Waldameer is closed for the season. What's next for the Millcreek Township amusement park?

Steve Gorman, president of Waldameer Park & Water World, was ready for a break after the screams of passengers on the Ravine Flyer II fell silent at the end of the season on Sept. 4.

He and his wife, Nancy, did the logical thing for a couple who had spent their summer at an amusement park. They went to Dollywood, the famous amusement park co-owned by Dolly Parton in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

It wasn't so much that the Gormans needed another spin on a log ride.

Instead, they were following the tradition of Paul Nelson, Gorman's father-in-law and long-time park owner, who died in May at the age of 89. As Nelson did in the off-season, they were shopping for ideas as they plan for the next chapter at the 127-year-old Millcreek Township amusement park.

"We came to Dollywood to get some ideas and we will talk to other amusement parks," Gorman said.

Reflections on 2023

Following disappointing seasons in 2020 and 2021, Nelson previously described the 2022 season as a record-breaker.

By most measures, the 2023 season was better, Gorman said.

"We had a good year in our minds," Gorman said. "We had a slight increase in attendance from last year. And last year was very good."

Attendance isn't the only way the park measures success. Sales of season passes improved. Weather-related downtime was minimal. And for the first time since 2019, all of the park's attractions were open.

Waldameer struggled at times in 2021 to keep all of the rides spinning and all its games and food stands open because of staffing shortages.

Gorman said those shortages were largely addressed with pay increases in 2022 and another round in 2023, including higher pay for returning employees. Employment at the park peaked at about 600 this summer, down from an all-time high of about 700.

What does the future hold?

Waldameer made a big splash in 2023 with the addition of its new $7 million Rocket Blast water coaster.

Gorman said the park expects to hit pause on major new developments over the next year. But Waldameer will be making some improvements to Thunder River, electrical systems and is installing six new cabanas in the water park.

"We will also take this winter to make good plans going forward," Gorman said. "We need to hold our fort a little bit."

But only for now.

Gorman said the park's longstanding practice of adding new rides and attractions is expected to continue.

"In 2025 we will add something new and something big," Gorman said.

He's not ready yet to say what that new attraction might be.

Nelson spoke frequently over the years about five-year and 10-year plans for the park. Gorman said those plans don't all exist on paper.

"Mostly it was verbal plans," Gorman said. "He shared a lot with his wife more than me. She and I have been sharing things and finding his notes. We are going to spend the next six months (studying) that."

But the longstanding tradition of adding new reasons to visit Waldameer will continue as the park makes plans for a new attraction in 2025.

"We will have to decide on the final plan, but we plan to continue," Gorman said. "We plan to continue with his thoughts and vision to grow the park."

On May 1, just weeks before his death, Nelson purchased the 14-acre Village Mobile Home Park, which is adjacent to Waldameer, for $2.65 million. The mobile home park continues to operate, but could one day provide space for Waldameer to expand.

Nelson, who did not live to see the park's new Rocket Blast open for the season, was mourned throughout the summer.

But Nelson, who was at the helm of Waldameer since 1965, left behind both the inspiration and a blueprint that another generation could follow, Gorman said.

"To be honest, day to day, I don't think we missed a beat," Gorman said. "Together, we had grown a good team. He really taught us how to operate the park. I think we succeeded in proving that."

More: Paul Nelson, who made his Waldameer Park & Water World an Erie treasure, dies at 89

More: Waldameer plans for future with $2.65 million land purchase; new ride nears completion

Contact Jim Martin at jmartin@timesnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Waldameer Park will continue to make improvements and add rides