The Atlanta Constitution from Atlanta, Georgia • 165

ME Mark your calendars for a season of fun at area attractions Memorial Day Weekend is traditionally the gateway to summer. Although many warm-weather attractions have been operating weekends-only during May, the season goes into full swing now. Here's a list that should help you and your family plan summer activities. Save it WiSTE KATZ3. So you've already careened over Black River Falls, you've taken the Caribbean Plunge, you've splished-splashed in the Atlanta Ocean and you've floated lazily down the Little Hooch.

But you havent experienced The Tidal Wave, the newest attraction at the 35-acre water park beginning its seventh season. Here's how the much-touted Wave works: Adventurers take their place at the foot of a huge, clear cylinder that slowly fills with 200 gallons of water. When the cylinder is full, all 200 gallons will be released at once, and the daredevil will be swept away down a 250-foot flume through twists and turns and ultimately to a splashdown in the Little Hooch. There are actually two Tidal Waves in constant operation. The 40-acre water park, the most-visited such park in the Southeast, is ranked No.

1 in the country by the Water Park Association (which recently elected as its president Ned Stancliff, White Water vice-president and general manager). More than 700,000 got wet here last season. The complex has five restaurants, gift shops, complete shower, changing and locker facilities and full-time 250 N. Cobb Parkway. Located at 1-75 and North Marietta Parkway, Marietta.

Open at 10 a.m. daily rih w- 0' 'VI' "i rf i hV i fMlitm hr through Labor Day. Closing time varies. Park admission $13.89 plus tax, two-day ticket is $18.99, three-day ticket is $2199. $3.50 plus tax after 4 p.m., $8.99 plus tax for children age 4 through 48 inches tall, free for seniors 62 and older and children younger than 4.

Membership passes available. Group rates available. VISA, MasterCard and American Express accepted. 424-9283. iX FLAGS CEt Given the widespread promotional tie-ins, it would be hard to es-' cape the fact that Six Flags has a new roller called the Georgia Cyclone.

The faithful have been queuing up for the thrill ride, a replica of the legendary Co-; ney Island Cyclone, since it opened March 24. In Aprilmembers of the American Coaster Enthusiasts had their annual meeting at Six Flags so they could experience the Cyclone's fury. Not to be lost in all the Cyclone hoopla is the fact that a certain rabbit near and dear to Six Flags Bugs Bunny is celebrating his 50th birthday at the park all season. Beginning June 26, the park will be decked out in Bugs decor. The Crystal Pistol stage show will feature the entire Looney Tunes gang in The Best of Times," which traces the halfentury through Bugs's perspective Also, there'll be special activities in Bugs Bunny Land for the little ones.

The 331-acre theme park, which now has more than 100 rides, opened in 1967 and hosted 1.2 million in its first season. Back in those days, the Log Flume-and Mine Train were the most popular rides. New rides are added each year along with stage shows, arcades and fun houses such as Monster Plantation. Last year, when the park added Holiday in the Park and expanded its days of operation from 154 to 187, nearly a quarter of a million people passed through its gates. The park will again be open in December for the holiday celebration.

1-20 west and Six Flags Road, 12 miles westof Atlanta. Open daily through Aug 28, then reverts to Saturday-Sunday schedule Sept 1-Oct 28. Holiday in the Park will be Nov. 23-Dec. 28 (except Dec.

24-25). Gates open at 10a.m. Closing times vary. $20 one-day ticket, $10 children shorter than 48 inches and adults ages 55 and older, $22 two-day best-buy ticket (non-consecutive days), $52.50 individual season pass, $150 family season pass. Group rates available.

VISA and MasterCard accepted. $3 parking fee. Information: 739-3400. LAKE LAKKR ISLANDS. Kiddie Lagoon, a water playground for the small fries with slides, water guns, waterfalls, fountains and a water forest, is among the new attractions at the Beach and Water Park on a M-mile beach.

For the older and braver, there are two new water slides: The Typhoon and The Twister joining some old favorites including Wildwaves and the Chattahoochee Rapids, along with paddleboats, canoes and sailboats. Today through Monday is Uptons Beach Party Weekend with live music, contests and a sand castle contest Discount coupons at Atlanta-area Uptons. The Islands complex is a facility with golf, horseback ridingjtamping, boat rentals, fishing, bicycle rentals, picnicking, overnight accommodations, a gift shop and several snack stops. 45 minutes northeast of Atlanta. Take 1-85 north to 1-985 or Ga.

400 to Ga. 20 and follow signs. Open daily through Sept 1 Beach and Water Park open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. weekends.

Beach and Water Park admission is $8.50 adults ($34 season pass), $2 children 42 inches and under ($12 season pass), free 2 and under. Family-of-four season pass $115. Parking is $3 per car per day, $15 annually. 9454701. Louie FavoriteStall The Georgia Cyclone at Six Flags was inspired by the famous Coney Island Cyclone.

STOKE MOUNTAIN PAR9C The all-new Laser-show '90 has been drawing crowds to Memorial Plaza nightly at 9:30 since early this month. The new musical show, which runs through Labor Day, is "A Tribute to the American Spirit" Laser beams that create dramatic stories, fun characters and graphic images on the face of the mountain. Don't forget to bring blankets and a picnic bring your own or buy fried chicken or barbecue in the park. The Waterworks Beach Complex, now open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Labor Day, features two white sand beaches, tube water slides, game room, bathhouse and snack bar.

(Admission $3, children younger than 6 free.) While the granite mountain itself is focus of wooded park (you can climb to the top or take a skylift), there's also an antebellum plantation, inn, restaurants, antique auto and music museum, 18-hole golf course, mini-golf, tennis, bike rentals, 500-site campground, riverboat, carillon on the lake, canoeing and paddleboat rides. If you haven't discovered the Wooded Trails, a natural habitat for native animals, check it out Located near the West Gate, it features a domestic animal petting exhibit within the Traders Camp, replica of a pioneer trading post Please see Pag 24 '4 Special Youngsters get a thrill on White Water's Tidal Wave. May 26, 1990 The Atlanta Journal WEEKEND The Atlanta Constitution ..23.