Wildwater Kingdom in Aurora Ohio To Close Forever After 2016 Season
Coming just a day after Cedar Point’s announcement of their 2017 Waterpark expansion, Cedar Point Shores, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company has announced Wildwater Kingdom will close forever after the 2016 season. The park is located on the former SeaWorld property in Aurora, Ohio just and hour and a half drive east from Cedar Point.
In a news release, Cedar Fair wrote:
“Cedar Fair has been working cooperatively with both Bainbridge Township and the City of Aurora to redevelop the entire property into what will best benefit the surrounding communities.
After examining its long-range plans, Cedar Fair has determined that the time is right to begin this transition and will continue to work together with community leadership in the positive future development of the property.
Cedar Fair would like to thank the residents of Northeast Ohio for supporting Wildwater Kingdom each summer“.
Wildwater Kingdom opened June 17, 2005 as part of Geauga Lake and Wildwater Kingdom. The water park site was previously home to SeaWorld Ohio (1970-2000) and the marine life section of Six Flags Worlds of Adventure (2001-2003). The park was purchased by Cedar Fair in 2004 and converted to a waterpark for the 2005 season. On September 21, 2007 just 5 days into the off-season, Cedar Fair announced Geauga Lake amusement park will close and the property would only continue to operate as a waterpark.
Wildwater Kingdom was planned to be built in 2 phases, the first one costing $16 million which was to open for the 2005 season, and the second planned to cost $8 million. The first stage included a ProSlide Tornado, an activity pool, action river, a children’s play area and the relocation of Thunder Falls, Ohio’s tallest water-slide complex.
Take a POV ride on the orange slide right now!
The second phase plans consisted of a 38,000 square foot wave pool, an adult pool with whirlpool spas and a swim up bar, and two more waterslide towers. However the only thing built from phase two was the wave pool. If both phases had been completed, it would cover 20 acres and be one of the largest waterparks in the United States.
The parks name “Geauga Lake’s Wildwater Kingdom” remained 4 years after Geauga Lakes closing and abandonment before removing “Geauga Lake’s” for the 2012 operating season.
While visiting Wildwater Kingdom today, you can see the remains of footers from Thunerhawk (formally Serial Thriller), and the mostly intact Big Dipper roller coaster across the lake along with the Pirates 4D ride building, a gift shop building, an old aquarium building, and Geauga Lake’s main entrance. Above is a photo from our last video coverage at Geauga Lake.
Wildwater Kingdom will close its gates for good on September 5, 2016. Rumors of what’s to come include a new beach boardwalk using wood from the big dipper coaster, bike trails, a strip mall, and new restaurants. If any of the mentioned rumors replace the former Geauga Lake and Wildwater Kingdom we would be VERY SAD to say the least…
For tickets and more information, visit the official Wildwater Kingdom website by clicking here.
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