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Geauga Lake amusement park has closed forever as of September 16, 2007. After 119-years, Cedar Fair has decided to close the amusement park, but will continue to operate the Wildwater Kingdom waterpark. For more information on the closure, see this article.
Located in Aurora, Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom formerly was a 400-acre amusement park and waterpark for one admission. The amusement park located on one side of the lake featured more than 40 rides and attractions, including eight thrilling roller coasters.
Across the lake, 17-acre Wildwater Kingdom waterpark offers water slides, wave pool, lazy river and a large, interactive water playground. Wildwater Kingdom has Ohio's tallest water slide complex with seven twisting tubes to descend. However, the main attraction of Wildwater Kingdom is the 390,000 gallon Tidal Wave Bay pool which creates two to four foot tall man made waves.
Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom are owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company.
Park History
Geauga Lake amusement park in Aurora, Ohio dates back to 1887 when it started as a 75-room luxury hotel called Kent House on the lake. Two years later, the lake received its first ride, a primitive, steam-powered carousel.
In 1995, the amusement park is purchased by Premier Parks, Inc. who a year later invests $9 million in two new rides. In 2000, owner Premier Parks decides to re-brand Geauga Lake, Six Flags Ohio and spends $40 million on renovations and new attractions. As a result of the changes that included three new roller coasters attendance increased 42%. In 2001, Six Flags, Inc. purchased the SeaWorld Ohio park located across the lake. The two parks were merged and renamed Six Flags Worlds of Adventure. After a successful 2001 season where the park attracted 2.75 million, attendance began to fall. In 2002, attendance dropped 22% and in 2003 it slid another 8% to 2 million.
Faced with burdensome debt, Six Flags decided to sell the park, minus the animals to Cedar Fair L.P. in April 2004. Returning to its original name, attendance at Geauga Lake fell far short of expectations, drawing only 700,000 guests during the first season under Cedar Fair management. In 2005, Cedar Fair spent $26 million moving and building a new 17-acre water park on the former SeaWorld side named Wildwater Kingdom.
After four unsuccessful seasons, Cedar Fair announced on September 21, 2007 that the 119-year-old amusement park portion of Geauga Lake would close forever. The final day of operation for the amusement park was September 16, 2007. The Wildwater Kingdom portion of Geauga Lake will return in 2008 as a scaled back, stand-alone water park.
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 Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom Details
| Park Type: |
Amusement Park / Waterpark |
| Opening Year: |
1887 |
| Park Size: |
400 acres |
See Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom Roller Coasters
Operating Season
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Park Location & Contact Info
1060 North Aurora Road
Aurora, OH 44202
United States
Phone: (330) 562-7131
Site: www.geaugalake.com
Find Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom:
- See Park On Map
- Get Driving Directions to Park
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