Seabreeze/Martin's Fantasy Island Possible Visit?

[beatle11]

I was planning a visit to Darien Lake next Saturday (July 16) but considering RoS might be closed for the next little while, I thought Seabreeze would be a good alternative. I'd also likely stop at Martin's Fantasy Island in the evening as well. I haven't visited either of those parks before so if anyone has some tips or secrets to share, that would be appreciated. Also, if anyone in the area would be interested in joining me, it would be a pleasure to meet you, and I'd enjoy the company. I promise I don't bite. PM me if your interested. Thanks!

[DougMJr]

Looking at hours of operation, and Fantasy Island is only open until 8:30. Really depends on what time you get there.

[mightypotato]

You can definitely hit up all three in the same day if you're going after credits. I did it last year and had plenty of time at all three parks (trip report here).

 

Seabreeze is a fun little park with 3 credits and a handful of flats. The rides don't open with the park and don't open at the same time, so you will likely be waiting around for stuff to open if you get there for opening. Their coaster lineup isn't really spectacular, but definitely has charm. Bobsleds is one of the most messed up coasters you'll find anywhere, and their Maurer-Sohne spinner is pretty fun too. Jack Rabbit is their "big" woodie. While it doesn't offer much in the way of thrills, it is pretty fun. I do recommend their bumper cars, they seemed to have some decent speed (not Knoebels speed though) and could deliver a good hit.

 

Darien Lake is one of those parks that I won't ever spend much time at. It's basically, get in, get the credits and get out. Your best bet would be to start with Boomerang, then work your way around until you get to Ride of Steel (when it's open). If you have already been to Darien Lake and have the credits, then it's probably best to just skip it, to be honest. Outside of Ride of Steel, Motocoaster is the only other interesting thing there. The park needs something new BADLY.

 

Martin's is only about a 30-45 minute drive from Darien Lake. If you get there after 5pm, the admission is dirt cheap. Silver Comet is by far the standout at the park. It was my biggest surprise last year and I ended up re-riding it over and over and over. They also have a fairly standard spinning mouse, a Disk-O, a small starflyer and one of the wettest flumes out there. The park has a lot of charm, but can be fully cleared in maybe 1.5-2 hours (with tons of re-rides).

 

Doing all three is a long day, but it's definitely worth it.

[beatle11]

^Thanks. They definitely look like nice little parks.

[DarienLaker]

Suggestions on what to ride at Martin's Fantasy Island,

 

. Mega Disk'O

. Flight

. The all New Mind Warp

. Crazy Mouse

. Devil's Hole

. and of course Silver Comet

[Geauga Dog]

I did Darien Lake and Martin's Fantasy Island just this past Saturday.

 

At Martin's:

 

Silver Comet is a nice coaster and runs well. It only has one PTC train but the wait isn't that bad. Very re-rideable unlike Predator.

 

Based on their FB page Mind Warp, the new Technical Park Loop Fighter, has had some breaking in issues. It went down on Saturday for a bit about two cycles after my ride. If it is open, make sure you ride it. It's the only one like it in America and it's also quite a freaky ride experience.

 

The Crazy Mouse, which I haven't ridden yet, tends to have a slow moving line but it is also, just by my observation of it, a pathetic spinning mouse. The cars seem to hardly spn. OTOH Whirlwind, the Maurer Sohne spinning coaster at Seabreeze, is great.

 

Flight is a Zamperla Vertical Swing (think mini-Starflyer/Windseeker) and you won't be able to ride as a single due to keeping the ride balanced. I finally got a ride on it on this past visit but was not able to do it last year. Nice ride with good views of the park and the Niagara Falls, Canada skyline in the distance.

 

The Bobsleds at Seabreeze has a slow moving line so if you can get there when it opens, do it first. I think it's a quirky little ride and quie unusual.

 

Jack Rabbit has a Morgan train and the best rides tend to be towards the front of the train if you want to get any kind of mild airtime.

 

If you need a break from riding, check out the historical photos inside the beautiful Carousel pavilion at Seabreeze.

 

You can do both Martin's and Seabreeze within 2 - 2.5 hours each.

[beatle11]

Thanks guys, it worked out well today.

 

If you need a break from riding, check out the historical photos inside the beautiful Carousel pavilion at Seabreeze.

 

The carousel pavilion is incredible!