SEASON PASS SALE ADDS EVEN MORE VALUE TO CALAWAY PARK FAMILY FUN
For families planning a road trip in 2017, a stop at Calgary’s Calaway Park makes good holiday sense.
Western Canada’s largest outdoor amusement park boasts rides for all ages, free parking and even a handy fully serviced on-site campground.
It truly makes an affordable vacation. And right now the park has further sweetened the deal.
From now until Jan.1, individual season passes are available for $39.95, the same price as a regular day ticket.
“It’s great family value, especially if you buy the season’s pass,” says general manager Bob Williams. “Especially for people from out of town, if they have any inclination that they are thinking of coming to Calgary and being here for more than one day.”
And a gate admission at Calaway Park brings a lot of perks.
You get unlimited access to the park’s 32 rides as well as the daily live stage shows, the Cinemagic 3D Theatre and Haunted-Hotel.
There are attractions for all ages here. Rides include fast thrills such as The Vortex, the roller-coaster you can see from the Trans-Canada Highway, and family fun like the water-soaking bumper boats. There’s also the toddler-friendly Tot Yachts, and of course the new Timber Falls log ride that features a zigzag river section and bigger splashes.
“Definitely we’ve become a destination, versus people visiting friends and family and then deciding to go to the park,” says Williams. “We are now attracting people to the park, especially with our new Timber Falls log ride, the log ride has set a new bar for us.”
Calaway Park, open from May 20 to Oct. 9, is always a good place to let the kids burn off some energy, enjoying outdoor rides with a stunning view of the Rocky Mountains. There’s plenty of free parking and 24 food outlets offering staples such as cotton candy and burgers, as well as more unique options like Jalapeno Cheese Pretzels and the Taco in a Bag. And that 2017 Season Pass gives holders 10 per cent off at most of the food outlets.
“We have the fun food that people are looking for,” says Williams. “You know, the cotton candy, where they can cheat a little bit.”
Williams stresses the value and the allure of the 103-site campground; there are pull-through sites with water, electricity and dumping services, as well as back-in and tenting sites.
“The park is the reason they’re coming, so by having the campground right there, it’s so convenient, it complements the experience if they want to RV,” he says.
“Next year is going be extremely busy for camping because it’s Canada’s 150th birthday and the national park gates are free. So we know the Trans-Canada Highway is going to be very, very busy. And we know that our campground reservations are going to book fast.”
Out-of-town-visitors can go online at calawaypark.com to purchase an annual pass (a 65 per cent savings at $39.95 plus GST before Jan. 1) and also to book a campsite. For local Calgarians, season passes are also available at local Calgary Co-op stores until Jan. 1, 2017.
“It’s just overall a great experience to be together and to enjoy the unique product,” says Williams. “The view of the Rockies, being outside … riding rides and doing that together.”