Seeking Advice for Our GL Trip Summer 2006

Hey pointbuzzers! We are going to GL this summer (probably July) and I haven't been there in 20 years, so I know I won't recognize the place. Last time there was in the mid 80's with my high school buddies now me and my family buddies. Four of us are over 48" and one in the 46" category. How are the new coasters (I think that they added 7-8 since my last time out)? How big of a wait do you think we will have for the flying coaster, floorless (both that are of special interest)? I've heard that the woodies are rough, is this really true? More rough than MS (which I happen to like)? How do the others compare to CP's? I hope the littlest one won't be too bored. Your input would be most appreciated! Thanks!!!

CP-DAD- You will have a great trip to GL! GL has a nice coaster collection, but its certainly not CP. They have a Vekoma SLC, Thunderhawk, which is actually quite enjoyable to me and not all that rough. They have a Boomerang, Head Spin, which is not too rough but isn't all that differant from other boomerangs across the country. If you haven't been on one its a cool experience.

The Six Flags era brought four new coasters. The Villian is a wooden coaster which SF built, and yes it is quite rough. Not SoB level, but much rougher than MS. Steel Venom is another one of the four, and Intamin Impulse. This one has the holding brake which is cool, but I don't think its nearly as good as Wicked Twister. Dominator is a B&M floorless which SF also built. Many love this ride, but it is the bumpiest B&M I've ever been on. It feels like the train is rolling over rust on the track. Still a nice ride. They also have Beaver Land Mine Ride, which is a nice junior coaster.

Raging Wolf Bobs, a wooden coaster, was retracked for this year and is unbelieveably smooth. You will love this one. Double Loop is quite comparable to Corkscrew, and Big Dipper is comparible to Blue Streak (I think Big Dipper gives a really intense and airtime filled ride). X-Flight is their newest, and my favorite at GL. Excellant ride in my opinion, and flying is a great experience.

Recently, the midways on the ride side have been filled with people, but lines don't amount to much at all. Almost all the rides are usually walk on, or a 1-3 train wait. X-Flight is the one exception. Sometimes they will not utilize the dual loading station, and will only run one train. When 2 trains are running the wait could only be 5-10 minutes. When one train is running, I've had to wait 20 minutes. It shouldn't be longer than 20 minutes unless your visiting on some company outing day.

The waterpark is great, and since it is included in admission, I would highly reccommend visiting there. The little one will have plenty to do. They have a large Kidworks Playzone area with many attractions for the little ones, and the waterpark also has some attractions he should enjoy. Kidworks Playzone used to be the old SF Looney Toons Boom Town, so their are many good attractions for younger guests.

You should have a great time. The park looks great, and CF has made it a top-notch park. Villian is very, very rough, but you should enjoy your visit. Hope this helps!

You really will not find that many coasters at Geuaga Lake, but it will still be a fun trip for you.

They have 10, which is more than many parks, they just aren't as good as CP. I still think they are great though.

I was just there a couple of Saturdays ago. Most rides were a walk-on or a single train wait, except for Villian, Dominator, and X-Flight. X-Flight always has a wait due to the horrendous loading times of the incredibly complex flying trains. It is a very fun coaster, though. Dominator always has a wait for the front seat, which I think is well worth it. Villian I can't explain. It's gotten really rough over the years, but the line always at least goes to the bottom of the stairs. Big Dipper's station is always crowded, but that's just because it's small; you can usually be on within a couple of trains. Raging Wolf Bobs has had the front half retracked, and now it's wonderfully smooth. That's always a walk-on. I miss the old PTC trains, but the newest Gerstlauer train looks really good.

The most amazing thing of the trip was that the Vekomas were running better than anything else! I exited X-Flight, Thunderhawk and Head Spin without a need for Asprin! Really! "Smooth as a baby's bottom!" Double loop continues to age very well for an Arrow looper, and is always a walk-on. Steel Venom is fun, especially if you like launches and going forwards and back. The holding brake on the back tower always gets me. Make sure your shoes are on tight, though. My ride got emergency stopped on the last pass because someone's shoe flew off. Wow does that sucker e-stop hard! The only coaster your smallest can ride is Beaver Land Mine Ride, but it is a fun coaster, twisting in and out of itself, and tight turns close to the ground. Plus, it goes around the circuit twice! A bonus for the youngsters.

On our visit, the waterpark was horribly crowded, so we avoided it this year. Hopefully it won't be like that on your trip. It's a very fun waterpark. It warrants a half-day for itself, really. When everyone wants to sit down and cool off, go to the WWK side (take the floating bridge or the walkway by Wolf Bobs, there is now a tram), and see the Robots of Mars 4D movie A very weird cinematic experience) or the Dinosaur Island simulator. The movie runs shows on every hour. Don't forget! 25 cent cotton candy!

Cedar Fair has done a great job of making us forget the terrible days of Six Flags. The park is the cleanest it's been in 6 years, I did not encounter a single rude or surly employee, and they make sure the rides run as safely as possible. You and your family will have a great time at Geauga Lake.

Dominator is not that rough, just in certain places. Riding it every day I can tell daily where the trouble spots are going to be that day. The only real rough part is in the flat spins area, coming out of the first flat spin and into the next one.

If you haven't been there in 20 years, you will have a terrific time! Seconding what Top Thrill 182 said, make sure to get down to Raging Wolf Bobs, the little white woodie visible from Dominator. It's a bit out of the way but well worth it.

Hope you have a great time!

CP-DAD it’s great to hear that you have decided to make a trip back to the park after 20 years. Don’t try to compare Geauga Lake with CP as it is a totally different park. Instead enjoy the many shaded areas and take your time as you will not have long lines for many rides. Lately it seems the midways are full of people but lines still are not very long. Geauga Lake does have ten great coasters none of them break any records, except maybe Dominator, but all are enjoyable. If you enjoy MS than you will not think ANY of the woodies at GL are rough. It is true that Villain is a bit rough but it still give you a great ride – I suggest riding towards the front if your looking for a smoother ride – although my favorite seat is the back. RWB has been completely (not half) re-tracked and is very smooth, Big Dipper is a great classic coaster with tons of airtime. As for the steal coasters Dominator seems to be a bit rougher this year but ONLY if the trains are not full. Beaver Land Mine Ride is a great kiddy coaster, Steel Venom is an Intamin Impulse that packs a great punch (I tend to favor this ride over its cousin to the south), Headspin is your typical Vekoma boomerang (a bit rough but rideable), Double Loop is the smoothest Arrow you will ever ride, ThunderHawk is a Vekoma SLC that is also very smooth, X-Flight is a must ride but if you go on a weekend it could have a longer wait than the other rides.

As far as height restrictions Big Dipper, Beaver Land Mine Ride, Double Loop, Head Spin, Raging Wolf Bobs, and Villain are 48” – Steel Venom is 52” – Dominator, Thunderhawk, and X-Flight are 54”. I think you will have a lot of fun in Kidworks Playzone. An often overlooked ride there is the Rocket Sled Ride – this is a must do with the kids! Geauga Lake is more of a family oriented park and there is no way your kids will be bored.

There are several ways to get to the water park Wild Water Kingdom on the other side of the park. One is to actually park on that side, take the floating bridge, or the new trams behind Raging Wolf Bobs. I prefer parking there just because it’s easier to carry towels and stuff. If you go to WWK on a weekend and its hot it will be packed – but not so packed you cant enjoy yourself. You absolutely have to go there either way. I think it is the best water park in the area – I would love to know what you think.

Check out this site for more information including some pictures you may remember from 20 years ago! Hope this helps.

I feel the need for aspirin just thinking about the Boomerang. For some reason, these rides just never agreed with me.

Word of warning: the Rocket Sled ride will get you WET. Particularly your lower half, and especially if like me you have some extra mass down under.

When I went last year, Raging Wolf Bobs turned out to be the surprise of the trip. A fun little coaster with two significant turns that get tighter as you get around them. I loved X-Flight, never waited more than 20mins, Dominator is really good and I was surprised at how fast it goes, Headspin literally made my head spin, so I guess it's appropriately named. Thunderhawk is pretty good and smooth. I got beat up on the Big Dipper, but I've been told that the back seat is not the best for riding this one. Villain I thought was pretty fun, but a bit rough. Although, I like Son of Beast and Mean Streak, so take that in consideration of my assesment of Villain. I also liked Texas Twister.

I should have mentioned that the waterpark was crowded probably mainly due to the fact that it was the first day of the annual Cleveland Clinic family festival. I plan to go back this summer and do the waterpark again.

coasterdad said:

RWB has been completely (not half) re-tracked and is very smooth

Sorry, my bad. I thought only first half had been retracked.

I grew up with GL as my home park and can't wait to take my kids there! Big Dipper was always my favorite as a kid and I can't wait to ride again. Looking forward to the new ones too! You guys are awesome!!! Thank you for all of your comments and suggestions. I truly appreciate your advice and time! I feel much better about going back again after all these years thanks to your input! Ride on!!!!!

Ensign Smith said:
Word of warning: the Rocket Sled ride will get you WET. Particularly your lower half, and especially if like me you have some extra mass down under.

Well, I don't know any guy who would admit to not having some extra mass downun... oh, you mean like, your butt?

Errr... I really don't have any advice on Geauga Lake other than, don't expect much at all. The place itself is coming along nicely, but I 'm not impressed with the rowdy, disrespectful and loud-mouthed guests that seem to be everywhere. In a way, I'm glad I skipped out on adding it to my season pass this year.

e x i t english said:

but I 'm not impressed with the rowdy, disrespectful and loud-mouthed guests that seem to be everywhere. In a way, I'm glad I skipped out on adding it to my season pass this year.

In order to totally avoid rowdy, disrespectful and loud-mouthed people you might want to consider just staying home. I don’t think that those kind of people are exclusive to Geauga lake.
*** Edited 7/15/2006 1:14:41 AM UTC by coasterdad***

it depends on who you're talking about. What loud foul mouthed kids are you talking about?

coasterdad said:

I don’t think that those kind of people are exclusive to Geauga lake.
*** Edited 7/15/2006 1:14:41 AM UTC by coasterdad***

Yep, I've seen and heard my fair share at CP and had to have a talk with my kids about the proper time and place for certain offensive terms and lack of manners. Not that I'm a prude or anything, I've thrown quite a few wild parties myself, just not in a public place.

Hey guys, thanks again for your input. Looks like we'll be going one day next week. Hope it's not too hot. Then again, maybe everyone will be in the water park leaving the coasters with short lines.