Woodstock’s Express is a steel family coaster tucked into the Planet Snoopy section of California’s Great America in Santa Clara, California. Built by Intamin, the ride has a surprisingly long history that stretches back decades before it ever wore its current Peanuts-themed livery.
The coaster originally opened in 1984 as Scooby’s Ghoster Coaster at Hanna-Barbera Land in Spring, Texas, before being relocated to California’s Great America in 1987. Over the years it cycled through several identities, including Blue Streak and Green Slime Mine Car, before settling into its current Woodstock theme in 2010.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: California’s Great America
- Manufacturer: Intamin AG
- Opened: 1987 (relocated; originally built 1984)
- Height: about 36 feet
- Top speed: about 25 mph
- Length: about 1,300 feet
- Inversions: 0
The Ride Experience
Woodstock’s Express is built for younger riders and first-timers, with a modest chain lift, gentle drops, and sweeping turns rather than big airtime or inversions. The single train carries riders two across for a quick, approachable loop around the Planet Snoopy area, with a ride lasting a little over two minutes.
Riders must be at least 40 inches tall when accompanied by an adult, or 46 inches to ride alone, making it one of the more accessible coasters for families visiting the park with young children.
A Coaster With a Long History
Few kiddie coasters have had as many names as this one. Before becoming Woodstock’s Express in 2010, the ride operated as Blue Streak and later Green Slime Mine Car, reflecting changing park themes over its decades at the site.
Its roots go back even further to 1984, when it debuted at Hanna-Barbera Land in Texas as Scooby’s Ghoster Coaster, before the entire ride structure was relocated to California’s Great America in 1987.
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Woodstock’s Express FAQs
How tall do you have to be to ride Woodstock’s Express?
Riders must be at least 40 inches tall when accompanied by an adult, or 46 inches to ride without an adult.
Who manufactured Woodstock’s Express?
The coaster was built by Intamin AG, a Swiss-based ride manufacturer.
Has Woodstock’s Express always had this name?
No. The ride has been renamed several times, including Blue Streak and Green Slime Mine Car, before becoming Woodstock’s Express in 2010.
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Photo: Jeremy Thompson / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.