Carousel Plaza

Carousel Plaza (known as Celebration Plaza in Santa Clara) is a themed area within Great America and the first which guests encounter once they enter the park. The plaza centers around the Columbia Carousel. It features a reflecting pool in front of the carousel and houses observation towers and one rollercoaster in both parks along with Guest Services and a gift shop.

History
Carousel Plaza debuted with both Great America parks in 1976. The original plaza did not feature any rides other than the Carousel.

In 1977, as part of an expansion program by Marriott, the Sky Trek Tower opened in Gurnee and was followed by the Sky Tower in Santa Clara in 1979.

In 1979, Pictorium, billed as the largest cinematic experience in the world, opened in Carousel Plaza with it's entrance being next to Carousel Gifts.

After Marriott sold the parks, both plazas saw little development until 2000 when the Great America Railway was removed in Santa Clara by Paramount. Following that, Carousel Plaza was merged with Hometown Square to form Celebration Plaza. Hometown Square was decoupled from Celebration Plaza in 2021.

In 2013, Gold Striker was opened in Santa Clara utilizing the land formerly used by Whizzer.

In 2019, the Pictorium in Gurnee was demolished and replaced with Maxx Force.

Former
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