CoasterKrazy

When the Giant Wheel did have lights, I always found it odd how different sections of the wheel would light up differently. A quarter of the wheel would have the lights on steady, while another quarter of the wheel had flashing lights, ect. I was reminded of this when I looked at the photo of the Giant Wheel on the sign next to the closest bathrooms to the ride, and the lights on the wheel in the photo are all lit up differently like this. . . Was there ever a time back in the day when all these lights would light up in sync with one another?

What a flashback... I believe crazy quilt was not where lasso stood, but actually back more and to the left, sort of in front of where the icee stand was this year in front of the predator entrance. And the boat shooting game was more where lasso stands today. If you look closely at the map it also appears to be that way. Always wanted to climb in one of those boats but never got the chance! Back then the road in front of where scrambler is now was used for camping traffic... I can remember driving under the predator when I was younger. I think when six flags took things over and built the superman and that road was converted into the parks new themed area, crazy quilt was sort of in the way. Six flags probably shipped it off to another one of their parks (does anyone on here know of its actual fate?) idk that's just my theory but its too bad because it was a pretty cool ride, they should had rethemed it and placed it in the newly opened superman section. Cedar point has one that they just rethemed as tiki twirl... Tiki twirl cedar point

Channel 2 leaked the news early, apparently they're adding more fluffy, fluffy bunnies filled with medicine and goo, repainting both Mind Eraser and Ride of Steel, and Ranger is headed to the scrap yard. Disappointed to hear the giant wheel will be left in the dark for another season... DougMJr tell your boss to get on this matter asap!

Speaking of changing ownership/management, although not official, this should stir up some speculation: "Park News - (11/6/14) Have Herschend Family Entertainment and Darien Lake parted ways? It seems so, as Darien Lake is no longer listed as one of their theme parks on the official HFE website. Herschend was also quick to remove Elitch Garden’s from their corporate page as soon as they had ended their management deal to run that park for CNL Lifestyles Properties. The management of Elitch Gardens was picked up by Premier Attractions Management, so I wonder if they will make a grab for Darien Lake too, or if CNL’s planned sale of all their theme park properties may keep future management deals from being signed." Per www.screamscape.com/html/darien_lake.htm

My trip report (& first post!) 8-27-10. (This past Wednesday) Annual season pass holder, this is my report from Wednesday's trip: -Rode predator in the front seat for first time in a while, if ever... Much smoother than the middle or usual back seats. But still rough on the thighs around the turns..Id still prefer to ride the back and take the beating. If they make a decision to tare it down or rebuild it I hope they give some heads up so people can get some last rides in.. I seen some boards of lumber laying within the helix loop area but it wasn't much, I wonder if they're just planning on another short term refurb for now.. -Scrambler was fun, haven't been on one of those in forever. -Boomerang was running in the day, later on when i went to ride it was down with lots of people on the platform trying to fix something. Rode motorcoaster, then passed it again on way back and they were saying it was going to reopen in 5 minutes but I didn't stay to find out. -Ride of steel's line was down the steps and back some, haven't seen it that long in a while. Wouldn't of been a bad wait really, if it was running both trains. And woulda been my last ride of the night, but I chose instead to ride: -Blastoff, which I haven't been on this year yet, partially due to it being down quite often. Good ride, although I wish they also had one that was a drop tower! Find myself holding on a bit tighter riding those. -Viper: awesome -Ranger: SBNO -Grizzly run back to back with no line right before it closed at 7. -Mind Eraser: Rougher than Predator (almost) -Waterpark: Spend a lot of time in here, I'd love to see an expansion all the way around/behind the wavepool, ect. Also they need to fix up hooks lagoon badly. I remember being younger when this thing first opened & it was awesome.. Almost none of the valves work anymore, no firehose underneath, the smaller kids ship in the front with slides was completely roped off, and the bucket no longer tipping is rediclious that thing was like a trademark. Heard it was cause one girl fell down or something... Big deal one (reported) injury since what 96' ? Wish my kids could experience the same treehouse I once had. Also, some fast body slides without mats or tubes would be a great addition.. I think they had some years back. A drop slide would be great. Speaking of trademarks, that Giant Wheel needs some lights ASAP! I recall that being lit up late until past midnight, camping years ago, as well as predator reflecting over the lake with much more lights.. It really makes a difference. Rides I didn't make it to I've already mostly gotten my share of this year, except ROS which never gets old. Other than that, the park closed early this week, at 9 pm, I guess because school and fall hours are approaching.. I guess that's better than what they've done in recent years towards the end of summer, which was just having half the rides closed. Didn't mind, but I gotta say terrible move on their part closing all the vendors and games off at the same time. There were mobs of people looking to spend their money on last minute treats and getting denied. People begging to buy fried doughs and getting refused... Those things are like 1000% profit, pay the kid in the booth to stay an extra half hour, make another hundred a night easily while keeping park goers happy by not turning them away! Okay this is way beyond too long now so I will end here. But I must say their maintence team has improved, and actually fixes rides the same day, instead of just shutting them down. And it's good to see scrambler back, I hope they do fix the UFO, and The Ranger even though I don't ride it. I like this parks collection of old school flat rides much better than the newer flat rides that are around today. (Every ride @ Fantasy Island). Hope they stretch their lifespans out as long as possible.