Question on Rye Playland, any info would be great

I recently decided where to take a trip this weekend. I had planed Dorney Park, then Hershey, but then realized its Memorial Day weekend, so decided to stay away from major parks because they might be a little more crowded? After thoughts I realized I should make a trip to Rye Playland in Rye N. Y, its only about 1hr or less from me, and I have always wanted to ride the Dragon Coaster. I looked up info,and like I knew for a while, but was scared to face the fact.

That it is pay as you go. Its cool, and all, but I love to ride roller coasters more then once, so I will just pay. Anyway, dose anyone here on the boards have experience with Rye Playland? My main concern is how are crowds? Also dose the park get crowded? and long waits in protocolar The Dragon coaster, and are any of the haunted houses they have worth the 4 tickets? I really like haunted houses, but I must pick one, and I want it to be worth it. Any information anyone has would be great. Thanks
*** This post was edited by WoodenCyclone 5/20/2003 6:19:14 PM ***

You might get a better response if you used paragrahs.

Anyway, someone please answer because I'd like to know too.

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When I went to Playland with my kids we went on zombie castle and we like it . The kids went on the flying witches and said it was good. I thought the old mill was worth the 4 tickets. It wasn't haunted but its a unique ride.

The park is free, but you have to pay $7 to park. It is pay as you go, and there is no POP offered. I went on a Saturday last August last year and while the park was crowded, the lines were not to bad. The dark rides are not bad, I personally like Zombie Castle best. Also, DO NOT miss the Derby Racer. There are only two of these left in the US, this one and Cedar Downs at Cedar Point, and this is the better of the two. It is very fast, get an outside horse.

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"If you make it too smooth, it'll be like sitting in your living room."
-Bill Cobb - Designer, Texas Cyclone

Playland gets *expensive*.

In two hours spent at Playland while waiting for Lake Compounce's twilight admission to go into effect, I spent close to $60 on two people.

I really enjoyed all three dark rides, but I'd pick Ye Olde Mill over the other two.

Dragon Coaster is a tame ride by anyone's standards.

Beyond that, I'd say my favorite ride there was the Sky Skater :) They have a Power Surge, which many people seem to enjoy, but I find it to be excessively boring as flat rides go.

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--Maddie--

I went there last year. I didn't really spend more than 20 dollars between my sister and I. (We gotr free tickets from my aunt who knows somebody at the park). I would do both haunted houses. One of them was very hot so it made the ride a little uncomfortable. Also make sure you ride Double Shot and get a seat facing the Long Island Sounds. It is a great view. Also be sure to ride The Whip and all of there other classical rides. Have fun!

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-Sean Newman

okay, firstly I make no guarantee on the crowds - you may honestly have better luck at Dorney. The weather; however, is not looking in your favor regardless of where you end up. In regards to Rye - don't go for the coasters firstly.

Rye is one of the most beautiful parks you will find - all art-deco architecture from 1928 (all restored). The Dragon coaster is fun, but the Morgan trains massively detract from any potential it might have had. It's a nice long fun ride that is meant to be a scenic railway. It was originally built to be a family alternative to the Aeroplane (RIP 1956) so please keep that in mind.

The SDC Windstorm "Hurricane" is one of the most painful rides out there. Playland has installed head rests that create the impossibility of enjoying the ride. I've yet to ride the new(er) family coaster, but I'm sure it's okay. The new Zamperla Mouse will not be installed until Mid July. The best coaster in the park (Kiddie Woodie) can only be enjoyed by the under 48" set, so don't get your hopes up.

Now for the good -

The Derby Racer is not to be missed. Run at the proper 22mph - make sure to get an outside horse and follow the directions. Makes the Cedar Downs look REALLY sad. This is a very intense attraction.

The Whip - one of the better ones out there, despite the seatbelts

The Dark rides - 4 of 'em (counting the walk thru). All are worth doing. All of them have been redone by Sally within the last 2 years. Highly recommended!!!!

The log flume is sadistic. (nuff said)

The Bumper cars are the best out there. (period). I still rank Knoebel's #1 for nostalgia sake, but Rye beats them for hands down violence and fun. Absolutely amazing!

Other things worth noting. The Gravitron (not many parks have these); good Mini golf (I can only think of 4 parks that still has this); the Ferris Wheel; the Carousel (PTC).

If you don't go expecting major coaster thrills you'll have a blast. It's a very special and beautiful place. It is truly a blast from the past. Can't wait to read your TR!

All the best,

Jim 'Jimvid' McDonnell

One correction, please. The carousel at Rye Playland is a Mangels machine with Charles Carmel figures, not a PTC. It dates back to the opening of the park. I agree about the P&C Racing Derby.The safety people at Cedar Point went overboard with Cedar Downs, it is a shadow of what it was when I worked there.

I'll just "ditto" everything Jim said and add one more thing: on my last visit, August 2001, Rye had an *awesome* fireworks show over the water. Simply not to be missed.

mOOSH

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"I don't like poop singers." Peabody, discussing American Idol.

It sounds like Rye playland is a great park, and I have always looked it is as just having fun, and im sure I will. I do hope the weather holds up a bit on sunday. Now when Jimvid stated that the Log flume was "Sadistic" is that a good thing or a bad thing, as in my vocabulary a sadisitc ride can mean a good one.

WC - he meant the same thing...it's good.

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"I don't like poop singers." Peabody, discussing American Idol.