There's still time to make a splash at Darien Lake
by HANK HUBER

Six Flags Darien Lake has come a long way since opening in 1977 as Darien Lake Fun Country.

The biggest attractions 29 years ago were the paddle boats and the chairs that swung on chains like an Olympic-sized maypole.

Now, during the nationally represented Six Flags theme parks' 45th anniversary, Darien Lake boasts more than 100 rides, shows and attractions, a free waterpark, daily parades and fireworks, a children's park and plenty of big-kid fun. And those willing to pay can even beat the lines.

New this year is the Big Kahuna water raft ride. Described as "an extreme tubing experience," guests board a four-person raft 75 feet in the sky and spiral through more than 700 feet of triple dips and twisting turns. The alternately open and enclosed track ends gently in a splash pool.

The Tornado, last year's water addition, is no slouch either with its 60-foot bright blue and yellow checkerboard funnel. Riders take a four-person, cloverleaf-shaped raft 75 feet up and drop down a 132-foot-long tunnel, spinning back and forth into the vortex before splashing through a waterfall.

For thrill-seekers, the park offers five world-class coasters, including Superman Ride of Steel, one of the tallest and fastest coasters in the Northeast at 208 feet. Riders travel more than a mile of track in less than three and a half minutes, reaching speeds of 72 mph and experiencing seven seconds of weightlessness on the first hill alone. This is truly the fastest roller coaster I've ever ridden, and the only one that ever made me feel a moment of fear (see weightlessness).

I visited Darien Lake last Sunday, and found the lines to be very tolerable. With the exception of 40-minute waits for the big water attractions, no ride had more than a 10-minute wait for most of the day. My brother went back on Monday, and said the lines were much longer for some reason.

But, like many things, there is a trick to beating the system. New this year is a little pass called The Flash Pass. Available to purchase for $15 before 2 p.m. at Guest Services, it allows sanctioned front-of-the-line cutting at any five of nine major rides. All a pass holder does is walk up the exit ramp of the desired ride and flash the pass, and the operator will let that person on the next ride - even if the line is two hours long. Flash-friendly rides include all five roller coasters, three water rides and the Giant Wheel, the second-largest Ferris wheel in America.

If it's worth it to you to spend $3 each time to jump in front of five lines, this may be for you. The Flash Pass can only be used once per ride, so choose carefully.

Six Flags Darien Lake is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Sept. 4, and during slightly limited hours on weekends in September. Adult admission is $34.99 at the gate, or $29.99 if purchased online. Children's admission is $24.99.

And for the nostalgic, yes, the paddle boats and swinging chairs are still there.

Call (585) 599-4641 or visit www.sixflags.com/parks/darienlake for more information.