I received complimentary passes to Darien Lake in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and may differ from yours.
Darien Lake Fun for the Family – Western, NY!
Darien Lake is fun for everyone. Last week we headed up to Darien Lake for a few days. We rented a trailer from Tuesday through Friday. We would have stayed longer but I had booked it at the last minute and they were completely booked through the holiday week. (You have to book in advance or you will miss out.)
I’ll tell you more about Darien Lake Theme Park Resort in another post. Today I am going to you about the amusement park.
We have been to Darien Lake many, many times over the years starting when the kids were little. They are now 37 and 33. (I know…showing my age!) We enjoy it every single time we go no matter how many times we have been there.
Your best bet is to purchase a season pass. Then you can go whenever you want. I’ll admit that I am not a big roller coaster fan but I will go on most of the other rides.
We started out the World’s Largest Ferris Wheel. It was at the the 1982 World’s Fair and takes you 165 ft. in the air. You can see so much from the top. Most rides you aren’t allowed to take your camera’s with you but on the Ferris Wheel you can. I got some awesome pictures!
Darien Lake has rides for everyone. The “Thrill Rides” include:
Boomerang,Rolling Thunder, Mind Eraser, Motocoaster, Predator, Red Hawk, Ride of Steel, Slingshot, Twister, Viper and Blast Off! From not knowing if you are going backwards or forwards, to a ride with 5 inversions, a tunnel and a 70-ft. drop, getting launched 300 ft. in the air at 80 mph, or feeling the breeze while speeding away on a motorcycle, these rides are sure to get your adrenaline pumping.
How about some wet rides? The Grizzly Run, Shipwreck Falls and Thunder Rapids will cool you off when you get too hot. These rides will give you a moderate thrill.
They have Family Rides too if you aren’t into any of those. Rides like the Pirate, Giant Wheel, Grand Prix Speedway, Grande Carousel, Corn Popper, Haymaker, Lasso, Sleighride, are just a few of the milder rides that Darien Lake has to offer.
There is also a section just for the kids! Those ride include: Beaver Dam Explorer, Bucky’s Barrels, Hoot N’ Holler, Wally’s Weather Balloons and so much more.
With multiple places to eat, you won’t go hungry at Darien Lake! At the back of the park, you can walk up to the General store or have a sit down breakfast, lunch or dinner at Beaver Brother’s Lakeside Cafe where we had a buffet breakfast, Maria’s Italian Kitchen, Subway, Pizza in the Square, Tim Horton’s (a Buffalo favorite for coffee and donuts) and it wouldn’t be Buffalo without some good old fashioned Buffalo Chicken Wings from none other than The Anchor Bar! Season Meal passes are available also.
Did I mention that Darien Lake also has a Water Park called Splashtown? Relax on the Flotation Station Lazy River, experience the extreme tubing ride where 4 of you can fit on one tube and slide down, ride the Brain Drain Pulsin’ Propulsion…over 300 feet in 10 seconds! Wow! There is also a Wave Pool, Hook’s Lagoon and the Tornado, plus many more.
One of my all time favorite things at Darien Lake was the Laser Light show. This year it’s called Ignite the Night – ColorBlast and no matter how many times I see it, it’s like watching it for the first time every time. Music, Water, Fire, Video, and Pyrotechnics all come together for this laser light spectacular in the air, on the stage and all around. With more than 90 performances this season, Ignite the Night-Colorblast is something you just can’t miss.
There are also concerts at Darien Lake but we just missed some of them. The Sunday after we left Zac Brown Band was playing and a couple weeks ago Miranda Lambert was there. There is always something new and exciting!
They also have a fish that’s part shark and part carp called none other than a SHARP!
I could go on and on about all the things to do at Darien Lake and how much fun it is, but I really don’t want to take up too much of your time. 😉
Stay tuned for my post about the lodging and camping options. You can rent wagons, wheelchairs and scooters, but you have to get there early! Golf Carts are for the campgrounds.
Darien Lake’s wide variety of entertainment has made it “destination fun” since 1964. Located 45 minutes from Niagara Falls between Buffalo and Rochester, N.Y. Today the park boasts more than 50 rides, including six world-class roller coasters; dozens of family-friendly rides; the region’s largest water park complete with wave pool; a 20,000-seat performing arts center, operated by Live Nation; and world-class in-park entertainment.
Visit http://www.darienlake.com/ to schedule your visit today!
tina gonzalez
this place looks very thrilling
lisa
The department of tourism. I never read these when I see a common theme across the blogs.
Mia
So many activities to keep busy. Looks like a blast.
Theresa Little
This place looks amazing! I’ll have to keep it in mind for vacation next year.
lisa
Water parks are always fun. It’s a good way to stay cool on a a hot summer day.
Katrina Morgan
looks like lots of fun!
Lisa Coomer Queen
This looks like tons of fun! Those water rides and slides look especially nice right now!
Tammy Cordery
What a nice place to go.
Cari Shepard
If I ever get up that way, I’ll be sure to check it out!
lisa
I’m not an amusement park person. The lines, noise and stale beer smell. All of it’s too much for me. I don’t like crowds.
lisa
Once I was on a ferris wheel and it got stuck at the very top. My daughter was sitting next to me.She was young, and knew I’m afraid of heights. She kept rocking the cart until I was in tears.
lisa
I used to love going to the water park when I was a kid. Not so much with amusement parks. I’m afraid of heights.
lisa
It seems like, across the board, the current blogger theme is promoting their hometowns during vacation season. So far, I haven;t decided.I personally would go to Hawaii.
lisa
I’ve been to New York a few times. Years ago, my best friends grandparents owned a house on Lake Chittaqua (excuse the spelling, or misspelling) We always had fun going there over summer vacation.
lisa
I have camped out at the ocean. It was enjoyable. The lake, I grew up by lake Erie. We’d go there often.
Anne Marie Carter
I can’t handle any of the rides that go up high anymore.. Too scared….
April Gupton
This looks so fun!
Edye
Looks like an awesome time!
Julie Ikeda
I’ll definitely check this out when I get the chance!
lisa
My kids are adults, so this doesn’t sound like something that I’d be interested in.
Marilyn
What a place to have fun and a good time.
Marilyn
bettingtipsx
I definitely should visit this park!
Kimberly Rampersad
Those rides look like tons of fun.