From 11/10/04 NewsNet5, via Yahoo! News:

 

 

Geauga Lake Announces Plans For Water Park

 

Geauga Lake is expanding.

 

Officials announced plans for a $26 million water park that appears to have something for everyone, NewsChannel5 reported.

 

The new, 20 acre water park will be called Wild Water Kingdom and it will be built in two phases.

 

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=387&e=1&u=/wdiv/20041110/lo_wews/2448537

They have a massive photo gallery:

http://www.geaugalake.com/public/new/2005/photos.cfm

 

Here's a (small) rendering:

http://wwk.geaugalake.com/public/rendering.cfm

 

From the 8/3/05 Akron Beacon Journal:

 

 

PHOTO: Visitors float on inner tubes at the Riptide Run. The first phase of Wildwater Kingdom opened in mid-June.  Robin Tinay Sallie / Akron Beacon Journal

 

Cedar Fair hopes parks stays afloat

Geauga Lake attendance sinks

CEO says appeal of Sea World critters was underestimated

By Candace Goforth

Beacon Journal business writer

 

This summer, at an amusement park near you: Revenge of the killer whale.

 

A year after Cedar Fair LP purchased Geauga Lake and invested millions in a promising new water park there, the property still isn't living up to expectations.

 

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/business/12290355.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_business

 

From the 11/22/06 PD:

 

 

Geauga Lake's X-Flight coaster is taking off for parts unknown

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

John Horton

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

Bainbridge Township - Geauga Lake is losing a twisting steel giant from its skyline, as one of its newest and most popular roller coasters is being dismantled for relocation to another amusement park.

 

Workers recently started taking down X-Flight from its location along Ohio 43 near the park's front gate, said Bryan Edwards, a Geauga Lake spokesman. The ride is destined for another park owned by Cedar Fair LP, the parent company of Geauga Lake. Cedar Fair operates a dozen amusement parks across the country, including Cedar Point in Sandusky; Edwards said he did not know where X-Flight would land.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/geauga/1164189192118180.xml&coll=2

 

Rumor has it that X-Flight will land at King's Island.  I hear that they are clearing land near Flight of Fear for it.

X flight was the only roller coaster worth riding there, maybe superman, and big dipper for nostalgic reasons.

Rumor has it that X-Flight will land at King's Island.  I hear that they are clearing land near Flight of Fear for it.

 

I've also heard Michigan Adventure.

 

X flight was the only roller coaster worth riding there, maybe superman, and big dipper for nostalgic reasons.

 

Villain is not a bad coaster, and neither is the old Batman (what is it now...Dominator or something?).

Villain is awesome.

Villain is great, but they need to Change the name of The former Batman from Dominator, just doesn't sound right.

I like Geauga Lake.  I miss Sea World.  I hope they get there act together, It so convienient to get to.  This is another area where regional rail service would be useful.

Geauga Lake was popular because it was a family-friendly park, which it is no longer.  The whole kids area was taken out by Six Flags, but people still went there because they still had the wildlife side.  If people want to go on rollercoasters, they go to Cedar Point.  Wild Water Kingdom was supposed to bring back that "family-friendly" image; unfortunately, there still aren't any rides for the little kids to go on.

 

This comes from a former Geauga Lake employee, so that might be a bit jaded.  They treat their employees like  :whip:

Geauga Lake was popular because it was a family-friendly park, which it is no longer.  The whole kids area was taken out by Six Flags, but people still went there because they still had the wildlife side.  If people want to go on rollercoasters, they go to Cedar Point.  Wild Water Kingdom was supposed to bring back that "family-friendly" image; unfortunately, there still aren't any rides for the little kids to go on.

 

This comes from a former Geauga Lake employee, so that might be a bit jaded.  They treat their employees like  :whip:

 

From what I understand is the Kids Area wasn't modern and didn't warrant keeping or upgrading and the aquisition of the sea world assets would draw the same customers - families.

The old kids area was classic.  The new kids area, put in by Six Flags, has maybe five or six attractions in it.  There's no way that can keep kids busy during the day when the waterpark is closed.

The old kids area was classic.  The new kids area, put in by Six Flags, has maybe five or six attractions in it.  There's no way that can keep kids busy during the day when the waterpark is closed.

 

You're preaching to the choir.  But we no longer own it....so I can't say shit!

From the 2/28/07 Sandusky Register:

 

 

Geauga Lake gets new digs

From staff reports | Wednesday February 28 2007, 12:26pm

 

AURORA Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom in Aurora, Ohio, announced this morning details about variety of park improvements for the upcoming season.

 

Cedar Point’s sister park will introduce two new shows this summer  — the “Magic and Comedy of Tim Hill” and “LEGO Racers.”

 

http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/02/28/front/doc45e59c16254fc468497532.txt

 

Link contains a photo.  From the 3/10/07 ABJ:

 

 

Coasters rolling on out

Geauga Lake losing X-Flight, Steel Venom to other parks; other changes include smoking areas, new restaurants, Wildwater Kingdom VIP cabanas

By Paula Schleis

Beacon Journal

 

Roller-coaster lovers won't find X-Flight or Steel Venom at Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom when the park opens May 26.

 

The two attractions are being moved from Aurora to other amusement parks owned by parent company Cedar Fair Entertainment Co.

 

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/business/16875386.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_business

 

From the 4/10/07 (KSU) Stater Online:

 

 

Geauga Lake removes two roller coasters

X-Flight and Steel Venom vanish, to reappear elsewhere

Ryan Haidet

Issue date: 4/10/07 Section: Features

 

It's a common summer tradition — spending a good ol' day at the local amusement park.

 

When guests arrive at Geauga Lake and Wildwater Kingdom in Aurora this summer, however, they will see that two of the 10 roller coasters are gone.

 

The park has announced that X-Flight and Steel Venom (formerly called Superman — Ultimate Escape) will be removed from the park.

 

http://media.www.stateronline.com/media/storage/paper867/news/2007/04/10/Features/Geauga.Lake.Removes.Two.Roller.Coasters-2830957.shtml

 

From the 6/18/07 Record-Courier:

 

 

Geauga Lake rollercoaster still closed today following weekend malfunction

By Matt Fredmonsky

Record-Courier staff writer

 

A popular roller coaster at Geauga Lake and Wildwater Kingdom in Aurora remained closed to park visitors Monday while Geauga Lake officials began their investigation to determine what caused the ride to malfunction Saturday morning.

 

The Raging Wolf Bobs shut down at 11:45 a.m. Saturday when one of the coaster trains failed to climb a hill and rolled down it backwards, coming to rest in a valley.

 

http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/2146962

 

The Raging Wolf Bobs ... opened in 1988 and is one of the park's oldest attractions and most popular rollercoasters.

 

Huh? The Big Dipper is 82 years old....

 

1925

Geauga Lake built its first roller coaster, The Big Dipper. It was the largest wooden coaster of its time and was described as "mammoth." The coaster track measured 2,800 feet in length and the first hill reached 65 feet.

 

From: http://www.geaugalake.com/public/news/history.cfm

*Ahem*

 

and is one of the park's oldest attractions is correct.

Hardly. The dance hall was built in 1939 and rebuilt in its current form after a fire in 1952.  Dozens of other attractions wee added in the 1950s and 60s, including the Dodge 'Em Cars, monorail, merry go-rounds, children's rides, Tilt A'Whirl. Then the Merry Oldies antique cars and Gold Rush log ride were added in 1972. The Double Loop rollercoaster has been around since 1977. The Corkscrew? 1978. Boardwalk Shores (includes Neptune Falls, the Rampage, paddle boat marina)? 1983. In 1987 the Stingray waterslides and Euroracer Grandprix opened.

 

And then, just a few years ago, the Raging Wolf Bobs came along. I'd call it one of Geauga Lake's NEWEST attractions, not one of its oldest.

RWB was one of my first roller coasters ever.  I used to love that ride!  I'm supposed to go this weekend.  If it's not running, I'm going to throw a hissyfit.  Then my mom will buy me funnel cake and I'll get over it.

it was all about the bumper cars, double loop and the corkscrew for me! (not one joke, OK!!)

 

I love forcing my brother to go on the tilt o'whirl just to see him toss his cookies!  ahh...the memories....

The only thing better would be seeing Map Boy on the tilt o'whirl throwing a hissyfit

Hardly. The dance hall was built in 1939 and rebuilt in its current form after a fire in 1952.  Dozens of other attractions wee added in the 1950s and 60s, including the Dodge 'Em Cars, monorail, merry go-rounds, children's rides, Tilt A'Whirl. Then the Merry Oldies antique cars and Gold Rush log ride were added in 1972. The Double Loop rollercoaster has been around since 1977. The Corkscrew? 1978. Boardwalk Shores (includes Neptune Falls, the Rampage, paddle boat marina)? 1983. In 1987 the Stingray waterslides and Euroracer Grandprix opened.

 

And then, just a few years ago, the Raging Wolf Bobs came along. I'd call it one of Geauga Lake's NEWEST attractions, not one of its oldest.

 

"One of the oldest" can be quite subjective.  Compared to the NEWER rides (aka what Six Flags and the FunCo group put in), Raging Wolf Bobs IS one of the older rides.  And keep in mind, when an amusment park refers to a ride as an "attraction," they mean "headline" ride.  A tilt-a-whirl is NOT an "attraction," even if the park says "we've got 60 attractions for all!"  The Big Dipper, the log ride, and perhaps the Double Loop are "attractions," sure, but in terms of larger "attractions," The Bobs is definately one of the older ones there.

If it's not running, I'm going to throw a hissyfit.  Then my mom will buy me funnel cake and I'll get over it.

 

LOL

 

Thanks for breaking up the day.

 

And for the record, RWB is an awful coaster.  At Geauga Lake, give me the Villian & the Big Dipper any day.  What I do love about that park is the lack of lines - I once rode the Villian some ungodly number like 17 or 18 times in two & a half hours.

At Geauga Lake, give me the Villian & the Big Dipper any day.

 

Totally agreed.  Villain is Ohio's best wooden coaster that is operating currently (Screemin' Eagle is the best; it's just SBNO).

SBNO?

 

And are you discounting The Beast?

 

I love the Villian, but come on.....

The Beast? Isn't that one of the oldest attractions at Kings Island? Er, maybe the oldest of the larger attractions? Errrr, maybe the oldest of the larger attractions built by Paramount at Kings Island??

SBNO?

 

And are you discounting The Beast?

 

I love the Villian, but come on.....

 

The Villain has faired better than The Beast, which is too breaked these days.  I mean, visually and in terms of "legendary" status, certainly The Beast is more popular than the Villain but currently, the Villain outruns The Beast in airtime, tight-turns, trick-track, and overall "fun" factor.  The Beast is getting to the Magnum-level of fading out sentimental value.

 

SBNO = Standing But Not Operating.

The Beast? Isn't that one of the oldest attractions at Kings Island? Er, maybe the oldest of the larger attractions? Errrr, maybe the oldest of the larger attractions built by Paramount at Kings Island??

 

Remind me to moronically mock you in a Transportation thread sometime and then we'll be even.

The Villain has faired better than The Beast, which is too breaked these days.  I mean, visually and in terms of "legendary" status, certainly The Beast is more popular than the Villain but currently, the Villain outruns The Beast in airtime, tight-turns, trick-track, and overall "fun" factor.  The Beast is getting to the Magnum-level of fading out sentimental value.

 

To each their own - I love the double helix, the traversing track, the violent shaking  :-D  And it's a great ride at night.

 

I also see that we disagree with the Magnum  :-D  But hey that's fine by me, it leaves short lines for great rides

Don't get me wrong. The Beast has an excellent climax but the 3/4ths of the ride beforehand is quite boring.  The night ride USED to be fun, until they breaked it to the point of no return.  Magnum I wish rode like it did back in the early 90's but it too is quite boring, airtime-less (unless you're in the back seat), and slow.  But like you said, it leaves for short lines for (once) great rides :).

Deleted my own response. I'm just sick and tired of people, in general. I think I'm going to move to Wyoming.

I rode the beast yesterday (19th) and it about killed me!!!  I like rollercoasters too.

CEDAR FAIR ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTION FOR GEAUGA LAKE

 

SANDUSKY, OHIO, September 21, 2007 – Cedar Fair Entertainment Company announced today that Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom in Aurora, Ohio, will become exclusively a water park attraction beginning with the 2008 season.

 

“After four years of operating Geauga Lake as a combined water park/amusement park attraction, we have concluded that its future should be entirely as a water park,” said Dick Kinzel, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Cedar Fair Entertainment Company.  “Visiting Geauga Lake is a 119-year-old tradition in northeastern Ohio.  That tradition will continue, but in a new and exciting way.”

 

“Geauga Lake’s Wildwater Kingdom has been recognized as one of the finest water parks in the country,” Kinzel said.  “Over the past three seasons, we have invested approximately $25 million to create and develop the premiere water park in northeastern Ohio.  Since its opening in 2005, Wildwater Kingdom has been the park’s highest rated attribute.”

 

Geauga Lake’s Wildwater Kingdom attractions will include Tidal Wave Bay, a 30,000 square-foot wave pool featuring seven different types of wave patterns; Liquid Lightning, a 60-foot-tall tornado slide; Thunder Falls, Ohio’s tallest water slide complex; an activity pool; an action river; and a multi-story play structure.  The park will also provide a catering facility and picnic pavilions for group outings and poolside cabanas will be made available for daily rental.

 

Water parks are very important to Cedar Fair.  In addition to parks where the water park is incorporated into the amusement park, the company owns and operates five separately gated water parks: three in California, one in Ohio (Soak City at Cedar Point) and one in Missouri.

 

Kinzel added, “Water parks traditionally draw from a closer geographic market than amusement parks, and we believe Geauga Lake’s Wildwater Kingdom will continue to be successful in drawing visitors from the greater Cleveland, Youngstown and Akron-Canton areas.”

 

Geauga Lake’s 2008 operating schedule, admission pricing, group programs and other operating details will be announced at a later date.  However, the water park season is traditionally Memorial Day to Labor Day.

 

As part of the changeover to exclusively water park attractions, a number of the rides at Geauga Lake will be introduced at other Cedar Fair parks.

 

The property not necessary for the operation of the water park is being reviewed for other uses and development.

 

Geauga Lake’s Wildwater Kingdom is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership that is listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FUN.”  In addition to Geauga Lake’s Wildwater Kingdom, Cedar Fair owns and operates 11 amusement parks, five other water parks, one indoor water park resort, and six hotels.  Cedar Fair also owns and operates Star Trek:  The Experience, an interactive adventure located in Las Vegas, and operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, Calif. under a management contract.

 

http://www.cedarfair.com/ir/press_releases/

THIS STINKS!!! Does this mean they're going to tear down the Big Dipper and all the other rides??

 

Is Cedar Point doing so poorly that they can't have competition within 80 miles of it?

 

If they demolish Geauga Lake, I'm never again setting foot in whatever the water park is called, or in Cedar Point!

This does stink. I wonder what they'll do with the Big Dipper, Double Loop, the Raging Wolf Bobs, and all the other rides... >:-[

Boo!... Boo!...

I've said for a while that Cedar Fair buying all three major Ohio parks was a complete disaster.  This is case #1.

Now, I HOPE the Big Dipper and Raging Wolf Bobs stick around (ala the former Wyandot Lake). 

For Geauga Lake to fall so far so fast is a (mis)management problem by Cedar Fair and Six Flags before it. It's not a market problem. I used to live within a mile of Geauga Lake for 15 years. Through sprawl, the surrounding areas are growing in population and wealth. But I would also see lots of Pennsylvania and Michigan license plates on cars in the traffic jams around the parks (Sea World and GL). Where did they go? Seems Cedar Fair is wanting to redirect them to Cedar Point. I'm so mad at Cedar Fair I could spit.

I heard on the radio Cedar Fair will be dismantling the rides next year.  Sucks bigtime.  Last time I was there (2 summers ago) it was packed.  I never liked the idea Cedar Fair owned both our parks.  I was waiting for the other shoe to drop... You'd have figured they'd consolidated in Sandusky, esp w/ all the bad news in NE Ohio, economically... But it still stinks.  It was a great park and I agree w/ the sentiment there was probably mismanagement afoot.

For Geauga Lake to fall so far so fast is a (mis)management problem by Cedar Fair and Six Flags before it. It's not a market problem. I used to live within a mile of Geauga Lake for 15 years. Through sprawl, the surrounding areas are growing in population and wealth. But I would also see lots of Pennsylvania and Michigan license plates on cars in the traffic jams around the parks (Sea World and GL). Where did they go? Seems Cedar Fair is wanting to redirect them to Cedar Point. I'm so mad at Cedar Fair I could spit.

 

Well, you got it.  Thats' the problem when a giant organization like Cedar Fair owns ALL THREE PARKS in the state.  I knew Kings Island was "safe" due to location but Geauga Lake was clearly going to be shut down (and it was basically confirmed when Kings Island received FireHawk) which is a shame as Geauga Lake easily beats Cedar Point in a few categories (wooden coasters, for example).  I'm just praying the Columbus Zoo buys some of the rides and incorporates it into the new "MegaZoo."  Highly unlikely, but whatever.

 

And it was clearly mismanagement.  They initially wanted Geauga Lake to be the "family park" and Cedar Point the "thrill park."  Yeah right, like that'll work.  I seriously bet they planned this all along (Cedar Fair) where they'd buy the competition from Six Flags and then dismantle it so Cedar Point stays "top dog."  If so, oy vey...

Closing could add rides to Kings Island

 

AURORA, Ohio – The Geauga Lake amusement park will close, leaving only a water park at the lakeside location, the park’s owner Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. said Friday.

 

Some of the rides at Geauga Lake will be moved to other Cedar Fair parks, which Kings Island in Mason and Cedar Point in Sandusky.

 

The change in Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom to a water park only will be effective with the 2008 season.

 

We have concluded that its future should be entirely as a water park,” said Dick Kinzel, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Cedar Fair Entertainment based in Sandusky.

 

Wildwater Kingdom opened in 2005 at Geauga Lake, located about 20 miles southeast of Cleveland.

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070922/NEWS01/309220015

 

For Geauga Lake to fall so far so fast is a (mis)management problem by Cedar Fair and Six Flags before it. It's not a market problem. I used to live within a mile of Geauga Lake for 15 years. Through sprawl, the surrounding areas are growing in population and wealth. But I would also see lots of Pennsylvania and Michigan license plates on cars in the traffic jams around the parks (Sea World and GL). Where did they go? Seems Cedar Fair is wanting to redirect them to Cedar Point. I'm so mad at Cedar Fair I could spit.

 

Well, you got it.  Thats' the problem when a giant organization like Cedar Fair owns ALL THREE PARKS in the state.  I knew Kings Island was "safe" due to location but Geauga Lake was clearly going to be shut down (and it was basically confirmed when Kings Island received FireHawk) which is a shame as Geauga Lake easily beats Cedar Point in a few categories (wooden coasters, for example). 

 

Plus, GL was our (Cleveland's) park.  You don't have to drive over an hour to get there, only to sit a lot longer on CP road over the 2-lane bridege then out to the narrow peninsula; then stand for an hour at a time (if not more) to board popular rides -- esp the coasters.  CP has now become an international amusement park; it's the roller coaster capital of the world.  For a non-themed amusement park, there are no superiors ... Your comments make me wonder, could there not be someone local to run GL?  I mean, I know the costs are steep and sometimes the profits are minimal, but I still see a market for such a park.  Would it be in the interest of Geuaga County to step in?  with maybe a slight assist from Cuyahoga Cty -- it is right on the border and Cuyahoga residents obviously reap GL benefits and, I'm sure, is home to its largest patron base.

I think this is even worth a regulatory body looking into -- having one company own all three amusement parks in Ohio. Of course, no one ever pays attention to such things until things go wrong. But it will have a definite negative impact on Northeast Ohio's tourism economy.

For Geauga Lake to fall so far so fast is a (mis)management problem by Cedar Fair and Six Flags before it. It's not a market problem. I used to live within a mile of Geauga Lake for 15 years. Through sprawl, the surrounding areas are growing in population and wealth. But I would also see lots of Pennsylvania and Michigan license plates on cars in the traffic jams around the parks (Sea World and GL). Where did they go? Seems Cedar Fair is wanting to redirect them to Cedar Point. I'm so mad at Cedar Fair I could spit.

 

Well, you got it.  Thats' the problem when a giant organization like Cedar Fair owns ALL THREE PARKS in the state.  I knew Kings Island was "safe" due to location but Geauga Lake was clearly going to be shut down (and it was basically confirmed when Kings Island received FireHawk) which is a shame as Geauga Lake easily beats Cedar Point in a few categories (wooden coasters, for example). 

 

Plus, GL was our (Cleveland's) park.  You don't have to drive over an hour to get there, only to sit a lot longer on CP road over the 2-lane bridege then out to the narrow peninsula; then stand for an hour at a time (if not more) to board popular rides -- esp the coasters.  CP has now become an international amusement park; it's the roller coaster capital of the world.  For a non-themed amusement park, there are no superiors ... Your comments make me wonder, could there not be someone local to run GL?  I mean, I know the costs are steep and sometimes the profits are minimal, but I still see a market for such a park.  Would it be in the interest of Geuaga County to step in?  with maybe a slight assist from Cuyahoga Cty -- it is right on the border and Cuyahoga residents obviously reap GL benefits and, I'm sure, is home to its largest patron base.

 

One of the last city-run amusement parks (Astroland in New York) is actually closing.  I'd LOVE to see another company (local or international) take Geauga Lake (as I adore the park) but Cedar Fair seems pretty set on taking all the rides and giving them out to the other properties (ala Old Indiana and Six Flags; re: Opryland Nashville).

This really does stink. I'm sad about this, too .. so many childhood memories there, man. I rode my first roller coaster ever at Geauga Lake .. with my eyes closed. I'm going to miss the Big Dipper so much. Geauga Lake is so great because it has cheaper admission prices and great rides. You can actually have a whole day of fun instead of waiting on line all day.

 

It is really weird that it fell so fast. Who owned Geauga Lake before it went to Six Flags? Why did they sell it? Wasn't that about the time thet revenues were slow, and that was one of their attempts to pick things up at the park?

This really does stink. I'm sad about this, too .. so many childhood memories there, man. I rode my first roller coaster ever at Geauga Lake .. with my eyes closed. I'm going to miss the Big Dipper so much. Geauga Lake is so great because it has cheaper admission prices and great rides. You can actually have a whole day of fun instead of waiting on line all day.

 

It is really weird that it fell so fast. Who owned Geauga Lake before it went to Six Flags? Why did they sell it? Wasn't that about the time thet revenues were slow, and that was one of their attempts to pick things up at the park?

 

FunCo used to own Geauga Lake (along with Wyandot Lake and Darien Lake) and they were a decent company.  It's a shame that World of Adventure fell off...