Plain Dealer: Park dismantling coaster for move

It could be they didn't finalize the plans for it until after the park was closed (which is Labor Day isn't it?).

I'd rather they have not said anything than said "Come get your last rides in" and then have it still be there next year when the park opens.

I think this is actually pretty disappointed. X-Flight was really my only reason to visit the ride side as I don't like Dominator for some reason. I really just can't believe this. I agree though that attendance won't go down because of it. Hopefully GL has some plans in mind.

if it goes to CP my new theory is thtat will be placed inside DT's big building so you can do pharos seceret during halloweekends,and get cool flying efects

if it goes to PKI thats cool to (i think)

I just can't see why [most] everyone can't ditch the "enthusiast" mindset, and look beyond the removal of a [pile of stinking crap] single roller coaster, and see that this is what Geauga Lake needs.

They still have 9 roller coasters, including some pretty good wooden coasters and Villain (which hopefully should be in good shape next year or 2) so, that really should fit the bill. When it was SFO/SfWoA, it tried way too hard to be a competitor of CP, and it failed miserably at it. Geauga Lake needs to get back to what it does best, and that's being a small-ish traditional-ish family amusement park.

-Josh

I've been saying all along that GL needed to downsize, but I just really don't like the decision to remove X-Flight. One, that was the one coaster in the park I actually liked. Two, I don't know why they would remove the newest, most popular coaster, when there are plenty of other coasters that by being removed could save the park a lot of money.

I almost feel as a SP holder that this is a slap in the face from CF. Taking one of the few good coasters left and moving it. In a few years I probably will come to see that this is what GL needs overall, but I think people needed to know this was the transformation they were looking for before buying their season passes. As while this is probably good overall, its not anything that I am pleased with.

e x i t english said:
I just can't see why [most] everyone can't ditch the "enthusiast" mindset, and look beyond the removal of a [pile of stinking crap] single roller coaster, and see that this is what Geauga Lake needs.
[/most]

I couldn't agree more. I know I sure won't miss X-Flight! They might as well remove Head Spin along with it, and totally redo that whole end of the park.

Has anyone else here ridden Stealth at PGA and then Borg at Carowinds? I rode the later in its inaugural year at PC and Stealth in its last year at PGA. I noticed a huge difference. The capacity was better, the ride looked a lot better, the theming was in tip-top shape, and the location in the center of the park was impecable! I see a recurrance of this situation coming next year.

Jeff said:
The ride isn't going to be replaced. They need less rides at GL, not more. Six Flags tried to build the park into the next Great Adventure and it was never going to achieve that kind of attendance.

It did 2.7 million in 2001- and that was a transition year.
*** Edited 11/22/2006 5:27:24 PM UTC by Tilt-a-Whirl***

Heres the link to a Plain Dealer article that seemed to add a bit more.

http://www.cleveland.com/business/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/geauga/1164189192118180.xml&coll=2

They actually quoted a post I made on another site near the end.

This is dissapointing to hear although they do need to start clearing out some of the rides and rebuilding in a more organized method. X-Flight was a big reason on why I went this last year. It was my first time going since I was in grade school. Hopefully they move it to MiA. I'd like to see them start building up the other parks more to spread out the crowds. If CF is going to have x number of guest what does it matter if 90% are at CP and the others and MiA and GL or if it is more evened out. Regardless they are getting the profits and everyone is happy. CP has smaller crowds, the other parks have better rides and atmospheres then they have before and there is more cross-over between the parks because there is more good word of mouth advertising.

We are excited about the upcoming 2007 season. Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom has a diverse entertainment package that includes 41 rides, including nine roller coasters, live shows, kids' areas, special attractions and the 17.5-acre Wildwater Kingdom outdoor waterpark. Our guests will have plenty to see and do next summer.

We have added more than $30 million in capital improvements to Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom in the last three years. In 2005, the park introduced Wildwater Kingdom. Last summer, the $5 million Tidal Wave Bay, a 30,000 square-foot wave pool, was added to the facility.

Is it just me, or do they sound a trifle defensive?

I don't view it as a slap in the face, just an issue of concern, especially considering all the other dry rides they've removed lately.

Either way, I'm still going next year. X-Flight ws never the reason I visited anyway. Gives me the winds. ;)

Jeff Young said:
I guarantee that it's not going to CP. My guess is Michigan's Adventure. They make the most sense, because Valleyfair is getting a new coaster this year, Worlds of Fun got a new coaster last year, Dorney has had a couple new rides over the past few years, Carowinds already has a flyer, Great Adventure had one and got rid of it, Kings Dominion has a bunch of coasters already, and Canada's Wonderland has a Zamperla flyer. Seems like Michigan's Adventure, it is.

Except you left out Kings Island. PKI has more attendance than Michigan's Adventure to justify that type of move, but you never know.

I actually think PKI has a bit too much attendance for X-Flight. Even at GL you could wait 20 minutes for it on an empty day, and PKI has over three times the attendance.

Maybe the ride will move to PKI with the return of a third train?
Eh, just a thought...

Well, there are two things about that. One, I believe the third train was gutted for parts quite a while ago, so they may almost have to buy a whole new train. Second, I think X-Flight was similar to Mantis and Top Thrill Dragster in the respect that running less trains, in this case two, is more effective capacity wise.

On second thought, you're probably right. My gut feeling still says PKI will be XF's new home. We'll see, I guess.

Well, I never waited for X Flight more than fifteen minutes unless there was a mechanical problem. And, that was in the busy season.
*** Edited 11/22/2006 8:16:56 PM UTC by Coasterfury***

^ Somehow I doubt that. Even when the station was empty with a 1 or 2 train wait, the line was still at least 15 minutes. During busy season, I'm sure there was more than a station full of people.

I don't think I ever saw it run both loading stations. If it were at a higher capacity park, that would be all they'd need to do to increase the capacity.

I may be wrong, but I thought there was a reason why they didn't run both sides. Something broke, or got hit by lightning, or something like that.