Darien Lake

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).
Darien Lake
Image:606 3.jpg
Location Darien, New York
Website Six Flags Darien Lake
Owner Six Flags (To Be sold to PARC Management.)
Opened 1960s
Operating season May through October
Area 980 acres (360 acres developed)
Rides 34 (excluding water park) total
  • 6 roller coasters
  • 3 water rides


Darien Lake is a theme park located between Buffalo and Rochester in Darien, New York, United States, off the New York State Thruway (I-90).

On 11 January 2007, Six Flags announced the pending sale of Darien Lake and six other parks to PARC Management, based in Jacksonville, Florida. The sale is expected to be completed in March 2007 and will fully turn the parks over to PARC. When the sale is completed, they will remain open as amusement parks, but will no longer bear reference to their previous owners, Six Flags.

Contents

[edit] History

An early logo from the "Fun Country" era.
An early logo from the "Fun Country" era.

The park first opened as just a campground without any amusement rides. In 1964, a pair of water slides called "Hydro Force" were added to the campground. Eventually, rides were added to the mix when investor Paul Snyder invested amusement rides into the park and called it "Snyder's Darien Lake." At first, the park had a country theme, earning it the nickname Darien Lake Fun Country. During the Fun Country years, the park became the showcase for Huss' flat rides. The park's first Roller Coaster, The Viper, was built by Huss and Arrow Dynamics and opened in 1982. At the time, it held the record for most inversions on a coaster. "The Ranger", another Huss ride, was added in 1982 as well.

Eventually, in 1983, Snyder sold the park to Funtime Parks. The "Fun Country" theme, along with Snyder's name, was axed and the park operated as simply Darien Lake. The Funtime era brought the park numerous improvements, including the Vekoma-built "Fun Wheel" ferris wheel in 1983, which was the showcase of the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee—at the time, the largest ferris wheel in the world. Other improvements of the late 1980's include a Kids' Area called "Adventureland" in 1987 and the Grizzly Run Rapids in 1989. The 1990's brought more improvemends such as the addition of the Barracuda Bay waterpark and the wooden roller coaster The Predator in 1990.

A park logo from the Premier era.
A park logo from the Premier era.

In 1995, Funtime Parks was purchased by growing park chain Premier Parks (now Six Flags). Throughout the Premier era, the park experienced the most additions. Upgrades included three new coasters: the now-defunct Nightmare at Phantom Cave in 1996, Mind Eraser in 1997, and Boomerang: Coast to Coaster in 1998, along with the Popeye's Seaport themed kids area (now Looney Tunes Seaport), and two major waterpark additions (Hook's Lagoon and Crocodile Isle).

In May, 1999, the park opened for the first time under the Six Flags name after the numerous upgrades from the past few years. Millions of dollars were spent on adding Looney Tunes and DC Comics themed attractions. The most notable addition was Superman: Ride of Steel, the world's first Intamin Hypercoaster. A criticism of the Six Flags years at the park, though, were the lack of rides being added and poor customer service.

Due to financial struggles throughout the chain, Six Flags indicated interest in selling off Darien Lake and other smaller parks beginning in 2006. In a radio interview on Buffalo, New York radio station WBEN on June 26, 2006, the park's original owner, Paul Snyder, told the interviewer that he has been in contact with Six Flags and was trying to buy the park. The park closed a month early for the 2006 season on October 1, 2006 due to Six Flags' fiscal situation after cutting park hours and closing several shows and attractions in August.

The sale to PARC Management is expected to be completed in March 2007, at which point they'll immediately sell Darien Lake and the other parks to CNL Income Properties, then lease the parks back from CNL. PARC is expected to continue operation of Darien Lake, but it's unknown what the name of the park will be. Six Flags season passes and any promotions made prior (Dream Nite, etc.) will be honored for 2007.

Pending the sale, the park remains the second largest in the Six Flags chain, the only one in the chain with on-site campgrounds, and one of only two in the chain with their own hotel on-site. The park also holds major concerts at its performing arts center, the "Darien Lake Performing Arts Center".

Pending the sale, Darien Lake will become the largest park in the PARC chain, and the only park with an on-site campgrounds, hotel, and performance center.

[edit] Layout

[edit] Lakes

There are many natural and man-made lakes in the park.

  • Darien Lake is located on the north side of the theme park, behind the Predator. It separates the hotel from the rest of the park, as well as about 100 camper sites which are situated around the lake.
  • Fun Lake is the lake situated in the center of the park, surrounded by the Giant Wheel, the Pirate, Skycoaster, Boomerang, and Darien Square. The Waterski show used to be held in this lake.
  • Willow's Lake is located under the Mind Eraser.
  • Elk Lake is behind Hook's Lagoon, now under the Big Kahuna.
  • Trout Pond is situated under The Superman: Ride of Steel.
  • Apple Lake is located on the East end of the campgrounds.

[edit] Rides/Attractions

[edit] Roller Coasters

Ride Name Opened Status Type Manufacturer Height Drop Speed Comments
Boomerang: Coast to Coaster 1998 Operating Shuttle Roller Coaster Vekoma 116 ft 116 ft 47 mph
Brain Teaser 1981 Operating Steel Kiddie Coaster Zierer 10.8 ft 10.8 ft 16 mph The park's only kiddie coaster. Formerly called "Ladybug" and "Nessie the Dreamy Dragon" when it became a part of "Adventure Land for Kids" in 1988. Now a part of the "Tiny Trio", three original kiddie rides located seperate of the enclosed kiddie area, "Looney Tunes Seaport."
The Mind Eraser 1997 Operating Suspended Looping Coaster Vekoma 109 ft 87 ft 55 mph The only SLC in New York State.
Nightmare at Phantom Cave 1996 Relocated: 1999 Indoor Roller Coaster Schwarzkopf Jet Star Relocated to Darien Lake from Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom (Starchaser) in 1996. Relocated to The Great Escape in 1999 as Nightmare at Crack Axle Canyon.
The Predator 1990 Closed for Renovations: August 2006; to re-open in the 2007 season. Wooden roller coaster Summers-Dinn 95 ft 83 ft 50 mph New York State's largest wooden roller coaster
Superman - Ride of Steel 1999 Operating Steel HyperCoaster Intamin AG 208 ft 205 ft 73 mph Intamin AG's first hypercoaster.
The Viper 1982 Operating Steel Looping Coaster Arrow Dynamics & HUSS Maschinenfabrik 121 ft 75 ft 50 mph The park's first major roller coaster, also the first in the world with 5 inversions.
Unknown (Formerly Batman The Escape) In Storage Stand-up Roller Coaster Intamin AG 90 ft 85 ft  mph Formerly located at Six Flags Astroworld. Moved to Six Flags Darien Lake in the 2005/2006 off-season for storage. Future plans for this coaster are unknown.

[edit] Water Attractions

Barracuda Bay is the name of the central location of the water park, and encompasses multiple slides.
 All water attractions are included with price of admission.

The Big Kahuna water slide ride.
The Big Kahuna water slide ride.
Aerial view of the Tornado.
Aerial view of the Tornado.
Name Type Opened Status Comments
Big Kahuna Water Slide 2006 Operating Family sized tube slide relocated from Six Flags AstroWorld.
Cascade Canyon Water Slide 1982 Removed: 2001 Mat Water Slide complex on the east side of Barracuda Bay. Removed to make room for Shipwreck Falls
Crocodile Isle Wave Pool 1997 Operating Large family wave pool, located past Hook's Lagoon.
'Cuda Falls Water Slide 1994 Operating Four White Water West "tube slides" (two enclosed, two open). Replaced the old Rainbow Falls slide complex on the north side of Barracuda Bay.
Floodgate Falls Water Slide Operating Cascade tube ride in Barracuda Bay.
Grizzly Run Water Ride 1989 Closed for Renovations: August 2006; will reopen in May 2007 River Rafting Ride
Hook's Lagoon Water Playground 1996 Operating Five story tall water playground with slides, stands where Adventure Land for Kids used to be.
Hydro Force Water Slide 1977 Removed: 1999 Darien Lake's first water slides and the first attraction based item in the original campgrounds. Originally located over Darien Lake, moved in 1990 to the back side of Barracuda Bay
Pipeline Plunge Water Slide Removed: 1999 Water slide located in Barracuda Bay.
Rainbow Falls Water Slide Removed: 1994 A set of 4 mat slides in Barracuda Bay, replaced by 'Cuda Falls.
Riptide Run Water Slide Removed: 1999 Water Slide located in Barracuda Bay.
Shipwreck Falls Water Ride 2002 Operating Soaking plunge ride. It generates a 20 ft wave. Located where Cascade Canyon used to stand.
Tadpole Island Water Playground 1991 Removed: 1995 Small kids water area. Located in Adventure Land for Kids.
Thunder Rapids Water Ride 1981 Operating Log flume attraction. Renamed "Poland Springs Plunge" for a few years during Six Flags ownership.
Tornado Water Slide 2005 Operating ProSlide Tornado. Sends riders on tubes through a giant funnel. Located behind Crocodile Isle
Torpedo Rapids Water Slide Removed: 1999 Water slide located in Barracuda Bay.

[edit] Flat Rides

Many of the rides manufactured by HUSS Maschinenfabrik were installed as part of a deal with Huss to use Darien Lake as a North American showcase for Huss's new rides in the early 1980's.

Name Opened Status Type Manufacturer Comments
Bear Valley Bumper Buggies [Between 1978 and 1981] Operating Bumper Cars
Crazy Quilt 1981 Removed: 1999 Calypso Heinrich Mack GmbH & Co Lasso moved to Crazy Quilt's location to make way for the Looney Tunes Emporium. Named "Sidewinder" in its later years.
Giant Wheel 1983 Operating Ferris Wheel Vekoma The icon of the park until the mid-1990's. The second largest in North America at 165 feet tall, was the largest when installed. Purchased from the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville.
Grande Carousel Operating Carousel
Haymaker Operating Twister Heintz Fahtze The only one of its kind.[1] The term "Twister" is not related to a twist style ride or the Twister.
Lasso Operating Wave Swinger Formerly the first ride visible when cresting the hill past the Main Gate. It was moved back to the Crazy Quilt's location to make room for the Looney Tunes Emporium.
Pirate [Between 1978 and 1981] Operating Pirate Ship HUSS Maschinenfabrik Installed as part of the HUSS showcase.
Raging Seas Operating Seesturmbahn Heinrich Mack GmbH & Co Fomerly called "Sea Storm"
Ranger 1982 Operating Ranger HUSS Maschinenfabrik An original Huss Ranger, the first of its kind in the North America. Installed as part of the HUSS showcase deal in the 1980's.
Rodeo Roundup Operating Swing Around HUSS Maschinenfabrik An original Huss Swing Around. Part of the Huss showcase. Formerly called "Corn Popper"
Scrambler Operating Grasscutter Twist
Silver Bullet Operating Enterprise Heintz Fahtze The only Enterprise by HF in operation. [2]
Sleighride Operating Petersburger Schlittenfahrt Heinrich Mack GmbH & Co Similar to a Himalaya ride
Tin Lizzies Operating Antique Car ride
Twister 2000 Operating Top Spin HUSS Maschinenfabrik
UFO Operating UFO HUSS Maschinenfabrik Original Huss UFO, installed as part of the HUSS showcase.

[edit] Children's rides

Adventure Land for Kids contained all kiddie rides from 1988 through 1995. In 1996, it was replaced by Popeye's Seaport (now Looney Tunes Seaport) with all new rides, exclusively from Zamperla. The Tiny Trio is a set of older junior rides from Adventure Land located near the Mind Eraser. The Seaport was placed on an "island" near the Viper, forcing "Treasure Island Mini-Golf" to move to a new course under the Viper.

Name Opened Status Description Comments
BMX Motocross 1988 Operating Hampton Rides Motorcylces Circular children's ride featuring BMX style bikes which "jump" over humps as they circle. Original ride of Adventure Land, moved to Tiny Trio in 1996.
Bug's Carrot Cans 1996 Operating Zamperla "Mini Tea Cup" Teacup style ride themed as open aluminum cans. Part of the Seaport. Replaced teacups ride from Adventure Land
Daffy's Divers 1996 Operating Zamperla "Crazy Bus" Located in Seaport
Dodgems 1991 Operating Junior Bumper Cars Added to Adventure Land in 1991. Moved to the Tiny Trio in 1996.
Earth Orbiter Removed: 1996 Zierer Panoramic Wheel Adventure Land ride. Replaced in the Seaport by Michigan J Frog's Ferris Wheel.
Elmer Fudd's Tiny Tooter Railroad 1996 Operating Zamperla Miniature train engines for very small children. Located in Seaport
Foghorn's Coastal Delivery 1996 Operating Zamperla "Convoy" Part of the Seaport.
Funtime Junction 1991 Removed: 1997 Ridable miniature railway Located around Elk Lake in Adventure Land for Kids. It survived Adventure Land's removal for a year, only to be removed to make room for Crocodile Isle.
Monty's Moon Walk Removed Ball Pit Adventure Land, Replaced by the SS Looney Tunes in the Seaport
Michigan J Frog's Ferris Wheel 1996 Operating Zamperla "Sun & Moon" (Mini Ferris Wheel) Part of the Seaport.
Pepe's Rafts of Romance 1996 Operating Zamperla "Mini Jet" Located in Seaport
Rabbit Transit 1996 Operating Zamperla "Rio Grande" (Train ride) Located in Seaport
Seaport Weather Balloons 1996 Operating Zamperla "Samba Balloon" Located in Seaport
SS Looney Tunes 1996 Removed: 2004 Ball Pit/Play area Seaport area, the ship structure still stands as a sit-down area, in 2006 it could be reserved for Birthday Parties. Also home to the Trick Or Treat Trail during Fright Fest.

[edit] Entertainment Venues

All show venues here are included with price of admission.

Name Recent Show Names Comments
Gotham City Theatre Batman Thrill Spectacular since 1999 Formerly housed Nightmare at Phantom Cave. Batman Thrill Spectacular was closed at the end of July 2006 to make preparations for a new show.
The Grand Theater Totally Pop (2006), America: State of Rhythm (2005), American Pop (2004), Indoor theater which hosts a new show every year, normally of the musical revue/dancing variety. Also hosts some special events, like KidzBop (August, 2006). Opened as the Jubilee Theatre in 1980, has also been named Tops Palace Theatre.
The Lakeside Ampitheatre LaserBlast! (1998 - present), LaserLight Reality (1995 - 1998), LaserLight Fantasy (1992 - 1995) The Lakeside Ampitheatre used to be the home of major concerts and other events until 1993, when the Performing Arts Center opened. LaserLight Fantasy, started in 1992, was originally shown on the midway between the Giant Wheel and Barracuda Bay.
Looney Tunes Seaport Stage Bugs Bunny Goes Hollywood since 2003 Features shows specifically for children.
Rockville Park Midway Gazebo Stage Rockin' Country since 2003 Outdoor stage in the midway. Sometimes holds special events such as karaoke.

[edit] Past Entertainment Venues

  • Big Top Circus (Located in Adventure Land)
  • Cinema 2000 (Located where the Scrambler is)
  • 50's Bandstand (Located where the Queue line for Predator is)
  • Fun Lake (Splashmania, a water ski show)

[edit] Fright Fest

Fright Fest is an annual event held since 1998 at the end of the operating season (Weekends in October, typically) which celebrates Halloween. Fright Fest adds new areas to the park (Bloodstone Hollow, a free haunted graveyard and town; and Brutal Planet, an upcharge haunted house.) and different shows than the regular season (Dead Man's Party in The Grand Theater and Laser Spooktacular at the Lakeside Ampitheatre.)

[edit] Upcharge Attractions

These attractions are not included in the admission price. Cost varies from ride to ride.

Name Opened Status Comments
Boat Docks Operating Rent a paddle boat. Currently located on Fun Lake near the Giant Wheel. Former locations include Willow Lake.
Boat Tag 1996 Removed: 1999 Tank-like boats in a big tank in the middle of the Midway.
Mountain View Golf 1996 Operating Miniature Golf Course, located underneath areas of the Viper. Replaced Treasure Island Golf.
Sky Coaster 1995 Operating An intense tethered skydiving like attraction. Hoists riders to 180 feet over Fun Lake, and releases them in a swinging motion.
Slingshot 2002 Operating Reverse bungee ride. First demoed in mid-2001 at the park with a mobile version, replaced in the off season with a permenant model.
Treasure Island Golf Removed,1996 Fomerly located where Looney Toons Seaport now resides. Replaced by Mountain View Golf
Turbobungy 2002 Operating Trampoline where riders are attatched to bungy cords while jumping.
Watkins Glen Road Rally 1987 Operating Go-Karts. Opened in 1987 as the Grand Prix Speedway. Also named Superhero Speedway.

[edit] Performing Arts Center

The Darien Lake Performing Arts Center was opened in 1993 as a replacement for the Lakeside Ampitheater, where concerts had previously been held. The PAC, as it is commonly referred to, is currently owned by Live Nation, not by the park itself. Major concerts are held here periodically throughout the summer, occasionally including a concert that takes place when the park is not open. Tickets for these events can be upgraded to Park Combo Passes, or just bought as standard concert tickets with no park admission. This venue was formerly owned by Clear Channel.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Roller coasters at Darien Lake

Boomerang: Coast to Coaster - Brain Teaser - The Mind Eraser - The Predator - Superman: Ride of Steel - The Viper
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../d/a/r/Darien_Lake_5ae7.html"