Six Flags Darien Lake (SFDL) Discussion Thread

[DarienLaker]

We kind of went down this road before last year with talk about a Gerstlauer spinning coaster going into Galaxy Theater's place, this year it's what should replace 'Cuda Falls. This is the kind of stuff that gets everyone on the TPR forums "annoyed" and we are not going to let what happen last year to happen again this year!

[Sk610]

I can't believe we are on the spinning coaster idea already. Yes it's a good idea, but is that the only type of coaster we know about? I really don't care what we get in 2015 but i sure hope it's a coaster and I hope it has some type of inversion that doesn't already exist at the park. Like a dive loop or zero g roll or Immelmann

[DarienLaker]

I can't believe we are on the spinning coaster idea already. Yes it's a good idea, but is that the only type of coaster we know about? I really don't care what we get in 2015 but i sure hope it's a coaster and I hope it has some type of inversion that doesn't already exist at the park. Like a dive loop or zero g roll or Immelmann

 

I said nothing about Darien Lake getting a spinning coaster (again), I only brought that up to reflect what happened last year with me constantly bringing that particular subject to the point where ended up getting me banned for two weeks and I don't want a thing like that to happen again, this time with the talk of what's going to replace 'Cuda Falls!

[DougMJr]

I think it is quite ok to take realistic guesses about what future investment could be made to the land vacated by Cuda Falls, as long as it does not dominate the entirety of this thread.

 

It looks like Wallenda will be doing his next televised walk for Discovery Channel in Chicago in the fall after his residency at Darien Lake. I for one am looking forward to his show as I really enjoyed the Cirque show a few years back.

[DarienLaker]

I think it is quite ok to take realistic guesses about what future investment could be made to the land vacated by Cuda Falls, as long as it does not dominate the entirety of this thread.

 

I fell like if I keep bringing up about what's going in the plot where 'Cuda Falls stood weather it's a coaster, a new water slide complex, a new flat ride, a restaurant, a birthday party area, or the relocation of the catered picnic area to that place. I'm afraid it will be the next "dominant topic" on the Darien Lake discussion thread and I want save my performance here on TPR so I don't get banned again!

[XYZ]

I think it is quite ok to take realistic guesses about what future investment could be made to the land vacated by Cuda Falls, as long as it does not dominate the entirety of this thread.

 

I fell like if I keep bringing up about what's going in the plot where 'Cuda Falls stood weather it's a coaster, a new water slide complex, a new flat ride, a restaurant, a birthday party area, or the relocation of the catered picnic area to that place. I'm afraid it will be the next "dominant topic" on the Darien Lake discussion thread and I want save my performance here on TPR so I don't get banned again!

 

Nice performance on here.

 

[MFJorts]

me losing it about what Darien Lake should get to replace 'Cuda Falls!

 

this year it's what should replace 'Cuda Falls

 

I don't want a thing like that to happen again, this time with the talk of what's going to replace 'Cuda Falls!

 

I fell like if I keep bringing up about what's going in the plot where 'Cuda Falls stood

 

Saying that you are trying not to bring it up is still bringing it up... Give it a rest, bud! Maybe take a break from the thread if you cannot stop yourself from mentioning the same thing time and time again.

[SbSteveZ]

By now, I'm sure this thread has made it very clear that when it comes to Darien Lake and new things 'patience is a virtue", which isn't exactly shown here Hopefully when the park opens speculation can become a little more realistic. Sure, we know they removed 'Cuda Falls, but we aren't going to be able to make logical guesses without seeing the construction site in person or at least in pictures. Few good things have come up over the winter months such as the announcement that all coasters capable of 2 train operations will be returning to 2 trains this year and that 'Cuda Falls was removed / is being removed. Otherwise, some certain people may need to just chill out for a few weeks until they can get their fix of Darien Lake when it opens on May 10th. I'm just hoping that when the park opens we start to see some signs of something new. And perhaps a nice re-model of the front of the Galaxy theater and the return of the UFO? I do recall that somewhere Darien stated the UFO was taken temporarily for maintenance purposes and was going to return in the future. Perhaps that's what's "New for 2014!"

 

No disrespect to anyone on here I'm just here for the fun of it all!

[TheDarkMaxim]

There are some other big changes coming this season too. Pardon, my lack of citing the article, just too lazy to find it right now.

 

Basic highlights

-New GM. He was last GM at Elitch, previously with paramount park as well.

-the happiness guarantee isn't just a slogan. They are giving a weather guarantee now.

-The want to continue to bring local favorites to the park.

-continuing this theme by partnering with a local winery to open wine testing and a wine shop in the park.

 

EDIT: found them

 

As the new general manager, Rod Rankin will oversee all aspects of park operation, guest service, and business development. Rankin’s main focus for the 2014 season is to deliver great customer service and overall guest experience through new in-park entertainment and policies such as “sunny day guarantee” allowing guests to receive a complimentary admission ticket if weather interrupts operations for 90 minutes or more; and the “short line guarantee” that gives guests who wait in a ride line for more than 45 minutes a complimentary express pass to jump the line later in the day.

 

When Rod Rankin -- the new general manager of Darien Lake Theme Park -- was a young man, he never thought he'd wind up running facilities with rollercoasters and waterslides.

"If you'd asked me I would have said you were crazy," Rankin said. "I was going to be a high school teacher."

He studied secondary education at the University of Southern California and was working as a production manager at Paramount Pictures when Paramount bought a chain of six entertainment parks. Paramount transferred him to the theme park division. He's been working in and running theme parks for 25 years now.

But it's worked out for the would-be high school teacher. Asked what his favorite part of his job is his first response is that it's working with the youngsters who take jobs in the parks each summer.

"It's the good and the bad of this industry," Rankin said. "You're training a new generation of children every year, because this is really kind of a first job. That's the good part." Then he laughs (Rankin, a big man, has a hearty laugh). "The bad part is you're training a new generation of kids every year."

Rankin replaces Bob Montgomery, who ran the park for two years, but decided over the winter that he wanted to return to his native Canada to pursue opportunities closer to home.

Under Montgomery's leadership, Darien Lake was working on developing more of a local flare, bringing in Anchor Bar to serve wings, serving Weber Mustard and Dippin' Dots. That's a trend that will continue, Rankin said.

Besides hiring Nik Wallenda to provide entertainment throughout the season, Three Brothers Winery has agreed to set up a wine-tasting area, a wine shop and will cross promote Darien Lake with tags on its bottles at retail locations.

Another change coming to Darien Lake is a redesigned menu for Beaver Brothers and Maria's Italian Kitchen. The new menu will focus on lighter fare for health conscious diners, Rankin said. Just this week he hired a new chef to oversee the creation of the new menu.

With Paramount, Rankin started out as a project manager and was involved in rollercoaster development.

He describes himself as a coaster junkie. A native of the Los Angeles area, Rankin had plenty of access to coasters at numerous theme parks growing up, notably, of course, Disney and Knotts Berry Farm (he spent a lot of time at Knotts, he said).

Does that mean there's a new coaster in the works for Darien Lake? He won't say. He did say, "It's really fun when you go into a facility to learn the new coasters and then hopefully, eventually, build a new coaster."

Rankin spent 22 years with Paramount and its successor company, before leaving in 2007 as the Western regional vice president. He's been with Herschend Family Entertainment for four years, most recently as general manager of the company's park in Denver (unrelated side note: Herschend recently acquired the Harlem Globetrotters).

A certified master gardener, Rankin is looking forward to putting down roots in Genesee County. He was excited that he had no trouble selling his home in Denver. He's looking forward to visiting the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Batavia. His gardening interest drifts toward heirloom tomatoes and roses. In fact, he's started a rose garden at every theme park he's run and Darien Lake will be no different, he said.

[coasterkid124]

I hope that the park isn't going to advertise the weather guarantee because correct me if I'm wrong, but the park would lose money, and new rides wouldn't be put in as often. It's also nice to see a new gm in place. Bob Montgomery seemed too much like a family man who wasn't concerned about updating the thrill rides (excluding Blast Off).

[TheDarkMaxim]

^clearly they aren't going to do something if they think it will hurt them.

 

They could actually make more money by causing someone to re visit, and therefore spend more money in the park.

[Sk610]

I am glad that HFE brought in another very good GM for the park. I was sad to see the last one leave as he had very good credentials and experience with HFE. I do however like that he has worked for HFE previously and also really like that he has a background with roller coaster design. That may actually tell you more about what HFE's long term plans for the park are more than anything.

[ajfelice]

I hope that the park isn't going to advertise the weather guarantee because correct me if I'm wrong, but the park would lose money, and new rides wouldn't be put in as often. It's also nice to see a new gm in place. Bob Montgomery seemed too much like a family man who wasn't concerned about updating the thrill rides (excluding Blast Off).

 

At first, I thought that it's a problem to offer another free visit just based on the weather not being ideal, BUT my small park, free admission, free parking, and bring your own food option way of thinking doesn't apply here. Darien Lake is getting back another $8 for park each of those returning cars, and not everyone is smart enough to avoid amusement park food prices, so they will buy some grub. Getting an extra $8 bucks a car and probably some extra food and merchandise sales is much better than getting absolutely nothing from someone who is furious and doesn't ever return. Some Six Flags parks are using a similar policy as well.

[Diamondbacker27]

I've never been to this park. But I'm glad they are doing the rain checks. I wish Cedar Fair and Six Flags would do the same.

[DarienLaker]

I wonder if the UFO ride is coming back or what?

[HAUNT MANIAC]

Yep, one positive step at a time . . . Darien Lakers, you WILL be getting a big coaster within the next 1 or 2 years . . . mark my words . . .

[DarienLaker]

Yep, one positive step at a time . . . Darien Lakers, you WILL be getting a big coaster within the next 1 or 2 years . . . mark my words . . .

 

And who knows maybe Darien Lake would get new water slide to replace 'Cuda Falls this or next!

[Shavethewhales]

I think it's about time we institute a word filter for "'cuda falls".

 

Is anyone planning to make it out to the park soon? I'd love to see an updated PTR

[DarienLaker]

I think it's about time we institute a word filter for "'cuda falls".

 

O.K. I don't really think it's necessary to have word filter for "'Cuda Falls", but I do have some suggested word filters for "'Cuda Falls".

 

."Barracuda Bay water slides"

."Rainbow Mountain replacement slides"

."YOLO Falls"

."Darien Laker's favorite water slides"

."Fluffy fluffy barracuda slides"

."Dead water slides from Darien Lake"

."Cool 'Cuda"

."'Cuda Slides"

[coasterkid124]

Or we could just not mention them at all. Just saying. Its ok to talk about the areas development, but Cuda Falls is dead. No need to keep bringing up the past.

[Sk610]

Why don't we agree to call it the large swath o land to the right as you walk in?

 

Also, I think all of us are dying to see a trip report, but the park doesn't even open for another month. I am sure somebody here will be going in the month of May and will write a TR. I am very interstes to see what they did with the park this offseason. No new rides, I'm hoping they painted and paved walkways and such.

[DarienLaker]

I made a little tribute to 'Cuda Falls in a form of a collage!

[XYZ]

I made a tribute to Cuda Fall's removal:

 

Edited April 14, 2014 by XYZ

[Her0ofLime]

^ You win the thread.

[CPSFMMCW]

Love it