The Beach waterpark closes, cites competition, economy

I drove right past it every time I went to Kings Island, was it in the ranks of Kings Island's water park?

If you mean was it affiliated, the answer is no. I never visited either the Beach or KI's waterpark, so I couldn't rate them against each other. I always thought there was a connection..and I know this sounds silly..beacause of the similarity of the names.."The Beach" and "The Beast."

I don't buy the economic excuse. Most parks are doing very well right now. Competition on the other hand. That would be a big factor with Kings Island right down the street. If a family was already getting a Kings Island pass, there wouldn't be much benifit to going to The Beach. So really, your counting on locals who only want to go to a waterpark and not an amusement park.

^I think that's the big issue. Kings Island's season passes are very inexpensive if you're just getting a Gold Pass (good for only Kings Island, not other CF parks). So the cost benefit of getting the amusement park as well as the water park far outweighs going to The Beach in my mind.

However, The Beach was actually a very good water park, from my memories. I didn't think King's Islands was nearly as good, but again... I could do that for "free," so I always went to Waterworks/Boomerang Bay.

I knew it didn't look good when they cancelled the 2011 Holiday Fest, citing wanting to devote resources to the upcoming 2012 season, but I wasn't expecting an abrupt closure like this.

Wonder if it'll get bought outright and reopened, or go to auction like Wyandot Lake did.

I am not surprised by the news. I am just surprised they didn't close sooner. KI's waterpark has gotten more popular over the years with numerous expansions. Add that as well as the Great Wolf Lodge and you have a waterpark that's not even remotely a "destination" for out-of-towners anymore.

People aren't going to spend money at a waterpark down the road when they have the best of both worlds for one price at KI.

-Tina

Official site has been replaced with a press release: http://www.thebeachwaterpark.com/

MASON, Ohio, March 9, 2012 - After more than 27 years in business, The Beach Waterpark announced plans to close for the 2012 season today. The closure begins immediately and is the result of a challenging competitive and economic climate and changing patron entertainment habits.

“The Beach Waterpark management team is extremely saddened to make today’s announcement,” said Ralph Vilardo Jr., authorized spokesperson on behalf of The Beach Waterpark. “We have been proud to provide entertainment and employment to Southwest Ohioans for more than 27 years. Like many businesses these days, we had to make the difficult decision to close after concluding that further investment to support the business cannot be justified.”
The Beach Waterpark has employed more than 15,000 people during the course of its operation. An estimated 7.5 million people have visited the park. The Beach Waterpark has operated at a loss during the past several years.

About The Beach Waterpark
The Beach Waterpark opened in 1985 and is situated on 35 acres in Mason, Ohio, near Cincinnati and Dayton Ohio. A tropical themed park, The Beach Waterpark offered more than 50 rides and attractions to visitors.

Consumer concerns or questions may be directed to thebeachwaterpark@northlich.com. Every effort will be made to respond in a timely manner.

NOooooooooooooooooooooooooo

This sucks! Not only is it another Ohio water park closing down...but a pretty freakn' good water park. One of the best around this part of the Nation.

The Beach had great slides. A great mix of slides. A very unique setting (I like water parks that use their natural landscape). Great for families.

The money side of me. I really don't see them being able to compete with KI this year, especially with the newly expanded water park.

I wish The Beach was closer to all the hotels so they could possibly partner with them (aka some water parks have the stay here, and visit our park deals.)

This REALLY scares me now...I see the stars slowly lining up now to nudge KI into having a separate admission to Soak City...and now with the Beach now longer competing with them. Why wouldn't KI make the change (besides the obvious locals crying foul?)

It's interesting that they say they are going to keep the maintenance up on this place though. I wonder what the cost is of running that place for the year...Anyone ever see some water park figures. I've seen amusement park figures, but not water park.

KI took out Americana and now The Beach. (yeah I know some say American did it to themselves...but I don't care ;c) )

Just sad. I hate to see any park across the U.S.A. come to this.

-RollerCoasterGod

I heard an interview the other day with Dan Helbig and he pointed out Soak City will always be included with admission for years to come but who knows now.

^ What do you mean "another Ohio water-park" closing down?

Has there been a flow of waterparks in Ohio closing? I'm not being sarcastic.

Incidentally, this is a bit sad, and I had never set foot in this park, but we were actually going to go for the first time (for me) as part of a road trip that passed through Kings Island. Oh well.

It looks like they did have a decent collection.

Dover Lake water park up in Northern Ohio a few years back...that was a pretty decent water park for folks up North (it had one killer tube slide on the side of a hill, and one of the first wave machines around. If I remember correctly there was also Surf Cincinnati. Granted it's been about 10 years for both of those places. But for many around there is still some good memories...or bad ones for those that got there worst sunburns ;)

The park was good in its earlier days. When there was Surf Cincinnati, Beach and Coney it did well. When KI brought in the water park it did hurt the Beach. Then I had heard from many that once Great Wolf Lodge would open, that it would only be a matter of time. It did last longer than I did expect. But it was a fun park in its better days.

I never knew about The Beach until 5 years or so ago, when I took an afternoon break from KI to eat. Ever since I saw the place, I wondered how they could possibly stay in business with KI across the street, with water park included in admission. With reviews indicating the place was getting run down and in need of maintenance, I'm not surprised by the news. I'm sure the major overhaul of KI's water park was the nail in the coffin for The Beach. This is sad to see, but maybe they could sell the assets and join forces with Coney Island or something.

I wouldn't be surprised to see CNL, Gary Story, or Palace operating this park in the near future. It has a decent physical plant in a good market that supported the park for 20+ years.

The park may not operate in 2012, but I don't think it is going away.

The market has changed. Kings Island's water park has nearly doubled in size, and there's an indoor water park resort across the street. That's not even considering the extensive investment by municipalities to build "mini water parks" at their various recreation centers. If you really want to get down to it, that's why smaller water parks have a tough go of it.

I just hope Kings Island's new waterpark expansion fixes the overcrowding problem. I hope that the Beach's closure doesn't add to much to the problem. I usually don't visit Kings Island's waterpark because the lines for a slide are ridiculous. I'll wait no more than 15 or 20 minutes for a slide before thinking that it's not worth it.

Man, does that open the door for discussion on bringing FastLane to the waterpark. :)

Or making it a separate gate.

Even under previous ownership, I always thought it was a tragic missed opportunity that they included it in admission. I mean, at worst, you drive more season pass sales, which is still a win.