Darien Lake theme park on Thursday announced two new rides for the 2015 season. Neither one is for the faint of heart.Brain Drain is a 70-foot high waterslide where guests will ascend a tower and then free fall down a tunnel at a high rate of speed.
"What happens is, you get inside this capsule, your adrenaline kicks in, and then the floor suddenly drops out and riders are propelled into a tunnel instantly as they're dropped at a top speed of 38 feet-per-second," sayd Darien Lake General Manager Christopher Thorpe.
The other new attraction, called Rolling Thunder, is a high-speed train that travels through a seven-story tall steel loop structure, at one point suspending riders completely upside down.
"It's a perfect ride for thrill-seekers transitioning from smaller rides to bigger rides. The ride can be ridden by all guests 48 inches and above," said Thorpe. "It's an exhilarating experience."
Construction on the two attractions will begin this month. Rolling Thunder will open on May 9 when the main park opens and Brain Drain on May 16 at the open of Darien Lake's water park section.
The new rides are being built with a combination of local and out-of-town contractors. Thorpe says the $3 million expansion is representative of Western New York's continuing momentum.
"It's another great example of what we see as the exciting revitalization efforts happening across our region," he added.
"It's going to be a fantastic summer."
