The slow Death of A Classic Park

[gravitywolf216]

I'm not sure why, but ohio has an extremely empowered history of killing classic, awesome amusement parks. From Coney Island to Euclid Beach, Columbus to Cleveland, Ohio has slain many parks for almost as many reasons. Rcdb list twenty-two ohio parks that have met their fate from bad management to freak twists of fate.

 

Unfortunately, soon we will probably be adding Geauga Lake to the list. If your not familiar with this parks history its actually quite amazing. Poeple often overlook Geauga Lake as its constantly overshadowed by Cedar Point and Kings Island. But Geaga Lake has held it's own through the roughest and toughest times foramusement parks. Even while Ivy-league parks such as Euclid Beach and Idora, as amazing and iconic as they were, closed their doors and slipped into the cold darkness of history, Geauga Lake managed to survive. Even when Cedar Point itself was unsure of its future and struggling to keep the paint on its rides, Geauga Lake still managed to perservere as a family owned park.

 

 

Throughout the parks long and enduring history it has had its share of owners. But in the mid-90's what some would consider the unthinkable happened. The park was bought by premier parks. And amazingly pretty much stayed the same. In my opinion they pretty much snuck in there, and gave the park a much needed boost to thier ride index. They kept most of the original rides and brought the Top Spin to the U.S.A. They also brought the first Intamin freefall over to the park. (Even though it did make the killer rides list at SFGA as The Edge). And even survived a Six Flags Invasion as Six Flags Worlds of Adventure while reaquiring the land once occupied by Sea World.

 

But it seems as if Geauga Lake has met the Grim Reaper cleverly disguised as Cedar Fair. Who in two seasons killed the traditions, sterilized the personality and spayed the octoberfest & halloween events.

 

As Six Flags I got to make a cool friend (who is now an employee) by talking with her, for almost an hour on the Mind Eraser (vekoma Boomerang)! Somewhere after our 35th consecutive ride we parted ways and have been cool ever since.

 

 

As Cedar Fair's Geauga Lake, in the middle of july, "new policy" denied my friend Travis and I re-rides on the Double Loop. Even though we were the only two on the train. Even though there were only five people in the entire station and queue line (the two of us and three ride ops). EVEN though there was another train with 'A' passenger on it and they had to run it anyway. So they ran it empty instead of letting us stay on or waiting for the guests runnning up the station steps.

 

 

The also; killed the Animal shows (which were incredible), reduced The Texas Twister (top spin) to its tamest setting (the 'official reason was its too intense for the park after 11 yrs. of operation), got rid of rerides and other such niceties, dismantled their only drop ride, spent 23 million on a tacky waterpark in a cold climate area, took out the pop hits soundtrack and started blasting their own radio spots on loop throught the park, turned Thunderhawk into a traffic cone, attempted to abolish the bus line from Cleveland to the park (thwarted by the riders though), Defaced thier B&M trains (ground out the batman logos with a power sander), killed employee morale (I know a few of them and all hate it there now), assasinated halloween, and, according to screamscape, won't build a coaster til 2008 which would be SEVEN years since thier last one (X-Flight 2001)

[SonOfBeastSucks]

I voted "becomes a parking lot", but I don't remember if there is anything in the area that would need a giant parking lot. :?

 

I really don't think the park will stay open. It is just a matter of when, not if the park will close.

 

If I remember correctly, the area around it is all residential property, so I think the land would have a possibility of becoming another neighborhood.

[Guest]

I picked a parking lot. I just hope to all hell they save the coasters.

 

Geauga Lake just isn't the same under the ownership of Cedar Fair in my opinion. They are slowly choking it. Not offering any incentives. They aren't offering any new rides. I mean a water park is great, but they haven't had a coaster in 5 years, no new flat rides at all. Just makes no sense to me.

 

I think that CF is trying to squeeze all of the money they can out of GL and sell the rides off for a profit. I love the park, I was there last Memorial Day weekend, and there was NO one there. I don't think we waited more then 5 minutes for anything. Just shows you they don't care about the park.

[gravitywolf216]

Not only that but they LOST some major rides! Silver Bullet (Huss Enterprise) and Mr. Hydes Nasty Fall (1st gen freefall)

[mb425]

While it caused me much pain to do so, I voted that it would become a parking lot. I live in Columbus, and it's about a 2 hour drive to get to Geauga Lake from here (same for Cedar Point, and PKI). Cedar Fair had made absolutely NO effort to advertise here at all. I heard 1 radio commercial in 2004 for Geauga Lake, and none in 2005, however I think every time I watched the news and they went to commercial, there was always a Cedar Point commercial. So, I will agree that Cedar Fair is milking it for all it's worth, and they will close it down.

[jmicha]

I doubt it will become a lost park. It may not be doing well in two (only two, you can't judge if a park is worth keeping open in only two seasons, despite how poor those seasons were), but Cedar Fair is certainly not going to give up on the park. If they were, would they continue to expand the waterpark? Or would they finish retracking RWB if it was going to be scrapped (most likely what would happen to it if the park closed)? The answer is no. As Dick Kinzel stated, it just may take longer than they expected originally to get the park back up to Cedar Fair standards.

[FlyingScooter]

I picked parking, but only because 'build a mall' on the grounds was not listed. Yup, in ohio, you can never have enough CVS's, Walgreens, Walmarts or Home Depots.

One thing i can say in the parks favor: They deal with line-jumpers.

 

I miss the Dolphins.

There's something about dolphins that put women in the mood...

[YoshiFan]

But it seems as if Geauga Lake has met the Grim Reaper cleverly disguised as Cedar Fair. Who in two seasons killed the traditions, sterilized the personality and spayed the octoberfest & halloween events.

 

As Cedar Fair's Geauga Lake, in the middle of july, "new policy" denied my friend Travis and I re-rides on the Double Loop. Even though we were the only two on the train. Even though there were only five people in the entire station and queue line (the two of us and three ride ops). EVEN though there was another train with 'A' passenger on it and they had to run it anyway. So they ran it empty instead of letting us stay on or waiting for the guests runnning up the station steps.

 

 

That seems to be happening with all the recent park purchases with Cedar Fair. They are doing the same thing with Dorney. Taking away so much that was classic to the park (rides, buildings and atmosphere).

 

I hate that no re-ride policy as well. It just doesn't make sense, I know their reasoning is that if they let some people re-ride, others will complain they didn't get a chance to if their row had people in it but I think re-rides should be allowed on a day by day basis. Maybe a rule if the train is less than 1/2 full, allow re-rides or something like that.

[Red]

I'm not sure why, but ohio has an extremely empowered history of killing classic, awesome amusement parks. From Coney Island to Euclid Beach, Columbus to Cleveland, Ohio has slain many parks for almost as many reasons. Rcdb list twenty-two ohio parks that have met their fate from bad management to freak twists of fate.

 

I've heard many say that Euclid Beach was a wasteland, hell, it still looks like one today.

 

Unfortunately, soon we will probably be adding Geauga Lake to the list. If your not familiar with this parks history its actually quite amazing. Poeple often overlook Geauga Lake as its constantly overshadowed by Cedar Point and Kings Island. But Geaga Lake has held it's own through the roughest and toughest times foramusement parks. Even while Ivy-league parks such as Euclid Beach and Idora, as amazing and iconic as they were, closed their doors and slipped into the cold darkness of history, Geauga Lake managed to survive. Even when Cedar Point itself was unsure of its future and struggling to keep the paint on its rides, Geauga Lake still managed to perservere as a family owned park.

 

The place managed to survive because former Cedar Point employees took over and turned it into bait for Premier.

 

 

Throughout the parks long and enduring history it has had its share of owners. But in the mid-90's what some would consider the unthinkable happened. The park was bought by premier parks. And amazingly pretty much stayed the same. In my opinion they pretty much snuck in there, and gave the park a much needed boost to thier ride index. They kept most of the original rides and brought the Top Spin to the U.S.A. They also brought the first Intamin freefall over to the park. (Even though it did make the killer rides list at SFGA as The Edge). And even survived a Six Flags Invasion as Six Flags Worlds of Adventure while reaquiring the land once occupied by Sea World.

 

The top spin was introduced in '93, Premier came into the picture in '95.

 

But it seems as if Geauga Lake has met the Grim Reaper cleverly disguised as Cedar Fair. Who in two seasons killed the traditions, sterilized the personality and spayed the octoberfest & halloween events.

 

LOL!

 

As Six Flags I got to make a cool friend (who is now an employee) by talking with her, for almost an hour on the Mind Eraser (vekoma Boomerang)! Somewhere after our 35th consecutive ride we parted ways and have been cool ever since.

 

How sweet.

 

As Cedar Fair's Geauga Lake, in the middle of july, "new policy" denied my friend Travis and I re-rides on the Double Loop. Even though we were the only two on the train. Even though there were only five people in the entire station and queue line (the two of us and three ride ops). EVEN though there was another train with 'A' passenger on it and they had to run it anyway. So they ran it empty instead of letting us stay on or waiting for the guests runnning up the station steps.

 

Unless you have some handicap that makes it difficult for you to walk, don't complain. Honestly, people complain about the most simplest things, but walking? I can't believe how lazy some can get, when there are people out there paralized for life. Grow up.

 

If you must know the reason, it's to count how many people go through the turnstyle.

 

The also; killed the Animal shows (which were incredible), reduced The Texas Twister (top spin) to its tamest setting (the 'official reason was its too intense for the park after 11 yrs. of operation), got rid of rerides and other such niceties, dismantled their only drop ride, spent 23 million on a tacky waterpark in a cold climate area, took out the pop hits soundtrack and started blasting their own radio spots on loop throught the park, turned Thunderhawk into a traffic cone, attempted to abolish the bus line from Cleveland to the park (thwarted by the riders though), Defaced thier B&M trains (ground out the batman logos with a power sander), killed employee morale (I know a few of them and all hate it there now), assasinated halloween, and, according to screamscape, won't build a coaster til 2008 which would be SEVEN years since thier last one (X-Flight 2001)

 

While being a pass holder through many years, including all of which the park was under SFWoA, I have never, ever, seen many people on the wild life side (it got better once they brought Shouka in). Smart move to get rid of something that was somewhat popular and put in something that actually will bring people to that side of the park? I think so.

 

Texas Twister can be ran on two different programs. If you're familiar with the Huss top spin, they are 4 and 5. Reason behind this is "insurance". To be fair, there are more people watching the ride than riding, I think that alone can sum up why it's been toned down.

 

Where do you see the dismantling of Mr. Hyde's? Last time I drove by, it was still there. It's also listed on the website, which has also been updated numerously over the past few weeks.

 

According to Screamscape? I can't believe how many of you consider Screamscape and RCDB to be 100% positive. Unless it comes from the park, don't put full faith into it. Simple as that.

[V2-dude]

I chose parking lot, they won't live long with CP so close to them. The only reason they survived for so long was the animals, it doesn't seem like animals can do much for a park, but when they mad the SF-CF conversion, and shipped 400 animals to CA, SFMW's attendance rocketed.

 

Let's face it, GL is dead.

[Red]

Not only that but they LOST some major rides! Silver Bullet (Huss Enterprise) and Mr. Hydes Nasty Fall (1st gen freefall)

 

...And the Rotor, Flying Skooters, Muzik Express, etc. etc., all while Six Flags was in charge. I wonder how many more would've been taken out if they still ran the place.

[Red]

I picked a parking lot. I just hope to all hell they save the coasters.

 

Geauga Lake just isn't the same under the ownership of Cedar Fair in my opinion. They are slowly choking it. Not offering any incentives. They aren't offering any new rides. I mean a water park is great, but they haven't had a coaster in 5 years, no new flat rides at all. Just makes no sense to me.

 

Then again, five coasters were added to the park in two years, look what happened after that. People expect too much. Cedar Fair is making the place more family oriented and friendly. If you ask me, I don't think we'll see a major coaster (massive looper or hyper) for a long time, if ever.

 

I think that CF is trying to squeeze all of the money they can out of GL and sell the rides off for a profit. I love the park, I was there last Memorial Day weekend, and there was NO one there. I don't think we waited more then 5 minutes for anything. Just shows you they don't care about the park.

 

If they're trying to squeeze everything out of the park, they wouldn't be making major improvements to the place (ie. waterpark). They do care about the park; the general public doesn't care, hence the short waits and emptiness. If you want the place to succeed, come and spend money. I don't know how else to put it.

[robbalvey]

I have always thought since day one it would have been a better business decision for Cedar Fair to buy the park, close it, and re-distibute it's rides to the other Cedar Fair parks. Keeping it open just seems to be a waste of money, IMO.

 

--Robb

[socalMAN123]

I picked a parking lot. I just hope to all hell they save the coasters.

 

Geauga Lake just isn't the same under the ownership of Cedar Fair in my opinion. They are slowly choking it. Not offering any incentives. They aren't offering any new rides. I mean a water park is great, but they haven't had a coaster in 5 years, no new flat rides at all. Just makes no sense to me.

 

I think that CF is trying to squeeze all of the money they can out of GL and sell the rides off for a profit. I love the park, I was there last Memorial Day weekend, and there was NO one there. I don't think we waited more then 5 minutes for anything. Just shows you they don't care about the park.

Actually, X-Flight opened in 2001. That's considered a coaster within the next five years. I'm hoping they don't close the park so when, if ever, I get out to Ohio, I can get the credits.

---Brent 8)

[CoasterCrazy]

I hope the park stays open long enough so that I visit the park before it closes.

[Millenniumguy]

Well, I personally believe maybe they will add another coaster, keep milking it for five years to get money for another coaster at another CF park and then close it.

[Astat]

I honestly think that Geauga Lake isn't going anywhere in the near future. Having visited it under both Six Flags and Cedar Fair ownership, I know that operations inside the park have improved DRASTICALLY in the past couple years. The new waterpark has made it a better all-around park, plus it's included in the regular admission (which is substantially lower than the price of a ticket to Cedar Point I might add). It has lost a lot of non-coaster rides, but give it time. Ever heard of the trickle-down theory? Eventually, all the revenue earned by Cedar Fair's biggest park (Cedar Point) is going to make its way to the other parks. Knott's has gotten Xcelerator and Silver Bullet, Worlds of Fun is getting Patriot, Valleyfair has Steel Venom plus the new Screamin' Swing, Dorney got Hydra, Michigan's Adventure is getting a new water ride, Geauga Lake has a new waterpark. Cedar Point is still Cedar Fair's number one park, so it adds new major attractions more regularly, but if you think about it, all the other Cedar Fair parks have been adding stuff too.

 

I think with 2007 being Kinzel's last year, he's gonna do something for each park in the chain. At least that makes sense to me. I wouldn't be surprised a bit if Geauga Lake added a couple new flats or a wild mouse for '07. I think a major coaster is awfully wishful thinking, but the park is going in the right direction.

[shepp]

I chose parking lot, they won't live long with CP so close to them. The only reason they survived for so long was the animals, it doesn't seem like animals can do much for a park, but when they mad the SF-CF conversion, and shipped 400 animals to CA, SFMW's attendance rocketed.

 

Let's face it, GL is dead.

 

While it's nice to have all the extra beasties at SFMW, the bump in attendance is really due to only one: Shouka. SFMW (which had killed off - um, "lost" - its previous whales), publicized the hell out of Shouka, and sure enough the stadium is always packed. That girl is a crowd-pleaser.

 

I went to GL shortly after the changeover, and the place just seemed grim.

[BarryH]

I still think $25 for admission to Geuaga Lake is a bargain. You get about a half a dozen coasters, a few flats, and a water park. Heck, I paid like $25 for King Richard's Park in Naples, FL and I got a kiddie coaster, a few flats, and a go-kart track!

[coasterzak]

I chose that it will eventually fold. Geauga Lake is my homepark. I have visited since Turtle Beach and Butch Hightide. I go way back with that park. Over the last 6 years or so, the park has drastically nose dived. I have worked there, I have visited upwards of 20 times a season. There are a few reasons why this park is always doomed. Until they build housing, they are going to pull from the same employee pool. I don't live anywhere near the park, so I'm not speaking about myself (not to sound hypocritical) but most of the workers that the park hires are lazy, undermotivated, and really have no desire to be there. That, in combination with new policies that blow (no rerides, and some others) and along with the low attendance, makes this place feel like a boring ghost town. I remember the days when it was a booming park and there was enthusiasm and... well... other people on the midways. This has all faded and things that people counted on are gone (old classic rides and animals, mostly). The waterpark is one of the only things the park has going for it. Now that the expansion has been downsized, it just makes me wonder what other things are going to be cut from this park because of budget reasons. Will we ever get a coaster? We've heard that we would for a while. Until something drastic happens for this park, Dominator and the waterpark can't keep it alive forever. Okay, Big Dipper is great too.

 

Zach "I'm not ripping on my park, just stating the truth" Harig

[Chris Benvenuto]

This park was better when it was SF, CF ruined it.

 

It sucks, terribly =(

 

I'm ashamed of you CF!!!! BURN IN HELLL! :devilr:

[MSLSM]

I think it will become a good business decision soon. Sure they have not added a coaster in a few years, but then again: BGW, SFDL, Blackpool, SFFT, Frontier City, and SFA also haven't. They will probably add some family/thrill rides in 2007, and maybe in 2008 they will build a hyper. It takes time for a park to become popular when a major draw is gone.(Looney Tunes/Sea World)

[DerekRx]

I think it was a really strange idea for CF to buy the park in the first place. Granted, they'll continue to "improve" the park by adding bathrooms, trash cans, more painfully bright white concrete, and getting rid of any and all of those blasted trees! Strange though because people don't get drawn back to a place by the "new for 2006 bathroom". Its the new roller coaster or super-sick looking flatride that brings them back year after year. CF doesn't want to add new rides to the park because then they'll be competing with themselves. Just like how they don't want to add a new coaster next year because it will cut into Cedar Point's profits and may take away from its new coaster (yeah right!). What CF needs to realize is that CP is a resort, people come back year after year just because. They haven't gotten a new coaster since 2003, yet they still get people thru the gates yearly. I have a feeling they'll probably add like 1 more coaster, then when the park still doesn't bring in the expected numbers, they'll end up turning the park into a shopping mall and shipping all the rides to other CF parks.

[BiCoastal Kid]

^Dominator is totally going to be CP's floorless!!! hahahaha Good call.

[benzo41190]

I just think that CF parks are never parks to add a new coaster every year. Unlike some SF parks where they add a new coaster every year or so but never build up on the family atmosphere. But look at most CF parks, they are built on the family setting or like it was mentioned before, more of a resort. So I think that Geauga Lake will do fine if they continue to make it a nice place for families.