Six Flags Darien Lake (SFDL) Discussion Thread

[SbSteveZ]

In my opinion, I think (unless Cuda Falls is in MAJOR need of replacement) I would look into the SBNO Galaxy Theater and see if its worth keeping the building around. I dont think its too needed anymore, We have the smaller theater, and the gazebo and from what I heard Darien Lake has pulled off some decent shows during the day with just those 2 locations. And not to mention we still have the Amphitheater (if they still officially call it that) for the pretty stellular Ignite the Night (Which I was personally very happy with) so if they AREN'T gonna use it for their I believe 3rd year in a row... Maybe it's time to look into either renovation for a future attraction or demolition for the same thing. I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking this but whats the point in keeping something empty and never using it if all it's doing is taking up space? I mean, With a good remodel to the front and alittle more than just metal bleachers to sit and watch the shows... Maybe they could put in a really Nice show. not like the prtable trailer for Sea Lion Splash (which lasted for what, 15 minutes?) or anything like Survivor live, where the guests were the show... I would want something along the lines of Rock nation where we were actually given A SHOW or the cirque form 2008-ish. those were good shows. I'm not saying to put the Tony Hawk spinning coaster or whatever inside the building. I'm saying do some work to it, or get rid of it.

[coasterkid124]

I believe that the whole area will get transformed. The only reason that people go near that section is for Twister and Tin Lizzies. With a restaurant, a new coaster and maybe a flat, the whole area could be good as new. The go karts, Galaxy Theater, and batting cages take up a lot of space, and are not as profitable as they used to be. There is a ton of space behind those for expansion, so it may happen in the future. The area may become an old America theme, with Tin Lizzies being old cars, Twister themed as a tornado, and Smokehouse Blues being a southern style restaurant. The only other places that I see the restaurant going is in the arcade, or in Maria's Spaghetti House, as Beaver Bros. is popular.

[Geauga Dog]

Until they know what they are going to do with it why not turn the theater into a haunt and get some usage out of it? KI did that to the old Crypt building.

 

Keeping fingers crossed I'll be able to get to the park this weekend.

[DougMJr]

Until they know what they are going to do with it why not turn the theater into a haunt and get some usage out of it? KI did that to the old Crypt building.

 

Keeping fingers crossed I'll be able to get to the park this weekend.

 

I know that they are at least using that building for storage. I saw Moto's second train near the door of it earlier this season. Perhaps they are using it as a workshop for UFO's refurbishment?

[Tdsblo]

They should put a dark coaster in there as was originally intended. I don't believe those small coasters are expensive. Or they can use it for storage. Would be a waste to tear it down.

[coasterkid124]

As of about a month ago, the back door was open so I looked in after riding Viper. I didn't see anything too big in there besides some pallets and boxes. I believe that the second trains for the coasters may be in there, but definitely no Scrambler or UFO.

 

Edit- I do like the idea of using the building as a haunted house for Fright Fest. It would be simple to pull off too. It looks like all theater aspects of the building have been removed already.

[TheDarkMaxim]

The galaxy had been used as storage, but it's empty now since it was used for concerts during kingdom bound.

[robbalvey]

Has there been any more word on "Lake Monster" recently?

[SbSteveZ]

Screamscape's last update was on the 19th talking about the smokehouse blues restaurant saying "Too much focus is on the Lake Monster"

Ultimate Roller Coaster still has lake monster under the "Semi-Confirmed" Category...

The Coaster Critic made a post in late July but there haven't been any interesting mentions of anything new or developed yet...

 

Other than that, theres rumored orange spray paint on some of predators footers, they have been rumored to be taking surveys by the predator and blah blah blah. No pictures have been posted, no response to any emails, comments on DL's facebook page from enthusiasts go unnoticed, unless its by another coaster enthusiast, no teasers, no sign of construction just yet other than the paint... Honestly I don't see any sign of anything until AT LEAST FrightFest.

[coasterkid124]

Has there been any more word on "Lake Monster" recently?

 

To add on the above comment, the project seems like a go, it just wasn't officially confirmed yet. Most park employees know about it and say that it will happen for 2014. I don't know how much you have heard, but it seems like it will either be RMC or GCI, and the ride's footprint will not change, just new elements, trains, etc. I have not heard much at all from the park lately. It seems that the media workers at the park really have given up this season. This article should explain a little better.

 

http://thedailynewsonline.com/news/article_9f51610a-016d-11e3-bc2f-0019bb2963f4.html

 

I will hopefully make it up to the park Saturday or Sunday to get an update.

[DougMJr]

Has there been any more word on "Lake Monster" recently?

 

Predator opened late Sunday so surveyors could point lasers at things, so I guess that is a good sign. And a link to this article was posted.

 

http://thedailynewsonline.com/news/article_9f51610a-016d-11e3-bc2f-0019bb2963f4.html

[HAUNT MANIAC]

Too bad, I just enjoyed my first ride on Predator about 2 weeks ago. Probably won't be going on a modified woodie anytime soon. However, way to go Darien Lake! This will boost attendance for sure, although when I went 2 weeks ago, there was nothing wrong with attendance. Very busy! And this is my FIRST POST! YEAH! Oh, and hello everyone.

[Tysnave]

I was there the whole week of kingdom bound and I asked some of the workers there if they knew anything. Most of them blew it off, but one did tell it was going to be a add on to predator instead of a completely new one.

 

I also help tear down the stage and stuff for the "worship experience" in the galaxy theater and I was around the whole thing and I'm not sure there would be enough room to put a whole new coaster there, even if they did take down the galaxy. Right through the back door is the storage area.

[coasterkid124]

Has anyone heard anything about Fright Fest this year? It's getting really close, and there has been absolutely no mention on social media or their website. I would think that it is going to happen, as it does every year, but the park hasn't posted anything with much meaning in a while.

[SbSteveZ]

The only think involving Fright Fest that I've seen posted on Facebook is from the rUN DEAD 5K zombie race their doing. Oh and I just went on the site and found this...

 

Lastly according to the calender, I would assume Fright Fest begins on September 7th, and continues on the first 2 sundays of September and then after the 15th switch from saturday and sunday to friday and saturday until October 12th. Hope this Helps!

[coasterkid124]

I went up to the park yesterday to get an update for 2014. I didn't bother to take any pictures because nothing new was happening at the park. The Predator still stands as it always was. If you didn't hear about Lake Monster, you wouldn't even notice that something was going to happen to it. No surveyors were on site yesterday, but a lot of higher employees (management) were walking around the area talking. I have to say that yesterday was the worst time I had at the park yet this season. At one point 1/2 of the park was closed. Here is a list of rides that weren't running: Motocoaster, Boomerang, RoS, Twister, Bumper Buggies, Corn Popper, Moose on the Loose, Thunder Rapids, Grizzly Run, Pirate, and Cuda Falls. It was a horrible day and I feel bad for people who paid for a ticket to get in. Hopefully, next season the park will bounce back from all of this.

[Tdsblo]

In line for superman now. No wait. Jealous? Hehe

[TheDarkMaxim]

I went up to the park yesterday to get an update for 2014. I didn't bother to take any pictures because nothing new was happening at the park. The Predator still stands as it always was. If you didn't hear about Lake Monster, you wouldn't even notice that something was going to happen to it. No surveyors were on site yesterday, but a lot of higher employees (management) were walking around the area talking. I have to say that yesterday was the worst time I had at the park yet this season. At one point 1/2 of the park was closed. Here is a list of rides that weren't running: Motocoaster, Boomerang, RoS, Twister, Bumper Buggies, Corn Popper, Moose on the Loose, Thunder Rapids, Grizzly Run, Pirate, and Cuda Falls. It was a horrible day and I feel bad for people who paid for a ticket to get in. Hopefully, next season the park will bounce back from all of this.

 

Well first, cuda is broken and is likely going to be removed. Corn popper is broken, had to have a part custom made that was going to take 8-10 weeks to make. As for the other rides, this season the entire park has been extremely understaffed, and with everyone going back to school there are simply no one to work all the rides. Thus why you may see one ride open for part of the day, then close to open another ride later.

[coasterkid124]

^Thanks for the info. I knew about Corn Popper and the staffing issues, but I didn't realize it was that bad this year.

[SbSteveZ]

Had a friend who went to the park yesterday. He said practically the same rides mentioned in coasterkid124's post were still closed which is a shame. You'd think if they have major rides closed, they'd close some less popular rides and use the limited staff to work the parks main attractions. I'm not telling Darien Lake what to do or anything but Thats in my opinion. Also, as we wind down closer to September and the start of Fright Fest (Not to mention so many parks are announcing 2014 plans now... Cedar Point, Kings Island, Canada's Wonderland on Friday, etc...) I was hoping we'd start to see some sort of progress with the whole Lake Monster thing. I mean, I cant be negative about it. but i cant be completely optimistic either. I'm sticking with expecting no coaster in 2014 and hoping they prove me wrong. Because though a new coaster is long awaited. its not necessarily time yet. One more thing before I finish my little rant here. Cedar Point got Maverick in 2007, then added their next addition, GateKeeper, in 2013. 5 years apart. if this had any significance, though i Know it doesn't... Darien Lake received The Moto Coaster in 2008, 5 years later would be 2014... how cool would that be? A year off from the big boy park.. Hoping for the best in 2014! Ride On folks!

[ArgoZ]

I went up to the park yesterday to get an update for 2014. I didn't bother to take any pictures because nothing new was happening at the park. The Predator still stands as it always was. If you didn't hear about Lake Monster, you wouldn't even notice that something was going to happen to it. No surveyors were on site yesterday, but a lot of higher employees (management) were walking around the area talking. I have to say that yesterday was the worst time I had at the park yet this season. At one point 1/2 of the park was closed. Here is a list of rides that weren't running: Motocoaster, Boomerang, RoS, Twister, Bumper Buggies, Corn Popper, Moose on the Loose, Thunder Rapids, Grizzly Run, Pirate, and Cuda Falls. It was a horrible day and I feel bad for people who paid for a ticket to get in. Hopefully, next season the park will bounce back from all of this.

 

Well first, cuda is broken and is likely going to be removed. Corn popper is broken, had to have a part custom made that was going to take 8-10 weeks to make. As for the other rides, this season the entire park has been extremely understaffed, and with everyone going back to school there are simply no one to work all the rides. Thus why you may see one ride open for part of the day, then close to open another ride later.

 

Darien Lake's operations and maintenance are so amateur, even in prime season. It's so bad that I ALWAYS call the day before I plan to go, to make sure ROS is running and what rides are not. I hate one train ROS, as it takes forever for a front seat ride. I really dislike this park.

[ajfelice]

Darien Lake's operations and maintenance are so amateur, even in prime season. It's so bad that I ALWAYS call the day before I plan to go, to make sure ROS is running and what rides are not. I hate one train ROS, as it takes forever for a front seat ride. I really dislike this park.

 

Harsh. I think you are getting a little personal on that one. Maintenance is as good as their resources, so think about that before calling them out like that. Do you think Darien Lake is content with having one train for all of their coasters? Furthermore, have any of us worked on one of their coaster trains before Herschend took over to see what kind of condition they really are in? It would be absurd to think Darien Lake wants to operate like this. Chances are they are rehabbing these trains extensively in order to bring them up to standards. Herschend seems to know how to operate parks given their successes with Dollywood and Silver Dollar City, so give them a little bit of time to clean house. Darien Lake has a lot of work to be done which will take some time, but I would take it in its current state any day over the end of the Six Flags era and the entire PARC era.

 

Almost forgot, if you really dislike it, don't spend your time and money supporting it.

[coasterkid124]

I have to agree that this was a bad season for the park, but things are slowly getting better. Take a look at RoS's red train. It just got all brand new wheels, padding, and other small things over the off season. This is probably what is going on with the blue train. I would rather have the ride run good with one train then crappy with two.

[ArgoZ]

Darien Lake's operations and maintenance are so amateur, even in prime season. It's so bad that I ALWAYS call the day before I plan to go, to make sure ROS is running and what rides are not. I hate one train ROS, as it takes forever for a front seat ride. I really dislike this park.

 

Harsh. I think you are getting a little personal on that one. Maintenance is as good as their resources, so think about that before calling them out like that. Do you think Darien Lake is content with having one train for all of their coasters? Furthermore, have any of us worked on one of their coaster trains before Herschend took over to see what kind of condition they really are in? It would be absurd to think Darien Lake wants to operate like this. Chances are they are rehabbing these trains extensively in order to bring them up to standards. Herschend seems to know how to operate parks given their successes with Dollywood and Silver Dollar City, so give them a little bit of time to clean house. Darien Lake has a lot of work to be done which will take some time, but I would take it in its current state any day over the end of the Six Flags era and the entire PARC era.

 

Almost forgot, if you really dislike it, don't spend your time and money supporting it.

 

Yes it's personal. I wouldn't be able to comment any other way. A history of bad incidents has left a bad impression with me. Your post backs up my claims quite well, with your insight on management and operations. I did not say that any workers were to blame, but I agree that the resources make the park amateur. I am happy that a good owner now controls the park and I hope they do turn it around, so I can like the park, as it is a very short drive for me. I have refrained from visiting quite often and I am sure many like me have the same impression that the old management has provided.

[SbSteveZ]

Believe it or not, I dont have anything negative to say about Darien Lake. I have been visiting every year since 2008 (I believe that was the first year they were free from the Six Flags title) and I have always loved the park. even before 2008 I would go to the park maybe once or twice every other year. Sure the park isnt Phenomenal like Cedar Point, its coaster collection is yet to be stellar. but they are still good rides. Viper is a classic ride that I love, even if it gets shaky. Mind Eraser even though it is a Vekoma, Is pretty smooth for me depending on where my head is. (Because for some reason everyone complains about vekoma) I love the boomerang. Moto-coaster packs a punch. Predator... Well, it used to be fun. RoS is a favorite. even after Sgt James passed away. when that ride opened again I didnt even have to consider that someone died on the ride. I was practically the first in line to get back on! Laserblast was my favorite show ever when I first saw it. and of course, me being bias, I have yet to see a show that could beat it. theres always the finale (without the dancers and all) at Luminosity over in Cedar Point but I just love the Laser show. Ignite the Night is Spectacular. theres no other way to put it. the water cannons, the fire, the songs, its all amazing. Lastly, when I went in July, all the coasters were open, I got on each coaster, (Except viper sadly) and even rode Ros and Mind Eraser a second time. none of the coasters had more than a 15 or 20 minute wait because the operators were being efficient. Mind Eraser broke down while I was in line, they said the maintenance crew would be there to fix it in 15 minutes and they would open in half an hour... the ride opened 10 minutes after that announcement because of how quick the maintenance crew was. So complain all you want, but Darien Lake is trying. And if you can't respect that, get off of this thread, stay away from Darien Lake and move on with your life. This park doesn't deserve all the negative criticism. Thank you all. Ride On folks.