Palace Playland has been on the same five acres of Old Orchard Beach sand since 1902, and it holds a distinction no other park in New England can claim: it sits directly on an ocean beach. You walk off the sand, you're at the gate. That's not a marketing line. The Electra Wheel ferris wheel literally rises above the boardwalk with the Atlantic behind it.
We're about seven miles away in Saco, roughly a ten-minute drive. This is the park guests ask us about most, so here's the honest rundown.
What's Here
More than 28 rides on five beachfront acres, plus Maine's largest arcade, 24,000 square feet with over 200 games including vintage machines from the 1950s alongside modern redemption games. Admission to the grounds is free. You pay per ride or buy a day pass, which is the better move if you're planning a full day.
The Rides Worth Knowing About
The Electra Wheel is the one everyone should ride, and most people save it for last. At the top, you see the full seven-mile Saco Bay beach in both directions, the pier below, and the Atlantic out to the horizon. At sunset it is genuinely spectacular. Don't save it for last. Ride it when the light is good.
New for 2026: the Speedy Coaster, described as smooth twists and playful hills. It joins the existing Adrenalin coaster. New in 2025 and still running: Nitro Speed, which spins and orbits your car around a central hub with lights and music, and the Wind Surfer, a three-person hang glider that lifts 30 feet in the air. Minimum height on Wind Surfer: 46 inches.
The classic thrill lineup: Drop Zone (tower drop), Wipeout, The Pirate (swinging ship), Wave Swinger. For younger kids: Bumper Cars, Carousel, and Whales, plus the Balloon Ride at a 36 to 54-inch height range.
The Arcade
People underestimate the arcade. 24,000 square feet is a lot of floor space. The vintage 1950s machines draw adults who haven't seen them in years. On a rainy afternoon when the rides are less appealing, the arcade alone can fill two or three hours. It's open from late April on weekends, running through September.
Hours and Season
Opening weekend is Memorial Day weekend, Saturday May 23, 2026. After Memorial Day, weekends only through mid-June, then daily from around June 18 through Labor Day.
Weekday hours: Noon to close. Weekend hours: 11 AM to close.
Pricing
Single ticket: $1.55. Most rides take two to five tickets. If your group is planning to ride most of the day, the One-Day Pass works out better: roughly $50 for riders 48 inches and up, $41 for under 48 inches. AAA and Military get $3 off any pass with valid ID. Season passes available online. Confirm current pricing at palaceplayland.com before you go.
How to Plan Your Visit
With young kids under 46 inches: Balloon Ride, Whales, Carousel, and Bumper Cars are the core. The arcade has plenty to keep younger kids busy. The Wind Surfer and Nitro Speed have height minimums, so check those before you get in line.
Teens and adults: Nitro Speed, Wind Surfer, Drop Zone, The Pirate, and Wave Swinger are the ones worth lining up for. Both coasters. End with the ferris wheel at sunset.
July 4th weekend has the longest lines of the year. Get there at 11 AM, ride the popular ones first, and plan to be off the main rides by 4 PM before the evening crowd moves in.
Weekdays in July and August are noticeably less crowded than weekends. Tuesday or Wednesday means shorter lines on every ride. If your schedule has any flexibility, mid-week is worth it.
Getting There
95 Old Orchard Street, Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064. From the hotel, head north on Route 1 and follow signs into Old Orchard Beach. About ten minutes. Parking in OOB on summer weekends is the main logistical challenge. Get there before 9 AM or accept a longer walk from the residential side streets.
Funtown Splashtown USA opens at 10:30 AM and is 1.5 miles from the hotel. A lot of guests do Funtown in the morning and drive to Palace Playland in the afternoon. About 15 minutes between the two parks. Both open through Labor Day. No overlap, works well for families who want to cover everything in a day.