What is in the future for Lake Compounce?

For the 2007 season, Lake Compounce is planning to add an "antique" auto ride. Contrary to rumors, there appears to be no spinning mouse plans at present.

For a couple of years there had been speculation about adding a spinning mouse but the park decided to add the Screaming Swing (Thunder and Lightning) apparently because it is something different that is not found at other parks in the region. Meanwhile spinning mice are becoming quite common.

The proposed addition for next year appears to be a good idea for two reasons. First, the Lake currently lacks an auto ride, something that is highly desirable in a family friendly park. Second, It would appear to be a good idea to alternate new family rides with new thrill rides. For a while the focus was on the waterpark but now, the plan should be to maintain a family image even while adding some thrill rides.

Adding a mouse of some kind might be a good idea for 2008 but will it happen? Who knows? I would like to see the park add one new ride a year (plus an occaisional kiddie ride) alternating between family and thrill rides.

Later when the attendance grows enough, maybe another signiture ride like Boulder Dash will be possible but that is not the best thing at present

While I do feel the park needs another steel coaster, I think LC has taken the right approach to improving the park. The drop tower, the additions to the waterpark- this is stuff that the park needed. Not only that, but rides that are removed (flying scooters, Musik Express) usually find their way back to the park (the Top Spin seems to be the exception). I'm sure a steel coaster will eventually make it to the park but right now I think the park is on the right track. No pun intended.

Heres what the cars look like http://www.lakecompounce.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=13891#13891 They are putting up the sign this weekend.

Where in the park is this new attraction being built?

It sounds like a great addition to the park. I feel a car ride is the type of ride every park needs because it's something everyone in the family can ride because it has so few health restrictions (if any at all).

I've heard somewhere near the Boomerang.

http://www2.rowan.edu/earth/denton/mdl/2000/newenglandcoasters/lc/ne-lc-zoomerang_pov.jpg

This isn't the best pic or anything but it gives you an idea of potential areas they could be looking at.

http://www.rcdb.com/ig432.htm?picture=5

If it is indeed being placed in this general area it seems like the area in the foreground here near the road would be a great place for some of the ride.

I just hope the ride is nice and scenic! *** Edited 5/19/2006 2:42:45 AM UTC by matt.***

Thanks ;)

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YoshiFan said:
It sounds like a great addition to the park. I feel a car ride is the type of ride every park needs because it's something everyone in the family can ride because it has so few health restrictions (if any at all).

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Well PKI don't feel the need for a good family ride like that or scooters.

Must be me.
Chuck

I see a refurbished Swing-a-Round possibly heading to Lake Compounce in the not too distant future!

Charles,

GET OVER IT. You don't need to bring this up every time someone mentions a park is adding family attractions.

I could see the possibility of adding a Swing Around to the Lake. This ride would come from Kennywood where it was removed this year for refurbishment. It has the advantage that is it is family friendly while being a bit of a thrill ride at the same time. It is the kind of ride that is ideal for parks like Lake Compounce.

I agree that part of the plan for the park should be to add several flat rides with a proper balance between family rides and thrill rides. The Swing Around would certainly fit this plan.

If Compounce steals my Swing Around I will be forever bitter ...

I thought that the Swing Around was already removed from Kennywood?

Yes, the Swing Around is gone, as is the Garden Stage that it sat on top of.

Wow, that area must look pretty weird now. What are they putting there?

They have a high dive show there now with temporary bleachers.

The Lake has been approved for an expansion, the road is going to be pushed back 300ft. A major waterpark expansion is in the plans. I beleave the road work begins in 2007. Jerry Brick park GM said they will continue to add both thrill rides and family rides. They just removed the old Norton house that was behind Zoomerang about 2 months ago to expand the maintenance area. LC had to go thru alot of red tape because the house was a historical landmark.

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PhantomTails said:
Charles,

GET OVER IT. You don't need to bring this up every time someone mentions a park is adding family attractions.

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Come on dude, I feel the same as Chuck. Let people say things they want to say. It's not hurting you at all to read his posts. If you don't like, don't read it. Antiques and Flying Eagles forever!

Regarding the near-term plans for LC, there are two contract related matters that could affect the park. First, there is the issue of the lease on the antique trolley that is reaching the end of its term soon. Second, there is the special Pepsi contract which is coming to an end after this season.

Regarding the trolley, the park has three options. It can renew the 10 year lease for $500,000. Second, it can have a new trolley built or acquire and refurbish an old trolley. Third, it can eliminate the ride. I would hope that the park finds a way to keep operating a trolley. LC is well known for its transport rides and as the park grows, these rides can make it more pleasant to move around the park. In addition, this ride brings back the memory of bygone days when trolleys and amusement parks were closely connected with each other.

Regarding Pepsi, I expect some form of contract to be worked out. Kennywood entertainment serves Pepsi products at all of its parks and with Six Flags serving Coke, Pepsi stands to benefit in exposure by remaining part of the Lake. As for the free drinks policy, it would be a good idea to keep this. The main cost of this is not the cost of drinks but the lost revenue from drink sales. Some of this is recovered in additional food sales or other spending and some of this must be recovered in the admission price. Overall, however, this policy, even with higher admission charges is a good value for most visitors, especially families. Given Six Flags outrageous drink prices, it is an even better value that could draw more visitors, especially families, away from the Flags as LC grows.

The new cars going into Lake Compounce look a lot like the cars that used to be on the Turnpike at Kennywood. Im not old enough to remember those cars, and I dont think I was even born when they were removed, but I've seen them on Kennywood Memories.

Is it possible that Kennywood has had those old cars in storage for 20-30 years?