Mt. Olympus Offers Late Night Thrills

It's a well-known fact that most enthusiasts drool at the very prospect of riding their favorite coasters in the dead of night. Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park has proven that the same rule applies to the general public.

Earlier this month, owner Nick Laskaris pitched a novel idea to his staff which he dubbed "Night at the Theme Park". The original plan was to reopen select attractions two nights a week, from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., for guests of the Hotel Rome only. But when 800 people--more than half the number the resort can accommodate--showed up on the first night, it became obvious that there was a much larger market for such an event. Mt. Olympus has since expanded Night at the Theme Park to four nights a week and opened it up to the general public.

There's just one itsy bitsy little problem: A village ordinance prohibits amusements from being open past midnight Sunday through Friday, and past 1 a.m. on Saturday. Laskaris appeared before the village board a couple weeks ago to plead his case and suggest modifications to the ordinance, and most trustees as well as local law enforcement officers seem to be sympathetic to his cause. Although the board has yet to hold a meeting to discuss the ordinance and has not officially granted Mt. Olympus a temporary variance, the park continues to offer the event. And according to the local news, nobody seems to object.

If the sheer popularity of Night at the Theme Park is any indication, I'd say Mt. Olympus is quite likely to get that variance. Wouldn't it be nice if other parks took a cue from this success story and instituted their own late night events! (Easier said than done, I know...) For more information on this unique event, including prices and a list of the rides that will be operating, refer to the Hotel Rome web site.