Credit: Cetacean Collective, FlickrIt feels like SeaWorld is never too far from its next controversy nowadays, but long before the premiere of Blackfish (2013) – and long before rooting against keeping killer whales in captivity became the norm – the company actually faced enough issues to close an entire park.
SeaWorld Ohio, once a beloved destination in Aurora, Ohio, had an intriguing rise and unfortunate fall. The park opened in 1970 with the promise of bringing marine life exhibits and animal shows to the Midwest, quickly becoming one of the region’s most popular attractions. It was home to Shamu, the famous orca (one of many, of course), and a variety of sea life, offering guests a unique experience at the time.
The $5.5 million oceanarium vastly surpassed expectations. The park (which was also known as SeaWorld Cleveland and SeaWorld of Ohio at some point in its existence) attracted over 1.1 million visitors during its first 100-day season in 1970—far exceeding its initial attendance projections.
And yet, on October 29, 2000, the park closed up shop for good. But what went wrong for such a promising park?
Lack of Expansion Opportunities
A non-compete clause with the nearby Geauga Lake park restricted SeaWorld from adding roller coasters or water rides, limiting its growth potential to just theaters and motion-based attractions. This restriction made it challenging for the park to compete with nearby attractions, ultimately contributing to its closure.
The only ride investment made at the park was Mission: Bermuda Triangle. This was an immersive, indoor dark ride featuring a mysterious and thrilling adventure. Riders boarded a suspended “submarine” vehicle and navigated through eerie scenes inspired by the Bermuda Triangle’s legends.
The attraction combined special effects and dynamic motion to simulate a perilous journey, blending a sea-faring adventure with supernatural elements. It became a fan favorite for its unique concept but was ultimately removed during the park’s transition to Six Flags Worlds of Adventure.
Despite early successes, such limitations stifled the park’s ability to evolve and attract a broader range of visitors, unlike SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Diego, and SeaWorld San Antonio, all of which introduced thrill rides over the years.
Cold Weather
SeaWorld Ohio’s closure can be partly attributed to the challenges of operating in Northeastern Ohio’s harsh winter climate.
The park’s short operating season limited its profitability, especially as the cold weather significantly reduced visitor numbers during the off-season.
This seasonal constraint, combined with growing competition and other financial considerations, led to the decision to sell the park. Popular though it may have been in the summer months, the park’s inability to operate year-round became a major factor in its eventual closure.
What Happened After SeaWorld Ohio?
In 2001, Six Flags reached an agreement to purchase SeaWorld Ohio from Busch Entertainment Corporation for $110 million. The acquisition led to the integration of SeaWorld Ohio with Six Flags Ohio (formerly Geauga Lake) and surrounding properties, creating Six Flags Worlds of Adventure.
The combined park spanned 750 acres, divided into three sections: Wild Life, Wild Rides, and Wild Slides. While the sale excluded the park’s orcas and dolphins, Six Flags introduced new animal exhibits and attractions, including a Batman-themed water ski show. Plans for further expansion included submarine and volcano-themed attractions.
On March 10, 2004, Cedar Fair acquired Six Flags Worlds of Adventure for $145 million, while Six Flags retained ownership of the animals. The park was rebranded to Geauga Lake for the 2004 season, and the removal of animal attractions led to the demolition of much of the former SeaWorld property.
A new water park, Wildwater Kingdom, was introduced in 2005, aiming to compensate for the loss of animal exhibits. Attendance plummeted by 74%, leading to further cuts, including the removal of key attractions and a shorter operating season by 2007.
Wildwater Kingdom, which aimed to offer water rides and family attractions, struggled to compete in a saturated market. Despite its best efforts, it couldn’t overcome the legacy of SeaWorld Ohio, and by 2016, the water park closed its doors for good.
On September 21, 2007, Cedar Fair announced that Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom would be transformed into a stand-alone waterpark for the 2008 season, as Wildwater Kingdom was deemed the park’s most popular attraction.
However, by August 2016, Cedar Fair decided not to reopen the waterpark for 2017, leading to its permanent closure on September 5, 2016. The demolition of Wildwater Kingdom began in November 2017.
This land was left to decay for years until, in 2024, the area that once housed SeaWorld Ohio was sold, with a new community park set to rise from its foundations. The first phase is expected to debut in 2026, signaling the end of an era.
After years of decline and abandonment, the site will soon breathe new life, transforming from a symbol of forgotten potential to a space for community and growth. The long and drawn-out end of SeaWorld Ohio is finally giving way to a fresh chapter.
What’s your favorite SeaWorld memory?