Geauga Lake Love

I am kind of dissapointed that so many threads in this board portray Geauga Lake in such a bad light, sure the park does have some issues but it has come a long way. So I started this thread as a positive Geauga lake thread.

My wife and I live in Toledo, and before Holloweekends started we had actually been to Geauga lake more times than Cedar Point. Yes we drove past Cedar Point on several occasions to go to Geauga Lake why...

1. Less crowded, you have got to love the short lines.

2. Classic rides and a sense of nostalgia, Big Dipper is a classic the likes of which is no longer built anymore.

3. Wooden Coasters, Wolf Bobs is running better than ever, and if Villain is properly retracked this year they will have three great woodies (including the Dipper) to brag about next year.

4. Included water park, there is nothing more relaxing than floating around the Lazy River over and over again in the mid-afternoon, and the line for the funnel slide on off days are pretty short.

Cedar Fair has done a lot to turn this park around since buying it. I think that we need to be patient and focus on some of the good parts of the park, and give the management some time to turn things around. The park is already noticeably more clean and running at a greater capacity. I hope to see good things for this park in the future.

The management for Six Flags Worlds of Adeventure was horrible, at least Cedar Fair bought the park out and made the park a whole lot better. Changing Sea World in to Wildwater Kingdom was a great transformation.

I like geauga lake also. I do however like to see

longer lines. This means more people are coming and

means more money being spent. This may lead to

maybe a new rollercoaster if enough money is coming in. I did read on screamscape that geauga lake may

be adding more to wildwater kingdom for 2007 and

adding a coasters restaurant. Maybe a new flat ride

for 2008 to be put in the spot of mr. hydes's nasty

fall.
*** Edited 10/4/2006 11:21:17 PM UTC by Magnum Lantz***

All they need is a better signature ride. If you have noticed about all Cedar Fair parks have a Magnum type ride. Even though it would take a while to pay it off.

Actually alot of people think Big Dipper or Dominator are their signature rides. But I agree with you. We need something that sets us apart from every other park in the world.

Nearly everything that i loved about GLP was destroyed starting in 2000. And CF isn't left out of this comment.

I can saw that i still love the Dipper. The finest wooden specimine in the state.

I can also say that i love... hmmm... i'm trying here. Nope i'm drawing a blank. I suppose if i liked waterparks at all i would also like the new waterpark. And i kind of think that the old carousel is nifty. And the Twister ice cream stand always brings back memories. But i have to say that as i scoll through the old thoughts about the park, most of those places only exist IN my memory... and i love them all.
*** Edited 10/5/2006 3:42:20 AM UTC by gener***

I will give some Geauga Lake Love. Big time Love!

I went earlier this year when Cedar Fair offered the free admission for Cedar Point passholders (actually meant to make a thread trip report, but didn't).

It was absolutely awesome. I loved the park. Coasters were sweet and non-coasters were awesome as well.

Waterpark was also great.

Don't hate on Geauga Lake, congratulate!

I will admit I went to geauga lake once this year for every three or four times I went to CP. (that's alot actually, like 5 or 6 visits) Living in toledo, this means I have to drive right PAST cedar point to get there. Yet I find myself going again and again! I love GL, it's such a nice break from CP that I really love to go. I always try to bring other people with me, and I've made believers out of most of them.

The first time I went to Geauga Lake, it was Six Flags Worlds of Adventure, at that time, although a messy park, I thought Six Flags was onto something for that side of Ohio. I live near Toledo, and driving past Cedar Point doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

After Cedar Fair Purchased it, I immediately thought, "Hey we may have two great parks in Ohio now, I'll give it a year or two."

I went for the Cedar Point Season Pass Special, and I was amazed. Big Dipper was actually one of my favorite rides. The park was Clean. And I even had a really nice ride host on X-Flight, very polite.

Now I'm looking into the Maxx Pass Plus so me and my family can go a couple of times next year.

Great Job Geauga Lake!

I guess I just don't feel the love that you guys do. It's not the place it used to me, in a very bad way.

For God's sake, the last thing they need is another roller coaster.

I've been there under the old Geauga Lake, Six Flags and the New Geauga Lake. I think the park is back on track again to be what it was in the past, A Great palce to take the family. I do admit the paths need some work to get you around the park, but the core parts to make this a place that the family can enjoy is already there. I am a coaster nut, but my wife isn't. It doesn't pay for just the 2 of us to visit CP because of the lines for the coasters. I don't feel right waiting in line while she waits on me. We do visit Cedar Downs and a few other flats for her, but the day is a bust do to wait times. GL was great due to the coasters for me, the included water park for her and a flats for us to finish out the night.

Geauga Lake love comes easy for me. I have been going to the park every year since 1976. I even work there for a summer in 1985. I have seen the park go through many changes in those years, some good and some bad. When Six Flags first took the park over I thought it would be a good change, but alas that was not true. They tried to take a true family oriented park and turn it into a thrill seekers delight to try to compete with Cedar Point. The one thing they missed was the fact that Geauga Lake had a niche market that included the blue collar workers from the northeastern part of Ohio and Western Pa. They further gave Geauga Lake an identity crsis with the purchase of Sea World. These two parks as seperate entities gave families a destination poitnt that allowed them to enjoy two unique experinces in the same location. The addition of the new roller coasters on the ride side seemed like a good idea, but it lacked planning that would allow the park to have a better atmosphere.

Now that Cedar Fair is running the show it is already visible that there are changes taking place yet again. The new water park is a fantastic addition, again allowing families to enjoy different experiences at the same location. Taking a park that had serious problems and a major identity crisis and turning it around is not something that takes place over night. In the coming years I believe we will see the park start to thrive again and gain back that niche market that it lost through the 90's.

The area along the back of the park between Raging Wolf Bobs and the waterpark would make a great area for picinic pavillions, so that companies could have there picnics there. They could provide a catering service back there for these picnics and other events. I would also like to see them put in an amphitheater over towards the back of the water park. this would allow them to hold concerts and other events throughout the season. I have stated before on here that I feel it is important that Cedar Fair look at Geauga Lake as a great family destination and look at unigue flats and other one-of-a-kind rides that other parks don't usually have. The old water park would be a great location for a Wild Mouse coaster that is kid friendly due to its proximity to the kids area.

Geauga Lake is a rare park in today's high priced, high thrill amusement industry and it is important that these types of parks do everything possible to remain alive and thriving.

Amen to that. Ohio's lost two parks this year alone -- Erieview and Wyandot Lake. We can't afford to lose any others. I think everybody on this web site who can should make a special effort and try to get to Geauga Lake at least once next year, to show support for a beloved, old favorite.

e x i t english said:
I guess I just don't feel the love that you guys do. It's not the place it used to me, in a very bad way.

For God's sake, the last thing they need is another roller coaster.

Who said anythng about a new coaster?

^

Speedfreak 2007 said:
All they need is a better signature ride. If you have noticed about all Cedar Fair parks have a Magnum type ride. Even though it would take a while to pay it off.

oh sorry didnt see that :-P

I think Cedar Fair has done a fantastic job as well with Geauga Lake. In My opinion, the Ride side of the park is fine, but what they could do since the old waterpark isn't around anymore is they could move Head Spin. I see this as a good idea because it would make way for a new flatt ride in the middle of that part of the park. I'm not saying Geauga Lake should add a Flat ride like Skyhawk, but something. I just think it would be cool just driving down the road and seeing 2 coasters; Head Spin and Steel Venom. OH I forgot one X-Flight! I know this comment I'm going to make sounds stupid but here it goes. What if they changed the Big Dippers Layout a little bit where it turns to the right going towards the former waterpark and had more hills. I know Big Dipper is a classic, but I just thought that would be cool.

Now as far as building a 200 foot hyper coaster. Cedar Fair should just take their time with adding this type of coaster. I would rather see them put in a coaster like Disaster Transport in the next 2 years. I know that sounds silly too, but lets face it it's a great coaster for the family. One ride I wish they'd bring back is the Witches Wheel. Geauga Lake used to have one but they dismantled it and never brought it back after the Six Flags Days. Here's a thought I had too. What if we could bring a ride in like Chaos to Geauga Lake? I think that would neat addition and not cost much.

Shawn Meyer said:

Now as far as building a 200 foot hyper coaster. Cedar Fair should just take their time with adding this type of coaster. I would rather see them put in a coaster like Disaster Transport in the next 2 years. I know that sounds silly too, but lets face it it's a great coaster for the family. One ride I wish they'd bring back is the Witches Wheel. Geauga Lake used to have one but they dismantled it and never brought it back after the Six Flags Days. Here's a thought I had too. What if we could bring a ride in like Chaos to Geauga Lake? I think that would neat addition and not cost much.

I agree Shawn, there is no rush to put in a hyper or any other large scale coaster at this time. The Disaster Transport concept though isn't too far off. The addition of a family oriented, yet larger, coaster would be great.

Rides like Chaos are a perfect fit for GL. I would also like to see them put in a free fall like "Pitfall" at Kennywood.

The only thing I don't agree with is Big Dipper. As the saying goes..."If it ain't broke, don't fix it"
*** Edited 10/5/2006 5:36:46 PM UTC by ROLLERCOASTERPSYCHO67***

If they put an Intamin 2nd gen freefall in the old Mr. Hyde's spot, I'd be there a lot more than twice a year, I can guarantee you that. :)

Especially if it's a small one like Hellavator at SFKK.

Live from sunny Wadsworth as well:

That would be an outstading addition to the park, Exit. That is just the type of uniqueness GL needs to seperate itself from the rest.