On the road with Tour Guide Jack: With
the Canadian dollar agonizingly low, we shelved plans to spend the Victoria long
weekend in Orlando, in favour of Darien Lake Theme Park Resort, New York. What a great decision! A relatively short
jaunt over the border, Darien Lake is approximately 2 ½ hours from the Toronto
area, about halfway between Buffalo and Rochester. With three teens in tow, my
girlfriend and I crossed the border at Fort Erie, bypassing Darien Lake to stock
up on groceries in Batavia. Tolls cost us $1.55 on the way down – but change is
provided, if you find yourself with large bills. If you’re from Ontario,
shopping in the USA is always an adventure; groceries, wine and Reeses
Chocolate Peanut Butter spread all in one easy pit stop! We backtracked along
regional road #5 and inside of 15 minutes we were checking in at the campground
gates. Darien Lake offers rental cabins, RVs, “glamping” and a hotel, all
within an easy walk of rollercoasters, kiddie rides and a ten acre waterpark.
Packages range from $200-400 a night and all include park admission.
We had reserved an RV, which provided us with a fridge, stovetop, microwave, bathroom, and sleeping accommodations for 6. Darien Lake provides the site – you provide the linens, pots and dishes. While we came with food, a large and reasonably priced store is on site, selling everything you might have forgotten, as well as a large selection of beer, and Mikes Hard Lemonade in Koolaid Jammer-like pouches! Yes – portable, pouches which you can drink inside the park!! (Remember, we have three teens in tow; the adults will require liquid refreshment!)
Of course the kids came for the rides, and ride they did. Victoria weekend saw an abundance of Canadians, relatively short lines, and an open waterpark. On par with Canada’s Wonderland, Darien Lake has acquired two new rides this season – Rolling Thunder, a 360 degree coaster loop and Brain Drain, a water slide that drops you through a trapdoor to freefall into a three hundred foot slide. Those teens that laughed in the face of Rolling Thunder practically peed themselves in Brain Drain. Not for the faint of heart, or the forty year olds. I can assure you, we watched from a safe distance.
There’s tons to do for the small fry, both wet and dry, as well as go
carts, batting cages and a rock wall for additional charges. Come evening, we
all gathered around the campfire. Each campsite has its own fire pit, and wood
is available for purchase at the general store for around $7. On nights that
the park is open until 10pm, Darien Lake hosts, “Ignite the Night”, a laser and
fireworks show complete with music and pyrotechnics. We liked it so much, we
went twice.
Ten Tips for Darien Lake
1.From the Canadian border, Peace Bride crossing, take I-90 East towards Albany. Stay on I-90 East to exit 48A (Pembroke/Medina). Take a right onto Route 77 South off the exit. The them park is located six miles south on the left. Or continue to next exit and shop at TOPS in Batavia. Return via Main Street (#5) or Genesee Street (#33), west to #77 (15 minutes).
2. After 48 hours or more Canadians may bring back goods duty-free valued at up to $800. Witinin this amount, you can bring back 1.5litres of wine, a total of 1.14 litres of alcoholic beverages OR a maximum of 8.5 litres of beer or ale.
3. Bring a flashlight. It's a dark walk back to your campsite at night.
4. Even if you do not splurge on a site that includes WIFI, it is pretty easy to bring in a signal standing anywhere near a deluxe cabin. That includes near the camp office and by the shower building adjacent to the RVs in "Ontario Place".
5. You must be 21 years of age or older to check into Darien Lake. As well, you must be at least 21 years of age to purchase alcohol. You will be carded. It was the highlight of my trip!
6. A wide variety of bathing suits and other water paraphernalia can be purchases adjacent to the water park. Prices are reasonable. Life jackets are available free of charge.
7. Lockers are expensive. Try to leave what you can in your rental unit.
8. Darien Lake permits small coolers containing drinks into the amusement are. Remember though, you are only a short walk fro your rental unit and can easily return for lunch.
9. Bring bottled water. Although safe to drink, the water has both a rather unpleasant taste and smell.
10. Check out their informative and user friendly website: www.darienlake.com Have fun!
We had reserved an RV, which provided us with a fridge, stovetop, microwave, bathroom, and sleeping accommodations for 6. Darien Lake provides the site – you provide the linens, pots and dishes. While we came with food, a large and reasonably priced store is on site, selling everything you might have forgotten, as well as a large selection of beer, and Mikes Hard Lemonade in Koolaid Jammer-like pouches! Yes – portable, pouches which you can drink inside the park!! (Remember, we have three teens in tow; the adults will require liquid refreshment!)
Of course the kids came for the rides, and ride they did. Victoria weekend saw an abundance of Canadians, relatively short lines, and an open waterpark. On par with Canada’s Wonderland, Darien Lake has acquired two new rides this season – Rolling Thunder, a 360 degree coaster loop and Brain Drain, a water slide that drops you through a trapdoor to freefall into a three hundred foot slide. Those teens that laughed in the face of Rolling Thunder practically peed themselves in Brain Drain. Not for the faint of heart, or the forty year olds. I can assure you, we watched from a safe distance.
There’s tons to do for the small fry, both wet and dry, as well as go
carts, batting cages and a rock wall for additional charges. Come evening, we
all gathered around the campfire. Each campsite has its own fire pit, and wood
is available for purchase at the general store for around $7. On nights that
the park is open until 10pm, Darien Lake hosts, “Ignite the Night”, a laser and
fireworks show complete with music and pyrotechnics. We liked it so much, we
went twice.Ten Tips for Darien Lake
1.From the Canadian border, Peace Bride crossing, take I-90 East towards Albany. Stay on I-90 East to exit 48A (Pembroke/Medina). Take a right onto Route 77 South off the exit. The them park is located six miles south on the left. Or continue to next exit and shop at TOPS in Batavia. Return via Main Street (#5) or Genesee Street (#33), west to #77 (15 minutes).
2. After 48 hours or more Canadians may bring back goods duty-free valued at up to $800. Witinin this amount, you can bring back 1.5litres of wine, a total of 1.14 litres of alcoholic beverages OR a maximum of 8.5 litres of beer or ale.
3. Bring a flashlight. It's a dark walk back to your campsite at night.
4. Even if you do not splurge on a site that includes WIFI, it is pretty easy to bring in a signal standing anywhere near a deluxe cabin. That includes near the camp office and by the shower building adjacent to the RVs in "Ontario Place".
5. You must be 21 years of age or older to check into Darien Lake. As well, you must be at least 21 years of age to purchase alcohol. You will be carded. It was the highlight of my trip!
6. A wide variety of bathing suits and other water paraphernalia can be purchases adjacent to the water park. Prices are reasonable. Life jackets are available free of charge.
7. Lockers are expensive. Try to leave what you can in your rental unit.
8. Darien Lake permits small coolers containing drinks into the amusement are. Remember though, you are only a short walk fro your rental unit and can easily return for lunch.
9. Bring bottled water. Although safe to drink, the water has both a rather unpleasant taste and smell.
10. Check out their informative and user friendly website: www.darienlake.com Have fun!
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