GL 666

06/06/06 My friend Suzi and I headed to GL. We both live in the metro Detroit area and decided to go to GL rather than Michigan Adventure. She...IS NOT a coaster enthusiast. CP would have been out of the question. She will ride flats and enjoys water parks. For about the same price and driving distance GL won out. What I thought to be very strange was the fact that there were no billboards on 80/90 about the park (none that I noticed anyway) we stopped at one of the rest/food areas. While I was waiting for my friend Suzi to get her Venti coffee from starbucks: I decided to get a GL brochure from the info kiosk. I looked and surprise surprise plenty of Cedar Point brochures not one Geauga Lake to be found. I wasn't quite sure as to what exit to get off. We called the park and had a tough time to get someone to respond. Second call success. As we departed the turpike a very helpful Turpike employee gave great directions. As we aproached the main street to get to the park we observed an old Six Flags sign. Time Warp. Suzi got a call from her sister as we drove past the Six Flags sign. Suzi mention to her sister that we were heading to Geauga Lake her sister asked if we were going to stop at Sea World. Suzi informed her sister that Sea World was gone and replaced with Wild Water kingdom. Confused.. we all were. we finally approached a fork in the road it had to Geauga Lake signs pointing in two opposite directions. The sign could of simply said amusement park and water park. We choose the right direction. As we approached the first enterence it was gated/closed if we would have turned around we would have missed the other enterence aroung the corner. As we approached the parking lot I said to Suzi do you feel as though this is National Lampoo's vacation because the parking lot looked as deserted as Walley World. As we approahed the ticket booth we had to walk up and down aisles until we found one that was open. Got the tickets and entered. I was excited to go to the water park first time. Looked Great. We had a great time on all of the attractions. Suzi said that she had a great time as well. But, made a suggestion to go to Red Oaks water Park that is right by our homes. The point is as beautiful and as well run the water park was it needed more attractions. Suzi had read the GL web site and was a little disappointed that the water side wasn't the 56 acres that was mentioned on the site. I had to explain that the park hadn't completed the second phase of the water side. Even though we didn't go to the ride side. She had a good point. She said that it's a little strange to have a defunt water park on the ride side and instead of buying new slides for the phase two the park should of revamped the slide on the ride side and have added then to wild water kingdom. Point taken. Jeff nailed it when he mentioned in another post that GL problem was a marketing one. I couldn't agree more. GL needs to come up will billboards better signage brochures in rest areas and advertise in the Detroit area. The park is great and has so much potential. It's not user freindly from a driving stand point. The park isn't off a express ramp it's hard to find. You really have to pay attention when you get off of the turnpike.

At the Q&A at CoasterEXT, Bill Spehn mentioned that the existing water slides on the park side would likely still be reused. In addition, a lot of what is over there now, was relocated from the park side.

From the tourist info aspect. At every Ohio rest stop I have been to this year (3 different ones) I have seen Geauga Lake Brochures. They may have just been out at the one you stopped at. However, Bill also addressed the poor signage and said it was something that would definatly be addressed.

Someone also mentioned the lone remainding Six Flags sign and he looked suprised. I wouldn't be suprised if it is gone very soon.

I dont mean to sound critical, but in retrospect, I would sugest looking at the directions on the parks website when you going to Any park. Now, if your just doing general traveling and have no perticular plans that could be difficult. But, it sounds like the turnpike staff and Geauga Lake Customer service were helpful.

Maybe this is a silly question, but once you were at the park, did you enjoy yourself?

*** Edited 6/7/2006 11:40:10 AM UTC by Jason Hammond***

I had a great time. I just wan't to inform people of my driving experience that's all. That why I didn't put this post as Trip report. I left the driving instruction from yahoo maps at home. opps! It's great that Bill is addressing these concerns. I just thought after owning the park for it's third season. Alot of what I was saying would have already been addressed.