What we should DEMAND of Geauga Lake...

Speaking of the Lococos, it was nice of Six Flags to remember Gasper when they built the Villain.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Wahoo, That wouldn't be Augie that is working at the Great Bear Lodge would it? He was my superviser for part of the season that year. I know he worked at a lot of parks even Great America in Chicago. He actually had just returned from working there when he was my sup.

Anyways I agree with you though. Cedar Fair knows all about the park. There might be some minor underlying issues that they are not familiar with, but nothing they can't handle either. There is room in this market for both parks. You're right, Cedar Point has a unique opportunity in it's hands right now. They won't muck it up for themselves.

Wood - anything else is an imitation

Jeff Lococo is the manager for the Great Bear Lodge. He might be the grandson of Gasper?

I'm not suggesting they don't know the history of the place. I'm suggesting they don't know e.g. the details of the building restrictions on the wildlife side. That's why they were careful to mention the due diligence phase more than once in the call.

I never noticed that sign on Villain before or would have known thats what it meant. Thats awesome.

The building restrictions at Geauga Lake have been well-documented for years both inside the enthusiast community and outside. I remember reading stories when Wolf Bobs was built about the park wanting it to be taller but the area complaining about it.

It is public information that you can be sure Cedar Fair was aware of.

Any business on a conference call that is heard by the public and the media is going to be careful about what they do or don't say.

Jeff Lococo...that's it. I remember Jeff somewhat, but it was a long time ago. The details escape me right now.

Brian, I think they are aware of the restrictions and history with the locals. You have to realize that they deliver the same Cleveland papers in Sandusky too. The owners of both parks were familiar with each other and dealt with each other too. That is partly why there are comp. tickets given to employees encouraging visits to the others park. Everyine in the industry deals with each other with professional courtesy. They don't go around stabbing each other in the back like some enthusiasts will do. That's a big misconception among us.

XFlight, stick around, you might learn something you didn't know from us old timers. :)

Wood - anything else is an imitation

We should demand they sell it back to SF. This is ridiculous. There is no way the park will ever be the same. What about competition, there is none now. I think this is the end of that park, nothing good will ever come to it again. This just sucks, I'm so disappointed :(

One less person in line for Villain! Whoohoo!

Chief/Thirllerman: there's more to it than what's in the papers/public record. There are the conversations between town councilmembers and park representatives---those carry lots of information relevant to what can and cannot be done that never ever makes it into the public record. Even with sunshine laws.

Other examples might include the actual state of maintenance of the capital equipment (including the rides) in the park.

I'm not suggesting that GL has a big lurking albatross hanging out, poison-pill style, as a trap. However, given the statement that no CF executive visited the park during negotiations (and I believe that statement) I suspect there are a few details they need to know before they can make concrete plans.

I'm sure they knew enough to make the purchase, but I'm surprised that some of you think there will be no surprises.

Yes, all property that belonged to SFWOA will be included in the sale (including the offsite storage areas).

There is one simply way to get around the maddness of Bainbridge, and that is to form "The Village of Geauga Lake" That way they aren't tied into Bainbridge's stupid residents! And the pain in the arse police chief can be out of the picture. But then again, legally who knows what that would bring on to CF if they thought of something like that.

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We should demand they sell it back to SF. This is ridiculous. There is no way the park will ever be the same. What about competition, there is none now. I think this is the end of that park, nothing good will ever come to it again. This just sucks, I'm so disappointed

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CF buying this property is the best thing that could happen. (Minus the loss of great employees and animals). They will bring back the "American Classic"

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Thrillerman said:XFlight, stick around, you might learn something you didn't know from us old timers.

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Sad thing is Ive been working at the park since 2001 and never saw that or knew what it meant. lol

Oh! Jeff Lococo is running Great Bear Lodge now? I met him when he was running Wyandot Lake, then he got promoted back to Geauga Lake, then for a while he was managing both parks, then when they turned Geauga Lake into Six Flags Ohio I lost track of him.

At Wyandot Lake, the pizza shop used to be called, "Gasper's Pizzaria," and the back wall of the bumper car pavilion (which was lost in the 2002 fire) was a mural of a seaside scene, featuring a large boat named the "S. S. Lococo". I have a photo of that, too, but it isn't in my database yet. :)

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

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insider said:CF buying this property is the best thing that could happen. (Minus the loss of great employees and animals). They will bring back the "American Classic"

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And THAT is my only complaint...We are losing some of the best animal trainers in the world, as well as all the animals. It's enough to put in question my return ever to the 'new' Geauga Lake, and I only wish SF and CF would allow 1 final day for the public to view the animals before they are sent away. A Rich History of all sorts of animals , and the glorified killer whale, Shouka, and all 4 dolphins, Ty, Brisby, Jasmine & Sadie will all be both sorely missed, and the entire Northeastern region we live in will never see their wonder again.

I wish all the former Sea World/SixFlagsWoA animal trainers and fellow employees all the best in life!

As for the 'new' Geauga Lake, you can take it or leave it, but without the animal shows, its just another 'amusement' park! *** Edited 3/17/2004 5:28:16 AM UTC by midwave***

Ok...ya'll want Geauga Lake to be put back to normal, but want it to be greater...so heres my two cents. Yes the silver ships should be put back in, along with the tilt-a-whirl. They should also put the scrambler and Rotor back in as well. They need to put the water park back to the name Turtle Beach and bring back the dog and the turtle. The animal side will never be the same so I say wreck down the main buildings and transfer some of the current roller coasters over to that side since there is the height restriction set by the township it sits on, and they can then build taller coasters on the ride side. Thats the only improvements i can think of right now...but trust me i can some up with more!

Aurora also has height restrictions, but I think Aurora is more willing to bend the rules in return for a little $$. Bainbridge is just a pain in the a**! (You will gradually see my hatred towards that township)

Bainbridge is protecting it's residents as you would expect any community to do. Cedar Point would have the same issues if they weren't on the Peninsula.

No, Bainbridge residents like to complain about EVERYTHING with the park. Especially those that live on Petibone Rd. My feeling is, you moved near a theme park, tough sh*t, you should have known that it might be noisy, traffic will be a pain, or tall rides might be there. Bainbridge Township treats that park like the little red headed step child they never wanted, but they still exepect the millions of dollars the park brings in for them.

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eric.walton said:
We should demand they sell it back to SF. This is ridiculous. There is no way the park will ever be the same. What about competition, there is none now. I think this is the end of that park, nothing good will ever come to it again. This just sucks, I'm so disappointed :(

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Hmm I'm wondering how you are going to demand to have the park sold back to CF. Exactly what authority do you have? Well i can see your concern but the park is going to be better now because they are part of the CF family. The park has stayed the same if not gotten worse in the past few years and CF seems to intent to fix it up. I for one welcome the change of possesion.

On a lighter note, I'd like to DEMAND that the tables and chairs be put back outside the Saloon in Coyote Creek, er, Western Village, er, next to Double Loop. This past summer, we wandered all around looking for a nice perch to just veg-out and people watch. I cannot begin to count how many hours were spent on that porch the previous summers...

rk