A true tourist destination, Darien Lake has as much to do with its massive campground, Lodge on the Lake hotel, Performing Arts Center amphitheater, and full-service restaurants, as well as its roller coasters, water park, rides, and other parks. more typical. features. That doesn’t mean that roller coasters are out of date; His Ride of Steel is among the best in the world. But Darien Lake draws a lot of tourists, and the laid-back vibe is noticeably different from most other theme parks.
The hordes of families leaving after the Ignite the Night-Colorblast show for the camp attest to its popularity and indelible connection to the park. The camp offers covered cabins and furnished RV rentals, as well as campsites. Since camp and hotel fees include park admission, staying on site can be a good deal (as well as a lot of fun). During the spring and fall value seasons, it would actually be cheaper for a family of four to stay overnight at the campground and enjoy the park than to pay the daily park admission fees alone.
The hotel, with its rustic theme and spacious rooms, is quite comfortable. A lovely path along the lake leads guests to the park.
It’s no wonder hordes of guests watch the Colorblast show. With moving fireworks, a timed soundtrack, and thanks to Buffalo, Canada, and the US, the clever 30-minute show is engaging and a great way to end a day in the park.
Darien Lake was part of the Six Flags amusement park chain. It sold the New York park in 2006. It was operated by an independent company until May 2018, when Six Flags announced that it had purchased the operating rights. Darien Lake is once again a Six Flags park.
The walks in the park
New for 2018 is a tantrum. The steel roller coaster carries eight passengers in a single car up a 98-foot vertical lift only to send them flying the other side in a drop beyond the 97-degree vertical. The ride includes an inverted ‘pretzel’ reversal and an acrobatic element known as an ‘Immelman’ spin.
The Ride of Steel hypercoaster (which used to be known as Superman: Ride of Steel in the early days of Six Flags) is truly world-class. It is virtually identical to the Superman Ride of Steel at Six Flags America in Maryland. The two thrill machines make the cut for the best steel roller coasters in the country.
The Orange County Choppers MotoCoaster is a fun, thrown coaster that shoots riders from 0 to 30 mph in seconds. The other roller coasters at Darien Lake are less notable. The Predator is a sharp-looking lumberjack that offers a rough ride, and not rough in a good way. The suspended looping Mind Eraser and the Boomerang Coast-to-Coaster shuttle are games available at many parks (some even bear the same names). Viper is an older roller coaster that hasn’t aged as well.
Other attractions include the 185-foot tall Blast Off drop tower; The Giant Wheel, a Ferris wheel around 1959, 165 feet tall; the walk through the downpour, Shipwreck Falls; the river raft ride on the Grizzly Run, and the usual assortment of whirlpool rides.
The acuatic Park
The adjacent SplashTown water park, which is included with your ticket, has a good variety of slides and attractions. The exciting ride featured is Brain Drain. Passengers enter one of the two launch chambers, nervously wait for the hatch to open, and shoot through a 360-degree side loop. Other attractions include the Crocodile Isle wave pool, the float station lazy river, the Tornado funnel ride, the Big Kahuna family raft ride, the Swirl City slides (which features a bowl ride), the Rip Curl Slide and Hook’s Slide Interactive Water Play Structure Lagoon.
The water park is open, weather permitting, until early September. For additional fees, visitors can rent private cabanas or smaller “Bimini Chairs,” which include large umbrellas, two loungers, a safe, and a small table. Darien Lake offers cabin rentals as part of a birthday package.
What is there to eat?
Unlike many seasonal parks, Darien Lake offers two sit-down restaurants. Beaver Brother’s Lakeside Cafe is a full-service restaurant with a variety of options, including steaks, chicken, pasta, and kid-friendly meals. It is open for lunch and dinner and serves a buffet breakfast. Maria’s Italian Kitchen serves pizza, pasta and other Italian dishes. Other dining options include Frank & Teressa’s Anchor Bar, which features chicken wings, steak and beer, serving roast beef sandwiches and draft beers, and the fast food chain, Subway.
Performing Arts Center
Located adjacent to the theme park, the 20,000-seat amphitheater hosts major concerts and national touring festivals. Tickets for the Performing Arts Center include admission to the theme park on the day of the concert. See the Darien Lake concert schedule for more information.
Admission and location information
Theme park tickets include admission to SplashTown, the on-site water park. The park offers reduced rates for juniors (under 48 ”) and seniors (55+). It also offers a reduced rate for visitors arriving after 5 pm Children two and under are free. Entrance to the park is included for guests of the camping site and hotel. You can find discounted tickets and special offers online at the official Darien Lake site. Season pass and group tickets available.
The park is in Darien Center, New York, which is located between Buffalo and Rochester. The address is 9993 Allegheny Road, Darien Center, NY 14040. To get there by car, take the NYS Thruway (I90) to Exit 48A. Go six miles south on Route 77. Look for the mighty red track on the Ride of Steel roller coaster.
accommodation
Darien Lake offers a great campground with cabins, guest houses, RV rentals, glamping, and 1,200 RV and tent sites. The camp includes a well-stocked general store, game room, laundry room, and gift shop. Pets are welcome
The park also offers the Lodge on the Lake hotel, which includes standard rooms and suites. Amenities include a pool and cafeteria. Rates at the hotel and campsite include free park entry and free parking.
