First PTR: Geauga Lake

[mb425]

Sorry there are not a lot of photos, my memory card got corrupted!

 

My Family and I decided to take a trip back to Geauga Lake for the first time since 2002 when it was still a Six Flags park. We left around 9:30 and got there at 11:30. After buying tickets, we bought a locker that we could use all day for the incredibly low price of $6! After riding Thunderhawk, we had lunch, then rode some more coasters. At about 2:30 we headed over to Wild Water Kingdom, and it was a lot of fun (as well as, consequently, where all of the people were). The new wave-pool was great as the cycles were more frequent then I'm used to (10 min. on, 10 min. off). Overall we had a really good time, and will definitely go back again this season, especially with the ticket price being so cheap ($24.95).

 

One thing I noticed and thought was weird was that all of the coasters that only had one train on the track (villain, raging wolf bobs, double loop, big dipper, x-flight for part of the day, and dominator after one of the trains broke) would stop on the brake run before the station and not advance until the operators dispatched a "ghost train." It was odd to hear "clear" when there was no train in the station. Does anyone know why they did this?

 

Anyhow, here are my coaster reviews and some pictures:

 

*Thunderhawk- I went into this expecting to be quite beat up, as this was my first SLC. However, much to my surprise, the ride was relatively smooth except for one part at the end before the final break run. I sat in the third row from the back on the red train. Unfortunately, the second time was not as kind to me as the first, but overall it was not as bad as I had anticipated with the way everyone talks about SLC's. 6/10

 

*Double Loop- For an arrow, this was actually very smooth, but of course had the unmistakable trait of the loudest lift hill in the park! I found it odd that they were still using the manual restraint release/lock buttons, and the train e-stopped later on in the day because someone's restraints weren't locked! 6/10

 

*Villain- One word: Ouch! My back really hurt after coming off of this one. Even though it did have a few good spots of airtime, it was ruined by the harsh return into the seat. Curse you Gerstlauer for ruining a potentially good coaster! 5/10

 

*Dominator- Front row ride with only a one train wait! This coaster was amazing and for me is near the top of my list! Most likely my favorite coaster at GL. 10/10

 

*Raging Wolf Bobs- Yay for re-tracking! While a bit on the slow side, I actually enjoyed this coaster, especially because the re-tracking work is now done and it runs as smooth as ever, even with the horrid Gerstlauer train that squealed on every turn! 7/10

 

*Head Spin- My first boomerang, and the last time I ride Head Spin at GL. It wasn't that rough, but I came off very dizzy and just didn't like the feeling I got after riding it. 3/10

 

*Steel Venom- Yay Intamin! Even though the name is cheesy and the sign doesn't match the track color wise, this coaster is great. I think I actually prefer having the straight back spike and the holding break as opposed having the twist on both sides like Wicked Twister does. Great, powerful launch, too. 10/10

 

*Big Dipper- Fun old classic coaster with good airtime, what's not to like (except the views of the abandoned water park)? 8/10

 

*X-Flight- This is the only coaster I can honestly say scared the living daylights out of me the first time I rode it. There's just something about the way the restraints were that didn't feel safe to me, I felt like I was just hanging there and was going to fall out at any given time. But, once I got over my fear of the restraints and the sun being in my eyes on the way up the lift, I actually enjoyed the elements on this coaster, especially the horseshoe. 8/10

Welcome to Geauga Lake!

X-Flight

What do you mean the colors on the sign don't match the colors on the track?

Insert your favorite Derek/Vertical Loop comment here.

Evil... I mean Villain.

Please pay $6 for a locker. What, you already paid $9 for parking, how hard can it be?

Double Loop's entrance

[coastakid]

Nice photos, exept that the pic. that says "X-Flight" is a pic of the entrance...lol...but otherwise nice PTR

[mb425]

Thanks, I realized that my pic order got mixed up and am trying to fix it!

[mforce79]

I also thought Thunderhawk was much smoother than any of its other twins. I wonder why that is?

 

It's a real shame about Villain though. It was easily a top 5 coaster for me during it's opening year. It really flew at night, and although the trains have never been comfortable, I remember when it could be ridden multiple times.

 

Was the brake really on Steel Venom? I was there last fall and it was off, and I heard they've had it off for some time now, but that could be wrong.

[mb425]

The brake was on every time I saw it cycle!

[kennywood!007]

Awesome PTR, I am going on May 31!! Can't wait.

[jmicha]

That's good to hear about the holding brake being on as all four times I went last year, it was off.