SFDL, what do you think?

Theres been some talk about future expansion on SFDL:UG but I was wondering what everyone else thinks in the coaster world?

Its been 5 years since a new coaster and we are. Do you think its a possibility for us to get a new coaster next year? I think if we did it would probably be an impulse or floorless which would fit great into the collection. What do you think?

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As the coasters get bigger so do the queue lines

Try 3 years since S:RoS opened. But I get your point.

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Rob

"Some people spend an entire LIFETIME wondering if they made a DIFFERENCE. The MARINES don't have that problem." -President Reagan 1985

1999

2000

2001

2002

4 years going into fifth

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As the coasters get bigger so do the queue lines

(I was being sarcastic)

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Rob

"Some people spend an entire LIFETIME wondering if they made a DIFFERENCE. The MARINES don't have that problem." -President Reagan 1985

SFDL is a "B" tier park. Expect to see small improvements each year with major attractions coming probably once every 5 years or so. I've never been to the park but I've only heard good things from the friends of mine who have visited.

Moosh

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I personally think the campgrounds & the on-site hotel make the whole park. If it wasn't for those features at Darien Lake, along with the Ampitheater which attracts A++ bands from all over, many people would pass it up, and it'd rank in the pits of Elitches, or worse...

Along with that, the originality of their Laser Light show, and a couple decent coasters... it makes this park great for the day and worth a few visits per year if you live close.

As for travellers, or people seeking this park from afar... it's not really worth it unless you take advantage of the campground. The park itself is only around 125 acres big, and offers no truly original rides... just some fun Huss flats, lots of up-charge attractions, and some good coasters... but it's a park with potential that hasn't been taken advantage of yet.

I would say that if it got 2 more coasters and a few more flats... it'd rank right up there with the big-boys!!! Unfortunately, it's been too long since that's happened :( And Six Flags corporate doesn't appear to see the potential this park has.

I've only been to SFDL twice and I see so much potential in what this park can do for the Buffalo/Rochester/Niagara region. It has a nice mix of flat rides and a few decent coasters. What the park should work on is improving the layout as some areas do get a little confusing.

I enjoy the park but I also can see why many locals may be disappointed in the lack of serious additions (though I think X Flight would have been more awesome at Darien because of the many lakes).

One observation from my mid-September trip is that the park needs an expanded water park. SFDL needs to add more slides by the wave pool/Hooks Lagoon to kind of make it more complete (especially some towering speed slides).

Also they need to replace ALL of the bathrooms as they are very disgusting.

X Factor

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"And Six Flags corporate doesn't appear to see the potential this park has."

Sure it does, but perhaps it wants to see a return on its investments so far [Superman, Top Spin, Shoot-the-Chutes, general park improvements] before adding another major attraction? In the meantime the park will get an annual budget from corporate to make the improvements they feel are needed. Just because they may skip a year or two without a significant new ride does not mean they do not see the park's potential.

Moosh

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The one thing that I noticed @ SFDL that I dont really remember at any of the other SF park I've been to is that DL has a full-service restaurant on-site. It is very rare indeed where you can be in a Six Flags park and have someone bring you beers and New England Clam Chowder. Godd times!
lata, jeremy
--How many damn beavers were in that place anyway?

Hey, beer is tops in my book, but I still prefer Manhattan-style clam chowder by a considerable margin....it's spicy! But really, based on what I've HEARD about Predator, doesn't the park need some decent wood first...*cue rimshot*. But I do want to try to other S:RoS's this summer if I can...and maybe Predator will be better next year...;)

Well, Predator certainly can't get much worse!

Actually... it can (see: Raging Wolf Bobs)

Predator was not half bad when I rode it this season. I mean this park has lots of potential becuase of the "resort" facilities. If they put in two big flashy coasters and some more water elements they would be booked soild. They must make a ton on the campgrounds which seems to go elsewhere in the chain and not into the park.

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Have you hugged a Beemer today?

PREDATOR IS GREAT!!!

It has a airtime filled first drop, nice laterals, some airtime, and its a great ride! It squeaks and its bumpy buts its awfully fun. If it was ever torn down I'd be devastated. Although I'd take anycoaster possible we don't need a wood because:

Superman and Predator are both air time not inversion rides. We now need a B&M floorless or stand up ect. to fill in the gap for having a great looper.

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As the coasters get bigger so do the queue lines

Predator gave airtime the first two weeks of each year after 1999.... after the first two weeks it continually seems to have gotton worse and worse, for the past 3 years.

I used to visit the park 3 times a week as a kid, then went down to 2, then maybe once a week.... then once every 2 weeks... then back in 1999 I visted the park 33 times thanks to Superman, but ever since then, the park has gone downhill in my opinion and it just isn't anything like it used to be. The big thing with me, is the fact they keep taking OUT rides, and ruining the rides they already have. I would have been fine w/ the additions we've gotton, as long as the Raging seas was running it's "oldskool status", we still had Crazy Quilts, the Cascade Canyon water slides, the other water slides that were removed, we have gotton more things removed than we are getting put in, and they are *good* rides, in my opinion, that are getting ruined. Dont even get me started on Predator...

I would go on some more, but I'm tired.

Alan "43 beavers :)" Jacyszyn

Six Flags have done some great things with that park, but not helped to increase the parks potential. They took out some of the waterslides, but I wonder if the plan is to eventually have the waterpark all on the one side where the wave pool is to make room for future rides, therefore you wont have to cross that bridge to get to the other side. What rides have they taken out? Crazy Quilt is all I can think of, that was a maintainence headache anyway, oh yeah and Nightmare at Phantom Cave, too bad I like waiting 3 hours for a wild mouse in the dark. Predator is twelve years old and we all know Six Flags/Premier Parks is real great on maitaining wood coasters, thus the loss of a great ride! The last good ride I remember on it had to be 1998. As for future improvements to the park, the have great potential with the campground and hotel, but Western NY is a dying area, less and less population every year, plus with PCW and CP so close by which park would you choose?

IMO,

It could be the next SFWOA because it has tons of unused land,& people in New York are desperate for amusement parks.

Add a few coasters, some flat rides, some water slides and it would do well. SF just needs to invest in it.

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As the coasters get bigger so do the queue lines

I seem to think SFDL has a great deal of room to expand, they have no height limits on rides.

But Six Flags will expand on this park but that will not be until next year. SFDL is a very clean well maintained park, great rides, and the grandaddy of Intamin hypers S:ROS!

By the way predator is just a mere shadow of the ride this was back in '90,'91 was a great woodie when it opened now it is just a rough RWB clone. This ride is just not workin' for me right now.

By the way Cedar Point and PCW are close by SFDL but who the heck wants to go to PCW?! I would rather go to Cedar Point and SFDL any day over PCW.

Also Western New York isn't losing population were in the world did you get that from?

I live in Rochester,NY and our population is growing, and so is Buffalo.

SFDL is not a bad park at all, but with future expansion which is going to happen it will be even better.

*** This post was edited by darienlakefan on 11/16/2002. ***

I think what needs to happen at SFDL is the rumored Batman-themed B&M floorless for 2004. The problem is the fact that it's rumored location is in an area currently occupied by the Batman show. The go-karts over in that area would also probably have to be removed and relocated. In other words, it's going to cost SF extra money to relocate these two things. It's either that or they'd have to get creative in building a pathway to the area behind the show building. The park really does need a new major attraction especially with the competition rumored to be contemplating expansion as well.

With over 1,000 Acres, a few casinos in the area, the state talking about legalizing gambling in zoned areas, Niagra Falls, and the major businesses in Rochester and Buffalo, you'd think Six Flags would do something? Hell the only two resorts with more land than DL are Universal and Disney. Says something for potential land use if you ask me.