SFNE vs Lake Compounce

I've only got one day available to visit one of these two parks. Visiting with kids aged 10 and 12.

Questions:

1) Which park has shorter lines?

2) Which park is cleaner?

3) Which park has the better rides?

Thanks!

The Answer to your Question:

1. Lake Compounce (I was there for the July 4th Weekend of 2000, the longest wait was for (Naturally) BOULDER DASH, 25 Minutes)

2. Lake Compounce (The place was IMMACULATE)

3. Lake Compounce (Boulder Dash RULES in the New England Region)

'nuff said? :)

Lake Compounce is is a great park, it's clean, and it's probably rare that it's ever as busy as SFNE. But to suggest that one good ride (Boulderdash) is better than several good rides at SFNE - including the most incredible steel coaster in the country - is laughable.

You know what your kids like. SFNE has far more thrills. Lake Compounce has far more gentle rides and family attractions. Knowing that, it shouldn't be too difficult to make a decision.

-Nate
*** Edited 8/5/2006 3:51:46 PM UTC by coasterdude318***

For me, Boulderdash trumps everything at SFNE, including Superman. And with Ghosthunt, the skyride, an excellent rapids ride, the S&S swing, yes, go ahead and call it "laughable" but for me, Compounce has the better line-up.

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coasterdude318 said:You know what your kids like. SFNE has far more thrills. Lake Compounce has far more gentle rides and family attractions. Knowing that, it shouldn't be too difficult to make a decision.

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I'll be in major trouble if I take them to a park that lacks thrill rides. When we were at DisneyLand they were far more interested in the rides on the California Adventure side of the park. *** Edited 8/5/2006 4:29:55 PM UTC by maxster***

http://www.sixflags.com/parks/newengland/

http://www.lakecompounce.com/

If it's really all about your kids maybe they should be the ones making the decisions. ;) The links should help. *** Edited 8/5/2006 4:42:45 PM UTC by matt.***

Which park would I rather go to and spend a day: Lake Compounce, hands down. No question.

Which single ride would I like to ride above all others: Superman :)

If you are looking for a park with a variety of major coasters, the Six Flags is the place that has this. It does come at a price however. Expensive parking, expensive food and drinks, and paying extra for Flashpass if the lines are long and you want to get a decent number of rides in.

Lake Compounce only has three major coasters but the park has so much else going for it. Also, the management looks at their visitors as valued guests rather than just as wallets to be emptied. They took a cue from Holiday World several years ago and started offering free drinks with admission.

I am aware that Boulder Dash has had some operations problems this season which they plan to fix during the coming off-season.

By the way, both parks have good waterparks in them.

Personally, if I was in New England and could only visit one park while I was there, I would go to LC. *** Edited 8/5/2006 9:28:59 PM UTC by Arthur Bahl***

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Arthur Bahl said:

Also, the management looks at their visitors as valued guests rather than just as wallets to be emptied.

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Ain't that the truth!

Yeah, but the cup sizes at LC are a joke! There more of the "Here, would you like to try a small sample of our new beverage?," size than they are a thirst quencer like at HW. To me, the real question is "Which park is going to get me out of the bathroom quicker?" The answer would be SFNE because they have the kick-butt Xlerator hand-dryers (so does Beech Bend):)

I'm not going to say what I think about question no. 3, because someone else will soon enough (if you know what I mean...). No. 3 is such a subjective question and everyone whose contributed so far to this thread knows that and it only starts flame wars. Like for example, I could make my valid point that LC is overpriced for what it offers, and someone will counter to that and we get nowhere.

Please, people if you're going to ask questions like this please give more information about what you like? It's a big pet peeve of mine. I'm not trying to be mean and I see you're new maxster, but It's like calling a car dealership that carries all types of vehicle styles and going "What's the best vehicle you got?" With the few parameters you've given, that salesperson couldn't honestly sell you a vehicle that's the "best." Sure, he/she might have a sportscar that would fit both of your kids, but would that be the right fit for your needs?

At least you said you have two kids 10 and 12. I just want to see people provide more information, like:

1) Importance of good woodies
2) Importance of good steel coasters
3) Importance of flat rides
4) Importance of shows
5) Importance of waterparks--how modern must it be?
6) Importance of park atmosphere

It also depends upon when you go. If your planning a visit for a saturday or a friday I wouldn't even think of stepping inside Six Flags. If it's some other weekday then the crowds probably would be duable.

I'd get to Six Flags New England at park opening, Run straight to Superman, and ride as many times as you can until the crowd comes. Then try to hit as many rides as you can that don't have long waits. Then take the 1.5 drive to Lake Compounce and spend the rest of the day there. It is easily doable.

I made it to the Superhero Celebration, and got ERT on Scream, Thunderbolt, and SROS. The night ERT on SROS was just amazing. There isn't a bad seat on that coaster. Easily my #1 Steel Coaster. SFNE was easily one of the best Six Flags park to visit.

Boulder Dash is a great ride, another top 10 of mine, and Lake Compounce is a great park.

Neither of them should be missed out on. Especially when they aren't really that far apart.

I've never understood the idea that Lake Compounce is "overpriced." Admission seems to be more or less on par with other smaller parks around the country, a lot of which don't include soda with admission. *** Edited 8/7/2006 11:28:03 AM UTC by matt.***

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Borntocoast said:
2. Lake Compounce (The place was IMMACULATE)

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eh, I remember a lot of empty cups on the ground, in the bushes, up the mountain and pretty much everywhere. Of course, I visited on what was supposedly the busiest day the park had ever seen to that point, so you gotta take that for what it's worth.

To me, the only place where SF beats The Lake is the waterpark - Hurricane Harbour rocks!

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matt. said:
...a lot of which don't include soda with admission.

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Just wanted to point out that I love that wording. It is by far the most accurate description of what's going on. And it's great for comparitive purposes as well.

Makes WAY more sense than saying 'free soda' (it should also apply to parking as well - parking is included with admission)

LC is $32.95 at the gate and includes soda, KW is $28.95 at the gate and includes parking.

I really like that. :)

Well, Kennywood doesn't include a waterpark either.

I wasn't comparing, just using my new found phrase in examples.

(I chose KW because it was the first 'parking included' park I thought of and it made sense as it's the same comany as LC)

Ah! But you can park at Kennywood without going in! So, it really can be "free". ;)

Gonch, it came off differently in your post. I get it now. Drrr.

I have a feeling that happens to my posts a lot.

Probably something to do with my 'random stream of consciousness' posting style. :)