The nation's oldest amusement park and Connecticut's largest water park--Lake Compounce--is located in Bristol in the southwest corner of Hartford County, Connecticut, and for 2009, visitors will find extra enticements to visit the park including three new rides, a Slush Factory, new shows and more. According to Lake Compounce General Manager Jerry Brick, "Our guests like to know we are committed to improving the park year after year, and this year is no exception. We expect they'll be pleased," he says.
Since 1997, when Kennywood Entertainment Company took over the management of Lake Compounce, more than $40 million has been invested in renovations and enhancements to the historic, 325-acre theme park. In December of 2007, Kennywood surprised park enthusiasts when it announced it would sell off all of its properties--including Lake Compounce, which is now owned and operated by Palace Entertainment.
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, 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. Last year, Boulder Dash was partially re-tracked to provide a smoother riding experience, and a new twist was added for extra thrills.
In 2009, three new rides will debut: The Jolly Jester is a pirate ship Kiddieland ride; WipeOut is a topsy-turvy spinning ride located near the Bumper Cars; and Tunnel Twisters is the water park's latest addition featuring a tower with three exciting water slides. Lake Compounce is already home to Connecticut's largest water park, but a seven-acre water park expansion may open as early as 2010.
Also new for 2009, Lake Compounce has redesigned restrooms, more lockers and a new point of purchase system in shops and restaurants designed to accept credit cards and provide faster service.
The big new show for 2009 will be RockNation! featuring cutting edge video technology and great rock anthems. Also new this year: Knights of Recycling, Danny and the Parkside Dinettes and Dress up n' Dance. 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 2009.
Lake Compounce will also offer expanded dining selections in 2009 including Philly Cheese Steaks, which will be available in the Market Place in front of Thunder n Lightning. At the all-new Slush Factory, thirsty riders can mix and match colors and flavors to create their own frozen drinks.
Look for four new games at the park this year: Blockbuster, Boulder Darts, Goblet Toss and Mini Hoops.
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 2009.
Lake Compounce opens for its 163rd season on Saturday, May 9, and daily operation begins June 10. After August 30, 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 2009 is $34.99 for adults (save $3 by purchasing Lake Compounce discount tickets online), $25.99 for "Juniors" under 52" tall and $17.99 for seniors over 60 years of age. Enter the park after 5 p.m., and admission is $17.99. Children three and under are admitted free. Admission includes all rides and attractions. Parking is $6 per vehicle, or buy a 10-pass parking book for $25.
Lake Compounce offers a $79.95 Season Pass that entitles the bearer to unlimited visits. Save $10 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.
Need a place to stay near Lake Compounce? Compare rates at Bristol, Connecticut, hotels with kayak.com.
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 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.
More Lake Compounce Links:
Lake Compounce Photo Album – Take a virtual photo tour of Lake Compounce.
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?
