Lake Compounce is an amusement park located in Bristol, Connecticut, United States and a part of the neighboring town of Southington, Connecticut; the lake itself lies completely in Southington. It is the oldest continuously operating amusement park in North America, having operated every year since 1846. The park is now in its 162nd season, and covers 332 acres (1.3 km²) of land. The park also has a beach and a waterpark within the actual amusement park for no extra charge. The park is owned by Kennywood Entertainment Company, a subsidiary of Parques Reunidos, headquartered in Madrid, Spain.

Legend

The lake's name is derived from Chief John Compound, a Mattatuck/Tunxis Native American. On December 2, 1684, his wife and several tribal members affixed their waxed fingertip marks to a deed that conveyed the "Compound's Lake" to a group of white settlers, including John Norton, who had migrated to central Connecticut from Massachusetts, for pennies on the dollar and miscellaneous trinkets, including a large copper tea kettle. According to legend, when Compound learned he had been hoodwinked, he paddled into the lake and killed himself. Legend has it that when Chief Compound's blood seeped into the water of the lake, it and the land around it became cursed. Inhabitants of the lake properties claim that late at night they can still hear the splashing of water and the laughter of the tribespeople.

History

Early days

The park's roots trace back to 1846, when a descendant of John Norton, Gad Norton, hired a scientist to perform an experiment using explosives. Though the experiment failed, Norton noted that thousands of people had shown up for the event and was inspired to open a park. He put a path around the lake, set up picnic tables, allowed public swimming and rowing on the lake, built a gazebo for lakeside band concerts and built a few rides. Lake Compounce had officially opened to the public as a picturesque picnic park. The park prospered as a picnic park through the post-Civil War era.

In 1851 Isaac Pierce, a successful "California Gold Rush 49er," joined forces with Norton; the two established the firm of Pierce and Norton. In 1875 Norton and Pierce petitioned local legislators that their residences be "set off" from the town of Southington to the town of Bristol. A sheep roast was held in appreciation of those legislators and friends who helped secure the granting of that petition. In this quiet manner, the famed "Crocodile Club" was established and, in 2000, celebrated its 126th reunion.

After coming to The United States, Norton named the lake after a fellow trader, Chief Compound, who lived in the area. As legend states, Compound died in the lake, a possible reason for Norton naming the lake "Lake Compounce".The casino, the first permanent building on the property, was built in 1895 with a restaurant downstairs and a ballroom upstairs. A full-course dinner cost fifty cents. Public transportation also began that year as the Bristol and Plainville Tramway Company; later, the Southington and Compounce Line brought thousands of park-goers to Lake Compounce by trolley.

Around that time, Timothy Murphy of Savin Rock, Connecticut, began to assemble the carousel. Combining the works of four master carvers, Looff, Carmel, Stein and Goldstein, Lake Compounce purchased it for $10,000 and it opened to the public on Memorial Day, 1911. This carousel is now included in the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1914 the Green Dragon, Lake Compounce's first electric-powered roller coaster, opened to the public. It was torn down in 1926, and in 1927 was replaced by the Wildcat, a wooden classic designed by Schmeck and built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, which is still running to this day.

The 1930s brought more growth. The casino ballroom was expanded to include an enormous dance floor without walls, so that people could dance under the stars. Huge windowed walls and a high arched ceiling were added in 1937. On Easter Sunday, Glenn Gray and the Casa Loma Band opened the Starlight Ballroom to a full house of big-band enthusiasts. From Dorsey to Calloway, Basie to Kenton, James to Goodman, the ballroom was packed for each performance. The all-time attendance record of 5,000 was set in the spring of 1941, when Tommy Dorsey's reorganized band featured a young up and coming vocalist, Frank Sinatra.

In 1933, citing the effects of the Depression and the automobile, trolley service was discontinued to the park, which dealt it a difficult blow. Lake Compounce purchased a miniature steam railroad designed and built by Connecticut actor William Gillette, the original portrayer of Sherlock Holmes in silent films. The train made its inaugural run in 1944 when more than 100,000 passengers rode on more than 35 tons of 17 gauge steel track which completely encircled the lake.

Lake Compounce prospered during the 1940s and 50s as a unique picnic/amusement park. Local entertainers appeared as a weekly attraction on the Lake Front Stage and featured such talent as Tex Pavel, Colonel Clown, and Slim Cox and the Cowboy Caravan. In 1959, an 18-hole miniature golf course was added (later removed in 2004).

Changing hands

Through the next several decades, little changed until the late 1960s and 70s when the park's attendance numbers were dropping. Lake Compounce remained under the ownership of the Pierce and Norton Corporation until 1966, when Edward G. Pierce, Isaac's grandson, sold his interests to the Norton family. The Nortons continued to own and operate the park through 1985. During these years, the park made a modest profit and held its own. No major attractions had ever been added since the 1960s but some of the flat rides came and went over the years. The Nortons decided to retire and put their park up for sale in 1984. But they wanted to sell it to someone who would continue to keep it open and not to a real estate developer that would tear the park down and build either a shopping center, apartments, condos, or offices in its place. This had happened with many classic amusement parks over the decades and still happens today from time to time. In 1985, Lake Compounce was sold to Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company (HERCO), which owned and still owns the very successful Hersheypark in the Harrisburg, PA area. Initially, the park's future seemed promising.

But from 1986 through 1996, Lake Compounce experienced the "decade of the roller coaster." Financial troubles and empty promises from a string of four owners had severely tarnished the park's image. During this decade, Lake Compounce had a checkered history, including mountains of unpaid bills, a barrage of lawsuits and a string of unsuccessful turnaround attempts.

Back in 1985, HERCO had huge plans and immediately invested millions to renovate the park and unfortunately ran into trouble and delays. They did not manage to even open the park for the 1986 season until the first week of July, and even then it was nowhere near complete. The park then became known as "Hershey Lake Compounce." The formerly free admission park instituted admission fees and the park was still only partially renovated. Half the rides did not operate and the Wildcat roller coaster was nonfunctional more often than not. This led to disappointing attendance numbers. Before even completing further renovations, Hershey Corporation abruptly backed out in the winter of 1987 and put the park up for sale for next to nothing.

In the spring 1987, Joseph Entertainment Group (JEG) bought the park at a very low price and renamed it "Lake Compounce Festival Park". That season the rides were all repaired and ran and at the same time JEG constructed a 20,000 seat outdoor amphitheater. This was completed by the 1988 season and it hosted large acts, including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Stevie Nicks, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Cher, former Beatle Ringo Starr, UB40, The Allman Brothers, Funkmaster Flex, and Phil Collins . The park broke even for a couple years but was again operating in the red by 1990. An infamous moment occurred here during a 1989 MTV tour stop, in which the group Milli Vanilli was caught in the act of lip syncing.

It became apparent that JEG's focus was on concert promotion and the amusement park was neglected. By 1990, the Wildcat roller coaster was again nonoperational and only a few rides operated and the park focused mostly on concerts. In 1991, exposing the financial troubles of JEG, the company bounced a check to would be performers Guns N' Roses, who then refused to play. Later JEG was found to have been almost $1 million behind in taxes and had not refunded ticket-holders for 15 canceled concerts. JEG eventually filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The park closed for the season that Labor Day.

It seemed that the park might close forever, but in hopes of saving it, a group led by Steven Barbarino wanted the park to be able to continue its status as the oldest continuously operating amusement park in the United States. So it did not open in 1992 except for a few days over the Labor Day weekend minus most of the rides but with modest low budget entertainment. This also occurred in 1993 and 1994, while Mr. Barbarino continued to seek a buyer for the nearly defunct park. In 1994, the park opened for the July 4th weekend with no rides but a concert with a few regional bands as well as opening the beach for a couple days. After failing to find a buyer willing to keep the land as an amusement park, Mr. Barbarino's group eventually repurchased the park in the summer of 1994, and immediately sought a new group to manage the park. Several expressed interest, including Anheuser Busch, Lego, and Funtime Inc. In 1994, Funtime agreed to manage the park and began full-time operations again on Memorial Day weekend of 1995. By opening, it was able to get nearly all the rides back in operation, add a few waterslides, and reopen the beach and swimming area. The park turned a very modest profit by Labor Day, when it would close for the season.

Funtime, however, was bought out by Premier Parks, which had earlier purchased a competitor away called Riverside Park (now Six Flags New England). Premier Parks opted out of its contract with Lake Compounce to focus on Riverside Park, leaving Lake Compounce in peril once again. Shortly after, however, companies like Anheuser Busch, Cedar Fair, and Kennywood Entertainment approachedMr. Barbarino's group about an outright purchase.

Kennywood era

Early in 1996, an agreement was signed with current owner, Kennywood Entertainment, owners of Pittsburgh's historic Kennywood amusement park to purchase Lake Compounce. After many years of financial troubles and management issues, Kennywood devoted itself to creating a clean, family-oriented and family-themed amusement park. All the remaining rides were then either repaired or removed. The Wildcat roller coaster also was renovated and reopened. The park opened that Memorial Day weekend in 1996 with real success. Every year since, the park has enjoyed much success and many millions of dollars in renovations and improvements including more waterslides, a couple high capacity water rides, a looping roller coaster, and in 2000, the Boulder Dash, which received the 2004 Golden Ticket Award for the #1 rated Wooden Roller Coaster by "Amusement Today." In 2005, Boulder Dash took the #2 spot and in 2006 tied for 3rd in the Golden Ticket Awards for the best wooden roller coaster. Boulder Dash also was voted #1 Wooden Roller Coaster in the World by the National Amusement Park Historical Association. Over the last 10 years, Kennywood has invested nearly $70 million in rides and attractions.

Between 2001-2004, the park suffered from some bad publicity due to a series of accidents at the park. In 2001, a 5-year-old boy drowned after going down the "Lake Plunge Slide" [78281]. In 2004, a 5-year-old boy was killed after a limb from a dead tree fell on his head near the former mini-golf area. Two park employees have also died in accidents since 2001. A groundskeeper was trimming weeds under the Boulder Dash track during the park's regular morning ride testing. The coaster was on a test run, and due to the loudness of the weed trimmer, the man never heard the train coming, was partially decapitated, and died [78282]. In another incident, an employee jumped onto the Tornado ride as it was still moving after the ride cycle, and was dragged under the ride when his clothing got stuck [78283]. The ride was closed indefinitely at the request of the victim's family and was later replaced by Twister in 2000.

Beginning in 2002, Lake Compounce, began opening earlier in May on weekends. Until 2001, the park ended all operations on Labor Day. Also beginning in 2002, Lake Compounce began opening weekends between Labor Day and Halloween for holiday festivities. They also keep all their non-water rides open during this time.

For the 2004 season, Lake Compounce added the 185 ft (56.4 m) drop tower, Downtime. For the 2006 season, Lake Compounce added a brand new S&S Screamin' Swing ride called "Thunder 'N' Lightning." The multi-million dollar attraction, featuring two giant swing arms, holds 32 passengers who are catapulted to heights of almost at 60 miles per hour with four Gs of force.

Also in early 2006, there was a dispute between Lake Compounce and preservationists about the fate of Gad Norton's original 200-year-old farmhouse. The park knocked it down to make way for a maintenance and office building.

On November 1, 2006, the shooting of a portion of the film "Reservation Road" took place at Lake Compounce. The film was directed by Terry George and starred Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Connelly, Mira Sorvino and Elle Fanning.

park opened for the 2007 season on May 12, 2007, with several new rides, including a 1956 Corvette car ride, Zoomer's Gas N' Go. Children as young as two are able to ride this '50s themed attraction. Small-scale Corvette cars travel along the roadway. The cars are powered electrically by low voltage via an undercarriage roller system and brushes connected to a copper hot rail on the track. The driver or occupant of the ride is not able to alter the car's speed, but is be able to steer it slightly as the wheels straddle the track. The loading area is themed as a gas station, and along the track are nostalgic billboards, a drive-in, and other landmarks built to match the scale of the cars. A replica of a repair shop houses the cars that are off the track and in for repairs. The attraction also features an on-ride photo system.

A new balloon ride called "Rainbow Riders" was also added in the Garfield's Circus World section. Rainbow-colored balloons carry passengers in the air and slowly spin around. Rainbow Riders was installed where the Caterpillar Train was originally located. The Caterpillar Train has been moved to a nearby covered pavilion and was surrounded by new theming. Additionally, there is a new cabana boat that transports guests across the lake to the catering pavilions, the Compounce Mountain Sky Ride, and Thunder Rapids Raft Ride. The cabana boat replaced the Mark Twain Sternwheeler, which used to fulfill the same purpose.

Parques Reunidos era

In late 2007, Lake Compounce's owner, Kennywood Entertainment Company, was made an offer by Spain-based Parques Reunidos and has since been sold. The park opened for its 2008 season on May 10, opening with new designated smoking areas, a refurbished Ghost Hunt ride, a fully re-tracked Boulder Dash, and an expanded Lake Compounce Emporium. This new Emporium has been introduced as the park's main exit.

Timeline

• 2009: Wipe Out, Tunnel Twisters, Jolly Jester, Slushy Factory, Philly Cheese Steak place

• 2008: Lake Compounce Emporium, Designated Smoking Areas, Refurbished Ghost Hunt

• 2007: Zoomer's Gas N' Go, Rainbow Riders, Compounce Cabana Boat

• 2006: Thunder N' Lightning, Cirque En Vol Outdoor Stage, Panini Grill (Named changed to Market Place in 2007)

• 2005: Anchor Bay, Swan Boats (removed in 2007), Starlight Theatre

• 2004: Down Time, Garfield's Drop Zone, Carousel Cafe

• 2003: Clipper Cove, American Flyers

• 2001: Mammoth Falls, The Haunted Graveyard (October Event)

• 2000: Boulder Dash (retracked in 2007 / 2008), Twister

• 1999: Ghost Hunt (Refurbished during 2008 off-season) and Ghostly Games Complex, Lake Plunge, Mark Twain (removed in 2007)

• 1998: Sky Coaster, Splash Harbor, Lights Out

• 1997: Flying Scooters (removed in 2001), Bumper Cars, Rotor, Thunder Rapids, Zoomerang, Giant Wheel, Skyride, Lakeside Trolley, C.P. Huntington Train, Top Spin (removed in 2003), Drum Circus, Kiddie Coaster

• 1995: Twister Sisters (removed in 2007)

• 1988: 20,000 Seat Outdoor Amphitheater (removed in 1997)

• 1987: Saw Mill Plunge

• 1985: Pirate Ship, Paddle Boats (removed in 2005), Bumper Cars, Musik Express (removed in 2008), Enterprise, Wave Swinger, Scrambler (later removed), Antique Autos (later removed)

• 1962: Ferris Wheel (removed 1985)

• 1962: Speedboats

• 1959: 18-hole Miniature Golf Course (removed in 2004)

• 1957: The Little Showboat (removed 1985)

• 1943: Gillette Railway (removed in 1997)

• 1929: Cris Craft Speedboats (removed in 1962)

• 1927: Wildcat (rebuilt in 1985)

• 1914: The Green Dragon (removed in 1926)

• 1911: Carousel (new building in 2003)

• 1895: The Crocodile Club

• 1850: The Pleasure Wheel (later removed)

Today

Lake Compounce has grown to include four roller coasters and more than forty attractions. The park also includes a large water park by the lake, "Splash Harbor." The water park includes several slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, and an interactive complex, making it the biggest water park in Connecticut. The park also has three midway game areas and over ten food service locations. Lake Compounce is known for offering free Pepsi soda to all guests and employees who visit the park. Private catered events take place for such companies as the local Bristol-based ESPN and Pfizer. The park also hosts a 4th of July firework show over the lake every year.

During October, the park transforms itself into a Halloween experience for adults and children. The midways are decorated, and many of the park's rides are run in the dark. Produced by Graveyard Productions, the haunted house is dubbed "The Haunted Graveyard." The experience consists of a 45-minute walk-through of catacombs, castles, special effects, and graveyards, as well as many other houses being added every year. The Haunted Graveyard started in 1991 and found a home at Lake Compounce in 2001. Portions of the proceeds are donated towards Juvenile Diabetes research.

Future plans

Future plans include doubling the size of the Splash Harbor water park. This will require the moving of nearby Mount Vernon Road to the north to give the park more room for expansion. The work on the road move is expected to cost $3 million while the additions to the water park are expected to cost $15 million. [78284]

The park also received permission from the town of Southington, CT to add a spinning roller coaster, though the park has decided to postpone the coaster project in favor of focusing on the water park expansion. The town's approval is good for ten years, so the park may choose to take up the project in the future.

There are also plans for sometime in the future to move the Haunted Graveyard to the other end of the lake, making space for several more rides in its current location.

Gallery

Image:Boulder dash.jpg|Boulder DashImage:Boulder Dash.jpg|Boulder DashImage:Wildcat Coaster.jpg|WildcatImage:Zoomerang.jpg|ZoomerangImage:Thunder N Lightning.jpg|Thunder N LightningImage:Down Time.jpg|Down TimeImage:Wave Swinger.jpg|Wave SwingerImage:Ghosthunt.jpg|Ghost HuntImage:LCCarousel.jpg|CarouselImage:AmFlyer.jpg|American FlyersImage:C.P.HuntingtonTrain.jpg|C.P. Huntington TrainImage:LC Lake.jpg|The LakeImage:Thunder Rapids.jpg|Thunder RapidsImage:SawMillPlunge.jpg|Saw Mill PlungeImage:Anchor Bay.jpg|Anchor BayImage:Lakeplunge.jpg|Lake PlungeImage:Green Dragon.jpg|Green DragonImage:RainbowRiders.jpg|Rainbow Riders

Offerings

Entertainment

	Show
Stay	Stay Tuned
Cirque	Cirque En Vol
Safari	Swingin' Safari
Gar	Garfield's Dance Party & Meet and Greet Garfield
3Cyl	The Three Cylinders, The Sequel

	Noon	12:30 PM	1:00 PM	1:30 PM	2:00 PM	2:30 PM	3:00 PM	3:30 PM	4:00 PM	4:30 PM	5:00 PM	5:30 PM	6:00 PM	6:30 PM	7:00 PM	7:30 PM†	8:00 PM†
Starlight Theatre									Stay		Stay		Stay		Stay
Cirque En Vol Stage				Cirque		Cirque		Cirque				Cirque					Cirque
Circus World Stage	Safari		Gar		Safari		Gar
Zoomer's Gas 'n Go			3Cyl				3Cyl

† Weekends Only

Roller coasters

Ride Name	Description	Min HeightRequirement(Ride Alone)	Buddy Height	Thrill Scale
Boulder Dash	This completely unique wooden roller coaster designed by Custom Coasters International, uses the Lake’s natural mountainous terrain, complete with trees and boulders within close proximity of the track. The lift climbs the mountainside and then disappears from view. When it reappears, it has completed its first drop of and is traveling sixty miles per hour as it crosses over itself and flies over the station.	48 inches	None	* * * * *
Wildcat	Beginning operation in 1927, the Wildcat is one of the oldest continually operating wooden roller coasters in the world. In 2007, Wildcat’s brakes were upgraded to allow a two train operation.	48 inches	None	* * * *
Zoomerang	A Vekoma Boomerang shuttle coaster, Lake Compounce's Zoomerang is one of almost fifty examples of the design worldwide. The Lake Compounce Zoomerang is the 35th model of its kind to be built and the first to use Vekoma trains instead of the Arrow Dynamic ones. In 2007, Zoomerang was painted with a new purple color scheme. The drop is and the most thrilling seats are the front or the back. Take your pick because after the coaster finishes its cycle, it runs in reverse.	48 inches	None	* * * *

Amusement rides

Ride Name	Description	Min HeightRequirement (Ride Alone)	Buddy Height	Thrill Scale
American Flyers	This Flying Scooters ride was built in 1937 and made its rounds to many different parks including Kennywood before finding a home at Lake Compounce 60 years later. When the Lake expanded their water park in 2000, the American Flyers were dismantled and kept in storage until they were refurbished, relocated, and given a new American flag theme. The vintage tub body style and beautiful patriotic paint and lighting designs add to the nostalgia of this classic family ride which was re-launched for the 2003 season. There are 10 tubs, and 1 or 2 people can ride in each.	48 Inches	36"-48"/Adult	* *
Bumper Cars	Bumper cars are a crowd favorite attraction at any amusement park, and Lake Compounce’s ride does not disappoint. Riders can pick up good speed to initiate serious bumping action. Unfortunately, the island in the middle helps to facilitate traffic jams, but savvy riders avoid the pileups. During rounds, the audience in line has a great view of the carnage and they won’t hesitate to point out a silly move like a rider who has driven their vehicle into the guard rail to cause a self-inflicted bump.	48 Inches	None	* *
Compounce Cabana Boat	A pontoon boat which transports riders across the Lake Compounce itself. Children 12yrs/under must be accompanied by an adult and must wear a life jacket.	46 Inches	Under 46"/Adult	*
C.P. Huntington Train	A family train ride manufactured by Chance Rides which navigates alongside the east shore of Lake Compounce itself, traveling through Splash Harbor. The locomotive is modeled on an 1863 locomotive, a 2-1-2 style and pulls six passenger cars.	42 Inches	Under 42"/Adult	*
Carousel	Originally opened in 1911, this classic carousel features 49 horses, two chariots, and one goat by four master carvers including Charles Carmel who carved the lead horse. The original Wurlitzer 153B band organ was refurbished in 2003 and that same year the carousel was relocated and housed in a new building. The carousel was built in the mid 1890s and first operated at Savin Rock in West Haven, CT.	46 Inches	Under 46"/Adult	*
Down Time	Installed in 2003, the S&S Power Turbo Drop. One of Lake Compounce’s most thrilling rides, Down Time stands tall and pushes twelve seated riders straight down over fifty miles per hour. The ride is actually a turbo drop tower which means it has a semi-launch and during the drop riders don’t free-fall, they are pushed down.	52 Inches	None	* * * * *
Enterprise	A HUSS Enterprise, Twenty gondolas each hold one or two people. If two people are riding, one sits behind the other. After the riders slide the door shut, they are inside a metal cage with no safety harnesses for maximum freedom. At first the ride rotates and the centrifugal force smoothly pulls the gondolas away from the center of the ride. Then the entire ride climbs into an 87 degree position, and instead of just rotating clockwise at ground level, the gondolas are climbing and dropping almost vertically. Enterprise was refurbished and repainted in 2006.	54 Inches	None	* * * *
Ferris Wheel	Constructed by Chance and opened in 1997, the Ferris wheel bears 20 gondolas. A great relaxer after laps on Boulder Dash, the Giant Wheel offers a chance to wind down and enjoy views of the beautiful park.	46 Inches	Under 46"/Adult	* *
Ghost Hunt	An interactive haunted house ride designed by Sally Corporation which opened for the 1999 season. Riders are loaded into new trackless four-seater cars and provided with a "ghost blaster", which they use to shoot ghosts and score points. Ghost Hunt was completely refurbished for the 2008 season.	42 Inches	Under 42"/Adult	* *
Lakeside Trolley	Car number 1414 is an original trolley car that began service in 1911, transporting guests from New Haven, CT to Lake Compounce until 1935. In 1997, assisted by the Shoreline Trolley Museum, it was restored and brought back into service. This open-air, 15 bench car transports 75 guests at a time along of track in between the lake and Boulder Dash’s track to the end of the park where passengers can exit to the catering area, Sky Ride, and Thunder Rapids Water Ride.	46 Inches	Under 46"/Adult	*
Pirate Ship	A HUSS-designed pendulum ride, Although it doesn’t quite reach the heights of some other pirate ship rides, Lake Compounce’s Pirate has a strong drive that will have the ship at full height after only a few passes. The braking system is just as strong so there’s no long wait for the ride to finish after it’s swung as high as it’s going to go. Beautiful theming complete with a waterfall make the Lake’s version of this ride a real looker.	48 Inches	39"-48"/Adult	* *
Rotor	A 1997 installation, the Chance Rotor is one of only a small number still operating in the United States. Only the strongest stomachs survive the Rotor. Riders enter a circular room. After the door is shut and riders position themselves with their backs to the wall, the room spins faster and faster. Riders feel the skin on their faces start to slide back behind them towards the wall and before they know it, the floor they were standing on has been lowered and they’re physically stuck to the wall of the spinning cylinder.	46 Inches	42"-46"/Adult	* * *
Saw Mill Plunge	An Arrow Dynamics-designed Log Flume ride. Log boats climb up the mountainside and disappear from view as the logs follow elevated track through a series of turns in the woods, then down a giant drop for the grande finale. The logs really move along the track due to plenty of water traveling inside the flume.	46 Inches	36"-46"/Adult	* *
*Sky Coaster	Ride by yourself, a friend, or two friends. Riders are harnessed in and hoisted in the air. When they are released, they get as close as possible to actual flying.	42 Inches	None	* * * * *
Skyride	This fixed-grip quad chairlift climbs 750 vertical feet of the steepest terrain you’ll never see at a ski area. Up to four people load at the bottom and continue around the cycle at the top, eventually pointing them directly down the mountain. Riders really feel the steepness as they descend. To ease the tension, enjoy the scenery of the lake, the waterpark, Boulder Dash, and the Thunder Rapids Raft Ride at the base of the mountain. The entire ride, up and down, takes about 25 minutes.	48 Inches	None	* * *
Thunder N' Lightning	A S&S Power Screamin' Swing, Each of the two giant swing arms of Lake Compounce’s Screamin’ hold 16 passengers in comfortable plastic seats with cushioned lap restraints. Riders are swung out over the walkway at 60 miles per hour, a height of almost , and 4 Gs. The unique seats provide huge airtime with leg and upper body freedom. Thunder n’ Lightning debuted on May 13, 2006.	48 Inches	None	* * * * *
Thunder Rapids	A 120,000-gallon raft ride manufactured by Hopkins and installed in 1997. Parties of up to eight will be soaked to various extremes after riding Thunder Rapids, because as the raft spins around, different people are singled out to receive the most incoming water as they plunge down the rapids.	42 Inches	36"-42"/Adult	* * *
Twister	This Tornado ride’s capacity is 32 riders at once. Four riders sit in each of the eight gondolas, all facing a steering wheel in the middle. Riders determine the direction their gondola will rotate and how fast it will rotate by spinning the wheel. In the meantime, the entire Twister unit is rotating, causing double the dizziness, or half the dizziness, depending on what direction riders are spinning their wheel. The ride also tilts twenty degrees and gondolas climb and drop as they’re spinning.	48 Inches	38"-48"/Adult	* * *
Wave Swinger	A Chair-O-Planes ride, Single riders climb into swings and the ride begins. Riders are lifted up a few feet and the ride spins clockwise. As the spinning speeds up, centrifugal forces push the swings outward and riders enjoy one of the smoothest rides in the park, with both exhilarating and relaxing sensations. The tilt of the ceiling adds some exciting variation to the experience as the swings pick up speed and centrifugal force pulls the swings outward. Wave Swinger is one of the prettiest rides in the park, especially at night when the lights can be seen.	46 Inches	None	* * *
Wipe Out	Coming from Kennywood to Lake Compounce in 2009, it will replace the Musik Express	42 Inches	None	* * *
Zoomer's Gas N' Go	Opened in 2007. A '50s themed attraction with 1956 Corvette cars. Ten small-scale Corvettes at a time travel the . long roadway. The cars are powered electrically by low voltage via an undercarriage roller system and brushes connected to a copper hot rail on the track. The driver or occupant is not able to alter its speed, but is able to steer the car slightly as the wheels straddle the track.	42 Inches	Under 42"/Adult	* *

Kiddie rides

Name	Height Rules	Comparable full-scale ride
Caterpillar Train	54" Max	C.P. Huntington Train
Drop Zone	38-56", 38-42 w/Adult, over 56" needs a smaller buddy	Down Time
Drum Circus	56" Max	Twister
Fantasy Carousel	56" Max	Carousel
Flying Elephants	54" Max
Jolly Jester	36" to ride alone, Guests 48"-52" may accompany a child who is not 36", 52" Max	Pirate Ship
Kiddie Coaster	36-56" w/Adult	Wildcat
Kiddie Swinger	54" Max	Wave Swinger
Little Critters	54" Max	Bumper Cars
Little Dare Devils	56" Max
Rainbow Riders	56" max, under 42" w/Adult

Water park

Water Ride Name	Restrictions	Description
Anchor Bay	Over 42", 36-42 w/Adult	Lazy river with optional water slide
Clipper Cove	Under 40" w/Adult	Pirate ship-themed soak zone
Keeper's Cottage Pool & Slides	54" Max	Kiddie-themed area and slides
Lake Plunge	Over 46", 46"-56" w/Life Jacket	Enclosed tube slide that dumps riders into the lake
Lights Out	Over 46"	Enclosed spiral slide around a lighthouse
Mammoth Falls	Over 48", 36-48 w/Adult	Family style, partially enclosed tube slide
Tunnel Twisters	TBA	3 enclosed twisting body slides
Wave Pool	No height restrictions	Family wave pool

† Water park attractions are open from 12 noon to 7 pm, weather permitting.

During the October season, Kiddleland, Splash Harbor, and rides located on the park's south end are closed.

Food

Name	Offerings
Carousel Cafe	Grilled chicken sandwiches, quarter-pound burgers, veggie and turkey burgers, foot-long hot dogs, curly fries, onion rings, fruit & yogurt parfaits, bottled water, bottled drinks and milk
Croc Pot	Prime rib sandwiches; seafood; ham, turkey and chicken wraps; salads; coffee; hot and cold teas; and milk
Fried Bats	Fried dough & fried Oreos, bottled water, cold teas and milk
Funnel Cake Factory	Funnel cakes with fruit and ice cream toppings, soft ice cream and sprinkles
Harborside Pizza	Hand-stretched pizza, whole or by the slice
La Fiesta	Soft tacos, burritos, taco salads, nachos supreme and churros
Market Place	Stuffed grilled panini sandwiches, including BLT, Caribbean chicken, eggplant with ricotta and mozzarella, and turkey; individual Caesar and grilled chicken salads, and personnel pizzas
Parkside Diner	Fried fish fillets, kielbasa and kraut, quarter-pound burgers, hot dogs, fries, onion rings, bottled water and milk
Potato Patch	Fresh cut potato fries with a variety of toppings, chicken tenders, boneless buffalo wings, baked potatoes, bottled drinks and water.
Sweet Treats	Cotton candy, popcorn, and sno-cones.
Trolley Stop	Soft serve and hard scoop ice cream, beer, soft pretzels.
Sweet Shoppe	Homemade Fudge, Vast Assortment of Confections,Chocolate dipped apples, Cotton Candy, Cold Drinks.
Main Gate Snacks	Soft Serv Ice Cream, Flavorburst Ice Cream, Milkshakes

Retail

Shop	Offerings
Chuckles	"Fun stuff" including toys and games; wheelchair, stroller, and wagon rentals.
Good Times Gifts	Ride and attraction logo apparel and other souvenirs.
Lake Compounce Emporium	Lake Compounce-branded gifts, souvenirs, and apparel; Garfield Merchandise.
Splash Harbor Beach Shoppe	Swim wear, sunscreen, and other waterpark essentials.

Former Attractions

Ride Name	Description	Year Open
18-hole Miniature Golf Course	An Extra fee attraction which was 18 miniature golf holes for guests to play. It was later removed in order for the park to expand its water park. It was located where Anchor Bay currently sits	1959 - 2004
20,000 Seat Outdoor Amphitheater	Constructed during the JEG era of the park, this amphitheater was the home to concerts for many big names bands and was home of the infamous 1990 MTV tour stop incident, in which the group Milli Vanilli was caught in the act of lip syncing. It was located in the North end of the park, around where the Pirate Ship and the Zoomerang coaster currently sits.	1988 - 1997
Artic Express	Miniature version of the Music Express for children which was located near where its 2009 replacement Jolly Jester currently sits.	N/A - 2008
Green Dragon	A wooden roller coaster which was located where its 1927 replacement The Wildcat currently sits.	1914 - 1926
Musik Express	A Mack Music Express which was located located where its 2009 replacement the WipeOut currently sits.	1985 - 2008
Top Spin	A Huss Top Spin which was located where its 2003 replacement the American Flyers currently sits.	1997 - 2002
Twister Sisters	3 twisting body slides that were located in the water park where its 2009 replacement the Tunnel Twisters body slides currently sits.	1985 - 2007

External links

• Official website
• Haunted Graveyard official website
• Fan site
• National Amusement Park Historical Association