's Stadium. The agreement stipulates that the park must close within the next 11 years, but the exact date has not been disclosed. Meanwhile, Cedar Fair's stocks increased 1.54 percent on Monday, June 27, after having dropped roughly 40 percent over the last five years. 

Understandably, people on social media were not happy with the sale and they expressed their frustration about it. One person wrote, “This is very sad. I grew up going to GA all the time. Northern California just keeps getting worse and worse. High prices. No water. Now no fun.” “This is so lame. I grew up going to GA. Wish my kid could get to do the same,” another added. Someone wondered, “How can we reverse this? If this happens it will just lead to them going after every other amusement park.”

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"SAD! Pray to the heavens that I’m outta this area by then. Let me take a wild guess…will be developed into high-priced homes, condos, or tech buildings 👎 and not anything that will help those making lower incomes to be able to survive in this area,” someone else remarked. The Santa Clara park, which debuted in 1976 and now includes more than 50 attractions, has long been a favorite destination for Bay Area locals, including some well-known personalities. Days after winning his fourth NBA title, Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors was seen competing in a three-point contest at the park.

Cedar Fair is one of the largest amusement park operators in the world, according to a press release announcing the sale. According to Mercury News, the company is the owner of 13 properties, including the beloved California park Knott's Berry Farm. 2019 saw Cedar Fair purchase the land beneath Great America from the city of Santa Clara for $150 million after previously leasing it. In a press release, Cedar Fair President and CEO Richard A Zimmerman stated, “The sale and lease agreements allow us to monetize a high-value asset in the heart of Silicon Valley at a very attractive multiple.” What the new owner, Prologis, intends to do with the land when the rides close has not been made public yet.