Flagging Down Darien Lake

Among the properties Six Flags sold off in an attempt to improve its financial picture was Darien Lake, the wonderful theme park, water park, performing arts center, and resort near Buffalo and Rochester, New York. The new owners held a press conference yesterday to announce changes for the coming season. Apart from the obvious revisions (the Looney Tunes and D.C. Comics characters will be gone, as will all references to the characters throughout the park), Dairen Lake visitors can expect lower prices and a new show. According to The Buffalo News, ticket prices will be reduced and will include discounts for seniors and guests who arrive 5 p.m. or later. Parking fees will drop from $10 to $7. And food prices, some of which were absurdly high under Six Flags ($24.99 for a Papa John's pizza? Give me a break!) will also come down. The new owners say that instead of the national brands that Six Flags featured, Darien Lake will bring in regional food purveyors. Replacing the Batman stunt show in the park's amphitheater will be Le Grande Cirque, a splashy revue featuring acrobats and other circus acts. I recently saw the Myrtle Beach, SC version of Le Grande Cirque and, while it wasn't on the level of Cirque de Soleil (from which it clearly draws its inspiration), it was quite entertaining and well done. Darien Lake opens for the season on May 5.

More Darien Lake park info:

• Darien Lake Overview
• Darien Lake Photo Gallery
• Ride of Steel at Darien Lake Coaster Review
• Darien Lake Water Park Overview