Great America introduces chaperone policy starting this weekend
"The safety of our guests and associates has always been our top priority at California's Great America."
Those heading to California’s Great America in Santa Clara this weekend should be prepared for a new chaperone policy.
As of Saturday, April 22, park officials say, “All guests ages 15 years old or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old in order to be admitted to, or remain in, the park after 4 p.m. local time to close,” according to a post on the amusement park’s website, cagreatamerica.com.
The change is being made to address safety issues.
“The safety of our guests and associates has always been our top priority at California’s Great America,” according to a post on the park’s Twitter page, https://twitter.com/CAGreatAmerica. “Over the past two years, there have been increasing incidents of unruly and inappropriate behavior across our industry and at other major entertainment venues.
“We are committed to keeping California’s Great America a place where families and friends come together to enjoy a one-of-a-kind park full of fun experiences and immersive entertainment.”
PARK UPDATE 4/20/2023: California's Great America will implement a chaperone policy beginning Saturday, April 22, 2023.
For more information, visit https://t.co/qLOjJovR5M pic.twitter.com/LZndCgr87w
— California's Great America (@CAGreatAmerica) April 20, 2023
Here are some of the details:
- Chaperone must show valid government-issued photo ID, showing date of birth, upon entry.
- The chaperone may accompany no more than 10 guests, ages 15 or younger, per day.
- The chaperone must accompany the party during entry into the park and then remain inside the park during the entire visit.
- Chaperone must remain available by phone throughout stay at the park.
“We believe these changes will help ensure that California’s Great America continues to have a positive atmosphere where generations of families and friends can gather for a day of safe fun and good food,” according to a post on the park’s website. “Millions of guests have counted on us for exactly that, and we will continue to deliver on that promise for generations to come.”
California’s Great America is owned by Cedar Fair, the Sandusky, Ohio-headquartered entertainment company that operates amusement parks in several states. The company also introduced a chaperone policy at Southern California’s Knott’s Berry Farm after a number of fights broke out last year. The policy at Knott’s impacts all visitors 18 and under.
The tweet that Great America sent out April 20 about the policy was greeted by favorable responses from people on the social media platform.
— 1MMiller (@1SignAtATimeYo) April 20, 2023
— chefsloth (@chefsloth2) April 20, 2023