Six Flags Hurricane Harbor (Darien Lake)

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
Interactive map of Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
LocationSix Flags Darien Lake, Darien, New York, United States
OwnerEPR Properties
Operated bySix Flags
OpenedMay 1990
Previous namesBarracuda Bay (1990–2009)
Splashtown at Darien Lake (2010-2021)
Operating seasonMay through September
StatusOperating
WebsiteOfficial website

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Darien Lake is a water park located at Six Flags Darien Lake in Darien Center, New York. It opened in May of 1990 as Barracuda Bay, and is included with the price of admission to the amusement park. Both the amusement park and the water park are operated by Six Flags. The park was known as Splashtown at Darien Lake from 2010 to 2021.

History

When the water park first opened as Barracuda Bay, it encompassed areas formerly included in the dry park. In 2010, three years after the park had been sold out of the Six Flags chain, the water park was rebranded to Splashtown at Darien Lake. A separate admission was now required to enter the water park, and a new slide complex and lazy river were installed. The park later reverted to the original policy of one admission price granting access to both the amusement park and the water park.

On August 29, 2019, the park, which had just been purchased once again by Six Flags, announced that Splashtown would be rebranded to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor for the 2020 season onwards, and that the water park would see an expansion.[1][2] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the park did not operate in 2020.[3] It resumed operations in 2021.

Current attractions

Name Type Opened Description Ref(s)
Big Kahuna ProSlide Technology (MAMMOTH) 2006 A family water slide that was originally located at Six Flags AstroWorld
Brain Drain ProSlide Technology (SkyBox) 2015 Two 70-foot-high drop slides that send riders on a 38-foot-per-second free-fall [4]
Crocodile Isle Wave pool 1997 A large wave pool that operates on the former site of Adventure Land for Kids
Flotation Station Lazy river 2010 A lazy river south of the Swirl City complex
Hook's Lagoon Water playground 1996 Five-story tall children's water playground with slides and a tipping bucket
RipCurl Racer ProSlide Technology (Kracken Racer) 2016 A six-lane racing slide that replaced the former water park entrance [5][6]
Swirl City Slide Complex ProSlide Technology 2010 Consists of three slides: Cannon Ball Run (CannonBOWL), Mister Twister (TOPSY-TURVY), and Turbo Twins (PIPEline)
Tornado ProSlide Technology

(Tornado)

2005 Tube slide that features a large funnel
Wahoo Wave ProSlide Technology (TornadoWAVE) 2022 60-foot-tall tube slide that features a 30-foot wave wall

Former attractions

Name Type Opened Closed Description
Cascade Canyon Mat slides 1982 2002 A set of four mat slides, located on the east side of Barracuda Bay. It was located where the Shipwreck Falls shoot-the-chutes ride now stands. This was installed before an official water park was introduced at the park.
'Cuda Falls Water slides 1994 2014 Four inner tube water slides (two enclosed, two open)
Floodgate Falls Water slide 1981 2008 Lazy river slide. It last operated in 2008 and has remained standing but not operating ever since. This was installed before an official water park was introduced at the park.
Hydro Force Mat water slides 1977 1989 The original water slides and the first slides at Darien Lake. Once located over the main lake. These were installed before an official water park was introduced at the park.
Torpedo Rapids Mat water slides 1990 1998 This replaced Hydro Force and operated through the 1998 season
Lazy Days Lagoon Mini wave pool 2010 Unknown A small wave pool connected to Flotation Station
Pipeline Plunge Water slide 1990 Unknown An enclosed water slide
Rainbow Mountain Mat water slides 1981 1994 Four mat slides on the north side of the hill that was incorporated into Barracuda Bay in 1990. Replaced by 'Cuda Falls in 1994.
Riptide Run Water slide 1990 Unknown A raft water slide
Tadpole Island Wading pool 1991 1996 Small children's water playground in an area called Adventure Land for Kids. Replaced by Hook's Lagoon in 1996.

References

  1. ^ ""Tallest Waterslide Around" to Soon Call Western New York Home". September 4, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  2. ^ "Darien Lake adding "Wahoo Wave" in 2020". August 29, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  3. ^ "Six Flags Darien Lake delays opening due to COVID-19 pandemic". May 5, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  4. ^ Christmann, Samantha (February 12, 2015). "Darien Lake doubling down on thrills". The Buffalo News. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  5. ^ Anstey, Evan (February 11, 2016). "Darien Lake to add new ride to water park". WIVB-TV. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  6. ^ Heer, Jim; Radford, Keith (February 11, 2016). "New waterslide coming to Darien Lake". WKBW-TV. Retrieved February 11, 2016.

42°55′43″N 78°23′06″W / 42.92851°N 78.38488°W / 42.92851; -78.38488