Darien Lake Performing Arts Center

9993 Alleghany Rd, Darien Center, NY 14040, USA

Related:	all star adventures
Address:	9993 Alleghany Rd, Darien Center, NY 14040, USA
Phone:	+1 585-599-5040
Site:	livenation.com
Rating:	4

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 6

Christopher Martone

Darien Lake is all about emptying your wallet. From the ticket price, additionally paying for parking, and you arent allowed to bring your own food or drinks. We had a fairly enjoyable day but the experience was soured throughout the day. It cost $12 for a small drink and 3 re-heated Tyson chicken tenders, for starters. Thats just ridiculous. Theres a lot of rides bit ride times are so short. And queue times are extremely long. Its like 20 minute waits for even unpopular rides. The Ship Ride for example was the only one we timed. We waited for 13 minutes, and then the ride went forward and back 8 times and then ended. Ride staff act like zombies and move at the pace of snails. And they all have to spout the same disclosure about Darien Lake not being responsible if your items get lost. Cant you just put a sign up? Thats probably where half of the ride time goes. In addition, your ticket price still doesnt get you into everything. There are still rides that you have to pay even more money to ride. When we went, multiple rides were shut down as well as the Lazy River in the water park. This is unacceptable when youve paid so much. They were shut down all day and not being worked on or anything. The bucket was removed from the water park too so even that was ruined. Nothing for adults but the hour long waits for the water slides, or standing awkwardly in the over-crowded wave pool. Surprisingly, the laser light show was free. I couldnt believe it. It didnt start until like 11:30 though and by that time it was really dark and cold though. They could have started sooner. The show was nice though. Various pyrotechnics to random hits and top 20s songs. Overall, we enjoyed the day but it was just disappointing. We likely wont go back because we simply cant afford it. Well save for the fair or go to Fantasy Island which is much cheaper and less crowded and arguably more fun.

Cheryl Feder

Parking didnt start well. We came early to get better handicapped space and walking very far difficult for one of our party...the girl directing cars was rather sorry....said they needed to fill all the rows. That is true Im sure but dont punish the first come...and dont be snotty!! Ended up they had golf cart shuttles to the gate so that did help. As in most venues seating is cramped and not particularly comfortable. Trying to get down a row not easy as there is little leg room and seats dont fold up. Screens to see stage were useless for most of the show...only useful when its dark...and since seats arent offset or graded well it would be nice to see the screen. Sound however was very good. Drink prices are rather ridiculously expensive...guess that at least made the lines reasonable and the drunks down. I dont know how you could afford to get drunk(except tailgating which is allowed). You are allowed one sealed water to bring in up to a gallon. Employees seemed nice except for parking girl. Getting in was sloiw...you are scanned and all bags examined and scanners to read tickets didnt work very well so not a quick process. Getting out of the parking lot can be a nightmare mostly due to access being ONE road...but they could have had someone direct traffic better too. Facility wise wouldnt be my first choice but they do seen to attract good acts. When you are paying big bucks on tickets these days it would be nice to address the short comings and have a little more comfortable and accessible seating! And since this isnt a real shell but more a huge circus tent there are poles/structures blocking stage and screens depending on where you sit.

Eric Houck

Venue - Overall a nice setup. Under the shell is the way to go. The sound is good, the seats comfortable, and the layout is good for getting in and out. There are plenty of bathrooms which is excellent. Parking is free which is a bonus. The lines for security can get pretty long but they do a good job of getting people through. Concessions - Absolute rip off. Their prices are much higher then similar concerts at CMAC and First Niagara. A beer will run you between $12 and $14. Add in a pretzel or nachos and you are spending more then $20. If you go to other concert venues beers are between $7 and $10 for the same serving size. At CMAC they have premium beer for the same cost that Darien sells Coors Light for. The good news is that you can usually walk right up and order but these guys havent figured out that this is because no one is paying their crazy high prices. Just do what everyone else does and bring your own food and drink and dont spend any extra cash on concessions here.

Patrick Cramer

I had VIP tickets to the Slipknot show. Everything about the VIP area was great except for the fact that you are not allowed in certain areas. These areas are not marked in any way to alert concertgoers that they are not supposed to be there. Instead, a very rude old lady kept pushing me back. This area was right next to the Ford F-150 in front of the VIP area. Again, there are no markings to alert VIPs. I did not pay a ton of money to be in the VIP section to be harassed by a lady clearly too old and bitchy to be working for Darien Lake PAC. Because of this, I will no longer be purchasing tickets to any shows at your venue and/or your amusement park. Ive been to a lot of shows and this is the most disgraceful Ive ever been treated. Because of your companys inability to properly mark an area, you have now lost any chance of me and the ten others with me to buy anything from your venue again. Thank you for leaving a bad taste in my mouth.

Theresa Seebald

I just returned from the Zac Brown concert. Purchased reserved seats!! Appalled at the women room were inside the area reserved seats and the mens room were outside the reserved area!! Also, the amount of underage drinking, kids vomiting, and urinating inside the parking lot!! We left the concert early just to get out of the venue!! U sure didnt have enough Sheriff or security for this venue!! It is just a matter of time before u have a serious injury!! For the amount that u pay for tickets and if u dont buy premier parking for 20.00 at the time of tickets u pay 50.00. Are u kidding me? 50.00 for premier parking. The only thing premier parking gets u is closer to the venue and u have to wait an hour plus to get out of the parking lot!! Ill stick to local venues rather then traveling an hour and unsure if u will get home alive!!

Stephen Hays

If you are not above average height, do not buy a concert ticket. There is little or no decline to the seating area, so, if the person in front of you is the same height as you, you will not be able to see. Also, if you are there for a teenage show, or any show that has kids, they will not be able to see and are not allowed to stand on the chair, even if the combined height of the chair and them is less than 5 ft 9 in as my daughter is. Was yelled at by security, doing their job, and I understand, but to pay $150 for my daughter to see the back of someones shirt was not worth it. Sat in section 201 row 6, so unless you are row 1, maybe 2 of any section, I dont think you would have a chance to see things. Will never buy another ticket to a show here where there is a chance I would get blocked from being able to see the stage.