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By Patrick Thomas (Ed. note: This editorial was originally a post that was made in this thread on the Zero G Network website by the author. With rampant rumors of the park's demise continuing to boil even though Cedar Fair has stated that they have no intention to close the park, we felt that it made a strong enough impression of the current strategy Cedar Fair is taking with Geauga Lake that with the author's permission we took his post and modified it into an editorial. Please remember that any editorial published on this site is the view of the author and not of the site in general). When Cedar Fair first bought Geauga Lake back in 2004 it seemed everyone, including myself, was so excited and thought that they would be Geauga Lake's savior. Nowadays I'd actually like to give Dick Kinzel a swift kick. (Ed. note: Dick Kinzel is Cedar Fair's CEO). Imagine if you will if Kinzel bought Geauga in its heyday. Now just think of it. Would the park's landscape be scarred by the footprints of former coasters? Probably not but what in the hell would've actually happened? I think that the Sea World side would be nothing but housing by now and if that would've happened, Dick would have never bought the property. We all know that he would have been happy grinding Sea World in the ground and watching the land just degrade until some cookie cutter community was put up in about six months. If he had owned Geauga Lake the first time it was for sale, he'd be saying the same thing he said when they finally bought Geauga Lake the second time around: "I wish I would've bought it back then". Does anyone know why Geauga Lake exists? Because four ex-Cedar Point execs made it so. Dick Kinzel himself doesn't care anymore. I hated the day when I heard he extended his contract until 2012. I honestly believe that he hates what Geauga Lake has become and I think he wants to save face by being able to bail before everything goes south without having to admit that he can't help the situation anymore. To me he is nothing more than a coward and far too old to be in this business. Hell he was too old years ago. I have been a devoted employee of that park. No, not the companies that ran it, but the park itself. I am ashamed to say that I worked for Cedar Fair now, after all they've done and the callousness that they have shown towards those loyal to that park. Who wouldn't be? Actually you may think it's ironic but I'm less ashamed to say I was a Six Flags employee surprisingly. Reason why? Six Flags bowed out but they sold to an amusement park operator who could actually do something with the park. Cedar Fair's indifference just drives me up a wall. Cedar Point may be the big boy but I pray for Cedar Point to finally get a black eye, a black eye the size of one Geauga Lake has had to live with since 1999. I know that may sound sickening. 1.24 billion dollars people...that was what it cost to acquire the Paramount chain yet I can't get a decent meal at a Cedar Fair park for under $13 or $14 dollars! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I can go to Holiday World, ride some of the most amazing coasters ever designed, get free parking, free sunscreen, AND free soft drinks. Forget gas prices, I'd rather save a buck or two inside the park itself than worry about how much my car is drinking just getting there. It seems to me that a regional amusement park chain like Cedar Fair can let a few dollars or so slip off the food prices and not feel much of a sting but I'm only an outside witness so what do I know? More and more amusement/theme park companies are losing connection with their guests as the years go by. The reason for this is they are trying too hard to connect with them on a deeper level without actually listening to what the general consensus is saying. It used to be "We'll provide the thrills, you just have to get here." Now it's "We'll provide the thrills as long as you come but if you don't we're going to take them away. Be a good guest or we're taking away your toys." I don't believe Cedar Fair is the saving grace of Geauga Lake. I'm not sure anyone can be but I'll tell you this...if I could buy the park, I would. It's just not fair having to watch a cherished childhood place for me being cannibalized and prepared for extinction. I've tried over and over again to tell myself it's not going to happen and I still hope against hope that it's not. With Cedar Fair at the helm, I don't see anything else happening. A water park...whoopee. I just hope years down the line I'm not there looking across the lake saying "Wow, remember when Geauga Lake used to be over there? That was a great place. I miss it." I know that was long-winded and hopefully some of you get through it. I love the park and I always will. Hopefully I'm not just blurting out in an unwelcomed fashion.
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