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While doing a purge of our house (and there is a LOT of crap here!), I found a folder of pictures I took for my photography class while in college. Not the best pictures, but I took them in the fall of 1984 while on a day trip to Geauga Lake. Found some more this afternoon so I am adding them on as well. Enjoy!

I don't really understand the point of posts like this. In this specific instance we are talking about realistic things this park could use like kiddie rides, but even if not and it was about a hyper or something, so what? Are we supposed to not discuss this kind of stuff on a theme park message board in a thread dedicated to this actual park? Anyways, in an effort to provide content, yeah, a legit kiddie coaster would be nice. Mine Train is a good kids/family coaster as is Pandemonium, but the height requirement for both is the same as Screamin' Eagle. Bumper Cars, a tilt a whirl, some other mid range carnival style flats would go a long way for the family demographic. As-is right now, you have either the big thrill rides or the baby rides, not much in between save for the Scrambler and Log Flume.

The carousel is being redone by hand mostly. They are spending a metric butt ton of money on this already. There are very few qualified people who can even do the work to begin with, on top of that it's being done in the middle of a pandemic. Which I'm sure slows down work even more. When it comes to restoration jobs like this. You either do the job right or you don't do it at all. Let's appreciate the fact that the park is spending this kind of money on a carousel rather than just replacing it, which would have been far cheaper.

Six Flags today. With a two-year-old. (almost) Antique cars: ate shit, right? Ferris Wheel: closed. great Carousel: Literally has been being refurbished since my child was within her mother. Shows? Nope. I had no idea the other kids rides had little to no height limits, as long you ride with an adult. At 33" tall we did the boat thing, the balloon thing, the rocket ship thing, the little train thing, and she did the small swings thing. We rode the "big train" she's obsessed with. She was pretty stoked when she yelled "Easter Bunny" and pointed to a statue. I didn't have the heart to tell her it was only Bugs Bunny, so I let her touch it as per her request. (All rabbits have graduated to the Easter Bunny title, in her book, since Easter.) I saw like.. some flowers for the spring thing they have going on. The chicken strips were just out of this world amazing the best chicken strips I've ever had. (Six Flag Corporate's big idea to turn the chain around.) Xcaliber was closed, which would have been cool for my kid to watch... cool. Antique cars and carousel tho... She had a blast, which is all that matters. But... only 3 more inches until it's worth going somewhere else... When we rode the train we saw Hurricane Harbor. Man, it just looks like it's in tip-top shape... They're going all out on the Six Flags New Orleans theming. Our daughter doesn't know the difference, which is all that matters. She rode the "big girl rides" in my book. She even rode the kiddie swings by herself, which was the first of three attempts since she's been on this planet. The most disappointing part of the trip was her wanting to ride Boomerang. As such, we had a blast... and we'll be back to "wide wides" later this year. As an adult, I'm looking forward to seeing the new Eagle area and ride. Although, I doubt we'll go alone anytime within the coming years to experience it. Seriously though... fix the fucking Merry-Go-Round. I'm sure it will be fantastic when the ride is finished, but it really is inexcusable at this point. Sincerely, Karen's Husband

Tonight, we head to our fave French Restaurant, located just a few blocks away. It's actually the day before our Real Anny Date. But that's okay. This weekend is really a celebration of not just me and David but for us, individually. i.e Birthdays! Mine was three weeks ago (turned 69) - March 30 - David's (75th) was two weeks ago - April 7 - and now we are here, for tomorrow on Earth Day. Stay tuned, stay healthy, stay safe everybody! More to follow..... 0 Us, nearly a decade ago, at the annual OUT ON SCREEN queer film fest. 2013.

Will be writing up a full report sometime, but let me just say that this is by far my favorite coaster element ever. What a masterpiece. Intamin did it again.

with the 1st Queue House from the Eagle removed, maybe they can expand the Kidde Land there. Bumper Cars, Junior Coaster etc

Great pictures! My first time to Geauga was 1988 during Coaster Con. Dang I miss this place. My friends and I considered Big Dipper one of the funnest coasters in Ohio. Working summers at Cedar Point in the early 90s during college, my friends and I would attempt to get a day off together to other parks. Geauga was a great break from the Point, and we didn't have anything quite as fun and classic as Big Dipper. I remember teal-colored track with comfy yellow and green trains. Oh that terrifying classic circle swing... the skyride. Arrow coasters being run with harnesses up in empty seats (as I see in your first Corkscrew picture!). Different times!

Good idea and I would be in the city alot Only thing I aint doing is seaworld

Well then you're gonna LOVE the DarKoaster rumors.

This park is missing a young kids coaster. A chance big dipper like joker's fun house coaster would work. Otherwise if they can get a good deal on a new skyline P'Sghetti Bowl coaster (assuming it only has a 36 inch height requirement)

After years of following this thread, I'd like to officially welcome Zach to the grumpy Theme Park Dad's Club. That post (and subsequent grumbling ones) are legit endearing to see. My kids are just now graduating to the big stuff (they are 11, 9, and a brave six year old), but I've spent the last few years in the situation you are in (and given my youngest isn't 48 inches tall yet, she's limited on what she can do). A park having crappy family attractions, at least one that's billed more as a family park (versus Cedar Point, or something), seems baffling to me. No moon cars, no carousel, the pirate ship has been down all year....there just isn't much for young families to do. I think it's cool they are taking the care to do the carousel right, but yes, taken with the other stuff that's been removed or not working, if I had all very young kids I would definitely not be happy. This is why Holiday World is my favorite family park. I feel like they absolutely have nailed down how to do a family park right. Anyways, I was at the park yesterday sans-kids (for the first time in forever), and given there were like less than 1k people there, it was nice to walk on to EVERYTHING. I think this may be the first time in many years where I've visited that every single roller coaster was in operation. Best ride on the Boss in ages. And yes, Thunder River is open as I was on it yesterday. I saw that a lot more has happened to the Catwoman area as far as clearing/construction. They get that done, and the backside of the park will be much improved.

You're right - theirs will probably take less time. But there's two reasons for this. The first is they've likely kept up on the maintenance for it and it probably isn't in near as bad shape. Our carousel wasn't just mediocre - it looked bad. And the second reason theirs could take less time is they might be sending the horses over to PTC for renovation. This costs more but there's a whole team over there that does nothing but build and repair horses. To save money our park is doing this in house with one paint artist and 1-3 carpenters depending on labor availability. The horses they have put on display don't seem to be suffering on the quality front even though they aren't being done at PTC.

And people called me a pessimist when it comes to the park Our park is far from mediocre, sure I think there are a ton of areas that could use improvement and bigger investments, but it's by far not mediocre. American thunder, Mr freeze, and The Boss are some of the best coasters in the chain. They aren't hyper coasters with record setting inversions, speed, or length but they are absolutely incredible. And with the massive maintenance done that was, well let's be honest, way overdue, we've had new decking, new rails, new paint, queue improvements. And the entire section over by Catwoman being redone. The park now is way better than 4-5 years ago. It's got more to go, but even little ol corporate hates us me can see the vast improvements and know we aren't mediocre.

Cirque du Soleil ~ ALEGRIA ~ Friday, April 22/22. We took a taxi downtown to the Cirque chapiteau (i.e. tent), and several minutes later, we were having our "VIP Experience" there. Separate entrance for us, food, food, food everywhere, and an open bar too! There were also separate bathrooms for us, and a lovely outdoor patio-style for us to enjoy. Which we did, pretty much all the time we were there, before the show started. And we were there during Intermission as well. It was so laid back, I kept wondering if this was the way to do, from now on. "VIP" I mean. And during the time we were there, everybody was so happy for us and our Anniversary, spending it with them! All the crowd there got free programmes and a very unique umbrella, when we left. But for us, somebody was kind enough to put a HUGE swag bag together for us! Which included the CD soundtrack, a DVD of the original 1994 production (filmed in Australia), t-shirts, coffee mugs .... we figured we had been given over $200 worth of souvenirs! Sweet. Obviously we couldn't take photos of the show itself, so these are all pre-show shots in the VIP "tent." And the souvenirs we got. We wore our "Happy Masks" to the show, but didn't need them once there. Here we are! Sponsorship wall. Where we're heading to. A closer look, before we went inside. Not sunlight, but a light from below Downtown is so close to us, here. David getting his first cocktail (of several we had). And if not finished, we could take our drinks with us for the show! Like I said ... a lot - of - food for us! Including this wonderful soup they were serving, besides all the appetizers. What we started with. To be sure, we went back for more, and during Intermission as well. A really nice outdoor patio area created for us. And not many went out here. Most stayed inside. Silly VIP-ers. Two cast members came to visit, for photos with us. Hot Pink Lights on = Time for us all to head into the Grand Chapiteau, for the show! Our view from our seats. Pardon the fuzzy shot. Souvenirs 'R Us! The bag had the original Alegria logo and image on it - and the current one on the reverse side. Programme, CD, and DVD of the 1994 show. I already had the original DVD, so I may gift this one to a friend. Mug left, cold ~ Mug right, hot coffee in it. Kewl! And the t-shirt which pretty much says it all, about LIVE stage shows, now getting back to business of touring etc. Thanks for all of it Cirque!

If it's any consolation, and it probably won't be, they are doing a deep and complete renovation of each and every horse plus the chariots which they knew all along would take a long time but preserve the carousel much longer. When we were there for an event in September 2020 and were given the presentation on how they do the refub they showed how they stripped each and every piece down to the wood, did any necessary repairs (legs get broken off a lot because people use them to "mount up" instead of the stirrups), applied primer, applied a base coat, then had an artist do all the final design and painting that made each horse unique. The artist at the time said they hoped to have it done in two years but they could not pinpoint a date due to not knowing the extent of damage to each piece yet. Plus we all know there might have been supply chain issues and clearly there are a limited number of artists talented enough and able/willing to work on it. So......I totally get that it's frustrating, particularly with a toddler that can't do a lot of other things yet and is missing some prime riding years BUT the length of the refurbishment is within the range that they had always planned. Good news is it should be AMAZING when it's finished. So much so that several of my friends from my equestrian competition days have expressed a desire to have a group outing to go ride it when finished, lol. P.S. on the cars. I'm not terribly bummed that they took them out because frankly they were so short and such a shadow of their former selves that I thought they kind of sucked. Would be kind of fun if they ever had the funds and inclination though to see a whole new course put in with fun updated but retro theming. There's a whole lot of empty space where there used to be a stupid paintball course, just saying.

Loved this skit!

If both Chapek gets replaced and DeSantis loses in November because of this then it will be considered a win-win for everyone.

Disney should play this correctly and: 1. State that all new development including new attractions will be delayed or canceled in Florida until we take a 10 year period to evaluate if we have reached market saturation in the Orlando area. Make the locals feel better by stating that we will not need to increase prices by 10% a year if we are not adding new $100,000,000 plus attractions every year. Instead, state you will spend $20,000,000 per year on attraction rehabs until the classic attractions are all in prime condition. 2. Dump all of Disney's fire and police department pensions, healthcare and municipal debt on the local or state government. I have heard that they could transfer well over a billion dollars of debt to the government as part of the process of dissolving the special district. 3. Layoff all Disney corporate staff that was moved to Orlando from California except for what is needed to run the parks and cruise ship. State that the company is entering a cost controlling stage because of lower attendance then expected.

I have to giggle at how it's been suggested elsewhere (non-theme park people) that Disney can just up and find another location and establish what they have in Orlando as a result of this political mess. That being said, could this result in Disney at least floating the idea of spending cash/improving their other properties and trying to deflect guests into going to their other parks if things continue to be problematic in Florida? Obviously Disney alone is probably 1/3 of central Florida's economy, so they hold many of the cards here. It seems like Disney has the power to do this subtly over time, and could result in a "death by one thousand cuts" scenario for Orlando if things play out long enough.

Ideal in my opinion would be DIS and FL hash it out (I think this is ultimately what will happen) and Chapek gets replaced. With how he bungled this whole thing and the stock price dropping hard, he should be feeling the pressure.

THIS.

I just ignored it, John . . . since the poster clearly has not idea what they are talking about.

Where to even start with this incoherent word salad post. It DOES affect everyone. I am one of its employees, and for the past 23 YEARS I have been paid more to work there than if I decided to work anywhere else. I also live in Orange County, and I cannot afford a $2000-4000 tax bill JUST because #DeathSantis hates gay people. That's what this all boils down to. He wants to grab as much power as possible and does not care who he hurts in the process. I am hoping that Disney with its massive wealth and power does not blink and instead supports whoever runs against this lunatic. This meme sums it up perfectly:

I've been following this. It's such an incredibly short-sighted move (to say anything further would get too political). Disney isn't the only "special district" this will affect, and we'll see how the municipal and state budgets like covering all of the infrastructure costs that those districts used to cover themselves. If this stands up to court scrutiny, anyway, which I'm not 100% sure it will.

I miss Mr Six... You can still see some of the buses at selected 6 Flags parks.

Carowinds should get a Gerstlauer Kiddy Racer and call it Fury 3.25

It's not just a roller coaster thing: "The Subaru WRX is the best car ever." "I like the Subaru WRX, but it's not as good as the VW Golf R." "The Subaru WRX may not be as good as the Golf R, but that doesn't mean it's not a great car. It's just not my favorite." "The Subaru WRX is a very lackluster car. There are so many better cars like the VW Golf R." "How can you say the Subaru WRX is a lackluster car, just because it's not as good as the Golf R?" "Guys, let's not argue about who makes the best car. I think we can all enjoy a Subaru WRX, even if it's not as good as a Golf R. Just because the Subaru WRX isn't the best car in the world, that doesn't mean that they won't sell or that people won't enjoy them." "I love Golf R's, but Subaru WRX's are my favorite, because they don't break down as much as the Golf R." (sound familiar?!?) "I'm tired of everyone arguing about how the Golf R is better than the Subaru WRX. Can't we all just be car enthusiasts???" Discussion boards are becoming places where you voice your opinion and either people agree with you, or people try to tell you why your own personal opinion is wrong, regardless of consideration for personal perspective. A lot of us are guilty of this from time to time, myself included. This thread has become less about releasing information in reference to Fury 325 and has become more directed toward arguing about arguing. Now... as for what I said earlier, despite my obvious admitted poor use of vocabulary (writing police reports makes you dumb*er), I wasn't trying to be argumentative at all. What I meant to say is I just don't understand how some people can balance having a great time while placing such an emphasis on trying to analyze the ride and event. However, like I said, everyone is different. I find it difficult to enjoy myself when I'm trying to be critical of rides and parks. That being said, the type of people you want at a media day are probably the type of people who would try their best to voice their unbiased opinions to project a realistic account of a ride. I would have a difficult time wearing my 'vacation from reality' hat with my 'critic' hat. I have parks/rides that I like and parks/rides which I do not, but beyond that I try not to take this hobby too seriously.

Avoid Sat. July 2 to Mon. the 4th, preferably motivate ASAP after arrival. The season often takes off on the Fourth or its weekend, weather dependent. In general, never been to SFFT, like to.

Disney can leave if they dont like it and can sell all their parks to CF SixFlags SeaWorld Parque Reunidos - all who would die to have the Magic Kingdom et al maybe not epcot lol Disney isnt going anywhere and I doubt DeSantis cares that the most liberal counties in Florida will be forced to pay more in taxes. Its similar to what Trump did with I think healthcare? which ended up making blue states pay more. That is skillfull manouvering. I know that my taxes in New Jersey went up while my taxes in Louisiana were cut in half. AFAIK disney doesnt even pay its employees well so its not like the jobs lost will be valuable ones. I think most people were stunned that disney had the ability to not report rapes and murders in the improvement district. Im sure conspiracy theorists are losing their minds over that. My sister and Brother in law have season passes to disney world and own a home in Orlando specifically so they can spend weeks at Disney. they havent even mentioned this because they do not care. My BIL is the disney customer, he loves spending on experiences for his kids. Again, they havent even mentioned this nobody has a problem with what happened. Only corporate bootlickers could really be mad. Corporations are getting too powerful and finally someone is stopping the madness. Me to Disney;