Well, I’m noticing that rides are popping up Defunct now for Geauga Lake, so although I missed my shot to review their best flat ride, Hay Baler, I’m hoping I can squeeze in my review on Villain before the books on it are slammed shut. Reading the reviews on Villain, I am beginning to think that all the circumstances seemed to line up perfectly for me during my one visit to the park where I was able to ride Villain. A drenching thunderstorm sat over the park when we were there for over an hour and a half, and when the deluge subsided, Villain was the first coaster to awaken from its dampened slumber. So, that’s where we headed. I had heard rumblings of how this coaster had went downhill and was rough, so I was a bit nervous about what kind of ride we would get. Maybe the rain slickened rails helped, because we "power rode" this and got 5 consecutive stellar laps on this fine wooden coaster, with 4 being in the front row and 1 in the back. Personally, I think this coaster got a pretty bad rap, as we had a blast on all of our rides! The back was definitely more intense, but still nothing I would classify as too rough. The front, however, was downright outstanding! Villain took us on some wild rides, full of great drops, blitzing speed, good laterals and some fairly strong airtime for good measure. Maybe Villain had some bad days, but for us he brought his very best, and we were thankful to enjoy the rides.

As you pulled into Geauga Lake’s parking lot, one of the coasters that jumped out and grabbed your attention was Villain. It just towered on the edge of the park, with its massive customary CCI steel superstructure dwarfing the neighboring Double Loop. There were flags adorning the upper turnaround sections, and the whole coaster just looked fantastic. That was a coaster I needed to ride! Villain had a great setting, acting as the proud anchor of the western themed area, with a nice looking station and queue that fit in with the light theme very nicely. It’s hard really to get an accurate judgment on the line quickness, since we basically were able to disembark, exit the ride, get right back in line, and saddle up on the next train. With no real people around at the time, I was still impressed with Villain’s ride crew, as they moved quickly and were very enthusiastic. That was nice to see. The trains weren’t too bad, and definitely were a little roomier in the front seat. In no time, we departed and lurched out towards the lift hill.

Villain’s lift hill, at 125 feet, was very impressive for a wooden coaster. The train clanked to the top and then this villain whisked us into his wonderful clutches! The first drop was stellar, and you could really feel the massive speed in the front as the wind whipped through us. Next up, we hit the trick-track, which quickly bounced us to the right, then the left, and provided a great and unique sensation. Climbing the second hill, we got a great pop of airtime, and the second drop was equally good. The turnarounds were surprisingly the weakest point of the ride. They weren’t at all bad, but the train seemed to lose a good deal of the speed in them. There was some nice air as the train popped up to enter the turns however. After a great drop exiting the upper turn, Villain got cooking on all cylinders again, regaining some speed and navigating some more great drops, with a couple having some airtime. The second upper turnaround was about the same as the first, slowing the train down one last time before the fantastic finish. A speedy curving drop out of that turn got things moving again, and that’s when this villain has his day. The train flew over a couple bunny hops and then went for one last turn around below the very first one. This one was easily the best, with a massive jolt of ejector airtime for those of us in the front upon entering it. At this point we are flying as the train careens around the turn, providing some crisp laterals before dropping down again to steamroll to

The Villian looked like it would be a great wooden coaster, but ultimately it was a huge disappointment. The first drop gave great air time, but the following hill was very rough, but there still was a little air for front seat riders. Afterwards was a slow and slightly rough turnaround hill followed by a rough bunny hill (no air time) and then another slow turnaround hill with an air time producing drop, but it was rough. Then came two air time hills that gave decent pops, followed by another slow and slightly rough turnaround hill. Then came the finale, a few slow bunny hills that provide almost no air time.

Awful, awful, awful! This ride is absolutely terrible. I came off the ride thinking that it had a layout similar to Ghostrider but with even worse trains, more roughness and less air... and to think, I rode up front! I imagine the ride may have been decent at one point, but the G-trains and quite possibly neglect have left this ride to rest at the bottom of my tracker. About on par with Son of beast. If they ever decide to remove it, Ill offer a helping hand.

The only ride i wasnt disspointed with at geauga lake.

This coaster gives a pretty wild but not too rough ride. The restraints beat up on taller guys knees a bit. Not spectacular, but an all around solid ride.

As my day at Geauga Lake drew on, it became more and more clear that this park trip was for the most part all about quantity and not at all about quality (with the exception of Dominator). The Villain is no different. Gerstlauer trains have done it again! Ruined a ride with potential with horribly-engineered rolling stock! What a rough woodie, and with relatively no airtime as well. Sort of pointless actually, and the trick-track was just brutal in every sense of the word.

Although it is somewhat rough (moreso than Mean Streak), and the trick track element is very poorly placed, this was a very exciting woodie.. lots of good airtime, great speed, and a very interesting layout.

I got to Geauga Lake excited to add more wooden coasters to my resume. Especially larger ones. And the massive Villain overlooking the park proved to be quite a monster. My wife and I noted the wild west theming in the queue area and station. It was a cool, rainy Sunday in the fall so it was a walk on. We boarded the infamous Gerstlaur trains in no time. Im a steel guy so I have no clue why woodie fans are up in arms so to speak about these trains. I really couldnt tell the difference. The first drop is great until you dive through its steel structure at the bottom of the drop and hit the "trick track". Why youd put a manuever like that (the track dips you to the right and then to the left) at the point when the train is at top speed, I dont know. The Villain is about five years old, maybe it wasnt SO rough when it opened but nonetheless, it was a bit painful. The worst part for me was during the climb to the first turnaround not long after the trick track. I defintely got an unwanted spine-adjustment going up the hill to the turnaround. Its a shame it started out that way because the rest of the ride is fun and feels really, really fast. With more great drops and a fairly smooth ride. The Villain will probably go down as my highest rated 6. It offers height, speed, some theming and a great second half. Ultimately, it misses out on scoring higher because of the roughness of the beginning. I just cant give a coaster with Herculean roughness my "Good" rating no matter how much fun the second half is. Final Rating 6.5 - (Well Above Average-Approaching Good)

I think this ride is piece of junk.

I would NEVER ride this thing again. There are those who like spine-punisher rides, I realize that, but Im not one. This thing KILLS you every second youre on it. When its over I pretty much fell out it was so brutal.