Kennywood or Geauga Lake? Which do you prefer?

The Cleveland Plain Dealer printed a so-so artcle today on the increasing comp. bewtween these two parks; Kennywood entering Geauga Lake's market, and GL doing the same to Kennywood. If you had a choise which would you chose the older GL, or the classic feel, more costly, Kennywood?

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1118136806257600.xml&coll=2 *** Edited 6/8/2005 2:18:44 AM UTC by jar***

It's an AP article ;) The Plain Dealer would never had come up with something as insightful as that...

Here's a link to the article:
http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/news/state/11831691.htm

I like apples MUCH better than oranges

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SFWoARules! said:
It's an AP article ;) The Plain Dealer would never had come up with something as insightful as that...

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thats weird, they are 2 different articles, the AP just simple rewrote the PD's. dont get me wrong im not supporting the PD or all, believe me i hate the paper just as much as the rest of the region...

You're right! Should've checked the cleveland.com before.

http://www.cleveland.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news/1118136806257600.xml?nohio&coll=2&thispage=1

I sadly enough have never been to Kennywood so I can't comment on the issue. *** Edited 6/8/2005 3:01:18 AM UTC by SFWoARules!***

I've been to both parks, thats a hard decision, I'd want to visit Kennywood, I love their strict restraint checking and how the lines move. I also love Geauga Lake because Its a park I've been to every year for 18 years. I love both parks just as much. I guess I'm nutral. ;) :)

Well, my one trip to GL was when it was SFWoA. While it was fun and has what I believe to be the more intense rides, KW for me was still more enjoyable.
Both have classic John MIller woodies (my favorite designer), but KW has more of them. Add to that KW's collection of hard to find flats, and KW wins it for me.

I prefer Kennywood.

I would have to agree *breaking from neutral* Kennywood was more enjoyable than Geauga Lake. I thought so, but I'm happy in most cases.

Nice article. I've been seeing a lot of Pittsburgh people at Geauga Lake, so the marketing must be working. I think a lot of Pittsburgh locals are bored of Kennywood, which is why they are visiting us (I work at Geauga Lake) instead. I went to Kennywood last year, and really enjoyed it, so I like the competition. I think it will benefit both parks.

But one interesting observation: Many Kennywood regulars have asked me if Skyscraper is a drop tower. Luckily, having been to Kennywood myself, I can tell them that our ride is nothing like Pitfall, as that is a drop tower, and Skyscraper is an observation tower.

-Sam

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Dominator56 said:
I've been to both parks, thats a hard decision, I'd want to visit Kennywood, I love their strict restraint checking and how the lines move.

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You bring up a great point. If they didn't check the restraints so strictly, I don't know if I could stomach Kennywood. (let alond stand me? Christina Aguilera better switch me chairs.)

Edit. . .I guess I thought that was funny last night when I was. . . *** Edited 6/8/2005 4:21:03 PM UTC by Word***

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Avalanche Sam said:
I think a lot of Pittsburgh locals are bored of Kennywood, which is why they are visiting us (I work at Geauga Lake) instead.

True dat. Kennywood is my home park, but I've become bored with it over the last few years. I became a big GL fan last year and especially enjoyed the Halloween events. I've had nothing but good experiences there and with a CP Season Pass/GL add on, you can't beat it!

Although I love Kennywood, with the increased prices and lack of season passes, it has become just a once a year picnic visit. To feed my coaster fever, I'll be at the Lake!

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I don't think there is no comparison. Geauga Lake all the way, because GL has more to offer than Kennywood

Both are sufficient parks with both great assets and their own issues to overcome to succeed more.

Kennywood is for the traditionalist who wants a great family experience, while offering some of the better variety of foods, and you will be able to leave the park satisfied and still have money in their wallet, yet there is not enough to 'cool you off' in the hot summer months.

Geauga Lake seems focused on the blend of a waterpark with some good intense rides that only some major parks have, but you'll most likely experience sticker shock for food and games, as well as aggravation over seating and odd height restrictions than most parks in North America.

Kennywood needs to consider building a small waterpark inside the location, not just have a separate park for water. Geauga Lake needs to hire an established nutritionalist/chef and start selling a large variety of non-greasy/healthier foods at an affordable price for the family, as well as post new individual ride rules online, that seem to change often, so that people are aware and not frustrated after waiting in line only to learn of them at the last moment.

*** Edited 6/8/2005 12:45:20 PM UTC by midwave***

Kennywood...

I am a native to Pittsburgh, and I don't get bored with Kennywood. Everytime I go there I am amazed at the little things the park can do. I honestly wasn't there until last weekend. I hadn't returned from last August.

There were huge changes made, and all for the good I might add.

Geauga Lake, has more coasters yes. But not everything is about coasters. I love the park experience ( I know gasp, faint fall over an enthusiast is out for park experience not credit whoring). Actually I know more enthusiasts that love the parks in general. Maybe a few awesome rides in it.

I have to say I was at both parks Memorial weekend. Back to back, while GL had no lines and one train ops (all that was needed), KW had the crowds and familys and great times. Lines were cooking.

Food was awful at GL. Patch Fries rule at the wood.

Good arguements from both sides. But my homepark will always be KW. New coaster or NOT, I still have an awesome time, EVERY time I go.

Katie

Well i havn't been to GL In a LOOOONG Time so i can't really say which is better. KW of course is my home park and i still have lots of fun when i go there. And why do yall think we are strict with restraint checking. We just do our job. We don't want no one falling out the rides. Are yall telling me that some parks don't check restraints properly?

Odd height restrictions?

Much of what's on the AP wire was written by member papers.

I've yet to go to Geauga Lake since the acquisition. Soon I think, since I have the endorsement on my CP pass and I sure as hell should use it.

Kennywood has a charm to it that you just can't manufacture. That and you can't easily beat the Potato Patch. That alone makes it worth the trip.

To me its a dead tie. I like them both just a much. But I only can get a season pass for Geauga Lake. I wonder why Kennywood doesn't offer one.