Local theme park needs improvements

LANCASTER- One of the best things about growing up in Alden is that my home was only 20 minutes away from Darien Lake Theme Park. I spent many summer days there with my family and friends and even worked there for two years when I was in my teens.

I had many wonderful Darien Lake memories and that is why it is so disappointing to say that the park has definitely gone downhill over the years. I had the pleasure of going to the park with my friend and her mother last Saturday and if it wasn’t for the free tickets, I think we would have been right at Guest Services complaining about most of the rides being down and the maintenance of the park.

The rides were not down because of safety issues, but because there wasn’t any workers to operate the rides, according to one of the workers. I can understand that because a lot of youths are going back to school, but when I see managers walking around and standing around talking to each other, it is just such a disappointment that they can’t operate a ride.

I was surprised that all the roller coasters were open, but the smaller rides like the Sleigh Ride and Corn Popper, were not running. All the rides that my friend’s mom only likes to go on.

My problem is that adults pay $40 a ticket. All the rides should be open or the park should charge half price. It is not fair, and honestly Darien Lake has become just a joke to me. I don’t care if two rides or one ride is down, when you pay money to get into somewhere and you can’t use the services, it is not right.

It is like going to the movies and only watching half a movie. Wouldn’t you expect your money back?

The buildings are rundown, in need of a fresh coat of paint, and what was even more bothersome was the entrance way to the Viper. At one point in time, it was maintained and looked great. Now, the grass and weeds are overgrown, the vending machines, which were once operational are gone and the area is boarded up. It looked so unpleasant. I felt disgusting walking through the area. It just seems like no one cares.

I forgot to mention that there were five employees working the Viper checking seatbelts? I just didn’t understand that.

The only plus to the park is the kid rides that were added to the park this year and while I don’t have kids, I could see the enjoyment many families were having with the new additions.

In my honest opinion, I don’t think Darien Lake is going to be around much longer unless they clean up the park and add some new adult rides, because there is nothing currently there that makes me want to go back.