I grew up with my parents divorced. My mom's side regularly went to Cedar Point, and my father's side regularly went to Geauga Lake. I live in the Sandusky area now, so I'm super close to Cedar Point, but my heart breaks when I think of all the memories we had at Geauga Lake. I remember the very last time I was there, I was walking across the long bridge that runs across the lake. The Beatles were playing over the speakers, and I stopped and just took it all in for a second. What a beautiful park, I thought. The happiest place I could think of. It was almost like a heads up from the universe, "Take it all in while you can!"
So funny! My parents were divorced too and my Dad always preferred Cedar Point and my Mom preferred Geauga Lake, though my Dad did take me to Geauga Lake sometimes it always felt like my Moms park. I was a frequent park hopper, Waldameers and both defunct Idora and White Swan Park. Add in Kennywood and so many others. So miss those fun days!
I was a ride operator there from 1997-2000... I worked the Texas Twister, Raging Wolf Bob, a site controller for the sky coaster, and Double Loop before they switched to Six Flags. Then I did the Batman Night Flight.
I loved that park so much! Being from Pittsburgh, it was only a few hours away, and I enjoyed going there, and Cedar Point, and Kings Island… I went to all three all the time. This park did not deserve what was done to it. I was so upset when it closed.
you feel old , I went there when the Sky Glide was a thing. It began where the Americana feris wheel began and ended where Dominator was. It was a glorified ski lift with a non fixed bar which was designed to stop you from falling forward (no restraints nor seat belts)
@@bentraemerright 😂 I’m not sure if they were joking or not but I had to roll my eyes when I saw that 😂 Like girl please, you’re still just babe……you literally hit the legal drinking age just a few years ago! You kids kill me 😂
I feel you left out a big reason the park failed, *the closing of the sea animal area/seaworld section.* That was the unique draw to the area that brought the families. There are other theme parks in the region (Cedar Point, Kings Island, Kennywood, etc) but it was the only seaworld like park until you hit Florida (unless you want to count the trash can that was Marineworld in Canada). When Cedar Fair, not wanting to deal with animals, closed that section it caused an unrecoverable, catastrophic drop in attendance. With the plummet in attendance they couldn't justify investing in the park to fix the infrastructure problems from the rapid expansion, nor adding new attractions to draw people back. Cedar Fair very likely bought the park with the goal to downsize it to more like what it used to be before premie bought it (to be more sustainable, and also less competition for Cedar Point). But they underestimated the damage that dropping the animal section would cause.
That was something yes I did not fully mention on, I apologize for that, it definitely was a big factor in the closing, with cedar fair I definitely think they has the intention of closing the park, I don’t think they ever had plans to invest into it
That's an interesting take on it (that Cedar Fair erred in judgment, and then had no choice but to close it), but I think you give Cedar Fair far too much credit. I think they threw some money at it for a year or two, so that it wasn't blatantly obvious that they bought it with INTENT to remove the thorn-in-their-side to the profits of CP and KI. I don't think you could mess things up so completely without having had a deliberate plan to do so. It's not like Cedar Fair has ever been an incompetent company.
Agreed. Sea World was awesome. I loved going there when I was a kid. I understand it was hard to operate only 5 months out of the year. Not the most ideal place for some marine life in the winter. They should have made it a hybrid where the animals can be outdoors in the sumer/spring and indoors in the fall and winter where people could come see them all year round. It was too bad they did not have the water park that Cedar Point built along with all three. You could have literally spent several days there as a package. They should have built a hotel as well and a resort. I know it sounds easier then said. But they had room to grow and grow.
@@damonappel Cedar Fair bought Geauga Lake in 2004 and Paramount Parks in 2006. Buying Geauga Lake had nothing to do with the profits of KI at the time. Once CF bought Paramount, however, Geauga Lake was toast.
In the late '70s through the 90s Geauga Lake was a great affordable park for families that had a great selection of rides and didn't break the bank as much as Cedar Point. It also drew a large crowd from a lot of union and company picnics there on the weekends. (It was easy to spot them as they would often wear matching t-shirts) I remember my family bringing a cooler and picnic basket and placing them on the picnic tables around the Double Loop and then going and riding rides and then we would meet at the picnic table for lunch and dinner. I have a lot of good memories there. Geauga Lake's Corkscrew was the first roller coaster I rode on with my dad. Geauga Lake's mistake was that the management didn't stick with this successful formula and tried to compete with the bigger parks and be something they were not capable of being for some of the reasons mentioned in this video.
The park did well as a second fiddle to Sea World. Once Sea World left, the traffic ended in Aurora. Geauga Lake was a side show, and a great one! But the main attraction was the only Sea World in the north.
Hahaha! Good one! I grew up 30 minutes from here, in the 80's & 90's. We went to Geauga Lake every summer. My parents took us to Sea World once. From across the lake we could see the roller coasters & the water slides. By noon, the novelty of dolphins, orcas & penguins in Ohio had worn off. There wasn't a Shamu show in the world that could top the Big Dipper. No dolphin splash could cool you off better than the Wave pool. With my older sisters actively plotting to swim across the lake and my kid brother begging random people to take him to the water park, my parents called it a day. We were home before dinner. Until the parks merged, that was the only time I was there.
This was incredibly well done. Good job, boo. I had no idea coming in to it that I'd end up in tears. So much of my childhood memory is entangled in this local treasure.
My family lived "down the street" from this place. A primary memory I have here was that I was afraid to ride roller coasters. Not because I had been on one and had a bad experience but because I was terrified to try them. So one day there my mom suggested we ride the Double Loop together. She finally convinced me enough to try it and when I did, I fell in love with the thrill of roller coasters. Til this day I try to get to Cedar Point every year and one year I rode most coasters with my eyes closed. This park changed my life.
I grew up in Aurora. Lived there from 1980 to 1992. We had season passes every year. We went there and to See World all the time. We moved to Pennsylvania, but I still made the 2 hour drive twice a month to the park. My favorite rollercoaster was the Batman. X-Flight was awesome too. I remember watching my parents ride the Double Loop over and over again when I was little in the 80s.
Great Video! Congrats on the success of your channel. You should look into doing a video on Coney Island in Cincinnati, OH (Batavia, OH). Coney Island opened in 1870 and, just like Geauga Lake, closed at the end of the season in 2023. Heartbreaking.
OMG! The river boat ride was the best ride for me. The first time I went to Geauga Lake was in 1968. We went every year till we moved to New Mexico in 1975. To this day I tell my adult son stories about having fun there every summer.
I didn't get much of a chance to visit before the Six Flags takeover, with mime being a Great America family. But in 2003, I got a Six Flags Season Pass, and that scored me a few visits. One thing I found interesting for the park was introducing a Q-bot line system to not wait in lines. At the same time, if you didn't mind the initial walk to scan everything to never wait in line or stop riding.
I remember both Geauga Lake and SeaWorld of Ohio, going to both and Cedar Point. Loved them all and lot of memories. My my favorite roller coasters were Raging Wolf Bob's and the Mean Streak, and the Big Dipper ❤❤❤❤❤😎
I lived north of Pittsburgh and my family loved this park. I especially loved the Big Dipper and the vintage park atmosphere. The last time I went was sometime in 2003 or ‘04 for the Halloween event.
Kids always Looked and preferred to be at Geauga Lake when they were at Sea World. The year they combined both parks my hubby and I were ecstatic. It felt so right to us and our kids! We loved walking across the boardwalk and going back and forth! The long way taking the walkway trail was a hoof and exhausting but we did it in high temps. Such fond memories! Growing up In that park with my parents and siblings, then going with my then boyfriend and us marrying and bringing our two Oldest kids there. It saddens me our youngest kids never had the chance to see it. But the memories remain in pictures!
Ya did a Fantastic job our Friend 👊 Like your Father for you. You brought back some terriffic memories for us. That's what its all about 🙃✌️😀 .. Makin those memories. Kudos and Thank you 😊😉
I'm 35 years old. Live in Youngstown ohio. Getting a season pass every year when I was kid. I have to many awesome memories there and it still brings tear too my eye knowing it's no more. Probably was my favorite place on earth. R.I.P G.L. You'll be missed forever
I live Down by canton and never got to experience this park but my mom, dad, grandma and grandpa all told me they loved it here and it’s where they all rode their first coasters and that it was a nice and local place to go. I drive past the lot now sometimes when I’m in the area and just look at it and I just get sad
I miss having season passes and spending weekends here. My first roller coaster was the double loop. Some of the coasters are still in operation at different parks.
Love that I happened upon this. My favorite memory of six flags when it existed was the two story ball pit in the looney toons themed ride area. As well as the water based shows they had, jet ski, dolphin didnt mater loved it!
Great video man! I use to make documentary style videos like this and the hardest part was always find the footage but I can tell you put a lot of effort into this, good stuff 🔥
I believe it was in the late 90's. I think 1999. I went with my sister,her husband and their children. The reason for our trip was we all had 3-day passes for Cedar Point. We couldn't get a hotel right by Cedar Point, but we got one close. It turned out it happened to be very near Geauga Lake and SeaWorld. We made the decision to stay 2 extra days to enjoy those two parks. We spent one whole day at Geauga Lake and we had such a good time. My brother-in-law and I are both roller coaster enthusiasts, so we rode each coaster at least three or four times. I have very, very fond memories of Geauga Lake We spent the next day atSeaWorld We really enjoyed Seaworld. We got to see an Awesome Dolphin show. We spent Our Last 3 days/Evening Cedar Point. Untli it closed.
I went here often in the 80’s and 90’s just for fun and also with my moms Chryslers company picnics. I thm for my first official job there in 1990. I worked KFC that had just taken over “The Wharf” I loved this place and have so many great memories. Thanks for the video… and yea I remember rotorman he always creeped us out
I remember when that KFC opened there! I worked at Sea World in the mid-90s. These 2 parks were such great first jobs. So fun to work there - especially at night!
I grew up going to Geauga Lake, mid 50's to the late 60's. Every start of summer the school I attended had Geauga lake day, usually the last week of school before summer break. I can still see the Dutch Shoes just after entering the park under the coaster. The Dodge em cars were just to the right of the main entrance and loved driving them while watching their antennas drag on the expanded metal above sparking like crazy. The old Fun House that reeked of the roaring 20's with the old Fortune Teller in the glass walled box. The mirrors that distorted you body in reflection and the spinning barrel, trying to go throught is without falling. The tehthered rocket ride going in circles and then lunch in the old pavallions lakeside. Great times! Was able to take my kids to GL, once before it closed. The closing was a sad affair as many great memories of family and fun were made there.
Thank you for making this video. I grew up going to Geauga Lake every summer being a resident of Pittsburgh PA. I would love if you did a history video on Luna Park and Kennywood Park in West Mifflin PA.
Grew up in Western PA. Our elementary school had an annual trip their for 6th grade. With my Mom being heavily involved in PTO stuff, I was able to go to Geauga quite a few times. Great memories.
I live in southern Ohio and when I saw the commercial for six flags and new rides I told my fiancé we were going. I remember loving Batman and X-Flight but Superman was closed. When we were a few miles away from the park my fiancé thought I was lost because it was so hidden. Regardless I was bummed when it closed. Great video!! Love this stuff!!
This place was huge for me in my childhood in the 80s and early 90s. My main complaint about sf was that the ride side just wasn't designed for huge crowds. I really enjoyed it as sixflags Worlds of Adventure. It was cool to visit both parks as 1. I think the park would still be here if SeaWorld bought it or if CF didn't buy the paramount parks. I'm not sure about Aroura not being able handle the crowds I'm pretty sure Geauga and SeaWorld brought similar combined attendance. Great video!
I GREW UP COMING TO THIS PARK AT GEAUGA LAKE ALL THROUGH THE LATE 70S AND EARLY 80S . I WAS SO HEARTBROKEN AND SHOCKED WHEN I SAW MY CHILDHOOD PARK COME TO A CLOSE THIS WAS EMOTIONAL FOR ME 😭😭😭😭
I still somewhat believe Cedar Fair closed Geauga Lake simply because it was competing with Cedar Point and they wanted more people to go there instead. I am glad some of the rides got installed at other parks and I'm also glad they're going to be building some sort of recreation area on the lakeshore again rather than it being an overgrown eyesore.
So sad! I grew up in Cleveland and Euclid Beach and Geauga Are we’re parks we visited all the time. My dad’s union had their annual picnic in Geauga Lake. I loved that old wooden coasters but I left Ohio in 66 so misses some of the more recent rides. It’s too bad it shut down so suddenly! Sounds like mismanagement there. It used to be a really nice area but not so sure of it now. Would’ve loved to ride some of those other coasters!
I remember going to GL in the late 1960's when it was still the old family style part. Loved the rocket ride. Later in the mid 1980's we went to Sea World at time or two.
I used to go on roller coasters as a child all the time we would go to Florida, cedar point all different places as a family. And I stopped riding them forever ago and just got back into going to amusement parks in 2020. I wish I never stopped since so many rides I would have loved to ride I missed out out. Seems like I’m the near future we are going to lose a lot more parks/rides. I hope not. Going to a theme park with family or friends just doesn’t get any better. I hope more people take interest into amusement parks.
I completely agree with you ! I can see in the near future parks being shut down and selling the land with this cedar fair and six flags merger ! Thanks for the comment !
Have not yet watched the video to completion, but my favorite memories involved being in the first or last car of the Big Dipper when I was tall enough. Made it a point for some reason to ride silently. Anyway at the front car you would get everything first, the back car would toss you around a lot as in you probably be bleeding somewhere. The safety bars were not very good so not holding them could probably toss you out of your car. I always raised my hands anyway, I was a kid back then. I started to only use the last car as most people wouldn't so I would have the car to myself.
There _were_ hotels in the area between the parks at one time. Most people used GL or SW as a day trip to avoid going all the way up to Sandusky (Cedar Point) so overnight visitors were uncommon. I rented a nice room in a hotel just across the road from the parks in 1988. The reason I recall it so vividly is because the bill for a single night in a double room was almost $300 (again, in 1988!) which comes to almost $800 in today money. Most people who went to what was essentially a "discount park" wouldn't pay that kind of cash so the hotels closed down in the early 1990's.
I think the location was fantastic! It was in a quiet area, you didn't have tons of traffic, you parked and went in without any issues, etc. It was a great place. I refuse to give a penny to Cedar Fair! I take the kids to Hershey Park in PA. It reminds me a lot of G.L.
Was here or the Sea World side, before being combined, almost every summer from 1983-1995. Last time was 2002-2003. Can't hear Huey Lewis & The News without thinking about Geauga Lake. As far as failing, the loss of General Motors, Packard Electric, and other big employer's leaving. Taking all that money with them. That took a good chunk of repeating business after they left. In opinion. Great video, thanks for the ride.
As a kid in the 70s/80s I used to go a few times a year. Sea World drove me nuts seeing the coasters across the lake. I drive past this property a few times a year. I am good friends with Jeff the Magician that worked at GL for many years. I agree it is not the best location and now Now, I drive 1:15 to CP once a week in the summer.
Crazy to think that I rode Serial Thriller once back in 2001 on our only trip to GLSF and then once when it was relocated to Michigan Adventure around 2009 without even knowing until I did research a year later.
I’m 43, born and raised in Ohio. I had no idea this park existed till recently. Been to Cedar Point probably a hundred times though. I wish I would have known about it.
Whenever I was at geauga lake, I’d stand by the water and look at sea world wishing I was there… always thought they should build a bridge to connect the two… my mom said they did, is that true?
literally never seen a 6 flags ad before that didnt have the Du du du du du duuuu duuuu guy dancing in it. Would love to visit some of these 6 flags parks that are still going strong one day
Imagine RMC raging wolf bobs :/ I'll never really be ok with knowing this place is gone. There is some subconscious thing that always gives me a feeling like it might come back. Even thought I know it won't.
From time’s past, I have heard of this park, but I never went. There are many good parks out there. However, in the mid East, it is hard to beat CEDAR POINT. CP has pretty much out showcased so many other parks. They have become the “Rollercoaster park of the world”. In fact, in 2025, they will be introducing yet another coaster. Amazing! Peace.
I'm not sure I'll ever forgive CF not necessarily for shutting the park down [which wasn't solely their fault that it became less profitable of course and also it could be argued the park had over-expanded and the local infrastructure just wasn't up to the task] but rather the way they went about it. No announcement, no last visits or last rides, just bam, season's over and by the way the park's closing for good. Also leaving Big Dipper to rot. I'm not a big roller coaster guy but even I can see the charm and historical value in preserving that machine for future generations and they let it rot until it became a public safety hazard and had it unceremoniously ripped down. Haven't been to Cedar Point once in my entire life as a result, Geauga Lake was my family's summer trip park. We started going in 2003 and only had a few years to get more visits in but I'll likely remember them for the rest of my life, shame that so many people who grew up with this park now can't share it with their children and younger relatives. Thanks for making this video, it's a real 'sore spot' for a lot of people in Ohio which is an underrated state in general and I'm glad to see so many other people had the opportunity to make great memories with this park. EDIT: Also you are absolutely right to say security was tight after it was abandoned, myself and a group including my girlfriend at the time were big into urbex/abandoned stuff and got in one time, got run off by a guy in a golf cart who was very angry. People got arrested for trespassing and I remember hearing they had motion sensors and trail cameras set up which seems... a little excessive perhaps? But yeah, hands down a difficult urbex site.
Oh wow ! That’s awesome you know now ! It’s a great coaster but definitely was a much better fit at geauga lake over the water if you can’t tell by the layout 😂
Personally, growing up with these parks, CF ruins everything! They've stolen tradition, rides for whole families, it's all about tragic excitement. They can't even get Top Thrill 2 to run! Now, instead of a family ride, water ride anything for family's, a tilt coaster. There's a lot of people who can't go on rides like that but would like a view! Space spiral gone, white water landing, gone, snake river falls gone. Tilt coaster, really? Good luck having it lock to the track. CF, remember who made you what you are! Nostalgia 18:14 , fun, family fun, not teen drama! It's sad really, because, CF don't care
Turtle beach was my favorite as a kid. When i say it I can smell what it was like to almost drown in that insane wave pool that used to make one huge wave instead of a bunch of little ones. Once my dad had me on his shoulders and it malfunctioned and created a wave so big it went over my head while sitting on his shoulders. I had my mouth open in aw, me on his shoulders his arms gripping my legs so i wouldnt get pulled off him by the wave. I dont know how he kept his footing, we weresubmerged for a good couple of seconds.
A season pass was like 70$ way cheaper than a babysitter so my dad would drop me off like every day in the summer before work and pick me up at night. In 2000 and 2001 when it was 6 flags.
It's sad that over the years all of the developers thought that making it bigger and better was keeping it alive and that was the falsehood. This was the absolute best amusement park when it was small and personal
After CedarFaire bought Kennywood Park near Pittsburg, they did a study that showed Geauge Lake was drawing off patrons from both Kennywood and Cedar Point. Both of those parks charged more per patron and gave them a better return on investment. It was after that study that the decision was made to close Geauge Lak.
Basically the border directors of cedar fair didn't want geography because it's probably hindering cedar point. Can only be one big dog in the. I love Cedar point but I would pick jaga lake any day. My whole childhood was based around that park and it still hurts to this day.
Makes me sick to see this. Six flags really screwed it up some how,,, plus bus loads of n.r.e.'s didn't help. when I was 11 I must have rode the double loop 25 time in 1 day plus if the line was short they would just keep sending it through!
Ohio is not California or Florida, and the Cleveland area blue collar demographic could not absorb the yearly price increases for a beloved family oriented amusement park. Those who could afford the price increases went to Disneyland. The management miscalculated, took on too much debt, and destroyed an affordable family summer attraction. My family went there for 40 years. It was sad to watch greed destroy this famous Ohio icon.
I grew up outside of Cleveland and loved going to Geauga Lake in the 70's. I also remember a school field trip to Sea World.
I grew up with my parents divorced. My mom's side regularly went to Cedar Point, and my father's side regularly went to Geauga Lake. I live in the Sandusky area now, so I'm super close to Cedar Point, but my heart breaks when I think of all the memories we had at Geauga Lake. I remember the very last time I was there, I was walking across the long bridge that runs across the lake. The Beatles were playing over the speakers, and I stopped and just took it all in for a second. What a beautiful park, I thought. The happiest place I could think of. It was almost like a heads up from the universe, "Take it all in while you can!"
Well I’m happy you had some amazing memories their ! It was a amazing and special place!!
I preferred Geauga Lake every year and Kings Island🥰🥰🥰
I'm from Sandusky also😊😊🥰🥰
So funny! My parents were divorced too and my Dad always preferred Cedar Point and my Mom preferred Geauga Lake, though my Dad did take me to Geauga Lake sometimes it always felt like my Moms park. I was a frequent park hopper, Waldameers and both defunct Idora and White Swan Park. Add in Kennywood and so many others.
So miss those fun days!
I was a ride operator there from 1997-2000... I worked the Texas Twister, Raging Wolf Bob, a site controller for the sky coaster, and Double Loop before they switched to Six Flags. Then I did the Batman Night Flight.
All great rides to work on !! My step dad operated Batman ! Thanks for the comment !
I had Fun just hearing that ✌️😂
@@ParkHoppersProductions
Maybe he’s your stepdad
@@carmenohio8735😮
@@carmenohio8735😂😂😂😂
I loved that park so much! Being from Pittsburgh, it was only a few hours away, and I enjoyed going there, and Cedar Point, and Kings Island… I went to all three all the time. This park did not deserve what was done to it. I was so upset when it closed.
Yes absolutely I agree the park did not deserve what happened to it ! It was such a amazing park
"In 2000... When I was born." Thanks for making me feel super old. 😂
I already feel old though.. it’s almost been 20 years since the park closed
you feel old , I went there when the Sky Glide was a thing. It began where the Americana feris wheel began and ended where Dominator was. It was a glorified ski lift with a non fixed bar which was designed to stop you from falling forward (no restraints nor seat belts)
@@bentraemerright 😂 I’m not sure if they were joking or not but I had to roll my eyes when I saw that 😂 Like girl please, you’re still just babe……you literally hit the legal drinking age just a few years ago! You kids kill me 😂
Never been to geageau but I’m old enough to remember Magnum XLs debut lol
I feel you left out a big reason the park failed, *the closing of the sea animal area/seaworld section.*
That was the unique draw to the area that brought the families. There are other theme parks in the region (Cedar Point, Kings Island, Kennywood, etc) but it was the only seaworld like park until you hit Florida (unless you want to count the trash can that was Marineworld in Canada). When Cedar Fair, not wanting to deal with animals, closed that section it caused an unrecoverable, catastrophic drop in attendance.
With the plummet in attendance they couldn't justify investing in the park to fix the infrastructure problems from the rapid expansion, nor adding new attractions to draw people back. Cedar Fair very likely bought the park with the goal to downsize it to more like what it used to be before premie bought it (to be more sustainable, and also less competition for Cedar Point). But they underestimated the damage that dropping the animal section would cause.
That was something yes I did not fully mention on, I apologize for that, it definitely was a big factor in the closing, with cedar fair I definitely think they has the intention of closing the park, I don’t think they ever had plans to invest into it
That's an interesting take on it (that Cedar Fair erred in judgment, and then had no choice but to close it), but I think you give Cedar Fair far too much credit. I think they threw some money at it for a year or two, so that it wasn't blatantly obvious that they bought it with INTENT to remove the thorn-in-their-side to the profits of CP and KI.
I don't think you could mess things up so completely without having had a deliberate plan to do so. It's not like Cedar Fair has ever been an incompetent company.
Agreed. Sea World was awesome. I loved going there when I was a kid. I understand it was hard to operate only 5 months out of the year. Not the most ideal place for some marine life in the winter. They should have made it a hybrid where the animals can be outdoors in the sumer/spring and indoors in the fall and winter where people could come see them all year round. It was too bad they did not have the water park that Cedar Point built along with all three. You could have literally spent several days there as a package. They should have built a hotel as well and a resort. I know it sounds easier then said. But they had room to grow and grow.
@@damonappel Cedar Fair bought Geauga Lake in 2004 and Paramount Parks in 2006. Buying Geauga Lake had nothing to do with the profits of KI at the time. Once CF bought Paramount, however, Geauga Lake was toast.
In the late '70s through the 90s Geauga Lake was a great affordable park for families that had a great selection of rides and didn't break the bank as much as Cedar Point. It also drew a large crowd from a lot of union and company picnics there on the weekends. (It was easy to spot them as they would often wear matching t-shirts) I remember my family bringing a cooler and picnic basket and placing them on the picnic tables around the Double Loop and then going and riding rides and then we would meet at the picnic table for lunch and dinner. I have a lot of good memories there. Geauga Lake's Corkscrew was the first roller coaster I rode on with my dad.
Geauga Lake's mistake was that the management didn't stick with this successful formula and tried to compete with the bigger parks and be something they were not capable of being for some of the reasons mentioned in this video.
Thank you for reminiscing here...great memories!
The park did well as a second fiddle to Sea World. Once Sea World left, the traffic ended in Aurora. Geauga Lake was a side show, and a great one! But the main attraction was the only Sea World in the north.
Yes that’s very true the locals absolutely loved the sea world side and when that closed they left in droves
Hahaha! Good one! I grew up 30 minutes from here, in the 80's & 90's. We went to Geauga Lake every summer. My parents took us to Sea World once. From across the lake we could see the roller coasters & the water slides. By noon, the novelty of dolphins, orcas & penguins in Ohio had worn off. There wasn't a Shamu show in the world that could top the Big Dipper. No dolphin splash could cool you off better than the Wave pool. With my older sisters actively plotting to swim across the lake and my kid brother begging random people to take him to the water park, my parents called it a day. We were home before dinner. Until the parks merged, that was the only time I was there.
Oh, the traffic! Every summer weekend, bumper to bumper traffic all the way down Rt 42 to Streetsboro! We quickly learned the Aurora side streets!
I grew up a half hour away. Season passes in the summer(02-04 I believe) it was my childhood.
Wish it was still around.
Same here !!
I grew up in Akron and have so many memories of this Park. We used to go for the Chrysler picnic every summer
This was incredibly well done. Good job, boo. I had no idea coming in to it that I'd end up in tears. So much of my childhood memory is entangled in this local treasure.
A very special childhood was spent here. So glad this video popped up on my feed! Great memories!
Awesome documentary on the park. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for the feedback I really appreciate it! Have a good day
@@ParkHoppersProductions same to you!
Awesome first video! Thanks for putting all this together!
Thank you for the feedback !!
Thank you so much for posting this. It was great and brought back soooo many amazing memories!
My family lived "down the street" from this place. A primary memory I have here was that I was afraid to ride roller coasters. Not because I had been on one and had a bad experience but because I was terrified to try them. So one day there my mom suggested we ride the Double Loop together. She finally convinced me enough to try it and when I did, I fell in love with the thrill of roller coasters. Til this day I try to get to Cedar Point every year and one year I rode most coasters with my eyes closed. This park changed my life.
This video just came across my feed. So glad it did! I enjoyed the memories! Thank you!!
Great video, I really miss going there. Lived about 40 minutes north and spent many summer days there.
Thank you for the comment ! I miss going as well
I grew up in Aurora. Lived there from 1980 to 1992. We had season passes every year. We went there and to See World all the time. We moved to Pennsylvania, but I still made the 2 hour drive twice a month to the park. My favorite rollercoaster was the Batman. X-Flight was awesome too. I remember watching my parents ride the Double Loop over and over again when I was little in the 80s.
great video! Would love to see a video ranking all of the former Geauga lake rides
Thank you !! That’s definitely a possibility !
Very good history! Well done!! Lots of great memories here. 💔
Great Video! Congrats on the success of your channel. You should look into doing a video on Coney Island in Cincinnati, OH (Batavia, OH). Coney Island opened in 1870 and, just like Geauga Lake, closed at the end of the season in 2023. Heartbreaking.
OMG! The river boat ride was the best ride for me. The first time I went to Geauga Lake was in 1968. We went every year till we moved to New Mexico in 1975. To this day I tell my adult son stories about having fun there every summer.
I didn't get much of a chance to visit before the Six Flags takeover, with mime being a Great America family.
But in 2003, I got a Six Flags Season Pass, and that scored me a few visits.
One thing I found interesting for the park was introducing a Q-bot line system to not wait in lines. At the same time, if you didn't mind the initial walk to scan everything to never wait in line or stop riding.
I’m glad you got a few visits !
So excited to have a new channel to watch!!! Great production quality, came from Tiktok 👍
Thank you so much for the support !! And thank you for the kind words
I remember both Geauga Lake and SeaWorld of Ohio, going to both and Cedar Point. Loved them all and lot of memories. My my favorite roller coasters were Raging Wolf Bob's and the Mean Streak, and the Big Dipper ❤❤❤❤❤😎
I lived north of Pittsburgh and my family loved this park. I especially loved the Big Dipper and the vintage park atmosphere. The last time I went was sometime in 2003 or ‘04 for the Halloween event.
It was a great park !! Definitely miss it
I remember sitting at Sea World, bored, looking across the Lake at the double loop
Kids always
Looked and preferred to be at Geauga Lake when they were at Sea World. The year they combined both parks my hubby and I were ecstatic. It felt so right to us and our kids! We loved walking across the boardwalk and going back and forth! The long way taking the walkway trail was a hoof and exhausting but we did it in high temps. Such fond memories! Growing up
In that park with my parents and siblings, then going with my then boyfriend and us marrying and bringing our two
Oldest kids there. It saddens me our youngest kids never had the chance to see it. But the memories remain in pictures!
Ya did a Fantastic job our Friend 👊 Like your Father for you. You brought back some terriffic memories for us. That's what its all about 🙃✌️😀 .. Makin those memories. Kudos and Thank you 😊😉
Thanks for the comment and kind words my friend !! I’m glad you enjoyed the video and hopefully more of them in the future !
I'm 35 years old. Live in Youngstown ohio. Getting a season pass every year when I was kid. I have to many awesome memories there and it still brings tear too my eye knowing it's no more. Probably was my favorite place on earth. R.I.P G.L. You'll be missed forever
I live Down by canton and never got to experience this park but my mom, dad, grandma and grandpa all told me they loved it here and it’s where they all rode their first coasters and that it was a nice and local place to go. I drive past the lot now sometimes when I’m in the area and just look at it and I just get sad
Yeah I used to drive by it a lot at work and it was very sad and it truly was a great park, I’m sorry you didn’t get to experience the park.
my family worked for what we had, so we didnt do much traveling growing up. We lived about 30 mins away, so this was my disney world.
That’s awesome tho ! Its a great park ! Thanks for the comment
@@ParkHoppersProductions very fond memories!
I miss having season passes and spending weekends here. My first roller coaster was the double loop. Some of the coasters are still in operation at different parks.
What a great park I only got to visit once. Had a terrific time. Such a loss.
Love that I happened upon this. My favorite memory of six flags when it existed was the two story ball pit in the looney toons themed ride area. As well as the water based shows they had, jet ski, dolphin didnt mater loved it!
Great video man! I use to make documentary style videos like this and the hardest part was always find the footage but I can tell you put a lot of effort into this, good stuff 🔥
Thanks man for your support and yes getting the footage was the long part ! Thank you again for the support !
I believe it was in the late 90's. I think 1999. I went with my sister,her husband and their children. The reason for our trip was we all had 3-day passes for Cedar Point. We couldn't get a hotel right by Cedar Point, but we got one close. It turned out it happened to be very near Geauga Lake and SeaWorld. We made the decision to stay 2 extra days to enjoy those two parks. We spent one whole day at Geauga Lake and we had such a good time. My brother-in-law and I are both roller coaster enthusiasts, so we rode each coaster at least three or four times. I have very, very fond memories of Geauga Lake We spent the next day atSeaWorld We really enjoyed Seaworld. We got to see an Awesome Dolphin show. We spent Our Last 3 days/Evening Cedar Point. Untli it closed.
I went here often in the 80’s and 90’s just for fun and also with my moms Chryslers company picnics. I thm for my first official job there in 1990. I worked KFC that had just taken over “The Wharf” I loved this place and have so many great memories. Thanks for the video… and yea I remember rotorman he always creeped us out
I remember when that KFC opened there! I worked at Sea World in the mid-90s. These 2 parks were such great first jobs. So fun to work there - especially at night!
I grew up going to Geauga Lake, mid 50's to the late 60's. Every start of summer the school I attended had Geauga lake day, usually the last week of school before summer break. I can still see the Dutch Shoes just after entering the park under the coaster. The Dodge em cars were just to the right of the main entrance and loved driving them while watching their antennas drag on the expanded metal above sparking like crazy. The old Fun House that reeked of the roaring 20's with the old Fortune Teller in the glass walled box. The mirrors that distorted you body in reflection and the spinning barrel, trying to go throught is without falling. The tehthered rocket ride going in circles and then lunch in the old pavallions lakeside. Great times! Was able to take my kids to GL, once before it closed. The closing was a sad affair as many great memories of family and fun were made there.
I live right around the corner from GL. I had so much fun!
It is amazing to see how much material goes into those really tall wooden coasters. You could build a highway bridge across the Mississippi with less!
Thank you for making this video. I grew up going to Geauga Lake every summer being a resident of Pittsburgh PA. I would love if you did a history video on Luna Park and Kennywood Park in West Mifflin PA.
Grew up in Western PA. Our elementary school had an annual trip their for 6th grade. With my Mom being heavily involved in PTO stuff, I was able to go to Geauga quite a few times. Great memories.
I live in southern Ohio and when I saw the commercial for six flags and new rides I told my fiancé we were going. I remember loving Batman and X-Flight but Superman was closed. When we were a few miles away from the park my fiancé thought I was lost because it was so hidden. Regardless I was bummed when it closed. Great video!! Love this stuff!!
Yes both of those are great coasters !! Thank you for the feedback and comment ! Hope you stay for more videos !
Stop playing. X flight wasn't there at the stop lying when six flags had the ads for all the new rides x flight was not there....
@@hundoe100 don’t know your age but the big lime green vekoma flying coaster was the first of its kind. The park was in Ohio also
@@nathanpayne5358 uhhhh no. Stealth at california great America was before it first off.
@@hundoe100 ok that’s true but back then it was still awesome. At that time I didn’t even know there was another. Good looking out it’s all good
This place was huge for me in my childhood in the 80s and early 90s. My main complaint about sf was that the ride side just wasn't designed for huge crowds. I really enjoyed it as sixflags Worlds of Adventure. It was cool to visit both parks as 1. I think the park would still be here if SeaWorld bought it or if CF didn't buy the paramount parks. I'm not sure about Aroura not being able handle the crowds I'm pretty sure Geauga and SeaWorld brought similar combined attendance. Great video!
It truly was a great time at the parks i do wish it was around still !! Thank you for the comment !!
Villain was an amazing,highly underrated ride and technically a reverse RMC hybrid.
It truly was a underrated ride !!
I GREW UP COMING TO THIS PARK AT GEAUGA LAKE ALL THROUGH THE LATE 70S AND EARLY 80S . I WAS SO HEARTBROKEN AND SHOCKED WHEN I SAW MY CHILDHOOD PARK COME TO A CLOSE THIS WAS EMOTIONAL FOR ME 😭😭😭😭
I still somewhat believe Cedar Fair closed Geauga Lake simply because it was competing with Cedar Point and they wanted more people to go there instead. I am glad some of the rides got installed at other parks and I'm also glad they're going to be building some sort of recreation area on the lakeshore again rather than it being an overgrown eyesore.
I always thought that was the reason too.
I agree!
I hope they maintain the ballroom. Would make a great park museum for the area.
I used to love riding the Mind Eraser! Always wanted to ride Mr. Hyde’s Nasty Fall but never worked up the nerve before it was removed 😬😄
Both great rides !!
I worked there in 2004! It was a summer job just for a bit of extra money. Raging Wolf Bobs and the Double Loop were my favorites!
Both great coasters !! I bet it was a fun summer job ! Thanks for the comment !
So sad! I grew up in Cleveland and Euclid Beach and Geauga
Are we’re parks we visited all the time. My dad’s union had their annual picnic in Geauga Lake. I loved that old wooden coasters but I left Ohio in 66 so misses some of the more recent rides. It’s too bad it shut down so suddenly! Sounds like mismanagement there. It used to be a really nice area but not so sure of it now. Would’ve loved to ride some of those other coasters!
Was there as a kid and back as an adult. Still amazing
I remember going to GL in the late 1960's when it was still the old family style part. Loved the rocket ride. Later in the mid 1980's we went to Sea World at time or two.
It was a great park !
I used to go on roller coasters as a child all the time we would go to Florida, cedar point all different places as a family. And I stopped riding them forever ago and just got back into going to amusement parks in 2020. I wish I never stopped since so many rides I would have loved to ride I missed out out. Seems like I’m the near future we are going to lose a lot more parks/rides. I hope not. Going to a theme park with family or friends just doesn’t get any better. I hope more people take interest into amusement parks.
I completely agree with you ! I can see in the near future parks being shut down and selling the land with this cedar fair and six flags merger ! Thanks for the comment !
My childhood! We use to go to this park all the time before 6 Flags took it over.
We lived just 5 miles from both Geauga Lake and Sea World in the mid 70’s. I enjoyed both. Sad that it went away.
Have not yet watched the video to completion, but my favorite memories involved being in the first or last car of the Big Dipper when I was tall enough. Made it a point for some reason to ride silently. Anyway at the front car you would get everything first, the back car would toss you around a lot as in you probably be bleeding somewhere. The safety bars were not very good so not holding them could probably toss you out of your car. I always raised my hands anyway, I was a kid back then. I started to only use the last car as most people wouldn't so I would have the car to myself.
That last car on the Big Dipper would pull you down that first hill so fast!! Great memories!
Good stuff Austin!
Thank you !!
I loved Geauga Lake.
There _were_ hotels in the area between the parks at one time. Most people used GL or SW as a day trip to avoid going all the way up to Sandusky (Cedar Point) so overnight visitors were uncommon. I rented a nice room in a hotel just across the road from the parks in 1988. The reason I recall it so vividly is because the bill for a single night in a double room was almost $300 (again, in 1988!) which comes to almost $800 in today money. Most people who went to what was essentially a "discount park" wouldn't pay that kind of cash so the hotels closed down in the early 1990's.
I think the location was fantastic! It was in a quiet area, you didn't have tons of traffic, you parked and went in without any issues, etc. It was a great place. I refuse to give a penny to Cedar Fair! I take the kids to Hershey Park in PA. It reminds me a lot of G.L.
Was here or the Sea World side, before being combined, almost every summer from 1983-1995. Last time was 2002-2003.
Can't hear Huey Lewis & The News without thinking about Geauga Lake.
As far as failing, the loss of General Motors, Packard Electric, and other big employer's leaving.
Taking all that money with them.
That took a good chunk of repeating business after they left. In opinion.
Great video, thanks for the ride.
As a kid in the 70s/80s I used to go a few times a year. Sea World drove me nuts seeing the coasters across the lake. I drive past this property a few times a year. I am good friends with Jeff the Magician that worked at GL for many years. I agree it is not the best location and now Now, I drive 1:15 to CP once a week in the summer.
Crazy to think that I rode Serial Thriller once back in 2001 on our only trip to GLSF and then once when it was relocated to Michigan Adventure around 2009 without even knowing until I did research a year later.
It's called illuminating your competition.
Who remembers Rotorman?
Me
I’m 43, born and raised in Ohio. I had no idea this park existed till recently. Been to Cedar Point probably a hundred times though. I wish I would have known about it.
It truly was a awesome park kinda in the middle of nowhere but it was awesome !! Thanks for the comment !
It was such a great park. I’m still upset that it met a terrible demise.
Agreed
Whenever I was at geauga lake, I’d stand by the water and look at sea world wishing I was there… always thought they should build a bridge to connect the two… my mom said they did, is that true?
literally never seen a 6 flags ad before that didnt have the Du du du du du duuuu duuuu guy dancing in it. Would love to visit some of these 6 flags parks that are still going strong one day
7:32 I’ve rode dominator luckily at kings dominion I am very lucky to have that coaster at my local theme park
Imagine RMC raging wolf bobs :/ I'll never really be ok with knowing this place is gone. There is some subconscious thing that always gives me a feeling like it might come back. Even thought I know it won't.
From time’s past, I have heard of this park, but I never went. There are many good parks out there. However, in the mid East, it is hard to beat CEDAR POINT. CP has pretty much out showcased so many other parks. They have become the “Rollercoaster park of the world”. In fact, in 2025, they will be introducing yet another coaster. Amazing! Peace.
When you grew up in aurora ohio and seasons passes where 50.00$ you spent your whole summer here
I'm not sure I'll ever forgive CF not necessarily for shutting the park down [which wasn't solely their fault that it became less profitable of course and also it could be argued the park had over-expanded and the local infrastructure just wasn't up to the task] but rather the way they went about it. No announcement, no last visits or last rides, just bam, season's over and by the way the park's closing for good. Also leaving Big Dipper to rot. I'm not a big roller coaster guy but even I can see the charm and historical value in preserving that machine for future generations and they let it rot until it became a public safety hazard and had it unceremoniously ripped down. Haven't been to Cedar Point once in my entire life as a result, Geauga Lake was my family's summer trip park. We started going in 2003 and only had a few years to get more visits in but I'll likely remember them for the rest of my life, shame that so many people who grew up with this park now can't share it with their children and younger relatives. Thanks for making this video, it's a real 'sore spot' for a lot of people in Ohio which is an underrated state in general and I'm glad to see so many other people had the opportunity to make great memories with this park. EDIT: Also you are absolutely right to say security was tight after it was abandoned, myself and a group including my girlfriend at the time were big into urbex/abandoned stuff and got in one time, got run off by a guy in a golf cart who was very angry. People got arrested for trespassing and I remember hearing they had motion sensors and trail cameras set up which seems... a little excessive perhaps? But yeah, hands down a difficult urbex site.
Let’s go 👏🏼👏🏼
Thanks for the support man !
The last time I went there was 2003, on a double date in high school.
I just delivered stone there. It's a housing development now...😢
I live near King's Dominion, and had no idea the Dominator was from this park.
Oh wow ! That’s awesome you know now ! It’s a great coaster but definitely was a much better fit at geauga lake over the water if you can’t tell by the layout 😂
The park closed the same year I was born...
Never heard of it until a few years ago...
Another defunct park to look at would be Williams Grove
I’ll definitely check it out ! Thanks for the suggestion
Personally, growing up with these parks, CF ruins everything! They've stolen tradition, rides for whole families, it's all about tragic excitement. They can't even get Top Thrill 2 to run! Now, instead of a family ride, water ride anything for family's, a tilt coaster. There's a lot of people who can't go on rides like that but would like a view! Space spiral gone, white water landing, gone, snake river falls gone. Tilt coaster, really? Good luck having it lock to the track. CF, remember who made you what you are! Nostalgia 18:14 , fun, family fun, not teen drama! It's sad really, because, CF don't care
And how they closed kingda ka too
Turtle beach was my favorite as a kid. When i say it I can smell what it was like to almost drown in that insane wave pool that used to make one huge wave instead of a bunch of little ones. Once my dad had me on his shoulders and it malfunctioned and created a wave so big it went over my head while sitting on his shoulders. I had my mouth open in aw, me on his shoulders his arms gripping my legs so i wouldnt get pulled off him by the wave. I dont know how he kept his footing, we weresubmerged for a good couple of seconds.
That's quite a scary memory!! My skin didn't fare well being raked across the bottom, but it was always worth it!
A season pass was like 70$ way cheaper than a babysitter so my dad would drop me off like every day in the summer before work and pick me up at night. In 2000 and 2001 when it was 6 flags.
pretty sure i have been on every ride in this video
It's sad that over the years all of the developers thought that making it bigger and better was keeping it alive and that was the falsehood. This was the absolute best amusement park when it was small and personal
Once they debranded that place was a ghost town. They said they closed in 2007... I thought it was way before that.
I used to be at Sea World and look across the lake at Geauga Lake and get so depressed
I'm from Northeast Ohio and you know everybody says jug like the Park closed in 2007 but the wild water Kingdom stayed until September 5th 2016.
Pretty sure that was the “Double Loop”………..
After CedarFaire bought Kennywood Park near Pittsburg, they did a study that showed Geauge Lake was drawing off patrons from both Kennywood and Cedar Point. Both of those parks charged more per patron and gave them a better return on investment. It was after that study that the decision was made to close Geauge Lak.
Cedar fair didn’t buy kennywood
Cf never bought kw
Cedar Fair never owned Kennywood.
10:32 Cedar Fair hadn’t yet purchased Kings Island in 2004.
It’s a development now. They kept the grizzly bear though from grizzly run.
I think 6 Flags and G. LAKE could have both stayed open. Made it work.
X-Flight was my favorite newer coaster.
Great one !!
You can still ride a clone of it at six flags America!
Basically the border directors of cedar fair didn't want geography because it's probably hindering cedar point. Can only be one big dog in the. I love Cedar point but I would pick jaga lake any day. My whole childhood was based around that park and it still hurts to this day.
Used to go there in the 70s.
😢 it is truly missed
I would take Geauga Lake, Knoebels, SDC, Dollywood or any small to mid size park over Cedar Point or Six Flags.
What was your favorite memory or ride at Geauga Lake ? 👇🏼👇🏼
My first upside down roller coaster was Double Loop! The Villain was a great coaster as well.
@@anderfrank1 I agree great coasters
Makes me sick to see this. Six flags really screwed it up some how,,, plus bus loads of n.r.e.'s didn't help. when I was 11 I must have rode the double loop 25 time in 1 day plus if the line was short they would just keep sending it through!
over run was right
The Rotor, Tilt-a-Whirl, Music Express, The Log Ride, Texas Twister, Mind Eraser and The Batman
Never made it out to this park sadly
I’m sorry :/
Ohio is not California or Florida, and the Cleveland area blue collar demographic could not absorb the yearly price increases for a beloved family oriented amusement park. Those who could afford the price increases went to Disneyland. The management miscalculated, took on too much debt, and destroyed an affordable family summer attraction. My family went there for 40 years. It was sad to watch greed destroy this famous Ohio icon.
I worked at Sea Wirkd at Ohio in the early 1980'S