Four members of the Coaster101 team recently converged on Niagara Falls, Canada before we visited Six Flags Darien Lake and Canada’s Wonderland (more on those parks soon). Instead of flying from Ohio, I decided to drive specifically so I could make a stop at one of our favorite small parks: Waldameer.
We’ve written a surprising amount for a small amusement park that is at least a 3.5 hour drive for the nearest C101 writer. Andrew covered the park in the Small Park Showcase series, Kyle got a behind the scenes tour, we even interviewed the general manager in 2008. I didn’t want to rehash what’s already been said, so instead I’ll give a quick run down of my visit.
I wasn’t planning on it but my first ride at the park ended up being Ravine Flyer III. I hadn’t gotten the coaster credit before despite two other visits to the park and didn’t want to ride a kiddie coaster by myself. However, when I walked by the coaster right as it was opening for the day there were several other adult coaster enthusiasts in line so I decided to blend in with them. Happy I got the credit and I didn’t have to awkwardly ride with a bunch of kids.
Next was another new to me credit, an SBF-Visa Group Spinning Coaster. This ended up being my 250 roller coaster and it ended up being a memorable ride because I was the only person on it! Yes, my 250th coaster was a zen ride on an SBF-Visa.
With the addition of Whirlwind in 2020, Waldameer now boasts five roller coasters! That’s not bad for a park of this size. I didn’t ride it this time, but I love how the Comet wooden roller coaster has giant trees growing right in the middle of it.
Waldameer’s largest steel coaster is Steel Dragon, a fifty-foot tall Maurer Rides spinning coaster opened in 2004.
I didn’t ride it this time but on your first visit to Waldameer the Whacky Shack should not be missed. It’s a classic haunted house style dark ride by Bill Tracey opened in 1970 with a lot of good gags.
The crown jewel of Waldameer is still Ravine Flyer II, a Gravity Group wooden coaster opened in 2008. I rode in the back and immediately paid $5.50 again to ride in the front. Well worth the money! Ravine Flyer II in the front seat is incredible! One of the best views from the top of the lift hill from any coaster in the United States too. The name “Waldameer” can be translated literally as “Woods by the Sea” in German and you can see how it gets its name.
As you can see in the below photo, a large portion of Ravine Flyer II has been re-tracked with fresh wood and as a result was running like a dream.
It’s very impressive how the Gravity Group managed to fit such a large, sprawling ride onto a cramped site with the unique challenges of the terrain and a four-lane road.
Ravine Flyer II POV
Quick Waldameer Video Tour
To get a quick feel for Waldameer and what the amusement park has to offer watch our quick overview video below. I was at Waldameer for about an hour and in that time rode four rides but spent the most time just walking around enjoying the sites and taking video.
Waldameer is a perfect place to make a quick stop on a road trip thanks to still being one of the only free entry parks in the country. That’s right, if you don’t want to ride anything you can still walk around the park. You can pay-per-ride as I did or buy an unlimited ride wristband. The value for my money was much better at Waldameer than when I visited House of Frankenstein later in the day to ride the “Burger King Coaster.” Overall, I had a short but fun time at Waldameer.
Have you ever been to Waldameer? What’s your favorite part? Let us know in the comments below!
Not a free park fake reporting
Right on the website: “Waldameer proudly offers FREE Parking, FREE Admission into the amusement park.” You can walk in for free. Of course, you still have to pay per ride or buy a wrist band, which is a given.