Description: In May, 1972, actor Fess Parker of Davy Crockett fame announced plans for a huge theme park complex in Santa Clara, California. Eventually, the Marriott Corporation joined the effort. Parker later departed, while Marriott continued with what wa the corporation's largert project
Brief description: Author Steven W. Wilson is the Northern California regional representative of the American Coaster Enthusiasts. A lifelong amusement park fan, he is devoted to amusement park documentary photography and historic preservation. His collaboration with the park in 2002 on a documentary for the 25th anniversary of the Tidal Wave roller coaster led to his founding of GREATAMERICAparks.com, which celebrates the history of the two parks built as Marriott's Great America in Santa Clara, California, and Gurnee, Illinois.