Rye Playland Advice

I'm going to Rye Playland on July 15th. I see on their website that it's pretty expensive. I'm trying to stay as cheap as possible. I'll obviously ride the Dragon Coaster, but are there any other must-ride rides? The site says their bumper cars have 50 cars running and that it's the biggest in the country. Are they any good? Any particular food that I should try? Thanks

You must ride Derby Racer and the Whip. Classic joy! By the way, I still haven't heard from WPLJ. THey are going to be having a private event for 10,000 listeners on Monday night, July 18. You had to write in to request up to 6 free tickets. Sounds like fun. Their "Mind Scrambler" is the best scrambler I've ever been on. I posted a trip report not too long ago.

Also, i'll be meeting someone there, and I don't want us to both have to pay for parking. Is there a shopping center or anything close by that we could leave one of our cars at? Thanks

SFGAdv lover - check out Jimvid's Rye trip report from yesterday...he talks about the pricing system there.

One thing I can suggest is parking at or near the Rye Metro North train station, which is about a mile or 2 from the park, and then taking the shuttle which runs from there to the park every hour on the 37 from like 10am to 5pm and runs back to the parking lot until midnight (check http://www.mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/rye_playland_schedule2005_gct.htm for the actual timetable). The shuttle costs 1.75 per person and parking at Playlandis 5 bucks, so if you plan to have 3 or more people in each car, then you should just park in the park. Also, the lot fills up pretty fast due to the commuters, so you have to be dilligent. Otherwise, this is a good deal.

In addition to the Dragon coaster, they have a Windstorm and a Mouse, I think. Moreso, you'll want to ride their three dark rides. Ye Olde Mill is pretty neat.

I split a day between Rye and Lake Compounce which worked out well. Rye is *expensive* and I probably enjoyed Lake Compounce more and spent far, far less money there.

Playland has one of THE most beautiful carousels I've ever laid eyes on and ridden too! Definitely check it out as well as the band organ on it. Their bumper cars are very fun...big floor with lots of driving room. Do the Old Mill and the other 2 dark rides too. Try to convince the ride op to let you on Kiddie Coaster although it didn't work for me. Of course as mentioned, no trip there would be complete without riding The Whip and Derby Racer (which was absolutely FLYING last week when I was there).

Actually this replaced the Windstorm last year Chernabog, never rode it yet because it opened late in the season last year, when i went in June. If it is really hot the day you go I recommenfd the Playland Plunge.

http://www.rcdb.com/ig2561.htm?picture=17 *** Edited 7/10/2005 3:48:10 PM UTC by Coasterfreak2***