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.
In 2012, Lake Compounce will debut one new waterpark ride: Riptide Racer is scheduled to make its debut Memorial Day Weekend. This colorful four-lane, high-speed water slide, built at a cost of $2 million, starts off with a dramatic drop, then plunges racers into dark, enclosed tubes that twist and weave toward the final plunge to the finish line.
"We are looking forward to this element of our multi-million dollar expansion project for our Splash Harbor water park, as it is one of our most popular features on hot summer days," Lake Compounce General Manager Jerry Brick said in a release. "Riptide Racer is a high-capacity ride that will help us better accommodate the growing number of guests that we entertain annually," he added.
Park visitors can also catch a new show in 2012: Funky Fairytales Starring Little Red Riding Hood is a new musical puppet show with all-ages appeal.
Lake Compounce is known for additional classic family amusements, including a giant ferris wheel, a vintage trolley, bumper cars, the Ghost Hunt dark ride and more.
In 2002, Lake Compounce introduced free unlimited Pepsi soda products at soda stations throughout the park, and that program continues in 2012.
Lake Compounce opens for its 167th season on Saturday, May 12, 2012, and daily operation begins June 16. After August 26, the park operates on an abbreviated schedule through October 28. A complete day-by-day operating schedule for 2012 is available at the Lake Compounce Web site.
Admission to Lake Compounce for 2012 is $36.99 for adults (save by purchasing Lake Compounce discount tickets online for May Preview Days), $26.99 for "Juniors" under 52" tall and $18.99 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 $8 per vehicle, or buy a 2011 season parking pass for $33.
Lake Compounce offers a Season Pass that entitles the bearer to unlimited visits, plus a 10 percent savings on all food and retail purchases, early water park admission on select dates, bring-a-buddy deals and access to a season pass holders only evening on June 8. Order your season pass online.
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 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?
