Kennywood or Geauga Lake? Which do you prefer?

It was just put in - when I worked on Tuesday it wasn't there, but was there last night.

Kennywood wins hands down. While Geauga Lake has the B&M Floorless, and Villan and Intamin impulse coaster, Kennywood has 3 woodies that no other woodies compare to. They're not the fastest or biggest, but theyre the most unique and offer a ride experience different than any other woodies can offer. And I'll take the Phantom over a B&M Floorless and Intamin Impulse coaster any day. Again, the Phantom is the most unique steel coaster, and as far as the world of hypercoasters go, it offers one of the best, if not THE best ride experience of any hypercoaster. The other rides Kennywood offers like Aero360, Pittfall, Exterminator, and King Kahuna are great for the thrill seeker. In addition, the collection of amazing classic flat rides is second to none. The atmosphere is the best atmosphere anywhere. I just don't think Geauga Lake can compare. Kennywood is just one of a kind.

Also, I have taken friends who have never been to Pittsbrugh to Kennywood, and they all said its in their top 3, or even the best park theyve ever been to. This coming from people who have been to Dorney, Six Flags Great Adventure, Busch Gardens, Cedar Point, etc... That just proves its not just the hometown people who like Kennywood...

You Know what, I think everyone needs to accept the fact that even though they are competing, doesn't mean we all should. So, with that said, I think the majority of people on here have stated that Both parks are just 2 completely different experiences. with KW, you have that nostalgic, classic, traditional feel to it, and because of that we Don't need the place to be huge, or have a thousand rides.

GL, is more of a resort vacation property, setting itself up for a 2 day trip. The new Wildwater Kingdom and also Hurricane Hannah's is good for a day itself, then you have your next day to explore the rest of the park, which contains all the megapark rides everyone loves, shows, and the food isn't bad, it's just pricey, as is any other chain park. not to mention look at how much more GL has to offer. alot more, so prices are up. of cousre KW prices are better, it's a much smaller park! GL does keep their gardens beautiful, and also keeps the place spotless.

The fact they have a campground right on their property, and that there is now a new entrance to WWK side only about 200 yards from the camp entrance, is just awsome to me. You never have to go near city roads or anything, just right there the whole time.

Now, I think those are both good enough reasons to visit both parks and enjoy them both. They are both very different, and worth going to both. This coming from someone who doesn't even go to KW anymore.

Its perfectly fine to compare these parks. You could say oh theyre two different parks for any combination of parks youre comparing. Whats better Dorney or Hershey? Theyre different. Thats why you compare them, to see which one is better. Traditional & Family Owned vs. Chain Park...perfectly legal, normal, and good debate topic. It doesnt have to be a debate like Kennywood vs. Knoebel's to be fair. Let the people debate.

---

ProgRay said:
FYI midwave, when I rode GL's Carousel on May 14th, the seat belts had been removed.

Ray P. (who thinks both parks are well worth visiting)

---

Great to hear! Any change yet to the restrictions on Shipwreck Falls 'Splash Wall' and Grizzly Run?

---

The_Lost_Phantom said:

And you never know what Kennywood has up its sleeve. Look what they did with the Steel Phantom. I just can't wait till the Mon Fayette Expressway comes through, then something big will probably happen.

---

I hate to admit it, but what Kennywood did with the Steel Phantom in 91 will never happen again. A record breaking rollercoaster has gotten just to expensive and space consuming. There's just so much more competition now, from parks with so much more money and space, not to mention more visitors. Dont get me wrong, I love Kennywood do death, ive been going there since I was a kid, but they will never get another true record breaking rollercoaster.

Midwave, I am not 100% certain on the Shipwreck Falls requirement. The bridge was closed on my last visit (a chain was there to "prevent" guests from standing in the splash zone), so it's more than likely that some sort of rule is still in place.

As far as the Carousel goes, Six Flags installed those "fanny pack-style" seatbelts sometime during the 2003 season. If I'm not mistaken, Cedar Fair removed them for the start of the 2004 season. I know that the GL Carosel runs a bit faster than others, but those seatbelts weren't going to be any help if someone fell off!

Ray P.

ProgRay,

Those seatbelts were installed by Cedar Fair at the start of the 2004 season. We went on that Carousel the final day of the 2003 operating season and they were never there, nor the other 22 visits we made it to SFO/SFWoA. I did notice that CF runs the ride a bit faster...maybe that's why they did that?

Midwave, I know you're a frequent visitor to GL/SFWoA as well, so I'll take your word for it on the Carousel seatbelt thing. For some reason, I remember my friend and I riding in 2003 and wondering why in the heck they installed seatbelts. Guess my memory isn't quite as good as it used to be! In any case, the important thing is that they are gone now! :)

Ray P.

Its still Kennywood hands down, and I don't live in Pittsburgh, I'm closer to Geauga Lake. I'll still defend GL and CP though because they are my favorite home state parks (along with PKI).

If those seatbelts were nylon strap with plastic clips, I know them all to well. Chance was saying that they were less damaging to the paint than traditional leather belts. I had a set on my machine for a while, and let me tell you, the plastic clips inflicted much more damage than the leather belts ever did (which I put back on for our final season).

what thet heck are you talking about, its not even on subject unless its GL's old straps on the merry go round.

You just answered your own question.

a retorical question...sorry. How are the nylon clips more damaging?

They are almost as hard as the brass buckles, and half of the clip assembly is at the end of the strap. When the "children" (i.e. the ones that don't wear the straps) whip the horses, the clip on the end will put some serious dings in the paint, sometimes even taking chunks out. I've seen this condition on both antique and fiberglass figures. At least the leather belts don't take 1/16" chips of the figure out. If the ops would just nip this behavior in the bud, it would greatly reduce the damage done, and the expense of refinishing more frequently. Not to mention also that I've seen some of this "horseplay" lead to somebody getting whacked in the eye on more than one occasion. They complain that you're ruining their fun untill that happens.

GL has a superior collection of coasters. I like it more.

Ok, thanks Dutchman I understand this now. Oh, and Word, beleive me its not about the coasters always. Its the whole park in general.

Right, the WHOLE park. which GL has alot more of. GL&WWK is one facility, so you have to include everything at GL, not just the north side, which alone is still twice the size of Kennywood.

I love GL, does everyone have to jump on everyone that likes GL? and vice versa? Just state the park you preffer and move on, geez. GL&WWK all the way for me. Sorry KW and Sandcastle.

I'm not saying GL and WWK isn't a bad park, just needs improvement. I love the park, I know it like the back of my hand, literally. Its always been a favorite. For right now rating head on with each other Kennywood is winning in my head.