Anyone Else Miss Six Flags Worlds of Adventure?

I always like the park. I didn't care for the Employees,but I loved walking from Wild Ride section to the wild life side. IT was neat cause it was never crowded back there. The park has a ton of potentional now lets hope Cedar Fair uses it.

What I miss is Sea World and Funtime's Geauga Lake.

Back in the 80's the two parks complimented each other nicely. Geauga Lake, while only having 4 rollercoasters, was a very nice family park. Turtle Beach, Rainbow Island, Boardwalk Shores were all great. It was what it was. Not a mega theme park but a nice local park.

I have been to all but one of the Sea World's and I think the Aurora Sea World was the prettiest of the bunch. Again, it wasn't as grand as California or Florida but it was intimate while having the same fun experiences.

I think Cedar Fair is trying to bring back that old Geauga Lake charm but it is going to take a while to get there...certainly not half a summer.

Pining over the loss of SFWoA is like starting a fan club for "Joanie Loves Chachi" or yearning for the elusive flavor of New Coke.

GL is a century old park and SFWoA was a couple year old failed corporate experiment.

By our nature people hate change. I don't believe this site was around when GL was sold to Premier and when it was branded an SF park. I am certain that people were just as upset then as they are now.

Things change, the sooner you change and accept that, the sooner you will find that complianing about something you have no control over is counter-productive.

How is reminiscing counter-productive? To forget history, be it 4 years or 400, is wrong, and counter-productive. The fact of the matter is, the park attendance is down over 50%, and nothing is going to change that anytime soon. CF/GL should have saved its money on their advertising campaign and used it to fix up the park in the areas they are avoiding this season.

So we should also remember revisionist history that says that anything other than Sea World closing down and Geauga installing 5 coasters and expanding their waterpark happened in the last 4 years?

Please provide your proof of 50% decline in attendance and that no changes are in the near future ...

If you whine this much that Sea World closed, I can just IMAGINE what would have happened if CF would have bought it and announced they were closing it for a year. There would have been people with burning torches at the gates!

In my eyes, at the visits I've been to, and from at least a dozen others who have visited the park in the last 5 years, the park is dying at attendance, and all of us have looked at the crowds and said its been dead, and dwindling. I have not seen a crowd like the last 4 years yet this season, but maybe they dont' go when I do :) I've been at the park 25 times in 4 years, and I can tell what busy is.

If CF said they were closing GL for 1 season, I would have to agree that would be a good thing for the park. They seem to be letting certain areas of the park fall to waste, possibly in order to justify its removal. There is a rust haven on several walls in the kids Turtle Beach area, that no one at the company is concerned about. I'll show you sometime when you get the chance to get there. I go in the park for and with the family, not as a teenager or a young adult. The regulations are outrageous for children now, especially when you have to be 48" tall to stand behind a metal fence/wall to get wet from the Shipwreck Falls 'after-splashwave'..what nonsense is that? I've seen 2 year olds and younger up there for years, and no one ever was injured, because of the strength of the reinforced steel cage and the fact that it's water hitting you from above, not a case of bottles. This park is NOT Family-Friendly, and not Family-priced. As seen so many times, what they say is opposite of what they are, since GL is a not-a-family-friendly park, unless you're rich, a spoiled kid with little or no bills to pay, or not a family. Ask a park store employee about 2003 vs. 2004 in-store sales, and then you'll get a view of what is going on.

This is more than a change in ownership, because CF is changing all the rules and spending more time changing things that are unnecessary, that they are losing customers over it. CF has not learned yet that "Don't fix what isn't broken", and that along with they're marketing the park locally and regionally, there are too many options that are better deals and really family-friendly out there. The only reason I goto GL in 2004 is because I wanted to give CF a chance, and I already had bought the passes and promised the kids we would go. The 6 year old doesn't like the new image at the park, and the 11 year old likes the park, but misses the Looney Tunes. The kids aren't having the fun they are used to, mainly cause the theming and all the animals were the most fun. GL's theme music is considered by many children to be lame and un-cool, and that commercial is for old people like us (LOL)

What does the family head of household in NE Ohio think about the park? That is their target market!

I don't even let these board topics bother me anymore, because I'm doing something honorable, unlike the majority of selfish folks. Is anyone here a Big Brother/Big Sister or a continual assistant/Godparent ? *** Edited 7/30/2004 2:25:07 PM UTC by midwave*** *** Edited 7/30/2004 2:33:30 PM UTC by midwave***

"How is reminiscing counter-productive?"

Reminiscing is not counter-productive, whining about the loss of SFWoA is.

No one is suggesting that we forget that SFWoA existed - although I wish I could.

This is not from a kid/teen standpoint. This is from a parent of kid/teen children with ample expendable income to bring a family of 8 to Ohio (from Florida) every two years to "do the parks". Our visits to SFWoA were horrible. I missed GL. But I didn't log in here and whine about it, change happens.

One of the most overworked phrases fits perfectly here, I you don't like it, don't go. There are plenty of other choices.

*** Edited 7/30/2004 2:22:04 PM UTC by CoasterDad64***

CD64, how many times in 8 years were you at GL/SFO/SFWoA? The same owner operated the park from 1995-2003 that entire time, if you are not aware. Maybe its the fact that too many young people today don't care about their jobs, and its an overall problem in this area....that would be a good study to do.

MetroJim has every right to post this topic, and discuss the issue...he is also welcome at my site anytime....Telling someone not to post a topic about an issue he/she is willing to discuss is censorship at its worst. I've seen alot of dumb topics, and this one is no where close to them. *** Edited 7/30/2004 2:38:46 PM UTC by midwave***

The fun IS back because we arent waiting 1/2 an hour for Batman trains that leave the station with eight empty seats. The crowds are there and here is my thoughts on that.

The parking lot has been more than 3/4 full the two times I have been there this season. The midways are full, the food lines are long. But why are the coaster lines so short? Duh. Their ride operations are actually efficient.

Take Dominator for instance. They run three trains on that ride without your train stopped in the brake run for more than 10 seconds. Six Flags ran two trains with your train stopped for +30 seconds everytime.

Villain is another one. Seriously when it was Six Flags the line for the coaster was out of the station everytime, but they stacked the two trains somehow. You waited in the brake run for a funny amount of time. Now the two trains are running how they should and the line is only a one-two train wait with the same amount of platform workers, who honestly dont have to work all that hard to get the trains out on interval.

The crowds are there, its just that without the wildlife side less people come. I am willing to bet that attendance for the rides side is similar to what it was last season.

I for one can not wait to see what they do with the park for next season. I am expecting bigger better kids areas. Picnic groves for company picnics should be a consideration as well.

Amen 8.3, well put. The waterpark was always the biggest draw (just ask CO!) when it was SFWoA, and the three weekdays I've been there in the last month, the park itself was rather empty, but there wasn't a lounge chair to be had at the waterpark (on the two days it wasn't raining) and the day it was raining, there was still a large number of people just wandering around the midways and talking and laughing without even having to be on the rides ... the whole time munching on their bottom-line cushioning food and drinks ...

Here's my Villain/DominatorRs- Dominator ran two trains the other day (just like every time I was at Six Flags, where there was *never* a wait more than 5 minutes or so in the 10+ times I had been to the park since 2000) and Villain ran two trains with no wait (just like every time I've been to SFO/SFWOA). I don't ever remember having to wait long on the brake run. At least no longer than what I experienced this week. And I think the lines actually are shorter because there are fewer people. There were less than 6 people on all 8 rides we took on Villain and I didn't see that many people on the midways. Of course, I've only been once this season, so I don't know if this is the usual, but it's what happened to me. I'll be back to the park next year. I don't give up.

+Danny

I wonder if all this complaining can get the lazy food service workers to get their cans moving and get me in and out of the triple-retail priced food establishments in time for my food to still be warm!

I swear that Aurora Ohio is the home of the McDonald's rejects of the world!

I wonder if Bill Spehn eats where he works, and hides under funny glasses to conceal his identity (hehe)

That's why I only eat at Arthur Treachers & Subway at the park...the food is better than the garbage the park serves, and its only double retail, not triple.

*** Edited 7/30/2004 3:16:44 PM UTC by midwave***

"... how many times in 8 years were you at GL/SFO/SFWoA?"

Eight (8) times between 1995 and 2002. I did not visit in 2003 as 2002 was so bad.

"The same owner operated the park from 1995-2003 that entire time, if you are not aware."

I am very aware, as a shareholder of both PKS and FUN I try to keep up on what the companies of which I own part (albiet a very small part) are doing.

"Telling someone not to post a topic about an issue he/she is willing to discuss is censorship at its worst."

I missed where I said this is any of my posts.
If you felt that I was attempting to censor anyone, take a deep breath and read what I posted again. Besides, I am not a moderator and could not (and would not) edit or delete anything anyone else posted.

"I've seen alot of dumb topics, and this one is no where close to them."

I agree, otherwise I wouldn't respond. I responded because I had a different opinion. Nothing more, nothing less.

No harm done, CD64....does beg the question, why do you come to Ohio for amusement parks? I do so wish you were here in 2003, cause we don't have the luxury of a Sea World or anything remotely similar anymore.(Zoos don't cut it, but are nice in their own way) I have a friend who lives down the road from Sea World Orlando, and I am so happy for him everyday. The way I see it is as you state, that there are so many parks in my region like GL now, there is no reason to go back, because it's not special to me or the kids any longer. SFWoA, especially in 2003, was the best year they had, and we went to the park 9 times, and loved every one of them. To GL's credit, they are trying, but for us "the thrill is gone" and I don't see a return visit after 2004 for quite some time. We'll be visiting the PA parks, as well as some other venues for the next few years.

I don't watch TV (work hours), work a physically demanding job (for now), and SFWoA's shows and entertainment was my retreat for fun and relaxation...the fact that I get motion-sickness, I cannot ride rollercoasters that go over 30mph or are non-steel. I can't even take motion-sickness medication, because the side-effects will make me unable to visit the parks entirely.

If i won the lottery, I have a plan set up with what i would do with it...a 2nd option would be to move into Sea World Orlando as a live-in resident...LOL (I wish!)

midwave, I gotta ask why YOU go to amusement parks at all? Let alone take the time to talk about them on a roller coaster enthusiast message board? If you get motion sickness, I feel bad for you, but why keep going to parks? Especially, why keep going to parks and complaining when they don't have non-ride attractions (why would they when the money makers are the big rides, coaster or otherwise) and when you don't get the customer service you want? It seems to me that you only enjoyed SFWoA BECAUSE of the Sea World aspect of it, regardless of any rides or waterpark, and now you're complaining that the Sea World side is gone. Well if all you want is animals, go to the zoo, don't make up statistics about the loss of attendance at a park or state that there won't be any changes in the future.

Please, don't visit. While there aren't many in line anyway, maybe on a busy Saturday or something, one less person in line will make a difference ;)

Impulse-ive, you are correct! I only enjoyed the SeaWorld/SFWoA side of the park and the waterpark. I go now just for the waterpark. I miss those family rides because they are the few that I could enjoy, and I do go on some of the GL family rides, and BKMR with the kids. Even though this is a coaster site, it's not a coaster-only site.

Name me a local zoo with a majority of marinelife animals and animal performances? That's what I miss!

You don't have to bother about me not getting in line...I don't eat hamburgers or hotdogs... You shoulda seen the 50's diner manager look when he overheard me complaining about no cups for the ketchup dispenser.

The best food was on the Wildlife side of the park, the best atmosphere and beauty was on the Wildlife side of the park, the best service was on the Wildlife side, the cleanest and air-conditioned bathrooms were on the Wildlife side! I could go on :)

Have a great day guys...time for work!

CD64....I wanted to mention, if you check the history section of my website, you'll see that in 2002, SFWoA's main devotion was the Wildlife side almost exclusively. That side was a different experience entirely, and if you had a bad time on the 'Ride Side' in 2002, I'm sorry you did :( *** Edited 7/30/2004 4:02:50 PM UTC by midwave***

I think the Busch, Disney, and Universal parks have done pretty well for themselves with a lot of non-coaster/big ride attractions at each park that wouldn't get people motion sick. Maybe that's a reason why they're some of the most-visited parks in the World.

+Danny
"I never asked for your opinion. I just got it. And I get it."

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Thank you for makeing sure the SF and SW ara will not be erased by Cedar Fair's Geauga Lake

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I wish I could erase the memories from my trip to Six Flags Ohio.

Geez...Six Flags Ohio was my first visit to the park since 1998, before I got hooked onto the animal side. Got me and my Goddaughter in free twice, spent 150 bucks in 2 visits , and enjoyed every moment of it! SFO and AOL was the reason for me to start buying season passes, and the purchase of SWO, which me and her talked about going to anyways, was the icing on the cake! Six Flags was great memories for us, and we never had such the problems we see people complaining about.

I have never been to the park at all, but I would guess next year will be so much better. They will have time to rehab the rides and stuff they didn't get to do this year.

Also, I don't think employees calling them "Intamin pieces of ****" really know a daggone thing about keeping the rides up, so I wouldn't pay any mind to them or to those that say X-Flight is going. More than likely, they don't ever talk to mechanics/higher staff and are just bs'ing.

Now, I do have to say no articles on the platform is gay. They let you do that in almost every park, why not there.