Now what happens to Geauga Lake?

They need to spruce up the 50s diner and the 50s stand by the $10 and under shop. They both are in desperate need of a paint job. The 50s stand is rather faded and doesn't look like all the theming elements are intact.

They don't call it crap corner for nothing....

I went to Geauga Lake numerous times in the 1980s and it was a well run park. Every concession stand was open and I remember large crowds on every visit. 1992 was my last year at old GL. Flash forward to 2004, the last time I went. I never experienced the Six Flags nightmare so I didn't know what to expect. It still looked like the old park in some ways but you could tell it was a little run down.

I did notice some small changes CF was making. It looked like things were getting better. The crowds seemed smaller though, you could tell.

I know when I come to GL I'm spoiled by Cedar Point. But all the recent things- No monorail, skyscraper not working, not getting wet on Grizzly Run (I got soaked in 04), too high prices, closed stands, no ferry boats, etc. make me wonder.

I may be too impatient for change but the GL of today isn't the one of the 1980s, and they didn't have as much back then.

Oh, and 3 roller coasters plus 2 other rides were down during my last visit.

I was wondering everybody's opinion. If cedar fair

ever decided to close geauga lake,because of not

making the profit they were wanting-which rides do

you think would be relocated to other cedar fair parks

and which ones do you think would be sold? And,what

would become of the property? I certainly hope this

never happens,but who knows?

I don't want this to happen, but I think CF will turn GL into a super water park and get rid of all the rides and the BD and the Dominator will be relocated to CP.

^ You may not be far off.

That would be terrible.

Gemini Fan, The funny thing about your observation is that the attendance in the 80s wasn't as high as it is now. The parks is much bigger now both in size and ride capacity.

I can't imagine the dismantling of GLP as an amusement park. It makes even less sense to me for the Big Dipper to be moved to CP where there's a ride that's essentially the same. A waterpark in Ohio has a season even more limited to the one they have now. The upside of managing a full amusement park and the potential profits therein far outweigh what a stand alone waterpark may have. CF has a model to look at for this park in its successful operation for about 100 years. Should they follow that example there is no reason to think there is a need to close the amusement park.

I think that for the 2007 season they should put in new drop tower, like power tower where the old waterpark was, then relocate headspin their, and then put some flatrides from happy harbor in the 50's area, and then add onto the waterpark where happy harbor was.

I like Villians Idea. Since they torn down Mr. Hydes nasty fall, there is a big empty spot there. Now I don't know about relocating Head Spin, but if they added something in the former waterpark area, they could move it along by the road where the old wave pool used to be. Now I've mentioned this before, but I like Big Dipper, but they should rebuild part of it. What I mean by that is add newer controls, and get rid of the style from the 50s and 60s. Another would be add newer and better trains. You go up and down those hills you feel like your jumping out of your seat. Now the Monorail. I don't see that ride being around next year, unless they put in a newer kind of monorail and retrack it a different route. I think one reason they closed it is because it goes over the old waterpark, and there is nothing to see over there anymore. I also agree with the food prices. I know this is an amusement park and we should expect to pay somewhat high prices, but I paid like $15 something for a meal at one of the sit down restuarants at Geauga Lake.

Doesn't Geauga Lake have some ridiculously low height restriction from the city?

The area around Steel Venom has a height requirement of 210 I believe it is.

Since GL falls in 2 munincipalities, aren't there two different height restrictions?

I also agree that they need to redo the cars on the Big Dipper. I appreciate the extra padding that is present, however the lap bar needs to be able to lock in more than one position because most times if you don't brace yourself properly that can be somewhat of a painful ride, not to mention that you can almost bounce out of your seat.

Those are the safest kind of lap bars, and what makes the ride a classic.

What i don't appreciate, however, are the bolts sticking out under the padding in front of your knees. I'm only 6' tall, and I barely have any leg room as it is, top it off with the business end of a bolt stabbing you in the kneecap, and you've got pain city. I can't imagine how someone who's over 6' 3" feels.

I can barely ride the big dipper. I am 6'6". I love that ride, I just wish i fit in the train a little better.

Shawn Meyer, you should be drawn and quartered just for speaking that thought. The last thing we need is for CF to get any more bright ideas.

Yes GLP is in two municipalities. I still don't know if Aurora has gotten around to setting a height limit on the old Sea World property, but the part of old GLP that's in Aurora (from the first aid to the ballroom and the turn around of the Dipper) has a low height. Like under 60 feet or so.

Bainbridge has a staggered restriction starting high along 43 and stepping back to the rail tracks. Batman was built by having the coaster set down on the lake where it is below "grade". So there is an exception because the relative height isn't that high. The end issue is that GLP has never lost a case where they challanged Bainbridge for height variations. First Townships are notoriously weak in defending themselves. Second GLP was around a lot longer than the residential property. Height will not be an issue for some time.

Oh, one more thought. GLP also had success because it was the most affordable entertainment venue in the area. The cost of food items as late at 1999 we half that of Blossom or the Jake. 66% the cost of CP. So not only was it less to get in, a family or one with less means were able to get noticably more for their dollar at the park. Not true now. And this is an issue across the board. SFI priced their base customers out of the park, and they did it on purpose!
*** Edited 9/15/2006 9:00:23 PM UTC by gener***

If I were playing RCT w/ GLP:

-convert the old waterpark/turtle beach to a new boardwalk themed area. Bring over the flats from the south side, add a mad mouse coaster, add more midway games and some water trikes and pedalboats. Also maybe add upcharge attractions like a batting cage, VR machines, and maybe even some side show circus freak type attractions to really go along w/ the theme.

-add another drop ride in the place of Mr Hydes. doesnt matter what kind

-Thunderhawk has an identity crisis. The name is supposed to be some kind of airplane. The theming is old west. The colors look like it should be called "Citrus Grove Massacre". Though this coaster is horridly rough, kids like it. Just give it some kind of identity.

-The waterpark has the beginnings to be a great waterpark. Definately needs atleast one more new tech waterslide such as a masterblaster. Another set of speed slides wouldnt hurt (like the old Stingray Slides). Also add a curvy raft slide complex. Why dont they move over all the old slides? So what if they are old people will slide them, the more the better. For the love of god that wave pool is probably the weakest wave pool in existance. I make bigger waves in the water when I fart.

-Consider trashing the log ride. It is an eyesore. Construct a new log ride over on the south side where the flats are- one that utilizes the lake in some way. Also move Shipwreck Falls over to this area.

-It has been mentioned before, and I know Cedar Fair doesnt do animals, but some kind of aquarium would be a great idea IMO.

-Transportation is obviously a huge question mark. I know I will miss the monorail, it would be nice to somehow fix and expand it.

-Add more picnic pavillions on the south side. Let peeps bring in picnics. Add another restaurant or maybe in indoor foodcourt w/ different varieties inside? Offer more values, more coupons, and more combo meals or family meal deals.

-Whoever said tearing down the Big Dipper is a huge idiot. That is probably the best ride in the park, not mention the best woody in Ohio. It is also one of the most popular because all of the kiddies we are trying to lure into the park ride it. If GLP does anything else to this ride, I will firebomb the whole park

-When GLP regains its former glory 5 years or so down the line, it is finally time to add that hyper we have been waiting ten years for- the one that goes into the lake and is the longest coaster in the world.

ps BRING BACK THE TROUT POND WOOOO!