A Scary Birthday Celebration!

It was the Whacky Shack's 40th on Monday the 24th! To celebrate, DAFE, Darkride And Funhouse Enthusiasts, came out from all over the country on Saturday in commemoration of Bill Tracy's incredible design as well as Perry Duncan, the man who built and maintains the ride to this day. They kicked off their day with Extra Riding Time, ERT, and walkthrough tours of both Tracy Rides, the Pirate's Cove as well as the Whacky Shack. They enjoyed a "whacky" cake and presented Mr. Duncan as well as Waldameer with wonderful plaques to show their appreciation for everyone who keeps the Whacky Shack operating. Although the day was overcast and rainy, (very fitting weather for a darkride's 40th birthday) all who came to enjoy the festivities kept smiles on their faces the entire day. To top it all off, DAFE enjoyed ERT on the Ravine Flyer II! The enthusiasm for the ride was amazing and it seems it will not die down anytime soon. As long as the Whacky Shack reminds riders to "keep their arms and legs inside the ride" and threatens to take misbehaver's wristbands "with their arm still attached", DAFE and all other riders will continue to enjoy the mystery of Waldameer's Whacky Shack.

To Learn More About Bill Tracy and his creations, visit www.billtracy.net

To Learn More About DAFE, visit www.dafe.org

Countdown to New and Exciting Things for 2010

As the temperature creeps higher up the thermometer, the countdown until Waldameer's 2010 season has finally reached the two week mark. Just hold out for fourteen more days and you and your family can enjoy all the rides, slides, games and treats you can handle!
But that isn't all you should be waiting for. Three more new things are coming for the 2010 season that you should be excited for as well. They include:

1. A New Opening Time! - Once our season kicks off our regular hours of 1:00PM to 10:00PM, we thought you would enjoy a whole extra hour to enjoy some of our rides and attractions! Starting June 19th, half of Waldameer's rides will open at 12:00 NOON. That's 60 whole minutes more!

2. A New Night Rider Time! - Remember when you came to Waldameer at 6:00PM and thought, "Why doesn't Waldameer's Night Rider Discounted Ride Pass start now?" Well, now it does! We've rolled back the Night Rider time from 7:00PM to 6:00PM so you and you family can enjoy a whole extra hour of Waldameer fun!

3. Be a Kid Again! Senior Passes Now Available! - Now those of you 65 and older can feel just like a kid again! For only $16.95 you can ride and slide all day with our Discounted Senior Combo Pass. Now all you have to focus on is keeping up with the grand kids!

Planning for the Thrillingly Delicious Future

Planning ahead at Waldameer takes vision and a whole lot of smarts. Seeing into the future is a learned talent, not a gift. While we wish rides came in little packets full of seeds, we have to seriously think through countless issues before deciding on expansion. Once the future vision id thought through, it is hard not to see it in the mind's eye. While most of Waldameer's focus is on this coming season with all its new and exciting additions, we can't help but plan for the future.

While trenching and digging up asphalt for pipes to hold wires in order for the new turnstiles to read wristbands, we found ourselves planning ahead for the future. More pipes found their way into the freshly dug ground that are currently empty.

Strange you may think. But this is all for a reason. That reason being our future plans for the Merry-Go-Round shelter and the area in front of it. Sources may tell you that down the road, the Merry-Go-Round shelter will become a one-of-a-kind Food Court full of many different varieties of food! This past carousel building will house many different meal options and have plenty of seating for you and your family to enjoy.

But the future doesn't stop there... the area in front of the Merry-Go-Round shelter is said to be the home of a brand new thrill ride. Not much can be said about this new thriller but it will surely put your socks in a twist! So get excited, not only for this season but future seasons as well!

And They're Off! Season Passes are Flying Off the Shelves!

The time has come that many have been patiently waiting for... Waldameer's online store is open! After much hard work behind the scenes and screens, waldameer.com is selling everything from Wally Cards to Season Passes right from the comfort of your computer. Purchase Gift Cards and give them as the perfect summertime gift or buy All Day Combo Passes for the whole family with only a few clicks of the mouse. Purchasing your tickets online is the best way to save time waiting in line and save money too! So start clicking to have one of the first E-tickets offered by Waldameer!

Gearing up for Summer: Apply Now!

As the days grow longer and the lake ice recedes, Waldameer is also brushing off the cold to warm up for the summer season of 2010. Improvements are being made, rides are being put back up and Wally Bear is stretching for his musical shows. Lots of things need to happen for the upcoming season but one thing is for sure, Waldameer needs Team Members once again! Starting April 1st, Waldameer will be accepting applications for summer employment. Come into the park office between 9:00am and 5:00pm Monday through Friday or Saturday 9:00am to 3:00pm. You can fill out an application here in the office or fill one out in advance online by visiting our website. But remember, anyone who fills out an application needs to have a short interview in the office. So if you want to have loads of fun while making friends all summer long, apply to join the 2010 Waldameer Team!

Plans Finally Revealed for 2010 and Beyond

All your questions have finally been answered! In the Valentine's Sunday edition of the Erie Times News, Ed Palattella spilled the beans about Waldameer's plans for the 2010 season and beyond. Read all about the new cashless system from CORE Cashless Systems and the proposed plans for a flying carousel in 2011.

Article about cashless system for 2010:http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010302139877

Article about flying carousel for 2011:http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010302149891

FUNWORLD Spotlight

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Waldameer has made the cover story of IAPPA's FUNWORLD magazine!

Waldameer has an astounding history filled with stories of laughter, community and above all, family. In the article "Small Park, BIG IDEAS" written by Jim Futrell, that history is captured perfectly. The article takes the reader on a journey through the park's success due to its owner Paul Nelson. Focusing on the achievements and hardships that Mr. Nelson and Waldameer have overcome through the years, Waldameer's story is one of persistent success. If you would like to read the article in its entirety, visit the IAAPA website at http://www.iaapa.org/ and click on FUNWORLD magazine or click on the following link: http://www.iaapa.org/industry/funworld/2010/Feb/features/SmallPark/index.asp.

Waldameer would like to thank all the people that helped contribute to this article especially: Jim Futrell (NAPHA historian, IAAPA Hall of Fame and Archives Commitee member, IAAPA Oral History Project head and author of four amusement historical books), Norma Jean Hiller (Photographer), and IAAPA.