Between Buffalo and Rochester
Darien Lake Phone
585-599-4641Admission Info:
Tickets to the theme park include admission to the onsite water park. Admission to both parks is included for guests of the onsite campground and hotel, Darien Lake Lodge on the Lake. Discounted tickets are available online. Season pass tickets available.- 2009 Darien Lake Performing Arts Center Schedule- 2009 shows and ticket info
Darien Lake Directions
NYS Thruway (I90) to Exit 48A. Go south six miles on Route 77. Look for the the towering red coaster track of Ride of Steel.- Compare rates for nearby Darien Lake-area hotels at About.com's booking partner, Kayak.
- Among its five thrill machines, the park features a tremendous hypercoaster: Ride of Steel
- As its name implies, The Giant Wheel is one of the world's larger Ferris wheels.
- The themed Adventure Isle, designed for younger kids, is cute.
- While it wouldn't be mistaken for gourmet fare, the park's two full-service restaurants have decent food.
Survivor: Live- Stage show
Interactive stage show based on the reality television program.
2009 Darien Lake Performing Arts Center Schedule- 2009 shows and ticket info.
New for 2008: Orange County Choppers MotoCoaster
A launched roller coaster that uses magnetic motors to accelerate from 0 to 30 mph in three seconds. Instead of a traditional coaster train, MotoCoaster riders sit two across atop motorcycle-style seats. The Teutul family, owners of Orange County Choppers (OCC) and stars of the Learning Channel's popular American Chopper, have partnered with the park for the coaster.
- Darien Lake Water Park overview.
- Darien Lake photo gallery.
- Ride of Steel coaster review.
Darien Lake Halloween Event
Fright FestThe hordes of families streaming out after the nightly Laserblast show towards the campground attests to its popularity and its indelible connection to the park. The campground offers furnished RV rentals as well as campsites. Since the campground and hotel fees include admission to the park, staying onsite can be a good deal (as well as a lot of fun). During the spring and fall value seasons, it would actually be cheaper for a family of four to stay overnight at the campground and enjoy the park than it would be to pay the daily admission fees to the park alone. The hotel, with its rustic themeing and spacious rooms, is quite comfortable. A lovely path along the lake takes guests to the park.
It's no wonder hordes of guests watch the Laserblast show. With rousing fireworks, a synchronized soundtrack, and shout-outs to Buffalo, Canada, and the U.S.A., the clever 25-minute show is engaging and a great way to end a day at the park.
The Ride of Steel hypercoaster is truly world-class. Darien Lake's other coasters are less noteworthy. The Predator is a sharp-looking woodie that delivers a rough ride--and not rough in a good way. The suspended looping Mind Eraser and the shuttle Boomerang Coast-to-Coaster are off-the-shelf rides found at many parks (some even carry the same names). Viper is an older looping coaster that hasn't aged all that well.
Other rides include The Giant Wheel, a circa-1959, 165-foot tall Ferris wheel, the splashdown ride, Shipwreck Falls, the Grizzly Run river raft ride, and the usual assortment of whirl-and-hurl flat rides.
Although the layout of the water park is a bit odd, the water attractions, including the Tornado funnel ride, the Big Kahuna family raft ride, and the Hook's Lagoon interactive water play structure, are a blast.
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodations for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
