Darien Lake June 2017

Weekend of June 9-10, 2017 we ventured stateside for some fun in the sun at Darien Lake. With some extended family meeting us there, it would be a family party as well as a getaway.

With our second trip in our camper and another trial run before our Cross Canada trip later in the year, a weekend away at Darien Lake would allow us to finalize camper organization and fiddle with last minute things.

Campground

Camping sites were plentiful at Darien Lake and many people take advantage of the many other lodging options: hotel, cabin, cottage, RV-rental and glamping sites. Set up in the wooded area, our sites were close together but that suited us as we were travelling with the groups on either side of our site.  The shade provided by the trees was a nice reprieve from the sun and heat.  Washrooms were a short minute walk from the site and being able to cut through the site across the road from us helped make it a short distance which helps when you have little ones. We were on sites 850 – 852. The walk to the amusement park was about 10 minutes which made it convenient to get to the park in the morning and on the way home after a long day.

Rides

The park itself has a nice compact layout.  It’s not too large that you feel like you’re walking for long distances and lots of varied rides to amuse the young, old, adventurous thrill rider and those of us with less of a threshold for insanity.

The kids enjoyed bumper cars, roller coasters, Pirate ship, carousel, the bees (Hornet’s Nest) and the usual favorite: Moose on the Loose. This last ride is for any age and involves a trip accompanied by a moose who narrates you along a journey through his neck of the woods to meet his friends. For some reason, this gentle journey remains a favorite of young and old.  There was the kiddie zone area which catered to the kids too short for regular rides. My daughter had a field day on submarines, monster trucks and lady bugs!

Those looking for thrill rides also had a chance to lose their lunch while riding the Viper, Boomerang, swings, Motocoaster amongst many others.

Waterpark

Our second and last day started at the waterpark. With temperatures hovering the high 20’s the waterpark was a nice way to cool off. The water in the play area and rides was frigid! But this didn’t seem to bother the many, many many people waiting in lines to enjoy the slides. A wait for individual slides ran about an hour or more, so needless to say more time was spent in the play area than attempting the slides. Luckily the other way to cool off, was the many, many, many… slushies. Buying the reusable seasons cup allowed unlimited supply of slushies and slush combinations that kept young and old cooled off.

Entertainment

Every evening the park put on a show and seems like it’s their way to clear the park.  As the show approaches the rides slowly shut down and you are subtly herded to the outdoor amphitheatre area for a laser, light and pyrotechnic show.  A highlight of our kid’s trip for sure. Every night we were there our kids stayed up in anticipation for the show. The first night we stayed at the back of the amphitheatre like we always do and enjoyed the show from afar, but the second night we sat close to the front and definitely was a different experience. You felt the heat from the fireball blasts at the back of the amphitheatre but sitting upfront, you really double checked to see if your eyebrows were still there. And the light show over the water could be seen.