Waldameer Goes Cashless!

It's been a long time since a Waldameer update. So many things have happened in the few short months following Labor Day Weekend. Most of the park has been prepared for another Erie winter by covering up and tearing down signs, rides, tables and benches. But don't think Waldameer packs up and quits for the winter! Plenty of things are happening at the park to make it an even better place to visit in the summer!

The most drastic change that is happening for 2012 is the park is going cashless! That's right, cashless. But what does that really mean? How will our Guests pay for things?

Since 2010, Waldameer has been using its new bar-code system to operate the park. With this system, Waldameer was able to introduce its own type of money called Wally Points. These points can be put on a Wally Card and spent anywhere in the park. You can recharge your Wally Card, put any amount on it and use it for the rest of your life! Wally Cards have worked so well that for the 2012 season, Waldameer will only accept Wally Cards, Credit/Debit cards and Gift Cards to purchase items inside the park. The only place cash will still be accepted will be the Merry-Go-Round Ticket Booths, the Arcade and Wally Card Kiosks.

To make it easier to get a Wally Card, eight new self-serve Wally Card Kiosks are being installed throughout the park. These big, yellow stands allow Guests to purchase, reload and check balances on any Wally Card. With eight new kiosks, it will be eight times easier to get your very own Wally Card!

Stay tuned for more exciting winter news!

The Governor Comes to Town

Even though this past Thursday was muggy and wet, the attendees at the annual Erie Club picnic held at Waldameer were still able to enjoy themselves. One person in particular made a surprise appearance to the Erie Club picnic. Governor Tom Corbett was able to take time out of his schedule and stop by Waldameer to meet and greet and eat with the attendees. Of course we had to get a picture of the Governor during his visit to Waldameer. Luckily, Governor Corbett let Steve Gorman grab a quick photo with Wally Bear too! Thanks to the Erie Club and Governor Corbett for coming out to the park and having a great time!

Here, Here! The Grand Marshalls are Here!

A car fit for the Grand Marshalls!

Everyone knows that Waldmeer loves to celebrate summer holidays with great family fun and spectacular fireworks displays. But this year, Waldameer was honored by the Millrcreek Township to celebrate the Fourth of July a different way. The Waldameer family was asked to be the Grand Marshalls of the July Fourth Parade! Wally and Wendy were so excited! 

Wally and Wendy had a great time singing and tossing candy to everyone!

The parade was a blast with Wally and Wendy riding in the back of a truck as well as the Waldameer Showtime Theater Cast all tossing candy and waving to the throngs of smiling faces on either side of 12th Street.

The celebration went on for over an hour the morning of the Fourth and afterwards, all of the Waldameer staff had to get back to the park in order to open for the holiday! 

Wally, Wendy and Waldameer would like to thank Millcreek Township in letting us celebrate the United States Birthday with them!

Thanks to our 2011 Season Pass Holders!

Thanks for everyone who purchased a 2011 Season Pass this year! We hope you enjoy the summer fun at Waldameer! But even if you didn't get a chance to purchase a Season Pass this year, there are still great deals for you and your family to save on Waldameer's Combo Passes! Just visit waldameer.com to learn how you can save $3.00 by purchasing via our online store and also by bringing in Pepsi cans to our ticket booths!

Rain, Rain Delays the Boom, Boom

What great weather Erie has had for the past few days. The sun has been shining, the temperature has been warm and the rain only comes at night! Perfect weather for a trip to Waldameer. Unfortunately, a swift storm Sunday night put a damper on the fun late in the evening. It rained and rained and by the time it was over, it was too wet to celebrate with our free fireworks display by Zambelli.

Waldameer looks sad in the rain!

But that doesn't mean the holiday weekend was a bust! With the sun shining again today and no threat of rain, Waldameer plans to celebrate Memorial Day by shooting off their fireworks from the night before!

So put on your swim trunks, grab your friends and family and get ready to celebrate Memorial Day where family fun is number one!

Shack Zombie Gets a Face Lift

With Waldameer's opening weekends running smoothly, one of the park's most treasured rides had a few "glowing" touch ups to show off this weekend. The 41 year old Whacky Shack was painted with Wildfire paints to make some of its scenes pop under the black lights. Randy Skalos, a DAFE member and dark ride enthusiast, used his artistic talents and gave one of the Shack's zombies a face lift! The ghoul now looks even more scary!

Boo!

There are plenty more improvements in the Whacky Shack that are definitely worth seeing. But you'll just have to take a ride to see them!

They Rode It First!

Our WQLN "Ride it First" Event is underway and even the sun decided to show yesterday! Eager guests and riders came out to support our local public radio and TV station by paying a few dollars to be the first to ride the three new rides in the North End. All the proceeds are being donated to WQLN in support of their broadcasting.

With the sun shining, the North End showcases its wonderful colors.

Today, even with the chance of rain, riders are braving the weather and riding Waldameer's new rides. WQLN's even runs the rest of the day today until 6:00pm. The next chance the public will get the opportunity to ride will be on Waldameer's opening day of the season starting May 7th.