Improving Geauga Lake

Just some thoughts i have how to better improve Geauga Lake, keep in mind i like what they have been doing just feel more is needed as you probably know. Here is my list

1.Get rid of Beachcombers put a whole new restaraunt in there something like Coasters or Johnny Rockets like they have at Cedarpoint,either one would be great but for an entertainment value they should put a Johnny Rockets seeing as most of the employees of Johnny Rockets walk out to the midway at times and sing as guests watch.

2.These Trams for transporting from Geauga /Wild Water Kingdom sides don't seem like a long term solution, they don't seem to fit many people, a big train would be an interesting solution from getting side to side make a seperate bridge for the train but i have no clue where they could put a train station on the WWk side, as for the Geauga side they could put a station right in the same area near Beach Combers in the old WaterPark area, yeah i know i said put a Johnny Rockets or Coasters in this area above is this area big enough for a train station as well? They need to put something there in the old WaterPark and by just getting rid of Beach Combers and starting fresh would be a start

3. A new Coaster would attract attention to Geauga Lake

4. Add a walk in sit down restaurant on the WWK side as well like i suggested for Geauga side.

5.Maybe a Camp Snoopy somewhere for the kids Now with the Paramount Parks sale to Cedarfair pending Completion maybe they could bring Sponge Bob to Geauga Lake next Season but if they did that and got rid of Snoopy they would have to rename Snoopys Boutique. These are just some of my ideas *** Edited 6/15/2006 10:13:43 PM UTC by coaster_addict*** *** Edited 6/15/2006 10:21:43 PM UTC by coaster_addict***

I have some ideas for you.

1. Use paragraphs.

2. Separate your ideas so that they are easier to read.

3. Use capital letters where necessary.

We're glad to have you here at Coasterbuzz, but people will be much more likely to respond to your posts if they use correct grammar and spelling. The easier they are to read, the better!

I agree. I want to read that post but one huge paragraph turns me away. As Mr. Young said, people are more likely to respond if your post is easy to read.

I was going to read that, Rob, but your lack of paragraphs turned me away. *** Edited 6/15/2006 7:11:00 PM UTC by millrace***

I love how it takes 3 people to say the same thing too!!!

I don't think some of these ideas will work. Geauga Lake has plenty to offer. A solution for the trams is the only thing that's really necessary here.

Now that Wildwater Kingdom is technically 'completed' (and I use that term loosely), here's what should be done next.

Revive the 50's midway (not including the former Hurricane Hannah's water park). It's empty and lifeless. Lots of potential for a rebirth with new flat rides here. Bring back the Musik Express and Tilt-a-Whirl and place them where Hyde's used to stand.

The games midway facing Kidworks Playzone hardly has any traffic so the games go unplayed and there isn't much room to really add anything. Maybe remove the dime toss game and pool tables by Big Dipper's exit and relocate Dipper's entrance to this area. Reroute the exit to head out onto the midway.

Johnny Rockets or Coasters at Beachcomber's spot? They would have a better chance of placing one of these at the Jukebox Cafe location.

To revive the western area around Villain/Double Loop/Texas Twister:

Move and refurbish the Illions' carousel to a more prominent spot towards the front of the park and put your freefall tower here. Take out the little barn that used to house a country show during the SF days and put in your queue line. That would get more traffic down the path by the fudge shop.

Move the Dodgems to the 50's midway to make the restrooms behind it more visible. They have to be the most hidden restrooms in the park, other than the ones by Larger Than Life in Kidworks.

Do something with the old rock wall location, it looks bad. They are putting a 3-Point Challenge game where the Enterprise used to be and it looks a heck of a lot better than it did as a Boardwalk Fries stand.

Do something with the stench around Dominator. Mix that odor with the Power City Pizza and you don't get a good combination. I think the stench has something to do with that area being a former wetlands until Six Flags ripped it up for GL's best steel coaster so I'm not sure if anything can be done about it.

The trams are okay, they definitely need at least one more, but I doubt a much bigger one will work due to how narrow the path is behind Wolf Bobs. Speaking of the path, I don't see why some people complain about the length as it isn't any longer than Frontier Trail at CP but I think if the park added some things back there then the walk wouldn't be so bad. There's plenty of room where the zebras used to roam to add a flat ride or three. *** Edited 6/15/2006 9:31:00 PM UTC by X Factor***

Now that's more like it X Factor. Not only did you use paragraphs and spacing, but your ideas are a whole lot more thought out.

Those are definently all areas that need some serious attention. Most importantly (IMO) are those areas around Dominator and behind Wolf Bob's.

-The area around Dominator is especially bad on really hot days, (which seems to be every time we visit up there.)

-And I know Cedar Fair said from the beginning when they took over GL that animals were not their thing, (which led to the end of the Wildlife side). But that pathway back there could be a nice shaded area to take a break away from the hustle and bustle around the park.

Keeping a few animals, like the Zebra's would've been a nice touch back there. Add some bathrooms, maybe a drink stand, and some benches and seating areas, and I have to believe it would attract people back there. Nothing big, just an area like CP's barnyard / Frontierland.

Here's some of ideas:

- Turn the Jukebox cafe into a full service restaraunt, keep the name tho. Also offer a full menu with food that you can't find at the walk up stands.

- Tear out the old water park, 'move' the catering paviion to this area, and make use of the old ballroom. Add some flats and a few stands/shops to fill in the area.

- Clean up the 50's area abit, add a drop tower to replace hydes, and move or buy a new Carousel and place in the 'central park' area, it'll give it some kind of life. From what I understand, the monorail is SBNO and may be removed. If so replace with a newer model, but place a station in the Kids Works or where the old ferry boat dock is, and run it along side the shore of the lake, and place a second station where the flat rides are on the south side(wwk side). Basicly it'll run in shuttle mode.

- Speaking of kidsworks, the placement of boomtown/kidsworks was IMO a bad idea since it's kind of 'hidden' from the rest of the park. They should move it to where the current catering pavilion is near Beaver land mine ride. A camp snoopy theme would be much more fitting in that area anyway.

-Do something about the midway between thunderhawk and the log ride. When the crowds get large, this midway becomes a pain. Either create a second path from the main gate area to where double loop is, or remove/modify the log ride to expand that little section of midway.

- They need more shows, and good ones. The shows from SWO/SFWoA were a big draw. They can do with out the animals, but they do need a good selection of shows that can be compared to those you see at a busch gardens park.

- Walkway between RWB and WWK needs some life. Add some unique shops, and a petting zoo/farm. Like someone stated above, Frontierland-ish.

I know some of these are alittle 'over the top', but they do need to bring back some of the old glory of 'the lake' by adding good shows and rides for all types of people. They don't need 17 coasters to bring the crowds in, but a 'landmark' coaster, something people will be talking about for years and yeas, such as a hyper, will be a big boost, and they do need a second family coaster.

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X Factor said:

The games midway facing Kidworks Playzone hardly has any traffic so the games go unplayed and there isn't much room to really add anything. Maybe remove the dime toss game and pool tables by Big Dipper's exit and relocate Dipper's entrance to this area. Reroute the exit to head out onto the midway.

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I've been waiting for the park to 'un cover' Dipper's station for years now. I wish they really would, and give the station a nice old style look.

I think it would be a great idea to add a full service restaurant on the WWK side where the aquarium is. Right now it is a waste of space, and I think that that would be a good way to utilize the old building. It would also be great if they added some sort of attraction where the old shark encounter was. Just some thoughts.

I agree with revamping the 'Western' theme would be a nice improvement.

Other improvements should include adding trees, prettier landscaping and more shows.
Work to remove the 'Asphalt-World' image which is something that has been mentioned on many sites.

They have the potential to make a paradise on the waterside of the park just by using the natural terrain. (i haven't seen it under CF MGNT, but i can imagine how beautiful it could be by remembering SFWOA days.)

Adding a coaster will draw attention? Uh four coasters in two years barely did that.

IMHO while having a good time last year on my visit the park needs these things

I see CP wanting to grow this park but not take away from its flagship. IMHO it should go the HW route with free parking, drinks, sunscreen and friendliness.

While the park did seem friendlier last year with managers and such walking about saying hi, how you doing? ect. I still got a couple instances of rude employees. Villains ops were goofing off all day and when I went to ride X flight we were greated with a guy grabbing my brother and telling him NO FANNY PACKS, you have to rent a locker. OK FINE the friggin locker machine would'nt take dollars for some reason so we just decided to say screw it and move on. Thats the second CF park I've had a situation of being physically grabbed at. The other was CF when a op grabbed me on MF about a umbrella in my back pocket of which I had ridden it three times prior to that with the umbrella on board.

A SIMPLE SIR would suffice is all im getting at.

Chuck, who also thinks it needs another sitdown restaurant with different fare than burgers on the park side.

Chuck: Going with the sit-down Restaurant idea, what would you suggest?

I could see adding something like a Golden Corral or other (buffet style). It could tie into the western theme.

When i think of amusement park food/restaurants, i can't help but think of DollyWood. They had the largest variety, great prices and quality food.

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Villains ops were goofing off all day and when I went to ride X flight we were greated with a guy grabbing my brother and telling him NO FANNY PACKS, you have to rent a locker.

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When I went last year, I wore my fanny pack on X Flight. However, I let my shirt hang over the pack so you really couldn't see exactly how big a nerd I was/am.

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Coasterbuzzer said:

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Villains ops were goofing off all day and when I went to ride X flight we were greated with a guy grabbing my brother and telling him NO FANNY PACKS, you have to rent a locker.

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When I went last year, I wore my fanny pack on X Flight. However, I let my shirt hang over the pack so you really couldn't see exactly how big a nerd I was/am.

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Zipper pockets are very nice, but very hard to find. I keep the bare minimum with me, 1 key to the door of my car, and a park map, mainly to find the well hidden restrooms that parks have. (sometime I still can't find them and have to ask an employee, who usually doesn't know themself!) I go back to the car if I need money and reapply sunblock while I'm there. I also usually pack my lunch and therefore don't need much in park money. I usually don't have a non-ridding friend, so any purchases and games are done the last thing. Just my thoughts on carrying stuff in the park.

^Those are some good suggestions. Could be that I was just lucky that they didn't notice or say anything to me about wearing my fanny pack on the ride.

On a side note, I am anxious to get back to GL for my 2nd trip ever. Can't wait for some laps on all of their coasters.

My "theme park shorts" which are nylon (which dry quickly after a water ride/rain) have a hidden "change pocket" attached to the inside of the waist elastic which confertably fits money keys and credit cards (allthough I usually buy a locker anyways so I dont leave my wallet in my car.)

Being there once this year & about a half dozen over the course of my entire life... all of those other times during the Worlds-of-Adventure days... I can suggest some things that have already been mentioned, but I'll mention it again. It can be something that could be done over the course of two years, but it HAS to be done short-term, not long-term, because if you keep stretching out these small changes any longer, they'll go more unnoticed & more subtle which won't draw as much attention as something drastic.

---> The 1st thing that HAS to be done first is to absolutely clean up the old waterpark. They need to take some bulldozers & just raze the entire area. I thought I read their initial plans were to turn that area into picnic grounds (complete with pavallions) for private parties. Apparently, this hasn't happened.

---> If you keep Beachcombers restaurant, then you need something inbetween the restaurant & the next ride (Big Dipper/Shipwreck Falls). The midway between there could benefit from a flat ride or two, while the picnic grounds would be behind them.

---> Bathrooms HAVE to be more visable. I go there every time, and still have a hard time locating them. I now know of three including the one under the stadium... but the ride-side bathrooms are still difficult to find.

---> You have X-Flight, Steel Venom, El Dorado, and Head Spin... not bad... but it still feels eerily empty inbetween! There's no theming or theme in the area and could really benefit from a couple flat rides... especially the area where Mr. Hydes was.

---> The 50's area could use a face-lift. I love LOVE LOVE how New England/Riverside Park has their 50's street-like area. It really is done just so-right... a good face-lift on certain areas would do that area justice, especially that shop that sells the 25 cent cotton candy. The signage doesn't look damaged or old, but it doesn't stand-out during the day.

---> As many have stated, the area between Wolf Bobbers & the half-dozen flats on the waterpark side is B-O-R-I-N-G!!!! It feels like a mile & a half walk because there is ZILCH there. No statues, no funny signs, no little houses... just boring trees & fields. On a hot day, it is unbearable. A petting zoo, as mentioned, would be great... as would a mini-frontier town, or some themed area. They already got other mini-themed areas such as the 50's area, Power City, a sorta western theme... why not a frontier town area?

---> The Monorail needs to be altered in a way to draw guests back to it! Although it would be expensive, if you could make it circle around the park, including going across the lake, that would be uber-cool. Would it be practical? Hell no... but it would certainly draw more people there, especially if there was a drop-off point across the lake sayyy, near the stadium right by the waterpark. It would require probably an unjustifable investment to make it circle through the main midway to have it cycle from the initial station across the lake and then back taking the outside near Wolf Bobs.

---> They need a new ride! You can't keep riding this park on smal changes such as customer service, new paint-jobs, or a waterpark expansion... you HAVE to eventually put in a new ride... and this park is due for one. It doesn't have to be a coaster... it could be a smaller triple S&S shot/drop tower, or Huss Jump2, Huss Fly-Away, or anything really... but something that is marketable and would draw a sizable crowd.

---> Shows... last but CERTAINLY not least are the shows & quality of the shows. A lumberjack show?!? Are you kidding me? I didn't see it, but from the description... it didn't sound interesting & looks like a waste of a good stadium. If you have a stadium by the water, you expect some cool explosions, a water-ski show with seadoos & other stunts.
-----> I don't mind the 4D theaters... but they can certainly benefit from some quality shows. The stadium should be their star spectical... something that'll fill the stands EVERY show. They could also use a couple other good shows, possibly a vaudville-style act, and maybe something else.

Bathrooms...agreed. The park could use some signage that indicates where the bathrooms are at. The only one that I can easily find is next to the Ben & Jerry's stand.

New coasters...not likely. I attended Coaster EXT and a GL rep said that the park is not profitable enough yet to warrant the construction of a new mulit-million dollar attraction. This is also why Halloweekens were cancelled this year.

Food stands/resturants...agreed. It would be nice to have a decent sit down place that did not serve the same items that you can buy anywhere else in the park.

Physical appearance...agreed. Additional trees or some type of shading would be great. I always feel bad for the ride host on X-Flight who is stuck at the entrance of the queue. Six Flags asphalt world sucks on hot days. Nothing like having the bottom of your shoes melting.

Overall...pleased. This was my second visit to GL since CF purchased the park. My perception is that the park has come a long way in customer service, maintenace (RWB ROCKS!!!), and overall atmosphere.

Something can always be improved. It will happen eventually.

All the CF parks have some sort of Wild Mouse and I don't think they would too expensive in comparison to something more larger, especially if they were to get a spinning one which would be quite marketable (even though Kennywood already has one).

Another beef I have is how secluded X Flight is with the rest of the 50's area. The Thunder Alley go-carts are a huge waste of space and I think they could easily put another path from Steel Venom to X Flight to make the ride more accessible.

You all have come up with some great ideas and to somewhat address the things you've stated:

My problem with the stadium is that it's just too large. When Six Flags ran the park they used to have concerts there (Christian and gospel come to mind) and I can't see why Cedar Fair couldn't create a summer concert series at the park. It is something that would easily draw people to the park and definitely something you can't get at CP. Get some local radio station(s) to help sponsor and promote them.

Also speaking of shows, if you want more quality shows then the current Palace Theater needs to be replaced. The stage there appears to be too small to really put on a good show and you also have an annoying post in the middle of the theater which seems to get in the way when trying to watch a show.

DawgByte mentioned:

" The 50's area could use a face-lift. I love LOVE LOVE how New England/Riverside Park has their 50's street-like area. It really is done just so-right... a good face-lift on certain areas would do that area justice, especially that shop that sells the 25 cent cotton candy. The signage doesn't look damaged or old, but it doesn't stand-out during the day."

This will never happen but maybe it's time to just remove the 50's theme altogether and maybe go for a more traditional look ala Lost Kennywood. You already have the classic Big Dipper, move the Carousel to this area, mix in traditional architecture including a new look for Dipper's station as well as chaser lights. Include abundant landscaping and add some modern flats to the mix and voila you could have one very vibrant area.

X Factor