Democrat and Chronicle from Rochester, New York • Page 55

Story by staff writer SHEILA RAYAM Plummeting more than 200 feet while holding on for dear life actually sounds like fun to some people. Just listen to the shrieks of delight at area amusement and water parks. All summer long, park patrons are in for high speeds, twists and turns on dry and water rides. Fasten your seat belts. Here's what's new and cool for 2002 at three Rochester-area parks.

Mil -J I ll'. vr i V. 1 ji 0 to I a to si 2 ID 3 3 a. fi. 5f 3 I- fx IS Is Big thrills There's one in every theme park.

You know the guy he's the one who thinks that if he turns his baseball cap backwards, it will stay obediently on his head as he zooms down and around the tracks of a roller coaster ride. Not Old-fashioned fun The Jack Rabbit has been synonymous with Seabreeze park since forever. Actually, since 1920. Now, perhaps it's time to add another word to the mix. Waffles.

That's right, waffles, the crunchy snack made out of batter deep fried to caramel-colored perfection and then covered in a secret blend of powdered sugars. "People will come in just for waffles," Seabreeze marketing manager Jeff Bailey says about the park's most popular morsel. Seabreeze Park is now in its 123rd season. The owners have made a few tweaks and additions this year. First things first: Skee-Ball fanatics, don't freak when you can't find the game on the midway near the entrance.

Skee-Ball now resides in the arcade near the Quantum Loop roller coaster. The Water Race game, however, still sits on the remodeled midway. It's the park's most popular game, says Bailey. The object is to fire a stream of water at the target and shoot your Tweety Bird up to the finish line first "If you hesitate for even a second or two, it's too late," warns Bailey. "Be ready to go as soon as the bell sounds." Winners get "plush," amusement park lingo for what laymen call a stuffed animal.

(How's that for a piece of useless party trivia?) A stone's throw from the midway sits the Gyrosphere. The ride inside a giant bubble features a new light show and, for the first time in at least a decade, a new rune. The "Gyro Mix" by DJ Tornado is in and "Fire on High" by ELO is out (Even more useless party trivia!) The other news at Seabreeze will be three shows on the midway stage: Totally Retro, Wired for Sound and Seabreeze Shenanigans. As the days grow warmer, the crowds get bigger. If you don't want to be elbow-to-elbow with other visitors, avoid Saturdays and Sundays, says Bailey.

Instead, try visiting on a Tuesday. Whether you hit the park on a weekday or weekend, youH need patience if you plan to ride the Jack Rabbit or the Bobsleds. Both roller coasters boast the longest lines in the park. Seabreeze Park Raging Rivers Waterpark: noon to 10 p.m. through Sept.

noon to 11 p.m. Fri. and Sat. through Aug. 31; 11 a.m.

to 6 p.m. Sept. noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 7 and 8.

4600 Culver Road, Irondequoit. Prices for June 1-Sept. 2: $17.50 Ride Slide Pass 48 inches and taller; $13.50 under 48 inches tall; $9.95 Night Rider Pass (after 5 p.m.); $6.95 Walk Around Pass (includes two ride tickets); ages 2 and younger free; group rates and season passes available. (585) 323-1900 orwww.seabreeze.com. Splashy setup Leave your compass at home you shouldn't have any trouble navigating Roseland Waterpark in Canandaigua.

"The park is a big circle," says Roseland President Stephen Satterwhite. "We wanted to make it simple for families." Family-oriented is how Satterwhite describes this 58-acre waterpark with Victorian-era decor that opened in 2001. For its second season, the park has added some dry fun as well as water sports. The Giant Wave Pool was the most popular attraction last year, says Satterwhite. This year, there will be scuba diving between the waves in the deep end.

Also this year, thrill seekers can go waterskiing and wakeboarding on the waterpark's 30-acre lake. Many activities are water-related, including two new games: Water Balloon Wars and the Dunk Tank. A few that aren't include Volleyball on the sand court near the wave pool, boccie ball and horseshoes. Live entertainment will take place during the summer at the new stage near the food court Satterwhite runs a clean no alcohol served and swearing is not allowed, he says. Shouting for joy is OK, though, especially if you're on Satterwhite's favorite water ride: the Screamer.

"It's like you're in an elevator and someone cuts the cord," he says. Roseland Waterpark: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Friday; 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday-Aug. 17; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 18-Sept.

2. 250 Eastern Canandaigua. $19.99 ages 11-59; $16.99 ages 4-10; $12.99 after 3 p.m. ages 4 and older; $4.99 ages 3 and younger and ages 60 and over; group rates and season passes available. (585) 396-2000 or www.

roselandwaterpark.com. "On Superman, we say, 'Sir, say goodbye to that hat because it's says Jill Storms, public relations manager at Six Flags Darien Lake in Genesee County. The Superman Ride of Steel, Six Flags Darien's signature ride, climbs 208 feet and rolls along in excess of 72 mph at times. If you're looking for a thrill, this is it You'll also find a long line at Superman, which is common at this spot that includes a hotel, campgrounds and a concert venue. With more than 100 rides and attractions, you need to have a plan of action.

Here's what Storms suggests: If you arrive in the morning, walk straight back to the far left and ride the park's two most popular rides, Superman and the Predator (a wooden roller coaster). If you arrive in the afternoon when crowds are heavier, walk to the right. "Most people will start to the left and work their way over," says Storm. If you head right, you're headed in the direction of Six Flags Darien's new ride: Shipwreck Falls. It's a 20-passenger boat that plunges 50 feet and soaks all riders.

It's easy to be overly stimulated here. Not only are there five coasters, a waterpark, a miniature golf course and dozens of rides, there are games all over the place. Whether you want to play games or ride, a visit in July or August (the busiest months) means you'll be there with throngs of others. If you want to avoid the huge crowds, try popping in on Monday or Tuesday, the park's slowest days. Better yet, be a night owl and go to Six Flags Darien after 5 p.m.

That's when families pack it in and the crowd thins. Six Flags Darien Lake: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday; 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Friday through Sept. 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sept. 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29; 6 to 11 p.m.

Fridays in October; 1 to 11 p.m. Saturdays in October; 1 to 9 p.m. Sundays in October. Route 77, Darien Center, Genesee County. $18.99 seniors and children under 48 inches; $18.99 after 5 p.m,; ages 2 and younger free; discounts, group rates and season passes available.

(585) 599-4641 or www.sixflags.comdarienlake. 0.