I've been to Lake Compounce a number of times, but this last time (July 18, 2010) was the worst. I will never return. They over-sell the park beyond capacity. I used a stop-watch to determine that we stood in line for Mammoth Falls for 52 minutes. This is a 30 second ride, so I feel like an idiot. When I visit Disney World I never stand in line for more than 15 minutes for world class attractions! We spent nearly 30 ON the Ferris Wheel due to inefficient loading.
Any reasonable person spending 5 minutes watching the loading operations of any ride at Lake Compounce can find a myriad of ways to make the process more efficient. Why can't they simply RECORD the attendant instructions as an MP3 and play it continuously over a loud speaker? I swear, it would take 2 hours to set that up and be done with it. Instead, we have to wait for the poor attendant to stop and give the recitation for every single group of passengers boarding the attraction. This is the most obvious, simple and cost-effective way to increase ride capacity and guest enjoyment.
Like I said, they over-sell the park so there is never enough seating capacity. Water park patrons spill out into the amusement park and take over benches with towels and beach supplies. Eating a meal at a table with your family is incredibly difficult and stressful due to the lack of tables and the requirement engage in table-wars. We were lucky enough to secure 3/4 of a table in direct sunlight to have our lunch. What a nice way to enjoy our $22 16-inch pizza.
Did I mention that NO OUTSIDE FOOD is allowed in the park? You will be turned away at the gate if you bring in a sandwich. When you approach the gate in the morning, throngs of people will be marching towards the main gate. There will also be a small, single file line of grumbling dads holding bags of food marching back to the parking lot. Nothing says "WELCOME GUEST" more than being sent marching like a school child back to your car with your healthy lunch of sandwiches and salad.
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