Will Idora Park return from the dead?

Does anyone actually "own" the blueprints to the Idora coasters, or are they pretty much available from PTC to anyone who is interested in bringing those rides back to life?

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-Rob
A.C.E. member since 1990
Posting @ Coasterbuzz since 2000
E.C.C. member since 2002

Does anyone have the fundamental understanding that Ohio simply can't sustain another amusement park?

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog
Blogs, photo albums - CampusFish
What time does the water show start?

As LeSourdesville Lake struggles to survive, I think that is painfully obvious. All the more reason why I find it hard to believe that someone would actually consider reviving Idora, considering the intense competition within the state.

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-Rob
A.C.E. member since 1990
Posting @ Coasterbuzz since 2000
E.C.C. member since 2002

Well, I *kinda* agree Jeff in that OH certainly can't sustain four mega-parks....shoot, not even FL can do that...;). But small mom-and-pop places (like LeSourdsville and Coney) *should* be able to carve out a niche for themselves in terms of school trips, church functions, and businesses renting parks for employee outings....Ohioans, Ohioites, whatever, just seem to vacation more than others when it comes to amusement parks, camping, waterparks, and the like....

Idora, like Palisades, Whalom, Riverview, Boblo, and many MANY others, is gone, and it MOST likely will not be coming back....:(. The best we can do is to *remember* them, and try to help out the other parks that may be in jeopardy...
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"Ju-ju-just like the bad guy, from Lethal Weapon 2, I've got diplomatic immunity, so Hammer you can't sue, can't touch me...." The Peter Griffin Rap
*** This post was edited by rollergator 9/10/2003 2:23:00 PM ***

Speaking of Palisades... that is one long-gone traditional park that I DO believe could still have a place in the modern-day amusement landscape. While there is definitely not a lack of amusement parks in the NYC area (Coney and Playland, plus Compounce, SFNE, SFGAdv and Dorney on the outskirts), there could and should be more, considering the vast population of the city and surrounding area.

If I recall, Palisades actually did draw quite a crowd up until its closing (unlike many traditional parks that died a slow death), and was closed only because the park's owner wanted to get out of the business.

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-Rob
A.C.E. member since 1990
Posting @ Coasterbuzz since 2000
E.C.C. member since 2002

That and Cliffside Park and Fort Lee,the two towns the park was located in, had been trying to get rid of the park for a long time. Local residents complained of traffic and noise. They finally were able to rezone it for offices and condos. The owner vowed not to sell out but eventually age caught up with him.

I remember an excellent documentary on Palisades airing on PBS a while back. There's also a book available and quite a bit of online information.
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Ripple Rock Amusement Park

well, now that maurice clarett has some spare time on his hands, maybe he can go back to youngstown and try to help out with the park!

I thought a lot of folks would be ahppy to see two GCIs coming to Ohio, thats saying this goes through and actually happen. I also think they could have a market if they stuck with corporate picnics and such.

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SFWoA TL 2003!

Here is some industry insight to all of you readers who think they have inside info. This Carl Saverino character, who I have met and discussed affairs relating to Conneaut Lake, was on this horsehockey management team that failed to pay a few bills at the end of the 1999-2000 season, also did not leave CLP with enough money to cover operating expenses, which started a chain reaction of events that led to another bankruptcy.

He may be a nice guy and all, and the only novel idea they pitched was rebuiling the Wildcat, as it is a good marketing tool on paper. Could have CLP maintained this ride? Yes. But, that idea died when that management team was evicted by Crawford Co. Period. No Wildcat. B+ for the effort.

Is another location being searched for another try? According to the papers, yes. Has anyone seen this site? Not to my knowledge. The old site was the only logical choice to reopen, but for all kinds of reasons, the site fell into disrepair, and no business relations exsisted with that church. Therefore, the window of opportunity was lost almost instantly. Youngstown was not interested in having a park back. Simple as that.

Any hope of another operator coming in was immediately shot down, as the church had no relationship with any 'Chamber of Commerce' type organizations. The park itself was landlocked, and plain and simple, never was capable of generating enough revenue to survive in this century. Maybe 40-50 years ago when things were easier, but not today.

Conneaut Lake survived, Waldameer, Geneva on the Lake, all are here because the local business community all gave a **** when the chips were down. Idora never had the chance to reach out to local government when it was open, and now, there is not anywhere the amount of money in that county to open an operation of that magnitude.

And in all honesty, there is no park being built in this day and age without public help in some manner. Yes, Ohio has more than enough parks. Make Agent Johnson would like all of you to spend your money at Conneaut Lake.

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"Step on that lapbar and make it nice and tight!"
*** This post was edited by Agent Johnson 9/11/2003 12:54:09 AM ***

the Idora Park.org site is NOT affiliated directly, but indirectly with the future 'Two Worlds Park: Return To Idora" park, being organized by Carl Severino.

The official park site is:

http://www.2worldsparksidora.com/

The original Idora park is a fading memory (I was in 10th grade when it closed)

This new park is in Milton Township, near Lake Milton, and is over twice Idora's total square footage.

I can't understand how people say there are too many parks in Ohio, since everyone who lives in Ohio complains there's nothing to do, no matter where they live. Growing up , Idora park was 'my park' and Cedar Point and Geauga Lake were a bi-yearly event. I think EVERY area should have its own park , and looking at the success of DelGrosso's Amusement Park in central PA shows that you don't need the biggest coaster to have a great time.

People *everywhere* complain that there is "nothing to do." There is, in fact, quite a bit to do almost everywhere. It's just a matter of getting off your lazy butt and finding it.

I hate when people complain about nothing to do when I usually have too much to do!
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Ripple Rock Amusement Park

Idora Park will never return. I just think this is a marketing ploy. I am all for building a new amusement park but I just do not know if a small local park could make it with Six Flags just down the road. I think that any serious investor would realize that this type of investment is a long-shot.

If it has a Web site, it must be true and a sure thing!

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog
Blogs, photo albums - CampusFish
What time does the water show start?

Youngstown is easily the worst city in the state, and I've been to Lima.

Lima would be the reason I now live in Vegas! :-) First time I have seen Lima, Ohio mentioned on these boards. Grew up in a very small town 10-15 minutes north of Lima!
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Give me wood! :-)
328 and counting!

*** This post was edited by Jeffrey R Smith 9/11/2003 9:44:42 AM ***

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millrace said:
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I remember an excellent documentary on Palisades airing on PBS a while back. There's also a book available and quite a bit of online information.

I have the book and the video, which I believe is the same as the original PBS show. You can probably buy it online somewhere... good stuff if you are into Palisades.

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-Rob
A.C.E. member since 1990
Posting @ Coasterbuzz since 2000
E.C.C. member since 2002

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KoasterKeith....Six Flags isn't down the road from the new 2 Worlds Park Location...its 80 minutes away! That's almost the same as the difference between Six Flags WoA and Wyandot Lake.

Every amusement park has it's own atmosphere...I'm a Six Flags season pass holder, but I like to visit other parks too.

I want my family and children to have a place CLOSE to have some fun, such as an amusement park. Its one more special thing that will be part of the Mahoning Valley in the near future, but it won't take away my visiting of other parks, just a pleasant change part of the time.
*** This post was edited by midwave 9/12/2003 12:53:38 AM ***

Could you explain how you get from Geauga Lake to Wyandot Lake in 80 minutes?

www.palisadespark.com sells the book and a long version of the PBS video. I was born a little late to experience Palisades but I remember Cousin Brucie talking about it all the time on WCBS when I was growing up.
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Ripple Rock Amusement Park

I don't want to beat a dead horse but here are a few things to chew on. Idora was in serious trouble before the Wildcat fire. Competition from Geauga Lake, Kennywood, and other parks coupled with lack of room for expansion put Idora on the brink of going out of business. Don't forget, Idora was for sale before the fire and nobody wanted to buy it. Fast forward to today. CLP is barely making it. Amusement parks are no different that Department stores. Hills, Ames, etc that were big in the area 20 years ago are no longer around because of Walmart. There are a few small department stores that survive because they have a nitch but for the most part they can't compete with Walmart. I don't know if this is good or bad but it is the same with Amusement parks. Good or bad, the corporate parks are here to stay. Kennywood, Holiday World, etc are able to make it because they are solid companies that know how to run an amusement park in the era of corporate parks. I consider Six Flags just down the road because in today's society an 80 minute drive is not all that long. A hundred years ago, when Idora was founded, that distance was a huge deal. That is why there was so many amusement parks in the region. They could only travel so far. As autos became popular, the competition between parks and other entertainment started to dwindle out the less profitable parks till we have what we have today.

Can a new amusement park be opened today? Yes, in the right location and with the right management. Don't get me wrong. I loved Idora. It was the park I grew up going to. I would love it was still in operation. But it is not and never will be. They are not reopening Idora. They are only stealing the name. If this new park eventually opens up. I will be the first in line to get in. Just because I love amusement parks and would love to have on in my backyard if possible. But I also realize that it is probably very unlikely that this park will make it long-term.

*** This post was edited by KoasterKeith 9/12/2003 8:03:24 AM ***
*** This post was edited by KoasterKeith 9/12/2003 8:04:11 AM ***
*** This post was edited by KoasterKeith 9/12/2003 8:04:39 AM ***
*** This post was edited by KoasterKeith 9/12/2003 8:05:31 AM ***

You know what else is 80 minutes away? Cleveland, and without, you have no business. What, do you think the locals could sustain a park out there alone? Right.

And did we mention that Cleveland already has two choices?

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog
Blogs, photo albums - CampusFish
What time does the water show start?

Yeah, Cleveland is spoiled. Send any new parks to Columbus please. Wyandot Lake just doesn't cut it!

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Ripple Rock Amusement Park
Flying Scooter coming soon!