Since 1997, when Kennywood Entertainment Company took over the management of Lake Compounce, millions of dollars have been invested in renovations and enhancements to the historic, 325-acre theme park. In December of last year, Kennywood surprised park enthusiasts when it announced it would sell of all of its properties--including Lake Compounce--to Parques Reunidos, based in Madrid, Spain, but that sale has not yet been completed.
In recent years, more than 25 new rides and attractions have been added including the Zoomerang steel roller coaster; a Sky Ride that takes visitors on a scenic trip to the top of Compounce Mountain; Mammoth Falls, a 551-foot long flume ride; and the $6 million Boulder Dash (watch a video), the world's first roller coaster built into a mountainside and the longest, fastest wooden roller coaster on the East Coast. Boulder Dash is nearly a mile long and achieves speeds of 60 miles per hour. The thrill ride lasts about 2-1/2 minutes. In preparation for the 2008 season, Boulder Dash has been partially re-tracked to provide a smoother riding experience, and a new twist to the track has been added for extra thrills.
Other ride upgrades completed for 2008 include the repainting of the Zoomerang's cars with metallic "magic" paint, which creates a prism of color as cars speed along the track, and the replacement of the Ghost Hunt's two-seater cars with four-seater cars, which should substantially reduce wait times for this popular, interactive dark ride. New Ghost Hunt sound effects and lighting have also been added.
Also new for 2008, Lake Compounce has established nine designated areas for smoking. Smoking will be restricted to these areas only.
The big new show for 2008 will be a live spectacle featuring classic to contemporary television theme songs. Cirque En Vol, a troupe of urban acrobats who dance, fly and twist through the air, debuted in 2006 and will return to the park in 2008. The Circus World stage will host two shows: Garfield's Dance Party and Swingin' Safari.
According to Lake Compounce General Manager Jerry Brick, "architectural drawings will be on display this summer" of the park's proposed water park expansion. "We are building on our tradition of being the greatest one-day getaway, as we continue to welcome families to Lake Compounce from throughout Connecticut, New York's five boroughs, upstate New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts," he says.
Lake Compounce is also known for its classic family amusements, including an antique carousel, a giant ferris wheel, a vintage trolley and more.
In 2002, Lake Compounce introduced free unlimited Pepsi soda products at soda stations throughout the park, and that program continues in 2008.
Lake Compounce opens for its 162nd season on Saturday, May 10, and daily operation begins June 11. After Labor Day, September 1, the park operates on an abbreviated schedule through Halloween. A complete day-by-day operating schedule is available at the Lake Compounce Web site.
Admission to Lake Compounce for 2008 is $33.95 for adults, $24.95 for "Juniors" under 52" tall and $17.95 for seniors over 60 years of age. Enter the park after 5 p.m., and admission is $17.95. Children three and under are admitted free. Admission includes all rides and attractions. Parking is $5 per vehicle, or buy a 10-pass parking book for $25.
Lake Compounce offers a $74.95 Season Pass that entitles the bearer to unlimited visits. Save $5 on a season pass by ordering early. Order your season pass online or by mail.
Lake Compounce is located just off I-84 at exit 31. Directions are available online, and so is a park map. For more information about the park, call 860-583-3300.
If you live in the Hartford area and are looking for a summer job, Lake Compounce offers a variety of full- and part-time employment opportunities. Download, print out and complete the online application form, which must be presented in person at the Lake Compounce office between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
More Lake Compounce Links:
Lake Compounce Photo Album – Take a virtual photo tour of Lake Compounce.
The Best Rides at Lake Compounce – A quick guide to the park's coolest rides.
Lake Compounce: Nostalgia & Thrills – A park overview and the scoop on Lake Compounce's best thrills from About.com Theme Parks Guide Arthur Levine.
Lake Compounce News & Rumors - Lake Compounce enthusiasts will want to check out the rumors posted at Screamscape. Will there be a new coaster soon?
