Originally posted: 11/17/2002

Last updated: 6/13/2005

 Original timeline courtesy of Six Flags Darien Lake Ultimate Guide.  Used by permission.  (Note:  SFDL Ultimate Guide is no longer online)
 

 Darien Lake

1964 – The "park" initially opens and operates as a campground.

1977 – Campground receives its first attraction: water slides built over what is known as Darien Lake.

1978-1981:

New attractions including the bumper cars, log flume and the pirate ship are added to the park. 

Jubilee Theatre opens for the first time. 

A "pay one price" ticket concept is established.

1982:

Viper (Arrow steel looping roller coaster) is added. 

The Ranger (Huss) opens, and is the first of its kind in North America. 

Cascade Canyon waterslides are added to Barracuda Bay.

1983 – Giant Wheel (Ferris wheel) is purchased from the Worlds Fair in Tennessee and installed at the park.

1987:

Big Top Circus is introduced. 

Water-Ski show is introduced. 

Grand Prix Speedway go-karts first open.

1988 – Adventure Land (children's area) is introduced.

1989 – Grizzly Run (white water rapids ride) is added.

1990 – Predator (Summers-Dinn wooden roller coaster) is added.
 

1991 – Adventure Land kids area receives a train, wading pool, and junior bumper cars.

1992 – Laserlight Fantasy is first introduced at the Lakeside Amphitheatre.

1993:

The Performing Arts Center first opens to the public. 

Darien Square gets renovated to include a miniature golf course, patio bar, volleyball court, and the Gold Dust Cafe.

1994 – Cuda Falls (four tube water slides) replaces four other mat slides in the water park, Barracuda Bay, which is now included in the price of park admission.

1995:

Skycoaster (180 feet) up-charge attraction is added.

Premier Parks, Inc. purchases Funtime Parks, Inc (Darien Lake's owner).

1996:

Nightmare at Phantom Cave (Schwarzkopf Jet Star steel enclosed roller coaster) is added after being relocated from Kentucky Kingdom, where it was known as Starchaser. 

Hooks Lagoon water playground attraction is added. 

Popeye's Seaport (children's area) is added. 

The Performing Arts Center gets a new roof, among other improvements inside the venue.

1997:

Mind Eraser (Vekoma suspended looping coaster) is added at a cost of $8.5 million. 

Crocodile wave pool is added to the water park.

1998:

Boomerang Coast to Coaster (Vekoma steel shuttle roller coaster) is added for $4 million. 

Lodge on the Lake, the park's on-site hotel, opens. 

Beaver Brothers Cafe opens inside Darien Square.

In April, Premier Parks purchases Six Flags.

In October, Premier announces that Darien Lake will be branded as a "Six Flags" park.

 Six Flags Darien Lake

1999:

Darien Lake is now officially known as "Six Flags Darien Lake". 

Superman: Ride of Steel (Intamin steel hyper coaster) is added for $12 million. 

Nightmare at Phantom Cave roller coaster is removed and relocated to Great Escape (Lake George, NY) as Nightmare at Crackaxle Canyon. 

Batman Thrill Spectacular makes its debut. 

Viper gets a new paint job (the black track is painted lime green). 

Riptide Run, Pipeline Plunge, and the Torpedo Rapids are removed from the Barracuda Bay water park. 

Popeye's Seaport is renamed Looney Tunes Seaport. 

Crazy Quilt is removed and Lasso is moved to its location. 

Looney Tunes Emporium is added to Lasso's old location. 

Attendance this year is 1.7 million.
 

2000:

Twister (Huss Top Spin) is added. 

Trappers restaurant is added to Darien Square.
 

2001:

Predator undergoes some re-tracking and part of the queue line is removed to make way for an expanded seating area. 

Seat belts are added to Predator in the middle of the season along with slightly different restraints. 

"Fast Lane" system is introduced during the season, which allows riders to skip the lines of participating rides by purchasing special tickets at the guest relations office. 

A blue stripe is added to the Superman: Ride of Steel station along the track area and new foam handles are added to the trains.

New games include a "bowling" game and a "baby-block" game. 

Skaterball is moved to half of the original "cover the spot" area. 

Dime pitch is removed and the bank shot is now located in its place. 

A new gift shop called "Winter Treasures" is added in the old taffy/candy shop. 

Grizzly Run gets a new queue line (now with metal rails that look to be taken from Predator) which allows a larger capacity. 

New bathrooms are added in the campground area, along with a designated "Family Campground" area. 

Slingshot, a new up-charge attraction, is added near the end of the season just inside the main entrance area. 

Cascade Canyon, after being closed all year, is removed at the end of the season. 

Attendance this year is 1.6 million.
 

2002:

Shipwreck Falls is added where Cascade Canyon used to stand. 

Slingshot, a permanent version standing close to 300 feet tall, is added near main entrance. 

Turbobungy!, a bungee/trampoline combination, is added near Brain Teaser. 

Peg Leg Pete's,  a new restaurant serving smoked turkey legs, opens near Shipwreck Falls.
 

2003:

Various park improvements.
 

2004:

Various park improvements.
 

2005:

Tornado (Proslide Technology Inc. Tornado) – funnel shaped tube slide that uses four person cloverleaf or two person "whirl wheel" tubes added near wave pool and Hook’s Lagoon in the waterpark.

Expanded walkway with food and beverage stand.

Restroom facility upgrades and renovations.

New RV units.

Admission this year is $33.99.