Updates to this Page

2006-09-02

  • Added information after the 2006 update on the main page.

2005-02-12

  • Added Canobie Queen I and II info.
  • Added Park Photo prices.

Basic Canobie information

Hours

2005 hours:

  • April (Spring Season)
    April 23-24, April 30: 11am - 6pm
    Special spring season prices: $19/$17 regular/under 48 in. day, $17 everyone night, free for ages 2 and under
  • May (Spring Season)
    May 1, May 7-8, 14-15: Saturdays 11am - 8pm, Sundays 11am - 6pm
    May 20: 10am - 10pm
    May 21-22: Saturdays 11am - 8pm, Sundays 11am - 6pm
    Special spring season prices: $19/$17 regular/under 48 in. day, $17 everyone night, free for ages 2 and under
  • May
    May 25-26: 10am - 4pm
    May 27: 10am - 10pm
    May 28-30: noon - 10pm
    May 31: 10am - 4pm
  • June
    June 1-June 19: Weekdays 10am - 4pm, Fridays 10am - 10pm, Weekends noon - 10pm
    June 20-24: 10am - 10pm
    June 25-26: noon - 10pm
    June 27-28: 10am - 10pm
  • Late June to Early September
    June 29-September 4: noon - 10pm
  • September
    Sept. 5: 11am - 8pm
    Sept. 10: noon - 10pm
    Sept. 11: 11am - 8pm
    Sept. 17: 4pm - 8pm
    Sept. 18, 24-25: 11am - 8pm

2004 hours:

  • April (Spring Season) April 24-25: Noon to 6pm. Special spring season prices: $18 adults and $16 under 48 inches.
  • May (Spring Season) May 1: Noon to 10pm. May 2: Noon to 6pm. May 8: Noon to 10pm. May 9: Noon to 6pm. May 15: Noon to 10pm. May 16: Noon to 6pm. May 21: 10am to 10pm. May 22: Noon to 10pm. May 23: Noon to 6pm. Special spring season prices: $18 adults and $16 under 48 inches.
  • May May 26-27: 10am to 4pm. May 28: 10am to 10pm. May 29-31: Noon to 10pm.
  • June June 1-3: 10am to 4pm. June 4: 10am to 10pm. June 5-6: Noon to 10pm. June 7-10: 10am to 4pm. June 11: 10am to 10pm. June 12-13: Noon to 10pm. June 14-17: 10am to 4pm. June 18: 10am to 10pm. June 19-20: Noon to 10pm. June 21-25: 10am to 10pm.
  • Late June to Early September June 26 to September 5: Noon to 10pm.
  • September September 6: 11am to 8pm. September 11: Noon to 10pm. September 12: 11am to 8pm. September 18: 4pm to 8pm. September 19, 25: 11am to 8pm.

Prices

2005 general prices:

  • $26 for adults
  • $17 for children under 48 inches
  • $17 for seniors ages 60+
  • $17 for everyone after 5pm
  • Free for ages 2 and under
  • Parking is free at Canobie Lake Park!

2005 Spring prices (April 23 - May 22):

  • $19 for adults
  • $17 for children under 48 inches
  • $17 for everyone after 5pm
  • Free for ages 2 and under
  • Parking is free at Canobie Lake Park!

2004 general prices: $25 for adults, $17 for children under 48 inches, $16 for everyone after 5pm. Parking is free at Canobie Lake Park.

Discounts and Coupons

2005 discounts:

  • There usually is a discounted price during the first few weeks of each season. For 2005, this price is $19.
  • On the first day of the season, Saturday, April 23, 2005, there is a one day sale of good-any-day passes for a discounted price. (The rain date is Sunday, April 24, 2005.) The 2005 discounted price is $18, compared to $26 regular price). These passes will need to be validated at a ticket booth on the day of your visit before you can enter the park.
  • On Mother's Day and Father's Day mothers and fathers, respectively, get free admission and lunch.
  • (Discounted good-any-day tickets were sold at the Mall at Rockingham Park from Thanksgiving to Christmas 2004, for $17 each.)

2005 coupons: Coupons are available at area McDonalds, Brooks Pharmacy, Market Basket, and True Value hardware. The coupon provides $4 off adult all-day admission, Monday through Friday. There are also specially-marked cans of Coca-Cola that provide a discount if you bring an empty can to the park. The can gives you buy-two-get-one-free admission after 5pm, Monday through Friday.

2004 discounts and coupons: Coupons are available at area McDonalds, Brooks Pharmacy, Market Basket, and True Value hardware. The coupon provides $4 off adult all-day admission, Monday through Friday ($21 with coupon). Coupons are good June 21 through September 3, 2004. There are also specially-marked cans of Coca-Cola that provide a discount if you bring an empty can to the park. The can gives you buy-two-get-one-free admission after 5pm, Monday through Friday, good June 21 through September 3, 2004.

Attractions

Thrill Rides

  • Matterhorn: In the beginning of 2006 this ride stopped running. It was SBNO for the rest of the 2006 season. A partially-enclosed SDC Matterhorn ride. Cars travel in a circle, undulating up and down gentle curves. The cars are independently attached to swing arms, and at fast speeds they swing back and forth. 20 cars. 48 in. minimum.
  • Paratrooper: In early 2006, this ride was sold to Blue Diamond Park in Delaware and removed from the park. Skater was re-installed in its place. A Hrubetz spinning flat ride themed to look like parachutes. 10 cars.
  • Rockin' Rider: This ride didn't run for the last half of 2004, and it was officially shut down in 2005. It was SBNO for part of 2005, then it was removed from the park. Skater was installed in its place. An SDC Galaxi steel roller coaster. Riders ride in individual, 4-person cars. Rock-and-roll themed. Originally named "Galaxy". 4-seat cars, 45 ft. tall, 1,2500 ft. long. More information about this type of ride can be found at Roller Coaster Database.

Gentle Rides

  • Canobie Queen: This was a long-running paddle boat ride on Canobie Lake. On July 23, 1998, it suffered a mechanical breakdown, leaking hydraulic oil into Canobie Lake. In 1999 the Canobie queen was retired.
  • Canobie Queen II: This was a new paddleboat under construction, intended as a replacement for the original Canobie Queen. Unfortunately, the company contracted to build it, Paddlewheel Mansions, experienced cost overruns, and the Canobie Queen II was never finished. From 2000, the unfinished hull sat at the dock, until Canobie finally demolished it in late 2004.
  • Missile: This was a simulator ride.

Kiddie Rides

  • Kosmo Jets:

Shows

Shows Ending in 2005:

  • Bozo the Clown: Played in 1994-2005. Licensed clown show. Performed on the Kiddieland Stage. More information about this show can be found at Larry Harmon Pictures, Clown Ministry.
  • Britney's Dance Club: Played in 2005. A Britney Spears tribute show with singing and dancing. Performed on the Kiddieland Stage. June 29 through September 5, 2005. Dark Tuesdays. Produced by SimonWill Productions.
  • Canobie Can-Can: Played in 2005. A western-themed cabaret show with singing and dancing. Performed on the Country Stage. June 29 through September 5, 2005. Dark Tuesdays. Produced by SimonWill Productions.
  • Mad Science "Marvels of Motion": Played in 2005. An educational physics show. May 20 to June 24, 2005.
  • The King Lives: Played in 2003-2005. An Elvis tribute show with singing and dancing. Performed in the Dancehall Theatre. June 29 through September 5, 2005. Shows at 2pm, 5pm, 8pm, daily except Tuesdays. More information about this show can be found at The King Online, Matt Lewis.

Older Shows:

  • Summer of Legends (Beatlefest): Beatles impersonators. June 30 through August 2, 2004. Shows at 2pm, 5pm, 8pm, daily except Tuesdays. More information about this show can be found at Legends of Yesterday.
  • The Droidz: A robot show that played at Canobie in 2000. More information about this show can be found at The Droidz.

Food

Concessions and catering at Canobie Lake Park are run by the Sodexho food service company. Sodexho was previously known as Sodexho Marriott which was previously known as Marriott.

2004 Menu by Location

Copied from the Park Menu:

  • Trellis: bottled water, cheeseburger, coffee (Starbucks), fish filet sandwich, fries, grilled chicken breast sandwich, grilled hot dog, hamburger, hot chocolate, milk, onion rings, orange juice, pizza (cheese), pizza (pepperoni), soda, tea (hot), tea (iced), tossed salad. At park, but not on Menu: fruit cup, soda in refill cup. On menu, but not at park: grilled chicken salad, donuts.
  • Lemonade Stand: fresh lemonade, pretzels
  • Food Plaza (International Food Festival): baked potato, candy apples, caramel apples, cotton candy, deli sandwiches, hot dog, hot dog (giant), hot dog (giant chili), Icee, Italian sausage, natural cut fries, pizza (cheese), pizza (pepperoni), popcorn, soda. At park, but not on menu: kielbasa, hot dog/sausage toppings, potato chips basket. On menu, but not at park: coffee (Starbucks), hot chocolate, tea (hot).
  • Smoothies (Extreme Smoothies): fruit smoothies. On menu, but not at park (need to confirm): cotton candy, popcorn.
  • Be-Bop Diner: cheeseburger, fried chicken sandwich, fried dough, fries, hamburger, hot dog, onion rings, soda. On menu, but not at park: kids meal, tea (iced). Visa/Amex/MC.
  • Funnel Cake: funnel cake, soda, soft serve ice cream. At park, but not on menu: funnel cake sundae, jimmies, cherry or chocolate dip.
  • Lumber Jack's Ice Cream: frappes, hard ice cream, root beer floats, soda, soft serve ice cream. At park, but not on menu: "floates", orange sherbet coolers. On menu, but not at park: sundaes. MC/Visa.
  • Pick Axe Pub: coffee (Starbucks), corn dog, fries, Icee, Nathan's hot dogs, soda
  • The Candy Shoppe: candy, candy apples, caramel apples, cotton candy, fudge, popcorn. (Need to confirm candy, fudge, popcorn prices.)
  • The Dancing Bear Canteen: baked beans, BBQ chicken, BBQ pork sandwich, BBQ Ribs, beef hot dog, beer, corn on the cob, spicy German sausage, kids meal, beef burger, soda, steak fries. At park, but not on menu: combo chicken/rib dinner, beef burger (1/2 lb). On menu, but not at park: cheeseburger, hamburgers, kids meal (? need to confirm).
  • Pizza Ria: pizza (cheese), pizza (pepperoni), pizza (veggie), soda, soft serve ice cream, tossed salad. Visa/MC.
  • The Wharf: clam chowder, coffee (Starbucks), fish & chips dinner, fried chicken dinner, hot chocolate, kids meal, soda, soup, steak fries, tea (hot), tea (iced). MC/Visa/Amex/Discover. At park, but not on menu: chowder and soup in bread bowl.
  • Portofino: beer, bottled water, chicken parmigiana, coffee (Starbucks), juice, kids meal, meat lasagna, milk, pizza (cheese), pizza (pepperoni), pizza (veggie), side of garlic bread, side of meatballs, soda, spaghetti, spaghetti w/ meatballs, tea (iced), tossed salad, wine. (I need to confirm this menu, prices.)
  • Poncho Cantina: cheese fries, chicken quesadilla, chili, fried dough, fries (spicy), nachos, nachos grande, soda, tacos. At park, but not on menu: Tornados (chicken or beef). On menu, but not in park: tea (iced). Visa/MC.
  • Sons of Liberty Tavern: baked beans, beer, BLT sandwich, bottled water, chicken caesar roll-up, chicken tenders, clam chowder, coffee (Starbucks), fried ravioli, frozen drinks, kids meal, hot cocoa, reuben sandwich, salad, shrimp (coconut crusted), soda, soup, spinach artichoke dip, tea (hot), tea (iced), tuna wrap, turkey wrap, waffle fries, wine, wine coolers. (Need to confirm whether shrimp are coconut crusted or cocktail.)
  • Yankee Whaler: cotton candy, hard ice cream, popcorn, soda, soft serve ice cream. (Need to confirm popcorn, soda.)

Special Features

Canobie Timeline

  • 2002:
    • 100th year anniversary.
    • Starblaster and Jungle Bounce rides introduced.
    • Jackpot Casino introduced.
  • 2001:
    • Over the Rainbow and Ocean Trip rides introduced.
    • Galaxi re-opened.
    • Droidz show closed.
  • 2000:
    • Droidz show introduced.
  • 1999:
    • Old Man of the Mountain rock-climbing wall introduced?
    • Yankee Cannonball renovated.
    • Galaxi closed.
  • 1998:
    • Sons of Liberty Tavern and Fife and Drum gift shop introduced.
  • 1997:
    • Boston Tea Party ride introduced.
  • 1996:
    • The scheduled open date was April 14.
    • Yankee Cannonball was re-tracked over the winter.
    • Rowdy Roosters was now back in the park. It suffered from a gear box problem the previous season.
    • The Crystal Orbiter still did not revolve, and there are no plans for repairs. It was explained that it suffers from a transmission drive line problem.
    • The kiddie whip ride was new this season.
    • Psycho-Drome had a new spinning disk light.
    • MOLS was observed to still be a good, "fully working" ride in April.
    • In May, a new "history of the Yankee Cannonball" sign was installed in the station.
    • By mid-summer "almost everything is working" on MOLS. The prospector outside talked but did not move.
    • There was a diving show at Canobie this season.
    • By the end of July, it was observed that quite a few tricks were broken or not working in Mine of Lost Souls.
    • The Missile was still working.
    • A new ride (Boston Tea Party) was being planned for the next year, but one unreasonable neighbor, Gary Wright, complained about park noise.
    • There was a Town Meeting in Salem on August 27, to discuss the new ride.
    • Spring admission was $12.
  • 1995:
    • The scheduled open date was April 16.
    • Yankee Cannonball and Galaxi were observed to be fully operated-controlled. No computers.
    • Rowdy Roosters was observed to be not installed in early May.
    • It was again observed that the silver train runs better than the red train on YC.
    • Corkscrew strictly enforced its no-earring policy.
  • 1994:
    • Timber Splash ride introduced.
    • Bozo the Clown show introduced.
    • The scheduled open date was April 17.
    • Admission was $16 ($9 for evening, seniors, and children).
    • Head-on collisions are allowed on Dodgem.
    • YC was observed to have new trackwork and no trims.
    • Galaxi was repainted over the winter.
    • Caterpillar was renovated over the winter.
    • The lake cruise attraction existed.
    • Crystal Orbiter no longer revolved.
    • Mine of Lost Souls still looked "almost Disneyesque".
    • The arcade had a Lunar Lander video game.
    • Responding to guest complaints about line jumping, Canobie increased security in queues.
    • It is observed that there is a rule on Corkscrew that all earrings must be removed before riding. YC does not have this restriction.
    • On October 10, there is a fire at O.D. Hopkins in Hopkinton. The factory is destroyed.
    • Canobie affixes signs to the trees in the park and creates a "Timber Trail" map?
  • 1993:
    • The scheduled open and close dates were April 11 and September 19.
    • Because of winter snow and track rework, Canobie's opening was pushed out to April 18.
    • The Spring admission rate was $10.
    • The Mine of Lost Souls was surprisingly good, according to a first-time rider. Apparently, the ride was amazing.
    • Yankee Cannonball was observed to run faster on dry days.
    • Yankee Cannonball's silver train was observed to run faster than the red train.
  • 1992:
    • Carousel ride renovated.
    • Dragon coaster ride introduced.
    • The scheduled open and close dates were April 12 and September 20.
    • The scheduled open and close dates were April 12 and September 20.
    • The YC track was reworked over the winter.
    • The Crystal Orbiter was fixed so that it rotated about its base.
    • There were no seat belts on Yankee Cannonball.
    • The Mine of Lost Souls looked extremely good. The "bogus pirate stuff" was removed from it over the winter.
  • 1991:
    • ACE's Preservation Conference was held at Canobie on July 12-14.
  • 1990:
    • Canobie Corkscrew ride introduced.
  • 1958:
    • Canobie Lake Park changed ownership.
  • 1955:
    • Yankee Cannonball ride was rebuilt and reopened.
  • 1954:
    • Yankee Cannonball ride partially destroyed by Hurricane Carol.
  • 1936:
    • Yankee Cannonball ride introduced.
  • 1936:
    • Canobie Lake Park reopened?
  • 1929:
    • The trolley stopped running? Canobie Lake Park closed?
  • 1906:
    • Carousel ride introduced.
  • 1902:
    • Canobie Lake Park opened.

Ticket Prices

A history of ticket prices:

   2006 $27
   2005 $26
   2004 $25
   2003 $24
   2002 $23
   2001 $22
   2000 $20
   1999 $19
   1998 $19
   1997 $17
   1996 $17
   1995 $16
   1994 $16
   1993 $14 
   

Miscellaneous Information

  • Park Photo Prices 2004
    $40.00: 2x 5x7, 8x wallet, 4x keychain, 1x viewer
    $32.00: 1x 5x7, 8x wallet, 2x keychain
    $18.00: 4x viewer
    $12.00: 2x viewer
    $10.00: 4x wallet
    $18.00: 8x wallet
    $28.00: 4x 5x7
    $18.00: 2x 5x7
    $10.00: 1x 5x7
    $28.00: 8x keychain
    $18.00: 4x keychain
    $12.00: 2x keychain
    
  • 2004 locker rental prices: Lockers can be rented at the Guest Service window. The 2004 daily rates were $7 for a large locker and $5 for a small locker. There is a $2 refundable key deposit.

Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 Commercial

Canobie Lake Park was featured in the television ad for the Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 video game. Here is a transcript of the commercial:

CUT IN:

BLACK SCREEN

WIPE TO (RECTANGULAR WIPE FROM CENTER):

EXT. ANTIQUE CARS   DAY

It's Canobie Lake Park from inside the Antique Car grounds, looking
towards the fountain.

TITLE OVER:
               Larry's Sicko Amusement Park

An antique car with a happy family of four enters from screen left,
drives across the screen, and exits screen right.

                   MALE VOICE, SINGING
               Larry's Sicko Amusement Park

Flames erupt in the background.  General mayhem ensues.  A flock of
balloons escapes into the air.  Guests scatter

                    SINGING (CONT'D)
             Things blow up.  People freak.

EXT. INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL   DAY

Our happy family of four is seated on the International Food Festival
patio-- the concessions windows are in the back.  There is more mayhem
as a strong wind blows from right to left, scattering papers.  As
guests abandon their tables and escape towards the left, we see a
wandering character in a panda suit, wielding a leaf blower.

                    SINGING (CONT'D)
             It's full of surprises-- and tasty treats.

EXT. CANOBIE CORKSCREW   DAY

The family is smiling and pointing excitedly towards something
off-screen to the right.  In the background is the Canobie Corkscrew,
with a section of track missing!  The family exits off the screen,
right.

                    SINGING (CONT'D)
             Ride the coaster, how far will it go?

A coaster train enters the corkscrew and upon reaching the missing
track, continues flying through the air!

                    SINGING (CONT'D)
             Never come back?

CUT TO:

VID. STILL PHOTO ON VIDEO MATTE

We see a photo of Larry, a smirking kid, at his computer.  On the
screen is a corkscrew coaster.

TITLE OVER:

              Larry's Sicko Amusement Park

                     MALE NARRATOR
                     (with singing cont'd
                     in background)
             That's the kind of park Larry built.  
             What kind will you build?

CUT TO:

VID. MISCELLANEOUS SCENES FROM ROLLER COASTER TYCOON 3


                        NARRATOR
             Give it a try with Roller Coaster Tycoon 3
             where you can run your own sick amusement
             park-- right into the ground if you want.  
             It's one wild ride you can't get off.  
             Roller Coaster Tycoon 3.  Rated E for
             Everyone.

Mysteries of Canobie Lake

These are the many answered (and unanswered) questions and mysteries of Canobie Lake Park.

  • To get to Canobie Lake Park, I took Route 111 East crossed Route 93, and then headed north. When leaving the park, why do I have to go north on Route 93 to get back to Route 111? Answer: North Policy Street meanders quite a bit south as you circle the lake, and you end up well south of Route 111. See Canobie's directions map for details.
  • Where can I stand close to the Boston Tea Party and not get wet? Answer: Before they installed the exit gate, you used to be able to stand at the near corner of the bridge. Water would splash to the left and right of that spot, leaving it dry (assuming that the wind wasn't blowing too hard. They installed the exit gate to keep kids from running back and forth to the splash bridge.
  • What's in the General Store? This is the general store building that can be seen by riders on the Antique Cars ride. If you look closely, you can see some sort of computer or machine inside. Answer: It is the compressor that powers the Starblaster ride.
  • What is that rocket thing? And, why is it there? Answer: This used to be some a simulator ride named "Missile", manufactured by Todd Shipyard. The ride came to Canobie from Palisades Park.
  • What does the the Turkish Twist look like inside? I don't know. I've been too afraid to ride this ride. Allegedly, it looks like the inside of a top-loading washing machine.
  • What was that spinning hamburger I saw in a parking lot early in the season? Answer: It has now been installed inside the Be-Bop Diner.
  • What happened to that paddleboat thing? Was it a real boat? Where is it?Answer: It is was supposed to be a boat that replaced the original Canobie Queen lake cruise. Canobie contracted to have it built. However, for various reasons, it was never completed. In 2004, Canobie finally removed and dismantled it. They bought a regular boat to use for the lake cruise.
  • Why is Canobie Lake Park only open from 4pm to 8pm on one Saturday in September? Answer: On that day, Raytheon buys out the entire park for their company picnic.

Mine of Lost Souls vs. Haunted Mansion

Reasons why Canobie Lake Park's Mine of Lost Souls is better than Walt Disney World's Haunted Mansion. Just for fun.

  1. The Haunted Mansion takes much too long to ride. The Mine of Lost Souls is quick and efficient, giving you more time to ride other rides.
  2. The ride cars in Mine of Lost Souls have a piece of protective Plexiglas on the side, making the ride safer. The open-sided cars of the Haunted Mansion leave you unprotected.
  3. You could end up waiting over an hour to ride the Haunted Mansion. Lines are usually shorter at the Mine of Lost Souls.
  4. The Mine of Lost Souls is based on a true story, unlike the Haunted Mansion which was obviously written by some Disney employee.
  5. On the Mine of Lost Souls ride, you get to travel underground, in a real gold mine.
  6. The Mine of Lost Souls was never made into a terrible Eddie Murphy movie. However, rumor has it that Miramax is set to greenlight a Mine of Lost Souls movie starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon as Bobby and Billy Hollander.
  7. The Haunted Mansion just does not make sense at all. Why the heck is there a ride running through somebody's house? On the other hand, the Mine of Lost Souls makes perfect sense. There's a mine, there's a mine car, and you ride the mine car through the mine.

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