Remembering Ohio's Geauga Lake, once the world's largest theme park. Look back at photos
From its earliest days in the late 19th century, when Geauga Lake was just a train stop with picnic tables and boats to rent, the park grew. Its first ride was a steam-powered carousel, added in 1889. Its first roller coaster didn't come until 1925 with the Big Dipper, which entertained thrill-seekers until the park closed down.
And in 2001, Geauga Lake absorbed the neighboring Sea World, when the latter closed its Ohio park. That made Geauga Lake the largest theme park in the world by area at the time, covering some 700 acres on both sides of the lake.
Less than a decade later, the fun was over.
In 2007, the park shut down after rounds of ownership changes and park expansion. Now, what's left of Geauga Lake Park may return to its 19th-century roots. The City of Aurora has purchased the former Geauga Lake and Sea World land, with the intent of making it a public park.
Here's a look back at the history of Geauga Lake, as reported in previous Beacon Journal articles.
Looking back at Geauga Lake Park in Ohio; its first roller coaster, the Big Dipper, debuted in 1925
Here's a brief history of Geauga Lake:
1887: The northeast side of Geauga Lake is first called Picnic Lake or Giles Pond, a place where visitors camped, went fishing or picnicked.
1889: The park's first ride is added, a steam-powered carousel.
1925: Geauga Lake's first roller coaster is built. The Big Dipper was the largest wooden roller coaster built at the time, at 2,800 feet long and a height of 65 feet.
1939: A dance hall and ballroom are built.
1969: Funtime Inc. purchases the park.
1977: The Double Loop — Ohio's first looping steel coaster — opens.
1978: The Corkscrew steel coaster debuts.
1984: The Wave, the first pool of its kind that creates 6-foot waves, opens.
1988: The park celebrates its 100th year and welcomes the Raging Wolf Bobs wooden roller coaster.
1995: Geauga Lake is purchased by Premier Parks Inc.
1998: Premier Parks purchases Six Flags Theme Parks.
2000: Park changes name to Six Flags Ohio.
2001: Six Flags purchases SeaWorld Cleveland, renamed to Six Flags Worlds of Adventure.
2004: Six Flags sells the park to Cedar Fair, at the time the owner of Cedar Point. The name is changed back to Geauga Lake.
2005: Cedar Fair revamps the old Sea World into a water park called Wildwater Kingdom.
2007: The ride side of Geauga Lake closes.
2016: Wildwater Kingdom closes.
SOURCES: Aurora Historical Society and Akron Beacon Journal archives.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Remembering Ohio's Geauga Lake with photos from its century of history
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Watch out, Orlando, a new world theme park capital is rising in the Arabian desert
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Despite wider regional tensions, Abu Dhabi continues to position itself as a safe, reliable tourism hub. The UAE ranked highly on the 2024 Global Peace Index. 'In times of uncertainty, people look for destinations they can trust,' Al Geziry added. Once on Yas Island, visitors experience indoor, climate-controlled attractions, shorter lines, and a level of sophistication not typically associated with theme parks. 'For families used to theme parks in the US or Europe, Abu Dhabi is a revelation,' says Steven Hopkinson, a British expatriate living in Abu Dhabi. 'You don't spend hours waiting in the heat, and everything feels more refined, more accessible, which is such a luxury when you're with small children.' Orlando may have Florida sunshine, but in summer it also has humidity and crowds. Temperatures still soar in Abu Dhabi, but its climate-controlled indoor parks keep the experience consistent no matter what's happening outside. Warner Bros. World and Ferrari World are entirely enclosed, with air-conditioned walkways and restaurants, and even SeaWorld's aquariums and animal experiences are under cover. 'Compared to places like Florida, it's a different level of comfort,' said Ahmed El Khoury, a Palestinian expatriate and father of three. Despite the comparisons, Abu Dhabi isn't positioning itself as a direct rival to Orlando — it's aiming to be something more. The emirate sees its theme parks as part of a bigger portfolio of attractions, alongside cultural landmarks, luxury hotels, pristine beaches, and desert adventures. A 15-minute drive from Yas Island, Saadiyat Island is home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, a franchised outpost of the famous Paris art museum, which welcomed 1.4 million visitors last year, 84% from abroad. The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum are both under construction, adding to a cultural district that will be one of the region's most concentrated hubs of art and heritage. 'Abu Dhabi's unique appeal lies in the diversity of our tourism offering,' Al Geziry added. 'For thrill-seekers, we have record-breaking roller coasters and dune bashing in the desert. For culture lovers, historic sites like Al Ain Oasis and institutions like the Saadiyat museums. And for luxury travelers, world-class dining, private island resorts, and high-end shopping. 'Where else can you start your day under the Louvre's iconic rain-of-light dome and end it in the immersive, story-driven worlds of Warner Bros. World or Ferrari World?' Still, not everyone is convinced that Disney's expansion into the Middle East is a sure bet. 'The region has seen its share of false starts,' says Dennis Speigel, founder of the International Theme Park Services consultancy, comparing it to neighboring Dubai's patchy record with theme park expansion ambitions in the mid-2010s. 'Several of them struggled for profitability in their first decade.' Spiegel believes Abu Dhabi is different. 'Disney made a smart choice. The infrastructure, safety, and existing leisure developments create an ideal entry point,' he told CNN earlier this year. 'It's a much more controlled and calculated move.' Under its Tourism Strategy 2030, Abu Dhabi aims to grow annual visitors from 24 million in 2023 to more than 39 million by the end of the decade. With Disneyland as a centerpiece, those targets may well be surpassed. The city's population has already grown from 2.7 million in 2014 to more than 4.1 million today, a reflection of its rising profile as a regional hub. Yas Island alone has been transformed in the space of a decade from a largely undeveloped stretch of sand to a self-contained resort destination, complete with golf courses, marinas, a mall, more than 160 restaurants, and a cluster of high-end hotels. 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a day ago
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Remembering Ohio's Geauga Lake, once the world's largest theme park. Look back at photos
For more than 100 years, Geauga Lake in Aurora, Ohio, was an amusement park destination. From its earliest days in the late 19th century, when Geauga Lake was just a train stop with picnic tables and boats to rent, the park grew. Its first ride was a steam-powered carousel, added in 1889. Its first roller coaster didn't come until 1925 with the Big Dipper, which entertained thrill-seekers until the park closed down. And in 2001, Geauga Lake absorbed the neighboring Sea World, when the latter closed its Ohio park. That made Geauga Lake the largest theme park in the world by area at the time, covering some 700 acres on both sides of the lake. Less than a decade later, the fun was over. In 2007, the park shut down after rounds of ownership changes and park expansion. Now, what's left of Geauga Lake Park may return to its 19th-century roots. The City of Aurora has purchased the former Geauga Lake and Sea World land, with the intent of making it a public park. Here's a look back at the history of Geauga Lake, as reported in previous Beacon Journal articles. Looking back at Geauga Lake Park in Ohio; its first roller coaster, the Big Dipper, debuted in 1925 Here's a brief history of Geauga Lake: 1887: The northeast side of Geauga Lake is first called Picnic Lake or Giles Pond, a place where visitors camped, went fishing or picnicked. 1889: The park's first ride is added, a steam-powered carousel. 1925: Geauga Lake's first roller coaster is built. The Big Dipper was the largest wooden roller coaster built at the time, at 2,800 feet long and a height of 65 feet. 1939: A dance hall and ballroom are built. 1969: Funtime Inc. purchases the park. 1977: The Double Loop — Ohio's first looping steel coaster — opens. 1978: The Corkscrew steel coaster debuts. 1984: The Wave, the first pool of its kind that creates 6-foot waves, opens. 1988: The park celebrates its 100th year and welcomes the Raging Wolf Bobs wooden roller coaster. 1995: Geauga Lake is purchased by Premier Parks Inc. 1998: Premier Parks purchases Six Flags Theme Parks. 2000: Park changes name to Six Flags Ohio. 2001: Six Flags purchases SeaWorld Cleveland, renamed to Six Flags Worlds of Adventure. 2004: Six Flags sells the park to Cedar Fair, at the time the owner of Cedar Point. The name is changed back to Geauga Lake. 2005: Cedar Fair revamps the old Sea World into a water park called Wildwater Kingdom. 2007: The ride side of Geauga Lake closes. 2016: Wildwater Kingdom closes. SOURCES: Aurora Historical Society and Akron Beacon Journal archives. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Remembering Ohio's Geauga Lake with photos from its century of history Solve the daily Crossword
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There was 'no question,' says Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences. The UAE capital, already home to Ferrari World, with the world's fastest roller coaster; Warner Bros. World (built under license by CNN's parent company, Warner Brothers Discovery); Yas Waterworld, an epic network of slides and pools; and more recently, SeaWorld Yas Island Abu Dhabi. It's clear the emirate is emerging as the most serious challenger Orlando has ever faced. Disneyland Abu Dhabi, expected to open on Yas Island in the early 2030s, will be the company's most technologically advanced park ever. Renderings show a shimmering, futuristic tower at its center — more closely resembling Abu Dhabi's gleaming skyline than a traditional European castle. It will be the first Disney resort set on an accessible shoreline, located just 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi. What began as a shared passion between two friends has grown into the "Abu Dhabi House Movement" — a fast-growing community redefining the city's music scene. Co-founder Tom Worton takes us inside this grassroots world, where music lovers, DJs, and cultural spaces collide. The theme park will be developed, built and operated by Miral, the Abu Dhabi company behind Yas Island's roster of other attractions. Disney Imagineers will handle creative design and operational oversight, making sure the new park is in keeping with Disney's brand. Miral's CEO, Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, says demand already exists: 2024 saw a 20% rise in theme park attendance on Yas Island. And expansion is already in the works — a Harry Potter–themed land at Warner Bros. World, more record-breaking rides at Ferrari World, new themed hotels, and even two beaches along Yas Bay Waterfront. Abu Dhabi's location, a medium-haul flight away from both Europe and Asia, and relatively short hop away from India, means millions of potential visitors are within relatively easy reach. 'This isn't about building another theme park,' Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Abu Dhabi's director general of tourism, told CNN. 'It's about defining Abu Dhabi as a global destination where culture, entertainment and luxury intersect.' Abu Dhabi's rise comes as Orlando and US tourism more broadly face headwinds. International travel to the US has slowed recently, with lengthy visa processes, unpredictable immigration checks, and heightened security scrutiny all blamed for deterring visitors. Abu Dhabi currently offers a smoother alternative to the US. Many nationalities can enter the UAE visa-free or with an e-visa, and the capital's airport — currently being expanded — has a reputation for fast border processing and easy connections. Despite wider regional tensions, Abu Dhabi continues to position itself as a safe, reliable tourism hub. The UAE ranked highly on the 2024 Global Peace Index. 'In times of uncertainty, people look for destinations they can trust,' Al Geziry added. Once on Yas Island, visitors experience indoor, climate-controlled attractions, shorter lines, and a level of sophistication not typically associated with theme parks. 'For families used to theme parks in the US or Europe, Abu Dhabi is a revelation,' says Steven Hopkinson, a British expatriate living in Abu Dhabi. 'You don't spend hours waiting in the heat, and everything feels more refined, more accessible, which is such a luxury when you're with small children.' Orlando may have Florida sunshine, but in summer it also has humidity and crowds. Temperatures still soar in Abu Dhabi, but its climate-controlled indoor parks keep the experience consistent no matter what's happening outside. Warner Bros. World and Ferrari World are entirely enclosed, with air-conditioned walkways and restaurants, and even SeaWorld's aquariums and animal experiences are under cover. 'Compared to places like Florida, it's a different level of comfort,' said Ahmed El Khoury, a Palestinian expatriate and father of three. Despite the comparisons, Abu Dhabi isn't positioning itself as a direct rival to Orlando — it's aiming to be something more. The emirate sees its theme parks as part of a bigger portfolio of attractions, alongside cultural landmarks, luxury hotels, pristine beaches, and desert adventures. A 15-minute drive from Yas Island, Saadiyat Island is home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, a franchised outpost of the famous Paris art museum, which welcomed 1.4 million visitors last year, 84% from abroad. The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum are both under construction, adding to a cultural district that will be one of the region's most concentrated hubs of art and heritage. 'Abu Dhabi's unique appeal lies in the diversity of our tourism offering,' Al Geziry added. 'For thrill-seekers, we have record-breaking roller coasters and dune bashing in the desert. For culture lovers, historic sites like Al Ain Oasis and institutions like the Saadiyat museums. And for luxury travelers, world-class dining, private island resorts, and high-end shopping. 'Where else can you start your day under the Louvre's iconic rain-of-light dome and end it in the immersive, story-driven worlds of Warner Bros. World or Ferrari World?' Still, not everyone is convinced that Disney's expansion into the Middle East is a sure bet. 'The region has seen its share of false starts,' says Dennis Speigel, founder of the International Theme Park Services consultancy, comparing it to neighboring Dubai's patchy record with theme park expansion ambitions in the mid-2010s. 'Several of them struggled for profitability in their first decade.' Spiegel believes Abu Dhabi is different. 'Disney made a smart choice. The infrastructure, safety, and existing leisure developments create an ideal entry point,' he told CNN earlier this year. 'It's a much more controlled and calculated move.' Under its Tourism Strategy 2030, Abu Dhabi aims to grow annual visitors from 24 million in 2023 to more than 39 million by the end of the decade. With Disneyland as a centerpiece, those targets may well be surpassed. The city's population has already grown from 2.7 million in 2014 to more than 4.1 million today, a reflection of its rising profile as a regional hub. Yas Island alone has been transformed in the space of a decade from a largely undeveloped stretch of sand to a self-contained resort destination, complete with golf courses, marinas, a mall, more than 160 restaurants, and a cluster of high-end hotels. Orlando's head start remains formidable — it still offers multiple Disney and Universal parks, has decades of brand loyalty, and an infrastructure built to handle tens of millions of tourists annually. But Abu Dhabi is catching up fast. Its combination of frictionless travel, year-round comfort, cutting-edge attractions, and a cultural scene that adds depth to the experience gives Abu Dhabi its own unique selling point, potentially offering a model for the next generation of theme park capital. CNN's Natasha Chen and Liam Reilly contributed to this report.
