Palace Playland, Old Orchard Beach, Big Fun in a Small Way
Written: Sep 05 '05 (Updated Sep 16 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Small, fun and not terribly crowded when we've been there.
Cons: Small with nothing cutting edge.
The Bottom Line: This is a fine stop and diversion from a long day of travel. It's a good value with basic rides.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Palace Playland |
One of the places we have stopped by many times on our way home from Acadia National Park/Bar Harbor is Old Orchard Beach. Palace Playland is the attraction that draws us there. It's a small amusement park with a mix of kiddie rides, a couple of second rate roller coasters, and a large arcade area that is liberal with the tickets it gives out for exchange of cheap prizes.
The Playland
The park has been essentially the same for many years. It's a small homey park where there is no admission charge. It does add a ride or two a year and loses maybe one or two. I'll tell you a bit more about the rides in a bit. The playland covers a two block area, four acres according to their site, so it takes just five minutes or less to walk from end to end of the park, that is, when its not crowded. The truth is, we have never found it extremely busy and part of the joy of the park is knowing the lines are never all that long when we have been there. Perhaps the longest for the roller coaster or bumper cars is five minutes in our experience.
The park, like many of the seaside parks I have been to is relatively clean. It's not maintained like Disney World but it does rival any Six flags theme parks I have been to. It starts off clean but does get littered as the day goes on and nightfall comes in.
The park does have a slightly seedy feel to it. This is true of many small parks that I know of. The operators have that "I've been hangin' around this place for a long long time." Though this is true, I feel quite safe in the place and the operators seem to do a good job watching what is going on and are in control of their areas and machines.
Prices
There is no charge to walk into the park. It's open from many parts of the seaside town of Old Orchard Beach. Tickets can be purchased for all day riding or per ticket.
The price for all day is $24. There is another one for kids under a certain height, 42", at $17. We have always went with tickets that cost about $1.00 each and most rides are priced at 2-4 tickets. I save a little bit by purchasing 20 tickets at $18. or a bit more, $5.50, purchasing 50 tickets at $42. We ride till the tickets are gone. The kids get to chose the ride of their choice. This works out pretty well and the kids make "wise" choices in how they spend their tickets.
If you are staying a couple-a-few days consider the two day passes. Check their web site for specific details to the different offers they give. You can get a good value on the second full day and I like the layout of the town in that I would let my kids 15-20 walk in and out of the park area on their own during daylight hours.
Rides
The log flume is a big hit in the later afternoon. We like the two roller coasters they have. Neither are all that huge but you do get some pretty good rides that I believe even the biggest coaster enthusiasts would enjoy.
We have been on their roller coaster that gives a good long ride. What is cool about it for some, not for me, it that besides going up and getting magnificent views of the beach area, you can also turn the seat area you are in like a tea-cup ride. Ha, I said "No spinning" while I'm on it. They have a nice Carousel but they don't open it till pretty late 3:30 when we were there last weekend.
They have a Pirate Ship and one of our favorites, Bumper Cars. The kids also like the Fun House.
I read they have about 25 rides total. It's just the right size for our overnight visits. We have stopped for the day too.
A Little Bit More
Part of the park complex includes a 24,000 square foot video arcade that has many games but not the top-of-the-line we find in some New York Arcades in places like Jillians. They are still a lot of fun and as mentioned earlier, liberal in giving out prizes as compared to any other parks I know.
An area with "barkers" calling out to all to play games of chance add to the seediness of the place. It just seems that way to me. At the same time, I am first to walk over and give up five or six bucks. Hey It's worth it to win a .25 toy for one of my daughters or grand daughters
Rest rooms are available. They have attendants and charge .25 for use. I actually like that idea when my kids are a bit on their own. The restrooms are also kept pretty clean, but not spotless. They are sanitary enough for kids who practice good hygiene.
As stated earlier, this is not a huge park with cutting edge super high-tech rides and attractions. It does have the usual rides along with a new ride or so each year. It is a descent value, seems safe, is clean enough and gives my family a lot of fun on our visits.
MAINE, great coastal towns and so much more.
Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Portland Maine
Freeport, Maine
Boothbay Harbor
Bar Harbor What a great seaside town!!
Acadia National Park My favorite place in the world!
Recommended:
Yes
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