Help Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom touring plan (Trip completed post 24)

[ArielRae]

DH and I are planing on visiting Dorney Park and Wildwater kingdom June 22nd. It has been about 20yrs since I was last there so I am totally clueless on how to tour this park. We plan on doing the water park and a few park rides. Should we do the waterpark first? Here is a list of the rides we like to do. Please give any advice you think would be helpful to us. We like to avoid the upside down rides.

Park rides we like to do:
Steel force
Thunder hawk
Dominator
Thunder creek mountain
Monster
Ferris wheel
Apollo
Tit a whirl
Whip

Can you also recommend some of the best places to eat too?
I am happy to answer any question to help with the planning.

 

[katrina1122]

Can't help with a touring plan, but I will say this...

DH and I went 4 or 5 years ago on a Fri night and Sat in late June and will never ever return.

First off we went for a twilight ticket the night we got there. When we got to the parking lot it was FULL. I mean people were double parked in rows, parked in grass medians. It was absolutely insane. Then we followed the signs to the entrance only to find that we then had to turn around and go all the way back up hill because the signs funneled everyone down the hill to the 1 sidewalk in to walk back up the hill.
Once in it was wall to wall people. It was worse than our recent wdw spring break trip. The clientele were less than polite. We heard cursing, saw people just dropping their trash were ever and it never seemed to get picked up. Despite no smoking signs, people smoke walking everywhere and in the lines and no one told them to stop. To top it off it was 90 degrees at 8:30pm and the humidty was thru the roof so everyone was in a super bad mood and we witnessed many very loud arguments between groups of people. We did the rides at night. I will say the closing time was 11pm, we were still riding at 12:30am when we decided to leave. It took over an hour to get out of the parking lot and rides were still going. That was nice of them.

On our full day we did the waterpark, as did everyone else. We waited almost 2 hours for the lazy river and you only get to go around once and have to get off. DH went down a waterslide and lost his glasses to the bottom of the pool. They wouldn't stop the sliders for 5 minutes for him to recover them. He had search in between riders. Ok fine they were busy, but still. We couldn't find anything in the shade to sit on. The wave pool was wall to wall people. I could go on. We couldn't find anywhere to sit come lunch time and ended up standing in the middle of ths sidewalk eating along with a ton of other people.

We had always heard good things about Dorney, but i couldn't tell you what they are.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

I live 15 minutes away from Dorney. You couldn't PAY me to go to DP!!


My best advice? Drive another hour or so and go to Hershey.

 

[katrina1122]

I live 15 minutes away from Dorney. You couldn't PAY me to go to DP!!


My best advice? Drive another hour or so and go to Hershey.

At least we weren't crazy, lol.

 

[ckay87]

We live close to Dorney and like to hit it maybe one time/summer because I do love the coasters. We go on a middle-of-the-week, middle to end of summer, NIGHT and practically walk on everything. I would not do it any other way. I quit on the water park a long time ago. If the weather is decent, it's always packed during the day. Packed to an unsafe level, and pretty gross too.

Therefore I can only speak to the non-waterpark part. IF you want a strategy, I would consider that the crowds do waterpark during the day, then move to the park entrance and work their way to the back. Therefore, you should do the opposite. Walk to the back of the park, first thing. Ride Steel Force as much as possible (it's amazing) and work your way to the front. Perhaps, and this is just a guess, if you try the waterpark at about 4pm, it won't be so bad.

 

[ArielRae]

We got our tickets thru coke rewards.

Anymore tips or tricks?

Can you wear a fannypack on the rides or do they make you put everything in lockers?

Should we just skip the Waterpark?

We have been to Hershey park a few times over the years and wanted to give Dorney Park a try since it has been so long.

 

[marcyinPA]

I live 15 minutes away from Dorney. You couldn't PAY me to go to DP!!


My best advice? Drive another hour or so and go to Hershey.

Yup! What she said!! I live about 15 minutes away, and won't step foot in that park. HATE IT. It is a huge hang out for the "tween" population. Most of my DS's friends have season passes. You could not pay him to go there. He can't stand it.

Now Hershey- that's another story. Love that park!

 

[jenny105]

I live 15 minutes away from Dorney. You couldn't PAY me to go to DP!!


My best advice? Drive another hour or so and go to Hershey.

This.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

We got our tickets thru coke rewards.

Anymore tips or tricks?

Can you wear a fannypack on the rides or do they make you put everything in lockers?

Should we just skip the Waterpark?

We have been to Hershey park a few times over the years and wanted to give Dorney Park a try since it has been so long.

Well, since you're stuck with DP....

Go with low expectations. DS went a few years ago with friends and absolutely LOVED Steel Force - they went on it 5 or 6 times in a row. I think you can wear a fanny pack on most of the rides but I honestly don't know for sure.

The food at DP is pretty much standard amusement park food. Outside of the park on Cedar Crest Blvd is a Carabba's (num, num!!); Friendly's; TGI Friday's; and there might be another restaurant or two around Friday's.... ah, yes, Pistachio! It's been a long time but they had good food last time I was there. All of these are in two shopping centers across from each other right at the Cedar Crest Blvd and Hamilton Blvd intersection.

 

[ArielRae]

DH was really looking forward to the waterpark but I have convinced him that we will do it in the evening before they close.

 

[Erin1700]

DH was really looking forward to the waterpark but I have convinced him that we will do it in the evening before they close.

I would do it in the middle of the day. Go back to the rides at night to do the less popular ones. Hit steel force, dominator, monster in the early AM.

They have some kind of picnic type food that you can add to your ticket. I heard it is pretty good.

We have season passes since we live right here but only go for an hour or 2 at opening.

Rides with lap bars, they will ask you to leave the fanny pack in a designated area.

 

[grafxgirl]

I'm sorry to hear how awful these places are now. My family is from Allentown and we used to go every single summer growing up. It used to be a beautiful, clean place.

 

[GraysMom]

We live about 15 min away from DP and used to have season passes when DS8 was younger. He is now in the age range where he's too big for the little kid rides (Camp Snoopy) and too short for the big coasters that he would like to ride, so he's basically left with the merry mixer and tilt-a-whirl plus a couple of others, but not enough to make it worth the price of a ticket.

We rarely went to the waterpark because it was such a madhouse, even on weekdays (the only days we would go). Even if you get there at opening, the chairs are all taken and the pools are packed. It's really hard to track your child in the kiddie pool areas and honestly, my nerves couldn't handle it (and the obnoxious children without parental oversight just added to the awfulness).

A lot of people from Philly come up to DP, as well as busloads of campers with little supervision, so the attitude of the patrons leaves a lot to be desired.

The food in the park is expensive and not all that good to be honest. South on Hamilton Blvd you will also find a Panera Bread and Texas Roadhouse as other food options. As a PP mentioned, north on Hamilton Blvd there is a Carrabba's (I second the yum!), Friendly's, TGI Friday's, Perkins, and a pizza place in the shopping center with Bounce U.

I know you already bought the tickets, but next time consider going to Knoebels We would rather drive almost 2 hours to use tickets to ride just what we want (free parking and free admission), have shade and friendly people, and delicious, award-winning food choices.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

We live about 15 min away from DP and used to have season passes when DS8 was younger. He is now in the age range where he's too big for the little kid rides (Camp Snoopy) and too short for the big coasters that he would like to ride, so he's basically left with the merry mixer and tilt-a-whirl plus a couple of others, but not enough to make it worth the price of a ticket.

We rarely went to the waterpark because it was such a madhouse, even on weekdays (the only days we would go). Even if you get there at opening, the chairs are all taken and the pools are packed. It's really hard to track your child in the kiddie pool areas and honestly, my nerves couldn't handle it (and the obnoxious children without parental oversight just added to the awfulness).

A lot of people from Philly come up to DP, as well as busloads of campers with little supervision, so the attitude of the patrons leaves a lot to be desired.

The food in the park is expensive and not all that good to be honest. South on Hamilton Blvd you will also find a Panera Bread and Texas Roadhouse as other food options. As a PP mentioned, north on Hamilton Blvd there is a Carrabba's (I second the yum!), Friendly's, TGI Friday's, Perkins, and a pizza place in the shopping center with Bounce U.

I know you already bought the tickets, but next time consider going to Knoebels We would rather drive almost 2 hours to use tickets to ride just what we want (free parking and free admission), have shade and friendly people, and delicious, award-winning food choices.

Knoebels is a great park! Kind of like what Dorney used to be like.


2 points if you remember that HUGE clown face (and his name) that used to be over the entrance!

 

[JOCAmom]

Knoebels is a great park! Kind of like what Dorney used to be like.


2 points if you remember that HUGE clown face (and his name) that used to be over the entrance!

That would be Alfundo. I grew up going to Dorney Park...back when there were car races there, the Bucket of Blood, Journey to the Center of the Earth. I remember the fires they had there and how sad I was. Admission of free...could buy tickets/books, all day wrist bands, or just walk around. I remember having big family picnics under the "yellow roller coaster". That's what it will always be to me.

OP....I would hit Steel Force first thing and get your fill. Dominator next and then Thunder Creek if it's hot. There is nothing really exceptional at Dorney. Leave your expectations at the door and you will have a decent time.

 

[Erin1700]

That would be Alfundo. I grew up going to Dorney Park...back when there were car races there, the Bucket of Blood, Journey to the Center of the Earth. I remember the fires they had there and how sad I was. Admission of free...could buy tickets/books, all day wrist bands, or just walk around. I remember having big family picnics under the "yellow roller coaster". That's what it will always be to me.

OP....I would hit Steel Force first thing and get your fill. Dominator next and then Thunder Creek if it's hot. There is nothing really exceptional at Dorney. Leave your expectations at the door and you will have a decent time.

I used to love Journey to the Center of the Earth!

 

[It'sWDW4me]

That would be Alfundo. I grew up going to Dorney Park...back when there were car races there, the Bucket of Blood, Journey to the Center of the Earth. I remember the fires they had there and how sad I was. Admission of free...could buy tickets/books, all day wrist bands, or just walk around. I remember having big family picnics under the "yellow roller coaster". That's what it will always be to me.

OP....I would hit Steel Force first thing and get your fill. Dominator next and then Thunder Creek if it's hot. There is nothing really exceptional at Dorney. Leave your expectations at the door and you will have a decent time.

I forgot all about Bucket of Blood. Journey to the Center of the Earth was my absolute favorite! Such cheesy fun. And that yellow roller coaster was my very first coaster ride. Ah, the memories! Remember the train - Zephyr, I believe? Weren't there paddle boats, too? That one's a little fuzzy.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Should we just skip the Waterpark?

Heck no! I love the water slides & lazy rivers.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I've been to this park hundreds of times and even worked there the summer of 1995, and I can't get my head around a touring plan to avoid lines. I say get there early, for one.

The park is on one big hill. I would avoid treking all over the place. Start and one end and make your way to the other.

The summer I worked there, Tuesdays were always the least busy. I can't give you a reason, I just know it was true.

As for food, there is a Chickie's and Pete's that just opened this season. I was always partial to the Burger Barn when I worked there. It's pretty standard amusement park food.

That's my only advice.

 

[ckay87]

I forgot all about Bucket of Blood. Journey to the Center of the Earth was my absolute favorite! Such cheesy fun. And that yellow roller coaster was my very first coaster ride. Ah, the memories! Remember the train - Zephyr, I believe? Weren't there paddle boats, too? That one's a little fuzzy.

Yes but I'm thinking they were some kind of boats that you "drove" but were really on tracks. And the Zephyr still lives!

What was that inside ride. Like....Iceberg? It was really just teacups once you got in there but we ADORED it... very cool on a hot day, loud music. That one stuck around for a while but I think it was replaced with a pizza place.

Oh oh.... and those rockets by the picnic grove? Steel Force is there now. Big huge rockets (I think) that swung, suspended, in circles. Why I loved that, I have no idea.