Six Flags Darien Lake (SFDL) Discussion Thread

[rjr19]

I was informed that one of the cabins was broken, and they couldn’t just take that one off because they need to balance it, so they took 3 more off with it.

[Kemotblue]

Hey Darien Lake fans I live here in OKC as you know Frontier City like Darien Lake has been acquired by Six Flags once again. My question have you noticed the prices going up at Darien Lake. Frontier City raised their parking prices from $9 dollars to $15 dollars and White Water bay went from $7 to too $15 dollars. I've been told there will be another $5 dollar increase in August. Also today I noticed all the menu screens were turned off and food signs with prices were all removed I asked a park employee about the sign removals. They said the prices on concession will rise this week. So have you noticed changes like that at Darien Lake?

[rjr19]

Hey Darien Lake fans I live here in OKC as you know Frontier City like Darien Lake has been acquired by Six Flags once again. My question have you noticed the prices going up at Darien Lake. Frontier City raised their parking prices from $9 dollars to $15 dollars and White Water bay went from $7 to too $15 dollars. I've been told there will be another $5 dollar increase in August. Also today I noticed all the menu screens were turned off and food signs with prices were all removed I asked a park employee about the sign removals. They said the prices on concession will rise this week. So have you noticed changes like that at Darien Lake?

 

Actually, I did notice that! Last time I was at DL, I noticed that the parking went up to $15 from the $8 that it was. I also noticed an increased in ticket prices. It is a little annoying, but I am okay with it if big improvements are made in the future.

 

By the way, I am probably going to DL this weekend or next week, I will be on the lookout for the concession screens, I am curious if Darien is raising the food prices as well. I hope not, it’s overpriced as it is.

[SaraAB87]

There was hardly anyone in the rides area of the park, everyone was in the water park. Fine by me, that meant no lines on all those one train coasters!

 

But that’s the problem. It was the same way on the a Fourth of July. They need to get an attraction(s) that will get people in the rides section of the park.

 

But were there people in the water park when you were there? I was there on a Thursday and the water park was packed full of people, and the parking lot had just as many cars in it as I remember there being back in the early Six Flag days. I left around 6pm and there were still cars coming in and most of the people that I saw walking into the park were in bathing suits. So if they want to expand the water park, I say go right ahead. Use the wet rides to bring the people in and the dry side can stay empty for me to play in. Same with family rides, build a bunch to get families in and that will finance the thrill rides.

 

I honestly, don't need a big thrill coaster at DL anytime soon. Tantrum is a great addition. All I want is Predator to be retracked (don't care if it's RMC, I like the layout as is) and get new trains that aren't PTC. The park is huge so a nice train ride around it and through the woods would be epic. And some TLC for everything else.

 

Does anyone remember the walk thru haunt that was in the Nightmare at Phantom Cave building in between the year the coaster was removed and Batman installed. That was so awesome, I wish that would happen again. Remove the bleachers, keep the back half for maintenance and storage, but use the front half for a permanent haunt (doesn't have to be open all season).

 

I can remember it being like this too pretty much all the time where the water park is packed and the dry rides are almost empty, I am not sure if it happens at all parks with included waterparks, but we are having an excruciatingly hot summer here in WNY and I am not surprised the water park is packed. It seems the guests at DL also seem to favor the water park over the dry rides, which is why I suggested water park enhancements many times over even though I don't personally do water parks, its something that is needed for everyone else. We also have few water park facilities in the area, and the splash park in Niagara is long gone leaving the only other one to be Fantasy Island. If you want other options for waterparks you have to travel across the border to Canada or go to Seabreeze or Waldameer. They were supposed to build an indoor water park here in Niagara Falls NY but we all know how that goes and safe to say that did not happen.

 

The one thing that I really agree with is SHADE! DL really needs more shade. Sun exposure is a very very dangerous thing, as well as heatstroke, sunstroke and other heat-related illnesses and yes these do exist. I really hope the park takes that into consideration especially since lines at certain attractions can get very long on some days. Some people out there are also very sensitive to the sun.

[rjr19]

An interesting thing I’ve noticed...it appears that Strike-U-Up is being a failure at Fantasy Island now too (it was moved to Fantasy Island after failing at DL). I current work there and have noticed that it is closed almost every time I am there. I bet they regret purchasing off DL. I don’t get why they even got it after it failed at another theme park.

[SaraAB87]

An interesting thing I’ve noticed...it appears that Strike-U-Up is being a failure at Fantasy Island now too (it was moved to Fantasy Island after failing at DL). I current work there and have noticed that it is closed almost every time I am there. I bet they regret purchasing off DL. I don’t get why they even got it after it failed at another theme park.

 

I don't get this either, its extremely obvious where it came from (even to the GP), and it just seems tacky to put in a failed attraction from the nearest theme park to them. Something like this doesn't do much for the park and its another expense for them, plus they have to have a dedicated employee running it which is yet another expense. Because most people who go to the one WNY park go to the other everyone is going to know where it came from. I wonder if its failing because of cost to play (no one is using the attraction) or because it flat out does not work?

[rjr19]

An interesting thing I’ve noticed...it appears that Strike-U-Up is being a failure at Fantasy Island now too (it was moved to Fantasy Island after failing at DL). I current work there and have noticed that it is closed almost every time I am there. I bet they regret purchasing off DL. I don’t get why they even got it after it failed at another theme park.

 

I don't get this either, its extremely obvious where it came from (even to the GP), and it just seems tacky to put in a failed attraction from the nearest theme park to them. Something like this doesn't do much for the park and its another expense for them, plus they have to have a dedicated employee running it which is yet another expense. Because most people who go to the one WNY park go to the other everyone is going to know where it came from. I wonder if its failing because of cost to play (no one is using the attraction) or because it flat out does not work?

 

I was informed that it works just fine, but nobody wants to ever play it, therefore, it would be better to leave it closed than to pay an employee to sit there all day.

[Haymaker]

Who says its the one from DL? Im sure that in an effort to make a profit, more than one Strike-U-Up machine was made by the manufacturer.

[rjr19]

Who says its the one from DL? Im sure that in an effort to make a profit, more than one Strike-U-Up machine was made by the manufacturer.

Fantasy Island’s Games Department Supervisor told me that it is in fact the one from DL.

[SbSteveZ]

Whilst on a quick stop up to the park to enjoy the nice weather, I figured it would be nice to take some photos to share here! Nothing *too* exciting but still.

You’re seeing this right, a FULL Boomerang train! And it was fairly consistent the entire time we were there!

Probably nothing major but there is some work being done in the small field between Beaver Brothers, Boomerang and the Motocoaster plaza

Never underestimate the power of an awesome sunset

Here we see the “Mind Eraser Fan Club” - sure it wasn’t the worst version I’ve been on but it’s running worse than it has been in the past few seasons. 21 years old and not holding up well at all.

This ride has come up a few times on this forum so I figured I’d take some pictures of it. Yes the roof that blew off is still gone. What surprised me was the fact that the ride’s sign is gone too.

From the outside of the attraction only a couple Lighting segments were out, and they’re barely noticeable unless you’re looking for them

More close up look at the outer segments

Upon looking within the attraction - this is where we see the actual lighting that doesn’t work anymore. Though I’m not certain it “makes or breaks” the ride, I know people have some pretty strong opinions on the matter

[SaraAB87]

An interesting thing I’ve noticed...it appears that Strike-U-Up is being a failure at Fantasy Island now too (it was moved to Fantasy Island after failing at DL). I current work there and have noticed that it is closed almost every time I am there. I bet they regret purchasing off DL. I don’t get why they even got it after it failed at another theme park.

 

I don't get this either, its extremely obvious where it came from (even to the GP), and it just seems tacky to put in a failed attraction from the nearest theme park to them. Something like this doesn't do much for the park and its another expense for them, plus they have to have a dedicated employee running it which is yet another expense. Because most people who go to the one WNY park go to the other everyone is going to know where it came from. I wonder if its failing because of cost to play (no one is using the attraction) or because it flat out does not work?

 

I was informed that it works just fine, but nobody wants to ever play it, therefore, it would be better to leave it closed than to pay an employee to sit there all day.

 

Then its still a waste to have purchased it, at least we know it isn't a problem with the attraction itself, maybe they open it on busy weekends? FI isn't a park where people like to spend extra money, don't think its a really good fit for the park. I am guessing it was the same case at DL, no one cared enough to play it.

[rjr19]

As for Sleighride’s sign,the queue hours was just repainted, they probably haven’t put the sign back on it yet. Another thing I noticed is that if you look in the pictures, all the light bulbs from the center rods of the ride have been removed, just holes where the bulbs should be. It’s really too bad that that ride is fallen into this state, it used to be such a beautiful ride.

 

Now onto Mind Eraser...it is HORRIBLE this year, and seems to have been getting worse every year lately. It has gotten so bad that I barely ride it anymore. It is definitely time for some new train*s* on it with the new Vekoma vest restraints. The train seems to be the biggest problem, it is ridiculously shaky and the restraints seem to have clicks missing from them. It was so loose last time I rode it to the point where I was shifting back and forth in my seat because it was missing a click as the ratcheting arm is probably busted.

 

And with Boomerang, I have NEVER seen consistent full trains on that thing, that’s one of my favorite things about it...you never have to wait in line for it!

 

Overall, nice little TR, I might go tomorrow or Saturday, I will see if there is anything more able in the field by Beaver Brothers even though it is likely just utility work.

[dnn2031]

Strike-u-up might have been a lease job at both DL and now Fantasy Island especially given its mobile design.

 

On Mind Eraser missing clicks in the restraint bars is a fallacy. The ratchet bars get tested for cracks every year and visually inspected daily. If a tooth was missing that'd be a definite replacement. For each seat there's two bars and two (or might be four, don't recall) spring loaded toothed sections that have to be set up staggered. The issue that can sometimes happen is if they aren't set perfectly staggered you’ll hear them engage unevenly. Or at the end of travel you get one just start to engage and you can pop it back a notch, but at no point is the ratchet mechanism not secured.

[Taylor Finn]

Hello, this is a bit of a crazy plan. I’m just throwing it out there to get opinions. Darien Lake offers after 5 admission for $20. Fantasy Island offers after 6 for $18. Thinking about a trip up to Niagara Falls this weekend. Originally had just planned to do Darien Lake but since Fantasy is right along the way from Niagara Falls, considered doing both in one evening. Is it realistic credit wise to be at Fantasy Island at 6 and do the three credits in an hour or a bit more and still hit all 8 credits at Darien Lake before 10 PM?

[Canobie Coaster]

^ Everything was a complete walk-on the one time I went to Fantasy Island so I imagine you could get in and out of there in an hour if you only want to ride the coasters.

 

Darien Lake may be trickier unless they offer a skip-the-line pass. I went on a weekday a few years ago and all coasters were one train operations except for Viper. This led to almost an hour wait for Ride of Steel. Someone who visits the park more frequently would have a better idea if what I encountered was the norm.

 

Silver Comet is a really good wooden coaster and Ride of Steel is great too, so as long as you get on those two rides, I'd consider it a win.

[DarienPoint]

Kingdom Bound is going on right now, so I'd suggest to wait on doing this trip if possible, cause the waits will be unreal and not worth it.

[Taylor Finn]

^We were thinking this coming Saturday the 4th. Online tells me the fest ends Wednesday the 1st? Should I be worried still?

[DarienPoint]

^ Check the concert schedule, cause they have a huge venue (if you don't know) on site, so if there's a concert that day it could get pretty busy too.

[Taylor Finn]

Sure sure, looks like Dierks Bentley is playing Saturday night at 7 PM. If we just try to accomplish Darien, we’d arrive at 5PM. Is it going to stay real crowded until 7 then or?

[rjr19]

Hello, this is a bit of a crazy plan. I’m just throwing it out there to get opinions. Darien Lake offers after 5 admission for $20. Fantasy Island offers after 6 for $18. Thinking about a trip up to Niagara Falls this weekend. Originally had just planned to do Darien Lake but since Fantasy is right along the way from Niagara Falls, considered doing both in one evening. Is it realistic credit wise to be at Fantasy Island at 6 and do the three credits in an hour or a bit more and still hit all 8 credits at Darien Lake before 10 PM?

 

I actually work at Fantasy Island and I can confirm that everything there is a complete walk-on all day everyday. Even front and back seat on Silver Comet is a walk-on (by the way, Silver Comet is a back seat coaster, the airtime on the first drop in the back is INSANE!) you can get all the coaster credits done in likely 20 minutes.

 

At Darien Lake, you have to remember it is almost an hour drive away from Fantasy Island. Also, all the coasters run one train, Viper and Ride of Steel can sometimes result in long lines due to this, especially on weekends. Also, you need to check if there is a concert the day you are going. The lines get ridiculous on concert days. Another thing is that there is no Skip-The-Line pass system at DL. No “Fast Lane” or “Flash Pass” etc. I think it could all be possible if you give yourself no break time and simply hit the coasters. I don’t know how likely you could get many re-rides, but it can be done if you don’t want any time of relaxation.

[DarienPoint]

Sure sure, looks like Dierks Bentley is playing Saturday night at 7 PM. If we just try to accomplish Darien, we’d arrive at 5PM. Is it going to stay real crowded until 7 then or?

 

Most likely, although Dierks Bentley doesn't seem like a big name, but since they close at 10PM everyday, you'd have more than enough time to do everything, lines will die down usually when the concert starts.

[Haymaker]

Pump issue on Shipwreck Falls?

 

[rjr19]

Pump issue on Shipwreck Falls?

 

 

I noticed that 2 weeks ago when I was at the park...Thunder Rapids all over again? This may be concerning.

[TheDarkMaxim]

Not sure the reasoning for it, but its not that uncommon for the drop water to be off.

[Mr.Peabody]

Since Fantasy Island doesn't have its own thread and people seem to post about it here I thought I'd share this. I got a season pass renewal email this morning that listed everything they plan to add for 2019. It boils down basically to a new family coaster and some costumed mascots.

 

Anyway, here's the link: http://fantasyislandny.com/new-in-2019/?utm_source=email_ZOHO&utm_medium=button&utm_campaign=2018_8.1_fantasyisland_sph&utm_content=2019Atrractions

 

I might renew just for the Oktoberfest and Halloween events.