We went to Colorado last week. We stayed in the mountains near Estes Park. But I put one day aside to visit my folks in Arvada. I chose Lakeside over Elitch Gardens for the following reasons: 1. Time & Money. We had a limited time schedule, so the cheaper admission prices and individual ticket prices were attractive over Elitch's more expensive 1-day ticket. Not to mention, I'm sure Elitch's probably has longer wait times. 2. The ambiance. I'm a fan of the biggest and fastest coasters, having been to Cedar Point, Six Flags Great America, King's Island, etc. However, I had never been to an old-fashioned park like this. The neon lights, and the train around the lake really appealed to me. Not to mention, Cyclone would become the oldest coaster I've ridden. Some reviewers have rated the Cyclone as better than any coaster at Elitch Gardens. And I just had to check out the wild chipmunk to see if it was really as rough as reviewers claimed it to be. LOL I did not know what to expect. I read several reviews stating the park was ran-down and had lost it's luster. And my aunt, who lived out there for 16 years had heard the same thing. In fact, she had never visited the park, probably because of those rumors. But when we all arrived, there wasn't a one of us who thought it was ran down in the least. There was only one ride that appeared to be broken for an extended period of time. I only noticed one other ride that wasn't running, but it looked as if it may have only been down for a short time. The rides seemed well-maintained. My aunt & I were both stunned by how clean the park was, and the pavement was clean and maintained. It was also much busier than we had expected. Don't go in expecting cutting-edge rides, but go for the ambiance and a piece of Colorado history. It's a good snapshot of what an amusement park used to be. And you can still have a blast. We did! And we rode the train at night. They sat 3 of us to one seat, causing one of us to have to straddle the edge of the train, But what a beautiful view! The neon lights reflecting off the lake were as clear as a mirror. Even clearer than in this video! Seating 3 adults in one row may not have been the best idea, no Cedar Fair or 6 Flags park would have ever done this. But it does add to the charm of a smaller and older park, before safety protocols took away half of the fun. There's just an extra sense of freedom in an informal setting. It's like driving somewhere without having to wear your seat belt.
Many thanks for your fascinating review...and I agree the views across the lake don't come out anywhere near as good on the video as they are in reality!
My beloved home park. 🥰 It can never take the place of the old Elitch Gardens in its original location (1890-1994) in my heart and no park ever could, but I still love it there.
The park is all Art Deco and quite quirky...a little bit like some of the old buildings at Rye Playland...we had mixed feelings about the park and the rides, but it certainly is beautiful after dark!
Just think of how much electricity is used for all the lights and to operate the rides. I always wanted an amusement park like this in my back yard but never think of the debt it would put me in. You always have such wonderful videos of water park slides and roller coasters. I been watching every video you have posted on your channel!
We went to Colorado last week. We stayed in the mountains near Estes Park. But I put one day aside to visit my folks in Arvada. I chose Lakeside over Elitch Gardens for the following reasons:
1. Time & Money. We had a limited time schedule, so the cheaper admission prices and individual ticket prices were attractive over Elitch's more expensive 1-day ticket. Not to mention, I'm sure Elitch's probably has longer wait times.
2. The ambiance. I'm a fan of the biggest and fastest coasters, having been to Cedar Point, Six Flags Great America, King's Island, etc. However, I had never been to an old-fashioned park like this. The neon lights, and the train around the lake really appealed to me. Not to mention, Cyclone would become the oldest coaster I've ridden. Some reviewers have rated the Cyclone as better than any coaster at Elitch Gardens. And I just had to check out the wild chipmunk to see if it was really as rough as reviewers claimed it to be. LOL
I did not know what to expect. I read several reviews stating the park was ran-down and had lost it's luster. And my aunt, who lived out there for 16 years had heard the same thing. In fact, she had never visited the park, probably because of those rumors. But when we all arrived, there wasn't a one of us who thought it was ran down in the least.
There was only one ride that appeared to be broken for an extended period of time. I only noticed one other ride that wasn't running, but it looked as if it may have only been down for a short time. The rides seemed well-maintained.
My aunt & I were both stunned by how clean the park was, and the pavement was clean and maintained. It was also much busier than we had expected. Don't go in expecting cutting-edge rides, but go for the ambiance and a piece of Colorado history. It's a good snapshot of what an amusement park used to be. And you can still have a blast. We did!
And we rode the train at night. They sat 3 of us to one seat, causing one of us to have to straddle the edge of the train, But what a beautiful view! The neon lights reflecting off the lake were as clear as a mirror. Even clearer than in this video!
Seating 3 adults in one row may not have been the best idea, no Cedar Fair or 6 Flags park would have ever done this. But it does add to the charm of a smaller and older park, before safety protocols took away half of the fun. There's just an extra sense of freedom in an informal setting. It's like driving somewhere without having to wear your seat belt.
Many thanks for your fascinating review...and I agree the views across the lake don't come out anywhere near as good on the video as they are in reality!
My beloved home park. 🥰 It can never take the place of the old Elitch Gardens in its original location (1890-1994) in my heart and no park ever could, but I still love it there.
Outstanding look at Lakeside at night David. I really enjoyed the coaster footage~
Rob/Boston
Thanks.
Great looking park ! :-)
Nice and old fashioned , reminded me of that film adventureland
The park is all Art Deco and quite quirky...a little bit like some of the old buildings at Rye Playland...we had mixed feelings about the park and the rides, but it certainly is beautiful after dark!
+davidjellis I went to play land every year. So many great times. I think of the place every time I smell tar
How much does it cost anyways
Just think of how much electricity is used for all the lights and to operate the rides. I always wanted an amusement park like this in my back yard but never think of the debt it would put me in. You always have such wonderful videos of water park slides and roller coasters. I been watching every video you have posted on your channel!
Many thanks - thrilled you enjoy watching them :-)
Researcher my perfect mansion in heaven would so have an amusement park in my yard and I want to be an inch tall
I meant to say alpine rides instead of water slides
The Knoebels of the west .