Info on Six Flags World Adventure in Cleveland

[Piglet's Pal]

If you have been to Six Flags World Adventure will you please tell me about the park. Is the park in a good location? easy to get to? Is the park clean? Is there a good plan for touring the park? DH & I will be going with the children ages 11, 8, & 6 the 3rd week in July. This was not a planned trip for us, so we are in the dark about the park. My oldest DS won our local All-American Soap Box Derby race and we will be going to Akron for the Championship race. Soap Box has a trip planned to Six Flags for the "champs" and their families.
Thanks, PP

 

[Pop Daddy]

congrats to you son, I have passes there and its nice and I believe clean, but who ever goes on this board leaves a nasty thread about the place

 

[Cindy B]

Yes, this will be the anti thread, but for only a few reasons.


We just went on Memorial Day weekend, and it was our first time there. Pur family remembers it as Geauga Lake/Seaworld. We were Seaworld season pass holders. Therefore we remember it as such.

Basically the park is split up, into two areas. The Wildlife area (formerly Seaworld), and the wild rides area (formerly Geauga Lake.) You can walk in between the two via a boardwalk, and a path. (reminded me of Epcot World Showcase, everything is around a body of water)

First I will give you opinions on the wildlife side. We parked in a former Seaworld parking lot, and went in the former seaworld gate. Apparently this entrance is new or refrubished so it can be accessed. This side still has a lot of similiarities to Seaworld. (In fact we saw some signs still saying Seaworld or Shamu, I guess they forgot to take those down a few years ago!) The landscape is still nice, some Sea world animals are still there. (ie, flamingos, sea lions, small killer whale, penguins, and the shark encounter) The Shamus happy harbor structure is still there, some shops, food areas are the same. The bathrooms are still the same. There is a sea lion otter show, but it isn't the same.

The similiarities stop there. The animals weren't in as good of shape as I remember them. The penguin case was filthy and had trash in it. (granted it was paper trash .. but still...) The glass was dirty and grimy.

The sea lions/otters looked ok. The area looked too small for them. The small killer whale, looked like a baby. It looked like it was cared for.

There are some rides that weren't there last time I was there. There is a simulator ride that was there (but it was closed), some flat rides (ie, pirate ship, swings, and a swinging ship). The swinging ship was closed when we were there as well. The shows didn't start until at least 12:30... not good if you only wanted to spend a half day morning there. Getting there early at opening did nothing.. . you were just basically standing around waiting for things to open... nothing was open.

It was depressing because we remember it as Seaworld. They have let it gone downhill from the excellent seaworld standards. But for the most part, the grounds were clean.


Now on to the wild rides side. They kept some of the
Geauga Lake rides, like Double Shot, Raging Wolf Bobs, the Observation tower.. and a few other things.

Now, I remember what was there, and this is an improvement. There is a Main entrance area which wasn't there before. There are some coasters which were never there before either... such as the Superman coasters. They looked pretty intense, but they were down... The wild west area was cute.
The woodstock express ride was fun for my daughter.
The haybaler was cute as well.

My DH and DS went on Double Shot, and called it creaky. There were maintenance crews with chain saws on Raging Wolf Bobs (chain saws/wooden coaster!) , the Yellow Superman coaster was closed, another coaster was closed.

HUrricane Harbor was open, but was 50 degrees out... who wants to do that. Now in other Six Flags this is a separate gate ticket, so for that to be free.. that is a plus.

Themeing is pretty vague actually. My son even said to us "Pick a theme and stay with it!" Due to the vagueness, it was easy to get lost.

The Looney Tunes area was well done, but crowded.

As coaster enthusiasts, these rides were to be priorities. Unfortunately all the biggies we were interested in were down. There weren't many rides for our little one to go on, and so were were stuck on kiddie things (she is 46 inches, big enough to go on coasters at Hershey, Knoebels, Dorney Park, and Six Flags Great Adventure, USF/IOA, but not Six Flags World of Adventure)

I was disappointed in what was offered. We are Six Flags season pass holders, so we didn't pay anything to get in. If anything , this visit made our home park (which is one of the oldest Six Flags) look huge, inviting and not so old. I thought it being a new park would be nice.

Yes, it is nice compared to what was there before. Geauga Lake was getting a little old looking. It has enhanced what was there, and made it better.

However, I was disappointed. We felt like we wasted our morning.

Do yourself a favor, find a Coke can with a buy one get one free SFWOA coupon on it. Go then, so you won't feel llike you wasted money.

We also found parts of the waterslides/rides in a far corner of the parking lot... Hello! When does your parking lot become a warehouse!

 

[jcemom]

We spent 3 days there last summer with our boys (then 9 and 8). Overall, we really enjoyed it. The days we were there were not very crowded, but HOT (90's and humid).

The first day (after a long drive) we waited in line for 1 1/2 hours and couldn't get in! (Not their fault, to be fair. A construction crew had cut a main power line and part of the town--including Six Flags--was down.) The rest of the trip was pretty good. I did notice that several of the big coasters seemed to always be down, but my boys didn't want to or weren't big enough to ride them, so it didn't affect us.

The water park section we found to be pretty nice for kids their age. They enjoyed the animal shows--especially the tigers. The water ski show (batman, I think) was good. The food prices were VERY HIGH--higher even than other parks. And there were way too many midway games, in my opinion.

I have also been there before it was six flags, and I think I like it better now.

I haven't ever seen any touring plans, or even tips, for this park. Though I didn't really look all that hard, I've never come across anything. I think, because of the shows, that it would be a stretch to cover the park in one day. Maybe, if it wasn't crowded. But it's really spread out, and a lot of walking.

 

[Evil Princess]

Originally posted by Cindy B


As coaster enthusiasts, these rides were to be priorities. Unfortunately all the biggies we were interested in were down. There weren't many rides for our little one to go on, and so were were stuck on kiddie things (she is 46 inches, big enough to go on coasters at Hershey, Knoebels, Dorney Park, and Six Flags Great Adventure, USF/IOA, but not Six Flags World of Adventure

Kind of off topic, but I am rather curious as to why your daughter is big enough to go on coasters at SFGreat Adventure and Islands of Adventure, but not at SF World of Adventures?

Great Adventure's coasters are INTENSE. Batman Knight Flight at Worlds of Adventure is a floorless, just like Medusa at Great Advneture.
Double loop at Worlds of Adventure is a tame Arrow double looper going up side down twice, Great Adventure has an Arrow Mega looper that goes upside down over 7 times.
Mind Eraser is a Vekoma Boomerang at Worlds of Adventure, pretty tamed, VERY cloned and can be found at many amusement parks in the country.
Raging Wolf Bobs is a woodie that is only 80 feet high.
Road Runner Express is a kiddie/family coaster, very similar to Blackbeard's Treasure Train at Great Adventure.
Serial Thriller at World's of Adventure is an inverted coaster with your legs dangling, although made by a different manufacturer, Great Adventure also has an inverted coaster called Batman: The Ride.
Superman Ultimate Escape is instense at Worlds of Adventure, but Great Adventure also has a launched coaster, Batman and Robin: The Chiller.
X-Flight is a Vekoma Flyer at World's of Adventure, which is intense, you lay on your stomach. However, the new coaster this year at Great Adventure is Superman Ultimate Flight, which is a flying coaster made by another company.

Great Adventure also has a few other crazy coasters. Island of Adventure's coasters are also not tame. They are all Bolliger and Mabillard coasters, Hulk launches you in the beginning with spinning tires and goes right into an inversion, and Dueling Dragons are dueling inverted coasters with many near misses.

I'm sorry for being obnoxious, but I'm a coaster enthusiast too, and I don't understand why your DD is big enough to go on all the coasters at Great Adventure and not World's of Adventure when they both have intense selections. Great Adventure has a bit of an edge over SFWOA, IMHO.

Sorry for comming off obsessive, but coasters are my passion, after Disney, of course!!

 

[jcemom]

I think these are all the height restrictions (not including the rides where childen under 40-42" must be accompanied by an adult). These are the "must be this tall to ride" restrictions:

42"
Yo Yos (swings)
Neptune's Falls (water slides)
48"
Merry Oldies (antique cars)
Deer Park Plunge (waater flume)
The Villain (wooden coaster)
Double Loop (coaster)
Dodgems (bumper cars)
Raging Wolf Bobs (wooden coaster)
Big Dipper (wooden coaster)
Music Express
Mind Eraser (boomerang coaster)
Mr. Hyde's Nasty Fall (freefall)
Time Warp (spinning-type ride)
Stingray Wet Slides (water slides)
Turtle Beach High Tide Area (pool play area)
50"
El Dorado
52"
Serial Thriller (suspended coaster)
Silver Bullet
Superman Ultimate Escape (vertical spiraling coaster)
54"
Batman Knight Flight (floorless coaster)
X-Flight (flying coaster)
55"
Texas Twister

 

[jcemom]

There are about 15 rides (+ 7 or 8 in the Looney Tunes kiddieland area) that kids under those height restrictions CAN ride, and most of those are only WITH an adult.

 

[Cindy B]

At Great Adventure, my daughter can ride...


Skull Mountain
The Pirate one
all the "kiddie ones"
Runaway Train
Rolling Thunder
and one more coaster... (can't remember the name of it!)
and a couple of other things, besides the "baby/kid" stuff. At SFWOA there wasn't much of a choice for her. Those above coasters are "tame to middle of the road coasters". There was nothing even in the tame to middle of the road category for her at all at SFWOA. She was bored, and didn't want to ride the Musik Express the 40th time.

My son, who is 54 inches wanted to ride the biggies, but they were down. The yellow one was down, the X flight was down, same with Texas Twister. One more they (DH and DS) tried to ride, but couldn't for whatever reason (maintenance I think)

Yes, Skull Mountain, Runaway Train, Rolling Thunder seem tame for "my" standard, but she is only 5 years old. She's been on any thing she can do height wise. We don't add big shoes or the "park map in the shoes" stuff.
Knoebels Phoenix, and Twister, Hershey's Comet, Superdooperlooper, Roller Soaker and the train one there... Cedar Points' Iron Dragon, Disaster Transport. She can do Rock n Roller Coaster and Space Mountain as well. Busch Garden also has some middle of the road ones as well... the upside down one, and something else.

At IOA she could ride that train one in Lost Contenent, The Pterndon Flyers, JRPA (no, not exactly a coaster).
At Seaworld she could do Atlantis.. (that has a coaster element in the end)


I've been on Hulk and Dd. Her height is too small for that one. My son can't wait to get on that one... Top Thrill is an amazing coaster as well, and we consider ourselves lucky to have ridden it.

I'm just saying at SFWOA there weren't many choices besides flat rides for her. You get kind of sick of merry go rounds and Musik Expresses... My son, who is 54 inches wanted to ride the biggies, but they were down. The yellow one was down, the X flight was down, same with Texas Twister. One more they (DH and DS) tried to ride, but couldn't for whatever reason (maintenance I think)


And jcemom... they have upped the requirement for Mind Eraser and Double shot to 48'. It was very disappointing to us, since they were 42 at one time. Same with Raging Wolf Bobs. They were very particular about that with her. She is 47 (with shoes) so they said "NO!".

Raging Wolf Bobs and Mind Eraser were both down when we went., so it was a moot point. Sane with the "biggies" as well. We got there at park opening, and had a very limited amount of time to tour. Of the "biggies", none were available when we needed them to be. It was Memorial Day weekend, I expected some to be running, but they weren't. Maybe it was on a staggered opening schedule, or all the operators called in sick, but it was a big disappointment.

We won't go back to SFWOA. We miss Seaworld terribly. SFWOA Wild side is definetely bettter than what was there before as Geauga Lake. The sentimental side of me wishes that SW was still there... and Geauga Lake was to be there as well. We have very happy memories of going to SW, and Geauga Lake. The SW side is just sad.. really. We left feeling saddened and depressed, like they took it away, and left the scraps. (they did actually)

It isn't a bad park, but if you are local, to that part of Ohio, Cedar Point is so much better. If we still lived in Ohio, I would have gladly taken the hour drive to Cedar Point versus the twenty minute drive to SFWOA. We are debating making another 8 hour drive to Cedar Point, but not to go to SFWOA again.


As for transportation, it is pretty clearly marked on the main roads. We took 271, but there is a back way on 82 (Aurora Road). We used to take 82 when we lived in Ohio, so that was quicker for me. SFWOA is is a strange spot, it is off the highway, but not immediately off. From 271 you take SOM Center Road, make a few turns, and then you are there.... its sort of a rural /woodsy feel. Its not immediately off the highway, its another good 10-15 minutes depending on traffic.

From Akron, I don't know how long it would take. This is just a guess but maybe 30-45 minutes. (Dependning on where in Akron, and traffic, etc...)


Anyway, if you decide to go, don't take high expectations with you. Its not a bad, horrible, dirty park, but just not what I was used to, and the transition wasn't easy for me. This was our first time back since the parks changed hands so it was a real emotional/distressing thing for me. It felt like a part of it was taken away from me... many do remember SW Ohio, and the fun it was.. now it is gone.

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by Cindy B

Anyway, if you decide to go, don't take high expectations with you.

I would agree with that. As long as you're in the area anyway, it would be nice to go. But I wouldn't plan and look forward to it for any length of time...like Disney.

By the way, when I posted the height restrictions, what I meant to convey was that there aren't many rides for children not big enough for the "biggies," not sure if it came across that way. My boys are small for their age, and even at 8 and 9 couldn't ride quite a few of the coasters. They aren't die-hard coaster fans (yet, anyway) though, and enjoy shows and the water park more than the rides. So, overall, we did have a good time, and would go back.

 

[BarryHom]

I've been to SFWOA about two years ago. It wasn't great, but it wasn't too bad. I think the coasters are the main draw. X-Flight is a flying coaster and the most unique coaster I've been on. I'm still not sure if I like it, but it was an interesting ride. Superman: Ultimate Escape is good, but not as good as Cedar Point's Wicked Twister. Batman: Knight Flight is a great floorless coaster. Sit in the back and get a nice whip sensation when you ride. The Big Dipper is a good out and back woodie.

The wildlife side was OK, but seemed kind of dingy. The animals seemed well cared for, though.

As for SFWOA, remember Cedar Point is about 1 1/2 to 2 hours away. Even Kennywood outside of Pittsburgh, PA is about 2 hours away. I think a day spent at either Kennywood or Cedar Point would be a much better choice thatn SFWOA. If you must go to SFWOA for the coasters, then go. I wouldn't go for much else.

 

[coasterdevils30]

As long as everything is open, Worlds of Adventure is a very nice park. I visited the park last year and again this year. All of the major coasters were open on both visits, with very minimal lines, which is awesome, being a coaster enthusiast who doesnt want to wait on lines since hes had three straight days of coaster riding.

There is such a difference between the sea world side and the rides side. The Sea World side seems much more relaxed and less chaotic. Though the rides side has some great coasters.

I actually work at Six Flags Great Adventure and the height restrictions at SFWOA compare to the ones at Great Adventure. All of the major coasters at GA are 54", same with the ones at Worlds of Adventure, I believe.

The waterpark at Worlds of Adventure is free, but not that amazing. Though I guess you can't complain, it is free. However, we waited at the bottom of their brand new slide complex this year for a tube and it took about 15 minutes for a tube to arrive! They really have to add more tubes to the tower.

That's pretty much all I can think of. My personal favorite coaster at the park is Superman: Ultimate Escape. X-Flight is also very good (though not as good as our new Superman here at Great Adventure)

 

[Cindy B]

Thanks Brian for your input, we must have caught it on an off day.. we got there early (park opening) and NOTHING was open.

Wolfbobs had maintenance guys with chainsaws, one was down, one was doing maintenance, and two weren't running yet (I think that is the correct total) The only things running were the flat rides, and the double shot, and one other. The line for the one other was too long. (since we could go to Great Adventure for a similiar thing, and passed on it. )


Well at least Great Adventure has "middle of the road coasters" for the 48 and under set.. ie, Skull Mountain, Rolling Thunder.


I've heard great reviews about Superman. My son (8 years old, and exactly 54 inches!) loved it. DH loved it too. I haven't been out yet to try it out due to work/school schedule.

What do you do at GA? My Dh worked there 20 years ago.. back in the day.

 

[Piglet's Pal]

Thank you for all the replies, I appreciate all the input. We are a little disappointed about going to SFWOA, our original vacation was planned for Cedar Point. Soap Box Derby has the trip planned to SFWOA for the champs & families, so we will go along with their plan. We have decided to just make it a relaxing day and not try to do everything like our normal commando style. DS is right around 56 inches, so hopefully he will be able to do the coasters. My younger children are not coaster happy. My DS is very excited to be racing in the World Championships in Akron and this will be HIS week, our family can go to Cedar Point another year (we have gone before). We will go with open minds and hope for the best!
BTW, we will be at Hershey Park on July 6th. Will we see any DISers there?
PP

 

[Cindy B]

As for Hershey, thats a very busy weekend there.


My DH had his company picnic there, that weekend, and it was crowded. It will be busy, but if you get there early and PLAN, you should be ok.


Be sure to ride Roller Soaker, (even the little ones!), its the best!
Lightning Racer is almost worth the price of admission alone.

 

[Piglet's Pal]

CindyB,
We go to Hershey every year the first Sunday in July for DH's company picnic. We know the park like the back of our hands and we manage the crowds very well. Hershey is "just around the corner" and we have the chance to go quite often. I am wondering if SFWOA will be as clean as Hershey has been the last few years.
PP

 

[damo]

the park is smelly, especially around the Batman coaster. My kids were excited about going on the flying coaster but it really wasn't a big deal. You can purchase an express thing that allows you to reserve times. The little wooden coaster built in the 1920's was my teens' favourite. They called it the Nanny coaster because it was built in the same year that their grandma was born. IT GIVES GREAT AIRTIME. The Batman coaster is a B&M floorless and was very good. Go front row. The other good one is like Wicked Twister at CP (can't remember the name but I think it is a Superman something or other). It is a launched coaster with a vertical spiral on one side and a straight vertical climb with breaks at the top at the other.

Since we went after going to CP, the park was a disappointment but some of the coasters were definitely worth riding!

DON'T STAY AT THE SIX FLAGS RESORT. IT IS AWFUL. Stay at the Bertrand? next to it. It is much nicer and the same price.

 

[BarryHom]

Originally posted by Piglet's Pal
CindyB,
We go to Hershey every year the first Sunday in July for DH's company picnic. We know the park like the back of our hands and we manage the crowds very well. Hershey is "just around the corner" and we have the chance to go quite often. I am wondering if SFWOA will be as clean as Hershey has been the last few years.
PP

SFWOA isn't nearly as clean as Hersheypark. It isn't even close to being as clean. Hersheypark is nearly impecciably clean. SFOWA is another matter entirely.

 

[BarryHom]

Originally posted by damo
the park is smelly, especially around the Batman coaster. My kids were excited about going on the flying coaster but it really wasn't a big deal. You can purchase an express thing that allows you to reserve times. The little wooden coaster built in the 1920's was my teens' favourite. They called it the Nanny coaster because it was built in the same year that their grandma was born. IT GIVES GREAT AIRTIME. The Batman coaster is a B&M floorless and was very good. Go front row. The other good one is like Wicked Twister at CP (can't remember the name but I think it is a Superman something or other). It is a launched coaster with a vertical spiral on one side and a straight vertical climb with breaks at the top at the other.

The little wooden coaster is called the Big Dipper. The Batman coaster is Batman: Knight Flight. The Wicked Twister-like coaster is Superman: Ultimate Escape. At other Six Flags properties, it's known as Vertical Velocity, or as I nickname the one at Six Flags Marine World, 45 Degrees Velocity.

 

[Piglet's Pal]

Okay guys, now you have me thinking dirty bathrooms and strange funky smells. Will I be saying "eeewwwww" a lot while visiting this park?
PP

 

[Cindy B]

Umm... yes unfortunately.


Lets put it this way. Seaworld was bought out, what two years ago, maybe three? (I know it was a while ago....) There was a shop that had a torn awning on it... and the awning said on it.. Shamu's Fudge, but the other side said Six Flags Fudge or something like that. Could they even take the one awning down? Or at least replace the name?


Ok, in the penguin encounter area, there was paper trash near the now defunct moving walkway, faded paper sign pointing to the other exhibits, and the penguin glass was BLACK with dirt in some sections. Seaworld would never let it get disgusting like that!

When we got there, the trash cans were filled to the brim. We got there at opening, so it wasn't that mornings trash... and when we left at 1 pm the same trashcan was still full. (it was a trashcan opening to parking lot)


But the walkways were ok, and the bathrooms not too bad.. (but it was early).


My big frustration with the park was the animals (and I remember it being Seaworld so that may not be a fair assessment), and the lack of big coasters available for my family to ride.

It was a frustrating thing. Now, I wouldn't go again, but it was free, and I'm sad to see how things turned out there. The rides side is better than what was there... so if that helps.

I'm glad we went for free, I would be disappointed if I had to pay for it.