Geauga Lake Rocks!

Trip Report: 09/04/05
My brother and I finally made our first trip to Geauga Lake. Small crowd and virtually no wait for anything. It was a bit cloudy, but stayed at about 72 degrees the entire day. We arrived about 10:30am and we went to the closest coaster, Head Spin. I liked this one as I had only been on the inverted boomerang coasters. I thought it was pretty good. I would say it was a 7 out of 10. Next, we went over to Steel Venom and rode toward the back of the train. Pretty good launch and freefall sensation. The holding brake was not being used, but still fun. I would give it a 7 as I feel that Wicked Twister is a little better and I prefer the double twist. After that, we headed on over to X Flight. This was the only coaster that I was actually nervous about. I was starting to get apprehensive when they leaned you back. I loved this coaster and I think it’s a 10. I don’t see how people say that flyers are boring. There’s nothing like that sensation of flying. My two favorite elements were the loop and double in-line twist.

After X Flight, we walked over to catch a lap on Thunderhawk and Dominator. I liked Thunderhawk and we both agreed that the best element is the first inversion (not sure what it’s called). I liked the pacing and inversions. Didn’t find it to be rough at all. I was surprised at how quiet the chain lift was. I thought it was an 8. Next, on to Dominator. I was looking forward to this one because not only is it a B&M, but it was my first floorless experience. This coaster rocked! The first drop in to that huge loop was awesome. Very fast coaster as well. I liked the interlocking corkscrews at the end. This coaster was definitely a 10. My only complaint is at the entrance, there is a really cool Dominator sign, but you could barely see it for the tarp in front of it. We went to the Raging Wolf Bobs after Dominator. I have to say that this was the surprise coaster of the whole trip. This is a good example of why some smaller woodies are better than their larger counterparts. We especially liked two of the turns that start out wide and quickly get narrower. Definitely a 9. After that, we went to the Villain. This one was a pretty good coaster. Had some good air time. I thought it was an 8.

After that, it was on to the Double Loop. Nice pre-lift tunnel. Classic Arrow coaster. I would give it a 6. By the time we rode nearly every coaster, except Big Dipper, it was 12:30pm and we stopped for lunch. Can’t remember the name of the food stand, but we got a rather large hot dog and soda for seven bucks and change. Pretty good hot dog. Afterwards, we went over to the Big Dipper. I was ready for another wood coaster. This would be our only lap on this coaster for the day as it beat the crap out of me. When we got to the bottom of the first drop, I literally felt my spine compressing. I basically held myself up out of the seat to stop any further beatings. I couldn’t wait for this one to end.

Next, we took a break out in the parking lot. We got our hand stamp to return. When we started to head back in, I doused myself with another round of sun block. Much to my dismay, it had smeared my hand stamp and was worried about getting back in. I dug up my original ticket and intended to show them that I had been there. Went to the re-entry gate and the two ladies working we really nice and didn’t give me any grief over re-entering. I offered to show them my receipt and they said they didn’t need to see it. That’s when we met a higher up employee. Not sure if he was an area manager or supervisor, but he noticed my Dragster polo shirt. He was telling me that he was at CP the previous day and had just rode Dragster. We told him that it was our first trip there and he said, well, we’re no Cedar Point. I proceeded to tell him that we were indeed enjoying GL and were not expecting a CP type of place. We went on our way and proceeded to re-ride all of the coasters. Throughout the day, we sneaked in rides on Texas Twister, which I was surprised by. It does so much more than Tomb Raider:The Ride. My brother didn’t care for the self-adjusting restraints as it was a little too tight for him and hurt his shoulder. We went to the Haybayler for a spin. I liked it that I had seen these before, but never in a barn. The last flat we rode was the Time Warp. Pretty neat flat and we were laughing and having a good time. I won’t bore you with how many laps we got on each coaster. Overall, I really liked the look of Geauga Lake. Nice theming and everything looked clean and well kept. Of course, you’ll always be able to find a little something that could be touched up here or there, but nothing major. And even though this was my first trip, it certainly won’t be my last.

I think that was me you saw that looked like a higher up, though I am actually just a red tag (former blue tag). I am a Guest Relations rep, and as part of my job, I fill in at just about all the Admissions positions (Makes my day more exciting then it was when I was a blue tag in rides:).)

Anyway, I am glad you had fun at the park.

-Sam

Well, even though I didn't know who you were, it was nice meeting you. As you can see, we had a really good day. I will be back for sure. I will probably go again next year after the final phase of the waterpark is finished to try it out.

Was Villain really rough? It used to be smooth but then last year it got really rough and it was painful. Sad, its such a good ride.

I rode it this year and man I thought I was going to have to be taken to the park hospital because ouch it hurt. I was however sitting in the very back so that might be one reason. By the way dude can you describe your screen name?

By the way, that "higher up" was lying to you. The Dragster was closed all day Saturday Sept. 3.

Lying to me or someone else?

A mullet is a really ugly haircut, not that she has one, its just one of my sayings.

Shawn, I think he means lying to me about riding Dragster on that Saturday. As it turns out, it was our own Avalanche Sam, who is a Guest Relations Rep. He was very nice and I am doubting that he lied to me. What purpose would that serve?

I forgot in my TR that I did take a lap on the monorail. Really cool considering I had never been on one that old. *** Edited 9/10/2005 5:44:56 PM UTC by Coasterfury***

Sorry. I guess I was being nitpickey. The Dragster was indeed closed all day 9/3/2005, but maybe he was referring to a different day.

Yes Villan has gotten very rough even towards the front. The Big Dipper also got rougher this season. But the Raging Wolf Bobs rocks now that they have done work to it!

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Cory Marshall
*** Edited 9/11/2005 12:33:27 AM UTC by TTD420atCp***

I haven't really rode Raging Wolf Bobs this season. I guess I've been afraid I'd fall out of it like in the past....lol. I'm going to Geauga Lake again before the park closes for the season. Also I will try to make it to Cedar Point one more time. And If Dragster is still down when I go, I will ride the Mighty Iron Dragon a couple times.

I was there that Thursday, and not Saturday. That would mean I was there September 1st. So yes, I was referring to another day, and not the day before.

Anyway, I am glad you liked the park. Just don't forget to come to Oktoberfest next weekend. It ROCKS!

-Sam

Geauga Lake does rock now, the only thing that makes the day short at Geauga Lake is the lines. The lines are too short!! I mean don't get me wrong I like walking on stuff, but waiting in line gives you the anticipation of what your going to do when you get on the ride. For example when I wait in line for Millennium Force, I sit there and think about what pictures I should take of the other rides. Another example I think about is what should I scream out loud when I get to the very top of Millennium Force. A lot of times I scream HOLY **** out loud. Once the ride Operator asks how was your ride I like to be like LARRY THE CABLE GUY and say get-r-done. Of course this is after I scream out loud of how the ride was then I'll scream that out.

I also noticed with the way the queue lines are placed, there are many great places to take pics. Next time, I am for sure going to take a camera with me.

thunder hawk bangs your head around to much, who thinks so too?

I thought Thunderhawk was smooth. Hi, have you been on T-hawk since CF took over?

That ride I thought was smooth as Glass. As Jim Carrey said. It's Good. IT"S GOOOOOOD!!!!!!

I actually agree that Thunderhawk bangs your head around too much, especially compared to the ultra smooth Raptor. I knew something wasn't right when I saw that extra layer of padding added to the OTSRs.

You have to keep your head out a little bit so you don't get banged around. I don't know what to think of this years new colors. I kind of miss that Teal and Red track. To me Thunderhawks colors should have been maybe light grey with the track color it is now.