Exploring abandoned Geauga Lake Water Park & Sea World Ohio

[@jonathancastro2823]

I've wondered what it would be like to walk through the parks today but I don't think I ever would. When I think of Geauga Lake, I don't just think of the rides but also the memories I shared with my family.

[@flyingveda]

Me too

[@daedae1522]

Right as kids being able to be by yourself going from ride to ride with no care in the world.

[@hannahking1984]

So crazy. We went there every year for like 10 years.

[@beloved8716]

Is this the one in Geauga county Ohio?

[@cmw212]

Same!

[@joelsytairo6338]

Wow… heartbreaking

[@bobthedopeman7327]

@@beloved8716 yes

[@TheUniversalEyes]

50 minutes from where I live and it looks like it has been abandoned for 50 years. It's amazing how fast it deteriorated. Gotta love the joys of Corporatism, it could have been sold off in chunks and saved.

[@artofexp]

It’s pretty crazy it was only abandoned in 2016. Anything of value was shipped out the water park.

[@beloved8716]

Is this the one in Geauga county Ohio?

[@TheUniversalEyes]

@@beloved8716 Yes, now they are going to use the property to build homes now. Just saw that on the news a week ago.

[@mrmellow77]

You choose a good time of the year to film this, as the bare trees and dim sunlight add to the atmosphere of depressive abandonment. It's sad to see a place such as this in its current condition, as it once gave joy to so many people. One of the things that makes abandoned locations interesting (to me at least) is the memories they hold and stories they could tell. A site such as this is no exception.

[@ADPax10]

Yes, I agree. And the abandonment is what makes the memories even that more valuable! Everything is impermanent. Whether it be an old water park, the abandoned car he found, old cities (like that of Chernobyl), or even the planet itself. Eventually, everything burns away, decays, disappears, and is recycled back into where it all came from, only to have new life take its place (eventually) =)

[@dreamerweaver]

I used to work at Shamu stadium there. The last couple years, I was employed the final year at Sea World in 2000 and then at Six Flags Worlds of Adventure in 2001, which became dolphin stadium. Weird to see it like that.

[@candycee8634]

You paid for an oyster. They gave you a cup and you handed the cup to the diver and she would dive down, put an oyster in the cup, then come back and hand it to you. I think there was a tag with the cup identifying the purchaser. Then you went over and they opened the oysters in fron of you. I have about 7 or 8 Pearl's. I have 2 sets, I believe, of twins. The one pair is large and almost exact size. I even got silver Pearl's. I was pretty lucky at getting big ones too. That was my favorite spot! Thank you for showing it!

[@roseannduchon6864]

Wow! Thanks for the great memories. We lived in Maple Hts in the 1950’s and 60’s and went to Geauga Lake frequently. The clacking sound of the wooden roller coaster is forever etched in my memory. We moved to Macedonia in 1963 and when Sea World was built across the lake we would go to both. The waterski shows were awesome. Fireworks at night! So cool! So sad to see it now-abandoned and empty.

[@joeklimko8339]

What good days

[@wharfier]

The building you were in was the gift shop for Japanese Village. My sister gave the speeches for the pearl diver back in the early 70s. I worked at Geauga Lake all through the 80s. So sad to see it this way. I grew up going to those parks.

[@artofexp]

Thanks! Wonder if there are any pearls down there still.

[@ValentinaMitchell1]

I still have one of my pearls from that even though my parents said it was too much.

[@flyingveda]

@@ValentinaMitchell1 me too! I remember they gave it to you in a white plastic seashell

[@islandqueen3527]

I was just going to say that. It was one of the fun places!

[@karenj4854]

Omggg, you unlocked a 40-year-old memory for me!!! ...About the divers who would fetch oysters and open them to reveal a pearl. I had forgotten all about that and it was like meeting an old, old friend!!! Thank you!!!

[@mrcooldude964]

so sad geauga lakes still not alive. so many memories i have there

[@fletchersfixit6358]

Me too it’s wired seeing it like that

[@beloved8716]

From what I hear, it closed after that boy from the church group got decapitated from a roller coaster...

[@glassjoebiden5833]

Use to go here as a kid. Lived in akron 1980's... As a black kid i must say dame those were the days too love. Home comings, Porms, proms, the good life...

[@beloved8716]

*damn

[@paulwhite4855]

I will not forget this awesome waterpark. Very erie!!!

[@dominiccamelli3452]

I worked there within the last 3 or 4 years of operation and seeing what has become of it kinda saddens my soul. I recognize about 80% of where you were walking

[@r1verman]

I remember visiting here in the mid nineties with several of my buddies. We spent two days here. The first day we went to Seaworld and spent the next day at the amusement part. We had such a great time. Wonderful memory. Sad to see it like this now. It's a bit creepy seeing a place where there were so many people, now abandoned.

[@beloved8716]

I remember how much fun we used to have there💯 We bought season passes.🥰We were there all the time!!😎👍 It was an hour from my 🏠 house... My God the memories🥺 To look at it now makes me want to cry!!😥

[@clownfromclowntown]

This is so surreal to see..I used to go to wildwater kingdom all the time as a kid. It was by far the best waterpark around. Seeing it like this is so, so strange because from all my memories of it it was always packed full

[@crystalcloud6720]

So sad to see these theme parks closed down. Most of the time these places were kind of reasonably priced so most of the kids could go like everyday. Not like Disney, where you have to save up for a few years to go and be able to buy things outrageously priced. But the people who live in that town or state are the ones that miss out. Here in AR we had a water park that just recently in the passed few years closed. Granted we have many rivers and lakes, and you don't have to pay to swim all day. But there was just something about going to a water/theme park. Sad, really sad.

[@AndreaCope-ml9qx]

So many memories I grew up going to Geauga Lake then when they added Sea World it was amazing. Thank you for sharing this with us. So sad it's all gone. 😢

[@justinp3931]

Such great memories as a child. I am 40 now and was born in Barberton, Ohio...our parents took us there many times. Miss this amusement park. Wish I could have taken my family there before it closed. I have four kids and they would have loved it. Now there's only very expensive amusement parks. Ran by greedy owners. Sorry but true.

[@artofexp]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@beverlyhoward6207]

I remember going as a child with my sister & mom visiting my uncle & cousin family vacations were everything.

[@cassidyrose9307]

7:30 you showing those old slides brought back so many memories. I would spend hours right there every summer. So sad to see it like this

[@farminstoltzfus]

Lived in Aurora from 1986 to 2000. Almost every year, we would make a school field trip to Sea World during the off-season. Agree with you on the aquarium and the stingrays. Very cool exhibit. Penguins and seals were also super dope.

[@eddievenuto1862]

I live in Canton Ohio. In 2003 my grandfather was in the seventies. He took me and my mom and my sister and my cousin and her friend my sister's friend to geauga lake in 2003. He actually rode all the rides. It was a day I'll never forget. I wrote that this Batman ride about 15 times with my cousin it was the best ride there. There was a nice water park it was huge I went down the slide it just was a good day I'll never forget ever

[@BSTR03Hockey]

If that Batman ride you’re talking about is a roller coaster, it is now Dominator at Kings Dominion. It’s my favorite ride there, which is a lot to say considering Intimidator 305 is also there.

[@eddievenuto1862]

@@BSTR03Hockey ok

[@marisgoldenhour6212]

This made me sad. I used to work at Geauga Lake on rides in the years it was completely thriving, and when Sea World was still in operation across the water. Unless one lived in Ohio or were a visiting coaster enthusiast, people had no idea how much fun the place was for a few hours or an entire day. It was a lot good times all while growing up and eventually as a manager in the corkscrew area. It was one of the best jobs I had. Great to be there at work and after work hours. This was hard to watch as it was an unrecognizable place with all the changes since Six Flags purchased it. Shame Geauga Lake is no longer and kids won't have the freedom to roam a big, yet not outrageously expansive amusement park with access to independence of exploring the space. Thank you for sharing Geauga Lake and Sea World as it is today 💙

[@rachaelmontgomery1438]

Some of my best core memories with my kids ever are between 2008 to the closing of this park. We were there closing day from open to close. I miss it

[@paulah8085]

I was so excited to see the diving area! I can distinctly remember that part of the park! Wow to see it now...

[@lotusbandicoot]

Crazy, my family went there in July 1997 and it's my earliest memory I've confirmed so far. We have a home video from up in Shamu Stadium (complete with 2 year old me shouting "LOOK AT THE WHALE!!") and then a clip following it of my older brother at the stingray area around the 14 minute mark. For years we had a plastic jellyfish from the gift shop but I don't know where that is anymore. Anyway, it's insane to think it'd be closing just 3 years after we were there. Doesn't quite look like I remember (although my mental image of it was blurry to begin with, considering it might be my earliest memory)

[@GhostlyPlayz94]

I miss this place so much. I went there many many times. I was there in 2016 the year it closed. We didn't know it would be the last time it'd be open. The wave pool was the best. Had fun in there. Fun times. I always wished someone would buy this and turn it back into what it was before.

[@ravengurl92]

I went there with my family when it was Sea World. I don’t remember too much about it except a Shamu show, a ball pit with colored balls and a red and blue climbing tower. So sad that it’s abandoned like this now

[@stephanieceara7861]

It was during Geauga Lake 6 flags where they did the pearls. I remember getting one. In the open area they had a lot of places where you could take the pearls to have them cracked open and made into all sorts of different jewelry!

[@artofexp]

That’s awesome! There’s old videos on KZbin with the pearl diving. I remember it being such a cool experience. Although I never got a pearl myself.

[@jaylapeterson5820]

I never got the chance to go but I have such an attachment to it that’s it’s very sad for me to see that it’s gone :( I love extremely close to it. The once filled parking lot is filled with nothing but plants and weeds. The lake the splashed around now still. The once standing pillars gone. And the old buildings once filled with people empty. I can still sometimes imagine the people there having fun all day with friends and family. But now it’s just an empty shell

[@liminalradiofm7899]

same, i live right down the road and theres just a nasty green construction wall that blocks the view of everything. the road is gated off (i tried driving down it like 3 days ago) and its almost as if there was never a park at all. i head that theyre turning it into a housing development. just like twinsburg and reminderville, aurora is getting into the housing development game. i now work across the street from the former park (bob evans come give me shit to do) and its just a weird feeling that the memories of thousands of people have been almost erased from existence by development.

[@flyingveda]

That was so interesting how you showed where they sat down the water slides to be sprayed and sold to other parks. I would not have known that. I grew up going there as a child.

[@PanickedTato]

The large building on the left that you walk up to around 5:13 was originally the Shark Encounter! I'm not sure if they gutted it and made it a 4D ride in later years but, that's what it was originally. The building to the right was a restaurant (Shark Cafe I think). I believe there was also a retail shop with it there as well.

[@erikrenner]

When I was a kid in the 80s my parents took me to Sea World. My mom got one of the pearls from that diving pool. The last time I was there was when it was Six Flags.

[@sydneywhitman8631]

Went there my whole life so sad to see it abandoned.

[@Jviix]

2022: I work across the street at Walmart , it’s completely gone , no roller coaster no anything. It’s crazy because I once went there and now all the history is gone

[@TerryAllan1975]

I miss that place. The wave,the big slides,bumper cars, roller coasters man such a different time. Thanks for sharing this. Takes me back

[@MattyIcecubes]

Burn in hell Six Flags! You destroyed something from my childhood that meant so much to me.

[@stephanieceara7861]

yes! There was a theater. When I went back in the 90s it was something about a pirate ship. It was a regular theater but the seats would vibrate and there would be different types of water that would shoot out for bird poop, or splash, etc. It was also a 3/D screen one of the first to use the clear glasses like we have nowadays.

[@mikebas7325]

WOW, the water park looks like it has been abandoned for as long as the amusement park. Just sad to see these types of placed go abandoned. No wonder Cedar Fair bought the parks. Hell I'm sure they figured everyone will just come to Cedar Point now, well not everyone is going to drive an extra 1.5 hrs. Unlike Six Flags NOLA, Geauga Lake seemed like a decent location. Thanks for the awesome video.

[@artofexp]

It truly was a great and unique park. I think you are right about the Cedar Point thing. This park competed with CP so in their eyes best to shut it down and send the coasters and rides to other parks.

[@dfrazier2282]

Grew up 5 minutes from there. Geauga lake rd. Park was basically in what was the country at that time. Now city people have taken over & the area isn’t close to the same

[@stephanieceara7861]

The "lazy river" also used to be a rapids ride at one point.

[@anneivalu]

Thx for sharing. I enjoyed your comments along with the nice footage. Well done!

[@artofexp]

Glad you enjoyed before it’s gone forever.

[@Weatheredstorms1]

Big building was a huge cinema back when sea world was operating

[@Weatheredstorms1]

The one you thought was a submarine thing was penguin encounter

[@alderonsabbet7217]

I have so many memories from going there as a kid back in the 80’s

[@xxdfdj]

Was it easy to get into? I would love to go there...

[@fightingwolf18]

There should be a government fund for places like this. A park that survives this long shouldn't be allowed to fall to corporate greed. I remember seeing commercials for Geauga Lake, but never went. What a ripoff.

[@nateeck7203]

The building at the 5:11 mark is the old Shark Encounter. I drove my parents nuts when we went to SeaWorld back in the 90s. All I wanted to do was stay at the Shark Encounter.

[@moose030406]

I was here in the 80's when I was a little kid. Looks a lot different over 30 years later.

[@briankay4229]

Our family went to SeaWorld the 2nd year it opened., sometime in the early 70s. So it's been around for a while.

[@taylorjefferson372]

Omg I used to go on field trips here and family events🥺🥺🥺

[@JNTHN-hp9fr]

12:58 sea world tank

[@aleahcim10]

Ugh I miss this place. We would get season passes up till the year they closed:(

[@mariak9661]

The worst part that's creepy in the winter its creepier because ceilings collapse a lot and the worst night mare is that I'm scared of snowplows and creepy bats😩

[@dianecelento4974]

So cool you got to walk along there.

[@travisvanalst4698]

Just think, if Six Flags would have just gradually installed roller coasters instead of all at once…this would probably still be standing and giving Kings Island and CP a run for their money.

[@lens_hunter]

Honestly this is insane to me, I went MANY times when I was a kid.

[@sarahbenson1909]

i went there all the time as a kid ive always wanted to go back and see it myself in my head it all looks the same

[@dianecelento4974]

Nice that you remembered sting rays were there.

[@juliuscaesart]

Went here as a kid. Miss it.

[@BSTR03Hockey]

So this is where Dominator came from.

[@richardvg7670]

Boy I wish I would have went to this park when it was open and it was definitely in my time frame where I could have great explore though

[@UptownWatta]

The slides actually never went anywhere, they we all demoloshed

[@slackingpacking]

Awesome exploration! I would love to see this place back in the day.

[@scotte2177]

It was a good time. One of those places u could go for a day and have fun

[@subwoofter]

Pretty sure that building next to the building you thought was a theater was the "Shark Encounter " at one point

[@artofexp]

Was it one of those 3D rides? I remember some underwater submarine type simulation theater.

[@subwoofter]

@@artofexp the building behind it that kinda looked the same I believe it was

[@ScareventuresHaunts]

The diving component was definitely a SeaWorld attraction within the Japanese Village.

[@afridgetoofar1818]

I’m glad Sea World shut down. Orcas should not be held in captivity

[@pyrodave6407]

I always went here over cedar point. My school always did a field trip every year only reason i joined choir class lmao then me and my friends would go a few times each summer

[@JackOverlandFrost]

I have a stupid question; for my final project in photography I’m photographing abandoned places, and really would love to get some shots of Wild Water Kingdom (if not make the whole series be Wild Water Kingdom), but I don’t even know where to begin with getting in or anything

[@markmiller4503]

Jump the fence and, be careful

[@scotte2177]

When six flags and cedar point took over it wasnt the same. Geagua lake was a kewl place to go and have a fun time. No over the top coasters but u still had a good day

[@OnlyMsNicky]

Nope. That has crime scene written all over it. Glad you were ok. Edit: Thanks for the content ❤

[@gsrailfann5025]

Did you get any flack for walking around in there? Would like to go myself

[@Pittsburghbad]

Nice space gun art on building with cooler and car

[@kaylahobson1847]

So many memories there! Is it open to just walk around?

[@artofexp]

It’s a construction site now.

[@falsealarm9112]

Is wild water kingdom patrolled by security? Me and a few friends were thinking of exploring there but don’t want to get in trouble with police.

[@artofexp]

It’s an active construction site now. Not sure the current progress but everything’s being demolished.

[@KeshiaFowler]

Miss that place

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

Technically, SeaWorld Ohio 1970-2016

[@Mblandreth1]

I grew up in Solon. It was a great park! Early 70s when it was Just Geauga lake real inexpensive fun everyday in the summer. Sea World ruined it?

[@ethanchapman3799]

I've... been here before when I was very young

[@Chudchanning]

This would be a prime skate spot

[@dianecelento4974]

Have you thought about doing a video about Conneaut Lake Park. Someone bought it about a year ago and was suppose to refurbish it. He was also suppose to keep the blue streak but burned it down instead.

[@dianecelento4974]

I remember I got a black pearl one time and that was rare.

[@mrsteve4313]

That's a shame, I went there in '95 or '96. Great park.

[@coastercouple1211]

Great video. Keep it up

[@jconsolmagno]

Agreed

[@artofexp]

Much appreciated!

[@jacobmclendon4387]

Thinking about driving there to explore. Is that possible in march 2024

[@mindyspohn5445]

i was on a feild trip with my school when i was a kid in elementary school i remember sitting on the brick half wall to eat our lunch. sure wish i could have taken my kids but it shut down before i had them

[@nickwesley23]

I thought the roller coasters will still up on the amusement park side

[@artofexp]

Up until a few years ago there was a wooden roller coaster still standing but it’s all gone now. The metal coasters were sold or shipped to other theme parks.

[@UNTOUCHED-STREETWEAR]

2024 I still see it how do I get there

[@artofexp]

It’s a lake that shows up on Google..

[@mariak9661]

I love abandoned places too do you like them my favorite is nuclear power plant

[@caitlin32]

Cedar point probably took over everything amusement park wise in Ohio

[@artofexp]

Sadly this park was too much competition for Cedar Point.

[@punkyB24]

I wasn't even alive in that time so I don't know that place but I bet it was cool

[@markmiller4503]

So your sIx years old? Why are you on KZbin?

[@lyndseysnowdon6983]

This only closed 5 years ago😭

[@artofexp]

Thays the sad part. All the slides and most attractions long gone already. Thankfully a few of the Sea World stuff was still here like Aquarium and Japanese Village.

[@lyndseysnowdon6983]

@@artofexp exactly and I still have that guilt because my siblings were young when it closed and I promised them for the 2017 season that I would take them on all the slides and obviously that never happened it closed when I was 12 and now as a 17 year old senior in high school my friends and I would’ve had a blast here ):

[@liminalradiofm7899]

i live maybe 4 or 5 minutes down the road, and you would never even know the park was there at all.

[@susielisle922]

You might live in a house my grandfather built. Lol! He built several houses within walking distance in the 50s & 60s. My mom & uncle were so lucky as kids! It must have been so cool to walk to a theme park! I love the stories of...games like skee ball, rides like the Dutch shoes, & fair snacks galore! If only.... my mom said they saved game tickets all year to "buy" Christmas gifts for the family. Good times! Fav stories!

[@fletchersfixit6358]

I remember all the buildings and know what thaey are

[@charlestaylor4441]

Can you fish the lake?

[@theoldmeisnow6038]

Hey!! I would love a chance to speak with you pertaining your work. I am truly a fan. Seeing as KZbin doesn’t have message option.! I would like to collaborate and intertwine our creative minds. Do u have an email ?

[@kendym6060]

I never heard of this park

[@CaptainFalcon07]

It’s weird seeing it like this, I went there twice, 2005 and 2006

[@FireHorse11291966]

wonder if the lake has fish in it.

[@mariak9661]

Probably the only thing that is heard is car accidents and rusting water slides and mother of nature creepy will give you migraines ☣and creepy traines and bell noises