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Updating as of: June 5, 2025
As the oldest amusement park in the United States, Lake Compounce has been delighting visitors with its heart-pounding rollercoaster, Boulder Dash, and a host of other attractions like Wildcat and its waterpark, Crocodile Cove. The theme park is actually part of US Palace Entertainment (with a portfolio of 7 amusement parks, 6 water parks, and 2 marine animal parks in the US market).
Of course, that’s not the only thing they offer, there is also the food, and I personally believe that that is one of the more important facets of a great park day out and the same goes for dining at Lake Compounce.
Since the first iteration of this guide, there have been a lot of changes happening over at Lake Compounce that we need to talk about food-wise. And to be frank with you, I’m frustrated to say the least, but let’s get into this.
In this guide, I’ll run through tickets, dining options, and insider tips to make the most of your time in the park. My goal here at Theme Park Bites is to help you avoid spending an arm and a leg just to have a fun day out.
So get ready to enjoy one of my personal favorite (and in my home state) theme parks, Lake Compounce!
We’ve got other food guides here at Theme Park Bites, too!
Benefits of Being a Lake Compounce Season Pass Holder
Trips to theme parks tend to be expensive and the food is certainly no exception. If you are planning on attending a park more than once in a season, you might want to consider adding a season pass.
It isn’t just the savings on admissions that you have to think about, it’s the percentage off of your food and drink purchases which can really add up. If you have a family of four, lunch might easily cost $70-$80.
Like most theme parks, Lake Compounce has their own season pass, with four tiers in 2025. The highest tier offers up to 20% off food and drink purchases, so the savings can add up quickly.
The tiers are explained below, but you can also find more information on the Lake Compounce website.
Regular Ticket Prices
To give a sensible comparison of the offerings, we’ll start off with guest day tickets. Lake Compounce uses what is called steady dynamic pricing, easy way of saying that the price fluctuates based on the day you come. So peak days are more expensive than off-peak for an adult ticket (surprisingly the inverse is true for junior tickets).
You can buy tickets one of two ways: online or in the park. Buying them online is the best option as you’ll save money (up to 45%) and you’re able to choose which day you’d like to go beforehand or the option of buying an Any Day ticket and going whenever you’d like during the open season.
The 2025 season continues to have the Single Day Ticket and Meal Combo (valid until June 22) that gives the ticket holder one entrée, a side, cookie, and a drink alongside admission to the main and water park.
There is a rainy day guarantee attached to these tickets as well, so if your day gets rained out make sure you get a free ticket to return another day. Also, if you ever want to upgrade to a season pass you can head to the Guest Experience Center on the same day of your visit.
Tickets
| Regular Adult (Gate) | Discounted Adult (Online) | Regular Junior (48″ & Under) (Gate) | Discounted Junior (48″ & Under) (Online) |
| As low as $65.99 | As low as $34.99 | As low as $60.99 | As low as $28.99 |
| Regular Senior (Ages 65+) (Gate) | Discounted Senior (Ages 65+) (Online) | Any Day Ticket (Online) | Discounted Corporate Consignment (Online)* |
| As low as $28.99 | As low as $60.99 | As low as $54.99 | $32.99 |
Single Day Ticket and Meal Combo
Only valid until June 22, 2025
A great value for what you receive (if bought online), this combo has admission to both the main and water sides of the park alongside a meal voucher to any of the following locations:
- Potato Patch
- Timberjack
- Wildcat Burger (formerly Johnny Rockets)
- Harborside
- Marketplace, and
- Nathan’s Famous (a/k/a Lakeside Café)
| Single Day Ticket & Meal Combo (Gate) | Single Day Ticket & Meal Combo (Online) |
| $84.99 | $44.99 |
Historical 2024 Single & Any Day Ticket Prices
If you ever end up at the park and forgot to buy tickets online, head online on your phone and purchase them there.
Season Pass
There are four season passes at Lake Compounce: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each pass does allow for monthly payments so if you need to take things a little slower you can do that.
Each season pass also comes with different tiers of discounts as well, ranging from 5% to 20% on food and retail.
Few Important Things:
1. For those looking to get on the payment plans, they have been shortened from 5 to 3 cycles.
2. There are passholder perks, make sure you’re staying on top of them to fully utilize your pass.
3. Lake Compounce now has a mobile season pass (finally, welcome to the 21st century!) that you can find more information about here if you need it.
Bronze Pass
Formerly known as the “Summer Splash Pass,” it was renamed to the Bronze Pass in 2024.
At the gate, this will run you $109.99 (up $10.00 from 2024), but online it will be $54.99 ($35.00 less than 2024). The monthly payments are 3 easy payments of $19.00 up from $18.00.
This pass comes with the most blackout dates of July 12, 19, and 26. However, it only allows for summer admission, so if you’re looking for access to Phantom Fall Fest or Holiday Lights, this isn’t the pass you’re looking for.
This pass has been upgraded from no perks in the 2024 season to 5% off food, beverage, and retail in the 2025 season.
This is worth it for those who are may be short on funds and/or looking for a few days of fun in the sun at Lake Compounce and nothing more.
Silver Pass
If money is no issue, here is where things get a little fun. At the gate, this pass will cost you $139.99 ($10.00 more than 2024), but only $99.99 online ($20.00 less than 2024). The payment plan however has been shortened from 5 to 3 easy payments of $24.00 to $34.00, just as an FYI.
There is one downgrade with this pass before we move on: last year there were three free “bring-a-friend” tickets for the season, in 2025 there are only two. However, there is now what is called Wingman Wednesday where this pass holder can bring up to four friends at a price of $19.99 each.
The same as the Bronze Pass, this pass is only good during the summer (no blackout dates though), however, it has 10% off food, beverage, and retail. That may not seem like a lot, but when you’re saving even $5.00 on a meal for two, you’re putting a little silver back in your pocket each time.
P.S. Get the Gold Pass (it’s the same price online … for now). 🤫
Gold Pass
If you’re looking for something that’s all-season, the Gold Pass is right up your alley.
At the gate, it will cost you $169.99, but if you’re savvy, you’ll grab it online for $99.99 (yep, same price as Silver!). It will be 3 easy payments of $34.00, down from 5 payments of $30.00.
This is where the best value comes into play with free regular parking ($25.00 per car every visit, down from $30.00 in 2024 – yay!), free soda refills and an All Season Drink Bottle (valued at $26.99), three “bring-a-friend” tickets” and the newly instated Wingman Wednesday where you can bring up to four friends for just $19.99.
Of course there’s the savings of 15% on food, beverage, and retail. But, there’s actually more! They’ve added new perks – 20% off cabanas at Crocodile Cove Water Park and 15% off Speedy Pass.
Plus, (and this isn’t new) if you’re an out-of-towner or just like camping and looking for a place to say close by there is the Lake Compounce Campground that you can get 15% off of by using this pass, too.
And since this is an all-season pass you also have free admission to any of the holiday events that happen during the off-season.
Platinum Pass
Now, if you’re really looking to show off, grab the Platinum Pass and milk the park dry.
With admission to the park for the entire season, this pass will cost you $209.99 at the gate ($10.00 more than 2024), but $169.99 online ($20.00 less than 2024). Monthly payments this year will feel heftier at $57.00 for 3 months compared to last year’s option at $38.00 for 5.
Perks for this card come with everything in Gold, plus access for the pass holder only to every park in the Palace Entertainment Park portfolio (including Splish Splash in Long Island). The other major differences are preferred parking ($40 per car every visit), four “bring-a-friend” tickets”, 20% off food, beverage, and retail purchases.
Also, there’s the new addition of 30% off cabanas at Crocodile Cove Water Park and 20% off Speedy Pass.
Oh, and the campground? You receive 20% off that, too.
This pass is my favorite as it stretches across the many theme park properties in the Palace Entertainment portfolio and grants so many perks for a decent price compared to other major U.S. theme parks.
So to sum it up …
Pros of the passes: Practically unlimited access to the parks daily (if you’re returning though, you gotta get your hand stamped, pass or not) and savings on every tier for food. At higher tiers, this savings can add up to be fairly substantial.
The pretty obvious cons: The passes can be pretty expensive for such a small park, but it is the longest standing amusement park in the U.S.A and so that should stand for something I suppose.
But if you’re not going to go to the parks often, the benefits aren’t as compelling. Keep in mind that an adult single day ticket is normally $65.99 + tax, so you don’t have to plan a dozen trips to the park to get your money’s worth.
Even if you plan on going once though, grab the Bronze Pass since it’s cheaper and you can at least get 5% off food the one day you’re in the park.
There is a huge gotcha with the Platinum pass: The free admission you get to other US Palace Entertainment locations does not include any of the other perks associated with your Platinum pass besides free parking. You receive no discount on food, drinks, or merchandise, and you also don’t get any of your bring-a-friend tickets at those parks.
This isn’t, in theory, a big deal. It is fine that they only grant these limited perks at the company’s other theme parks, although it does make me wonder why they don’t come out with a “Platinum Plus” pass level. What is a little more of an issue is the fact that this isn’t super clear when you buy the pass.
Our philosophy at Theme Park Bites is that theme parks are expensive enough, you should be able to budget and plan your trip out so that you don’t feel like you’re wasting money.
Driving all the way to a theme park with a friend that you thought would also be admitted for free, only to have a park attendant tell you it costs $70 for them to get in, and then you both have to pay full price for food, merchandise, and so on… it’s a bummer, and one that could easily be avoided.
(As you can guess, this lesson was hard learned by yours truly.)🧍🏾♀️
But anyway – let’s get into talking about the food!
Exploring Lake Compounce’s Food Situation
Lake Compounce delivers classic New England thrills with family-friendly rides balancing kid appeal and all-ages excitement. While its food options lean heavily on standard Americana fare (burgers, pizza, chicken tenders), two smart solutions save the day for picky eaters and budget-conscious families:
- All Season Dining Pass (New in 2025!)
- $99.99 online (vs. $119.99 at the gate) for Season Passholders
- Two meals per visit (lunch and dinner, at least 4 hours apart)
- Redeemable at Timberjack Chowhouse, Johnny Rockets, Nathan’s Famous (a/k/a Lakeside Café), and four other locations
- Perfect for: Frequent visitors craving predictable savings
- Outside Food Policy
- Pack lunches/diet-specific items (coolers welcome)
- Use outside free picnic areas for group gatherings
Pro Tip: Pair the Dining Pass with packed snacks to maximize savings and please picky palates!
IMPORTANT: Lake Compounce is a cashless park, therefore you will either need to convert cash in the parks or you’ll need to make sure you have enough money on your credit/debit cards before entering.
Lake Compounce Menu Prices 2025
You can check out the updated menu prices for Lake Compounce in the 2025 year by clicking the banner below. There have been a lot of surprising changes and removal of restaurants – namely Johnny Rockets (which has not been moved to closed from the main page, but replaced with Lake Compounce’s version, so please disregard for the time being until that change transpires).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Compounce cash only?
No, Lake Compounce is actually cashless. Cash is not accepted inside of the park, but if you happen to bring it in you can convert it to an ATM to a card.
Can I bring food into Lake Compounce?
Yes, you absolutely can. The only stipulation is that it needs to be in a 12 x 12 x 12” soft-sided cooler. You cannot bring rolling or hard-sided coolers, like a Coleman, as you will be turned away.
The upside is that every person in your party is allowed the soft-sided cooler, so go wild and have the baby bring one in, too.
Does Lake Compounce have free drinks?
If you are a Gold or Platinum pass holder (with your free All Season Drink Bottle in tow) or have bought the the season bottle then yes, you get free refills. As of 2025, there is now a $4.99 ICEE Slushie refill option.
How much is soda at Lake Compounce?
Fair question – all fountain and bottled drinks at the park in 2024 were around $4.99. Water bottles in 2024 were around $3.99, however, if you buy four at a time you can purchase for $11.99 for savings of $4.
Does Lake Compounce sell beer / alcohol?
Yep! When Crocodile Cove is open there is the Beachfront Bar and the Tiki Bar. During events there are kiosks around the park that will sell beer. Of course, you must be 21+ to buy and imbibe.
Kid-Friendly Options
As Lake Compounce is a family-friendly amusement park, most of its offerings are kid-friendly. The portion sizes, however, may be better suited for the adults in the group. Whether your little ones are picky eaters or have adventurous taste buds, the park offers several options for your aspiring food critics.
The most popular restaurants are Johnny Rockets (best for burgers, fries, and milkshakes), Harborside Pizza / Marketplace Pizza, The Croc Pot (mac and cheese, chicken tenders, and fries), and The Potato Patch (chicken tenders and fries).
However, if you want something a little different for the kids, you can head to Timberjack Chowhouse if you’re BBQ and pork lovers.
Dietary-Friendly Options at Lake Compounce
Lake Compounce isn’t very friendly towards those needing alternative dining options.
There seemed to be an effort to slowly try to incorporate options for vegetarians, gluten-sensitive eaters, and so on, but that push definitely seemed to be eviscerated. Lake Compounce doesn’t seem to be moving all that quickly to round out this fairly sparse list, but I would encourage any readers with dietary restrictions to reach out to send feedback and ask them to add more options.
They will never invest the money to add new dining options unless they think there is customer demand. In the meantime, for those planning trips to Lake Compounce, I have a few suggestions a few headings below.
Vegetarian Options
There’s a small number of vegetarian options in the park and they’re all sides. They used to have a Veggie Burger at Timberjack Chowhouse, but they seemed to have gotten rid of it recently, which I find to be a real shame.
- Mac ‘n Cheese (found at Timberjack Chowhouse and The Croc Pot)
- French Fries (found at practically every food dining option)
- Most sweets, snacks, and treats on property
Does Lake Compounce Offer Gluten-Free Options?
Gluten-free options are very limited and must be specifically requested for. There’s no indication that there is a higher fee for gluten-free meals, though.
The only place I was able to piece together information about this being a viable option was at The Croc Pot (and that was in 2023, I’m unsure if that option is available going forward), but there’s a potential for it to also be available at Timberjack Chowhouse and Leo’s Lunch since they’re both newer food spots.
Again, ask before assuming that they will have what you need.
Will Vegans Have Food, Too?
Vegan food options depend on the strictness of the person’s definition of vegan. If you’re following the truest definition, then your choices are incredibly restricted. There are a decent selection of sweets in the park (I’m sure you know to always ask just in case), but the food options are limited unless you’re willing to make allowances regarding what types of animal products you may consume.
I’ll be reaching out to Lake Compounce to ask them for a list of their vegan options. At the time of this writing, they have not provided that information, but I’ll update you all once I know more. I reached out to them last year, but they never responded. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
If you are a strict vegan and planning a trip to Lake Compounce, or if you have other dietary concerns, all hope is not lost. Check out our insider tips to learn more about how you can plan your own delicious day at the park.
Insider Tips for a Great Food Experience
Not everyone has the freedom to spend all the money that they want or if you have a picky eater, food sensitive, dietary specific person in the group, here a few things I’d do prior to entering the park.
Tip #1: Highly suggest bringing food into the parks since that is allowed. Every person is allowed a small 12 x 12 x 12″ soft-sided cooler to bring inside, aside from the backpack (15″ all around) that they are also allowed to have. Have your person pack what they’d like for lunch and there you go. Alcohol and glass containers are not allowed.
Also:
- Walk through the menus on our pages and talk over the options with your picky eater ahead of time so that you’re prepared – and make contingency plans in case that dining option is unavailable upon arrival.
- Take a break mid-day, get your hand stamped for re-entry, and head outside of the park and grab food at an outside food spot.
Tip #2: If you can’t go to a restaurant spot outside of the parks, head to your car and unload the hard-sided cooler with food you’ve prepared. You can also use it as a seat if you want in the parking lot, however, you can also just bring camper chairs.
If your budget is tight, check out some of these lunch hacks before you head into the parks.
Tip #3: Typically ideal dining times on the weekends are right before typical lunch and early dinner times in the real world, so, think 11:30 AM or 4 PM. Typical weekday times are less stringent since there are less park attendees, but those rules still tend to apply.
Tip #4: The most crowded places for food are The Croc Pot, The Potato Patch, and Johnny Rockets. Try other food spots if you’re up for it like Leo’s Lunch or Lakeside Café (when the waterpark is open).
Events & Festivals at Lake Compounce
Before I wrap up this guide, I wanted to mention that if you’re a theme park fanatic, you’re bound to have gone to an event or two at your favorite theme park.
Three years ago (2022), Lake Compounce had a Bites & Pints Festival that they ran for a couple of weeks during early summer, but they didn’t bring it back, which was a shame really. However, they did replace it with a full summer of weekly concerts by local or regional artists with their Summer Concert Series.
For the Fall/Halloween season, they have Phantom Fall Fest (September 21 – October 27). They have limited edition treats and drinks as well, which I’m super excited to try!
For Winter/Holiday season, they host their annual Holiday Lights (November 29 – December 29). They run a limited number of rides, but the tallest Christmas tree in CT gets lit on opening night.
Recommend: Complete List of Theme Park Festivals Around the USA
Food Reviews at Lake Compounce
The Croc Pot and Fried Dough:
What’s it been like to eat at Lake Compounce and what are your favorite foods there? Let me know in the comments!
Enjoy Your Time!
There’s a lot of options at a small park like Lake Compounce. While they may not have something for everyone, there are a decent amount of good quality options. Do I believe that they can do better? Absolutely! Lake Compounce, however, has generally decent food and I have confidence they will continue to improve.
Thank you for taking time to read this guide. If there’s anything I missed, or you need (or want) an answer to something, let me know and I’ll see if it makes sense to add it in.
If you haven’t as of yet, please follow us on our other social media channels (YouTube, Instagram & Tik Tok – @themeparkbites) as we gear up to get movin’ and groovin’ back up on those platforms. Thank you for allowing us to be your tasty theme park companion!