Photo TR: Geauga Lake (6-16-08)

[QueenCityBoy]

I guess Head Spin has already been taken down. I didn't see at in any of those pictures. now we'll just have to wait and see what park it pops up at in 2009.

[TopThrill182]

^ Actually Head Spin is still there, in its entirety. I have some pictures of it but they will be in the next round. It was not up for auction, and the auction flier said that anything not up for auction would be used at another CF park... So I guess we will be seeing Head Spin show up somewhere else.

 

I am really glad everyone is liking the photo tour, and thanks a lot for all the nice comments. I really enjoy putting it all together, and it sort of brings a sense of closure to the park instead of it getting sold and torn up without anyone noticing.

 

I agree with all the comments about Sea World. I can vividly remember watching the night show and staring across the lake at the park. And, again, as someone else said its amazing how two such great parks have been turned into a small water park in such short time.

[redfoot12]

So are the coasters that will still be running at other parks Head Spin, Raging Wolf Bobs, Big Dipper, and Beaver Land Mine Ride (along with the ones that have already relocated)?

[QueerRudie]

A tragic, and EXTREMELY depressing sight- It's like seeing a graveyard- and you know what happens next.

 

It is a SHAME that CedarFair didn't consider donating the land to appropriate uses beyond just the "sell it all off thing"

[Delirium]

Topthrill,

 

Man I can't thank you enough for taking all these wonderful pictures of a true family park. This was my first ever amusement park and will always keep a special place in my heart. I don't think I'll ever forget the countless nights riding the YoYo, Musik Express, Casino, the Mirage, Rotor, Skyscraper and of course my personal favorite, the Big Dipper. Man what I would do for some good old memorabilia. Thanks again man!

[kidcoaster 2]

So are the coasters that will still be running at other parks Head Spin, Raging Wolf Bobs, Big Dipper, and Beaver Land Mine Ride (along with the ones that have already relocated)?

 

The Raging Wolf Bobs, and The Big Dipper were sold to someone who plans on rebuilding them only as landmarks and not actual rides. Head Spin I am sure will run again at another CF park and Beaver Land Mine Ride has already been removed. I bet it is in storage now and will run again in 2009.

[RenegadeFan]

I doubt any of the CF parks will take Beaver Land Mine Ride next season. Head Spin will also probably be low on park's list since it's a Vekoma.

[WillMontu]

^ Cedar Fair doesn't have any problem with Vekoma rides. They moved the Flyer to Kings Island in 2007 and just re-opened the SLC at Michigan's Adventure. I wouldn't be surprised if they do something with the Boomerang.

[Philrad71]

I's really sad to hear that Villain was sold to a scrap company. Until this is confirmed - I won't believe it. I was hoping they could move this coaster down the road to Cedar Point.

 

 

^Awesome analogy!

 

I's really sad that the Villin can't not find a nice new home two...eeets a great wooded coaster with some nice fancy steel supports 'n weldin'!

 

But gee, I sure do hope it does show up at CP next year or two! I's would really look forward to all that jack hammerin' n' brakin' that thar Villain gave to me last year....yep, muh back still loves me fer that one!

 

Mebbe thay could put dat dare coaster over dare by the Dizaster ride in the dark and the Drop of Demon next tuh thu lake! This wood be the bestest wooden coaster ever at CP in yearz!!! I'm with ya'll, I'm with ya!!!!

 

On another note, I did hear on a Cleveland radio station that some lucky winner won the "Cornhole' sign!!! YEEEEEEEE-HAAAAAAH!!!!!! Where's it gonna be next year???

 

Disclaimer: Do not take this serious and post foul retaliation cries about discrimination and how I am blatantly making fun of people....I'm just being silly. Get over it! This is a sight to have fun with....I fully would enjoy people making fun and commenting on my posts and reports too...feel free! We're only here to have fun, right???

[TopThrill182]

As others have said I'm really wondering what will happen to Beaver Land Mine Ride. At this point I don't think anyone knows for sure...

 

Sorry for the delay, but here is another round of photos (the final set will be up tomorrow):

One of the many clever themeing signs in Hurricane Harbor. Really was a nicely themed water park.

Big Dipper through the overgrown trees in Hurricane Harbor.

The really well done and impressive wave pool facade. The wave pool is in the back of the photo. Notice the old wooden life chair still there (sort of creepy). Yes this water park has been closed for years - CF just didn't touch much of it. The pool to the very right was the splash pool for Hurricane Mountain / Thunder Falls added by Six Flags in 2003. The mammoth slide tower now is in WWK.

The old Shark Attack slide complex. SF added this complex in 2002 I believe. They were relocated from another park when SF added them, and now another park in Oklahoma paid big money to get this complex. For some reason, the white slide (middle one) very rarely operated. The other two were mediocre at best, and always looked somewhat 2nd hand. The slide complex always had a long line though. It, along with the wave pool, remained open for WWK's inaugural year. Since WWK was very small, CF thought they would keep a portion of Hurricane Hannah's open until WWK's fictional phase 2 came into fruition the next year. Phase 2 never came to be, and a wave pool was the sole phase 2 attraction. Overall there was a net loss of slides and attractions with the move from Hurricane Harbor to WWK.

The Skyscraper ride. The ride was closed all of last year, and I believe the year before that too (or at least most of it). In the auction flyer it was revealed that the gearbox had broken. CF did not fix any semi-major problem that cropped up at GL in all the years they ran it. If a problem came up the ride closed. Sign of things to come?

One of Big Dipper's hills taken from within Hurricane Harbor. Hurricane Mountain / Thunder Falls was located just to the right of me. Notice the nice Hurricane Harbor-esque landscaping. Also notice how lifeless this once thriving water park looks. Chairs were placed in the expansive pathway in front of you.

The Big Dipper queue. Notice the Big Dipper warning sign was removed. The queue was extremely tight and navigating these switchbacks was tough (luckily I never experienced having to use all of them). In the SF era, the large trees and shrubs in the background extended out into the queue and were really overgrown. Many people thought the ride was closed because the shrubs blocked the ramp leading to the station and it was hard to get past. CF came in and quickly cut things back.

The famous path leading under Big Dipper. This is actually where the park entrance once was, many years ago. A large Big Dipper sign was placed on the structure here, but it was removed at some pont in the off season (hopefully to protect it and give it more life in the years to come).

The ride stood towards the left of the photo. It actually stood right above the lazy river, which is the area right in front of the row of trees and shrubs in the very back of the photo. To the left, the large cone roof, is Beach Combers. This gives you and idea of how compact Hurricane Harbor was.

Another look. Big Dipper came quite close to the station and queue (left). If you look in Shipwreck Falls' station you can see even the loading gates are still there despite the ride's removal.

The Shipwreck Falls station. The ramp to the left in the photo was the exit ramp and splash bridge. The ride really had some nice themeing and landscaping as evident from the photo. Other than the removal of the ride, and the switchbacks to the right of the photo, everything else remains amazingly intact.

One of the game stands located to the right of Big Dipper's station. It was always somewhat busy due to its proximity to Big Dipper. Notice the 10 cent signs even still hanging.

The entrance ramp to the left and exit to the right. Big Dipper had a separate load and unload area. So many memories... And such a great ride.

A look at Big Dipper's station with a car sitting out front. Big Dipper went for $5,000 and will be reconstructed as a "nostalgic item". The ride was roped off and guarded, so getting photos was tricky. Note the large weeds already growing in the queue to the left.

The Shipwreck Falls water ride. One of the Intamin big splash rides. The ride was removed a few months ago and sent to another park. The ride's themeing however, and much of its queue, remains intact. Despite its small size you got very wet on this ride, just as much as the larger ones. There used to be a large boat to the left of this photo fitting in with the shipwreck theme, but CF quickly removed it due to its "unsightliness".

The path, over the old lazy river, leading to the Beach Combers restaurant. The restaurant, although I never tried it, was apparently pretty good. The restaurant is in the back of the photo (the building towards the left). It was actually an expansive building with an outdoor section with a bar and waiting area. After Hurricane Harbor closed, however, the restaurant rarely had very much business. The lazy river also housed a koi fish pond for a brief two year period after the closing of the old water park to spruce up the area.

Another look at the restrooms / changing facilities.

A look up the path leading up from Kidworks Playzone. The building atop of the hill housed restrooms and a changing area for the old water park. This was the only changing area, and it wasn't very good, which was one of the pains with the old water park.

An old Hurricane Harbor shop.

A look at the Geauga Lake picnic pavillions. This area was actually part of the old water park. Hook's Lagoon was in this area with the Neptune's Speed Slides in the very back of the photo closest to the lake. There was a lunch buffet in here that (although I never tried it) was apparently a good value. I think these pavilions would look nice replacing the aging CP ones.

[Rollerman87]

Wow, even though I hated this park the one time I came, this report brings a tear to my eye. Sad thing is, it really doesn't look that much different though. And, since I had only gone there once, such pics as the Hurricane Harbor ones are completely new sights to me. I hope that CF can at leats make a good water park with the land they now have at their disposal. These pics (and captions) also show where Six Flags and Cedar fair each have their pros and cons. Definitely two unique companies.

[Yeti762]

CF did not fix any semi-major problem that cropped up at GL in all the years they ran it. If a problem came up the ride closed. Sign of things to come?

 

CF was working on the Bobs. I did not like riding it during the SF era, but CF was returning it back to a good ride. If I remember correctly, they were working on retracking a different section every year, until the incident after Coastermania last year. Sad, they only had 1 small section to go and the whole ride would have been retracked.

[THE ONE]

Great job on the pictures I'm really enjoying these updateds. It's just said to see this park the way it is ,It was one of my favorites.

 

[Sue]

Thanks for taking the time to post all of these pictures. Although they're interesting to see, they're also very sad.

[Capitalize]

Very sad, I'm really glad I made a trip to the park last summer, though.

 

 

Big Dipper was one of the most surprising coasters I've ever been on. I absolutely loved it. Its really a shame it won't be operating.

[Robbie]

Im really going to miss this park, especially Big Dipper

 

This was the place where it all began for me, the first park I had ever been to, first time I saw/rode a coaster, and now its gone.

 

Where did Shipwreck Falls go anyway?

[coastercrazy216]

I have often wondered what ever happened to HH once CF took over. It just seemed like a mystery to me.

[skyscreems]

Thank you for providing these pics! Lots of rides I now will not ever be able to experience. I went through this with AstroWorld, and that was worse.

 

But I'm confused! I've never been to Geauga Lake/Worlds of Adventure, however..

 

If CF is just demolishing the theme park and making it strictly into a water park, I thought that HH/WWK was the same park? What am I missing? Are they tearing it ALL down and then just starting over from dirt, to become nothing but water?

[TopThrill182]

There used to be two parks surrounding the lake. One was an amusement park / water park (Geauga Lake) and the other was an animal park (Sea World). Premier Parks got ahold of the park in 1995, and later purchased all the Six Flags parks. They decided to rebrand Geauga Lake into Six Flags Ohio. In 2000 Six Flags Ohio opened.

 

In 2001 Six Flags purchased Sea World Ohio which again, was across the lake. Sea World representatives cited the extremely short season for the park as well the difficulty in building rides in the park as they were doing in their other parks, as the reason for the sale. In 2002 Six Flags Ohio became Six Flags Worlds of Adventure. You had the amusement park and Hurricane Harbor water park on one side of the lake, and the marine life park on the other side.

 

In 2004 Cedar Fair purchased Six Flags Worlds of Adventure from Six Flags. They immediately shut down the marine life side of the park, just to leave the water park and the amusement park. In 2005 Cedar Fair announced that they would be razing the remains of the marine life park, and building an all new water park (Wildwater Kingdom). Hurricane Harbor ceased operations in 2006, and the amusement park ceased operations in 2008. All that is left is Wildwater Kingdom (across the lake in the former marine life area), and there is a general consensus out there that Wildwater Kingdom won't last long either.

[Voyage_luvr]

This thread is really depressing. I really wish I could have visited Geauga Lake before stupid Cedar fair took over and started removing everything.

[skyscreems]

Thanks for the clarification. I didn't know they were developing the old Sea World site; I thought they had sold it or were planning to. I wasn't even aware the neighboring HH hasn't even been open. So they're demolishing everything GL/SF on the one side, and rebuilding everything on the old Sea World side, right?

 

Yea, when I heard they were removing the one park that can remain open longer than the water park, I've been skeptical ever since. I can't figure how Dick Kinzel plans to make a water park in northern Ohio "exciting" without making it a destination park, or indoors.

[TopThrill182]

I agree about the thread being depressing... It was a great park.

 

And skyscreems no one really knows what will happen to the side of the park just closed. All the rides are certainly being removed, but I think it depends on which bid CF selects for the land which will determine whether everything will be razed or not. ACE has a bid on it, and although I doubt it, should they get ahold of it some historical buildings (aka ballroom) may be saved. But you will most likely be right, everything will probably be demolished and razed.

 

Now as to Wildwater Kingdom, nothing is being moved over there or built over there. I'm not sure if you were asking if stuff was... What's over there now (aka 2 slide complexes, a water tree-fort, lazy river, and wave pool) is all that's going to be there. Cedar Fair announced they have no plans for expansion at WWK, and most of the land around WWK is being included with the land on the former rides side, so any real expansion is unlikely. And given just how small the park is, I'd look for a closure. If GL wasn't worth their time, as obvious by the closure, I don't see how WWK is.

 

And sorry for the delay on the final set of pictures. They will be up by tomorrow evening.

[CoasterLover]

It's almost surreal for me. I mean, I went to te park once ever... that was August of last year. At that time, there were thoughts of the park closing, but it was all highly speculative at that time. On our one trip, the ride side was completely dead. The waterpark was quite nice though! We got on everything once or twice... we could have marathoned a few rides, but none really jumped out enough as worth many re-rides. All in all, we only spent about 5 hours in the park (total time between both sides of the park). It felt like a lost park. I can imagine what it was like in it's WOA days... and that seems like it would have been amazing... but last August, there was just no magic. When we heard it was going to close (the dry side), we were glad we had our chance and felt the timing for our trip was great, but I guess overall, we just weren't surprised by the news. Nonetheless, it's amazing to think of the progression of the dry side of the park... from a humble little park, to a Six Flags park, to a HUGE superpark, then a gradual decline until eventual closing.

[TopThrill182]

I really apologize for the lengthy delay, but here is the second to last round of photos:

 

As always, enjoy! This is mainly of the 50's Midway. The final round (next round) has some more pictures of the entrance area, along with a brief panoramic video of the entrance.

One final look.

Another look. Once a hopping game now... nothing.

Long Range basketball game in the 50's Midway.

One of the many games found along the 50's Midway. This path was a crossover to Time Warp (visible in the background), and Kidwork's Playzone to the right of Time Warp.

Another look at the 50's Midway.

50's Midway themeing. JukeBox cafe bench in the foreground, with former climb the ladder game in the background. Notice Superman: Ultimate Escape / Steel Venom in the mural where the game once stood.

The grassy area is where Mr. Hyde's Nasty Fall stood. MHNF was an Intamin First Generation Freefall ride. The ride had a long history, being relocated to this park in 1997 after a death on the ride in its previous location. The ride was a constant maitenence headache (even more so then other first generation freefalls). The ride was extremely uncomfortable, as the brakes really slammed the car on the brake run. Overall it just wasn't a pleasant experience. Cedar Fair removed the ride in 2005 citing the lack of available parts, high cost to run the ride, lack of popularity, poor quality of ride, etc. They also wanted to use its parts to help keep Demon Drop running at Cedar Point. This is one attraction removal at GL I do NOT disagree with!

Another look at Checkers and Big Dipper's initial turn around before the big first drop.

This area was initially just a midway leading to X-Flight and the go-carts. However once Mr. Hyde's Nasty Fall was removed (stood to the right with the tower standing where the row of tall trees is), the area became a large open space. CF decided to call it "Central Park". Some benches and garbage cans were added.

Otherwise known as Checkers Drive In. Notice the nifty stools at the counter to the left. Again nice themeing for the smaller park.

Food stand by Big Dipper.

The go-carts. The go-carts were actually quite cool as they went directly under Steel Venom's launch track. The go cart's were originally quite long but shortened when coaster's and rides became more important. Three sets of go-carts were auctioned during the auction.

Hopefully you'll see this view in a few years time at another park / location. The 50's midway was the best themed in the park.

Another look at Big Dipper's lift, turnaround, and first drop. A 50's food counter is located to the left. El Dorado's exit was located to the right where the yellow caution tape is. If you look towards the bottom left of the picture you'll see the grassy / weedy island in the midway. This is where one of the monorail's supports. once stood.

El Dorado in the center of the picture, with Big Dipper's lift and first drop to the left. Notice the large pine trees that were scattered all around GL.

I never wanted to ride a Boomerang so much...

While there was some head-banging, it was still a fun ride. Keep in mind this was NOT up for auction so it will most likely end up at another CF park.

Head Spin's large queue. None of it was ever really used, as the line rarely went past the stairs in the distance. On Cleveland Clinic days though (when the park was bought out), substantial lines would form for all rides. The ride was lit heavily, but CF must have fired its light bulb staff because many of the bulbs (the ones aimed at the cobra roll) remained burnt out for years. Very un-Cedar Fair.

The other side of the cobra roll with the space needle in the background.

Head Spin's sign and cobra roll in the background.

Head Spin Sign. The sign was added in 2004 after CF changed the name from Mind Eraser. Now, you'll notice quite the color scheme discrepancy between the sign (fluorescent and colorful), and the bland ride. During the 2006 off-season GL announced they would repaint Head Spin bright flourescent colors (green, pink, etc) to math the sign, and that they would also paint Texas Twister. Texas Twister received the paint, but they announced less than a month from opening Head Spin's paint job had been cancelled due to lack of time. Lack of time due to what? Other than Texas Twister's painting, corn-hole toss was the only thing added / done that year. And isn't CF the same company that miraculously repainted Thunderhawk in its entirety in those few short months before the 2004 opening? Strange they ran out of time... It also seems coincidental that Texas Twister is the ride that ended up at CGA the following year, and Head Spin is the one that still sits dormant. Or maybe its not a coincidence...

Head Spin. This ride sat dormant quite often during the SF era. It ran pretty flawlessly with CF.

A nice view of 50's Midway. The monorail station is in the distance. Again, loading / unloading to the left (exit ramp in view), and transfer track to the right. There were 2 trains on this monorail. Skyscraper is above the monorail, with the Lunch Basket food area underneath.

A game stand in the 50's Midway area. Again, look at how the balls used in the game were just left there! Somewhat haunting really.

A look at Headspin.

Fool the Guesser game. Abandoned monorail station is in the upper left. As you can see by the auction number 26 on the game booth, and the shrink wrap, this was being auctioned. There hasn't been much word on where the games and other odds and ends ended up.

This ride was not included in the auction, so again, it will end up at another CF park. Which one? Only time will tell...

El Dorado. A great little ride.

The Lunch Basket. The monorail station stands directly over it. Again, another instance of attraction removal without removing all of it (aka the station). In 2007 this area was really a ghost town. X-Flight was gone, so was Steel Venom, the monorail too, and Hurricane Harbor was long since boarded up. Very unlike CF to let things go like this, and, as evident by the closing the following year, I guess we know why.

A look at Big Dipper racing above the nice Hurricane Harbor landscaping. This was the entrance area for Hurricane Harbor. As you can tell, Hurricane Harbor was really wound tightly around other attractions. Shipwreck Falls went over the lazy river, Big Dipper jutted through the middle of the place, Skyscraper stood basically in its entrance, the monorail went over it, and the road along the park stood directly (and I mean directly) next to it. It was a rather small and cramped place, and during the SF era, you could barely move in there.

A look along 50's Midway. The monorail station and exit ramp is to the left.

Mind Eraser / Head Spin is seen in the distance. To the right is the old monorail station. If you look up in the station (by the staircase, you can see even the turn style remains!). The transfer track was on the left hand side of the divider, and the loading area was to the right. The monorail was removed in 2006 along with X-Flight and Steel Venom. It didn't run at all in 2006, and not much (if at all) in 2005 though. CF cited its age and lack of parts available as the reason for its removal. There were also other problems however. Much of its course ran around Hurricane Harbor, which by 2006 was defunct, and was extremely unsightly. So there wouldn't have been much of a view from the monorail. Also the monorail's course was significantly modified to accomodate water park expansion (specifically the wave pool) which resulted in some really tight turns that the ride wasn't really designed for. As such it had to run quite slowly around the turns. All of this together made running the ride a bit of a headache.

Below loading area for Skyscraper.

The Skyscraper entrance and sign. I forget when exactly this closed, but it was not open for any of 2007.

To the left is the facade for the wave pool in Hurricane Harbor. Directly in the center of the picture (behind the fence) is the old splash pool for Hurricane Mountain / Thunder Falls (renamed after it was moved to WWK). The fence covered the area in 2005 when the first phase of WWK opened and half of Hurricane Hannah's was still open (the transition state). Superman: Ultimate Escape / Steel Venom used to tower above the wave pool facade. It was removed in 2006.

Skyscraper. That car has been parked up there for years. In the auction flyer it was reported the gearbox was in need of replacement. It was bought for $27,000 (one of the higher prices) by Cleveland Scrapyard.

The entrance to the former wave pool. If you look closely in this pic you can see how little CF did with Hurricane Hannah's after it closed. The warning sign for Shark Attack is in the background, again with a life guard chair next to it. All of the queue railings were also still present.

A look up inside Big Dipper's structure.

[ms13]

As others have said, this is quite a sad sight.

I was younger when this was six flags world of adventure, and the park really blew me away then.

Especially this area, which was themed quite nice.

 

And then, going back in 2006, and seeing the state of the park, including this area, made me sad.

It was like a part of me was dying.

Rest in Peace Geauga Lake, you will be missed.

 

PS- Thanks for the amazing pictures.

Not much has changed since my last visit.