Opening Day Report

The castle gates opened yesterday to kick off Dutch Wonderland's 49th season. Cloudy skies and less than favorable temperatures kept away the large crowds, but a small, enthusiastic group turned out to be among the first to visit Duke and Co. this year.

The park looked great. Everything was in working order, the Sky Ride was the only ride that was down. In areas where flowers have not yet bloomed, large planters were temporarily placed.

Inside the castle entrance, construction is moving along nicely on Merlin's, Dutch Wonderland's first full service restaurant:

Outside and behind the castle, the space most recently known as The Castle Cafe has been fully enclosed and work continues on Three Amigos Mexican Grill:

Another big change is over at the Shooting Gallery building in the center of the park. The Shooting Gallery itself has been reduced to about 1/4 the size of it's former self and a new retail space has been added. The merchandise in this unnamed space is comprised mostly of clearance items and stuff from the now retired "other side" of the Castle Gift Shop. There also appears to be an attempt to piggy back off the Western theme of the Shooting Gallery with a few cowboy toys as well.

It's kind of sad to see their classic Shooting Gallery reduced in size, but it was a lot of prime real estate dedicated to an add-on attraction that probably doesn't bring in a great amount of money.

Bookmark Us! And check back later in the week - we'll show you some more changes around the park, plus the skinny on beverages and some updates to the Entertainment Venues.

DW Home Videos 1987

YouTube user BorgonNugentMemory recently uploaded a half hour of home videos taken at Dutch Wonderland in the Summer of 1987. The video is posted in three different parts with the first video clocking in at 15 minutes. You might want to skim through it, but there is definatly some good stuff tucked inside this video.

Some highlights to notice/keep an eye out for:

• The parking lot is laid out differently.
• The old court yard area, had more of a mini-Main Street feel.
• There is an ice cream stand where the Potato Patch now sits.
• The area where the Leapin' Frogs is now situated there were some Smurf figures and a mushroom house.
• Plenty of footage of the Picnic Grounds inside the park and the Old Woman in the Shoe slide.
• The Saturn Rocket and the Spaceman in the Space Section.
• The log boat ride in the front of the park has animals, a windmill and no mountain.
• The Old 99 Train Ride. (What a great ride!)
• The Dutch Wonderland uniforms of 1987.
• A giant walk-around Rooster character.
• Lady Gay Riverboat and some of the International landmarks in the Botanical Gardens.

Wheel of Wonderland

Lancaster's FM 97 WLAN is running of Wheel of Wonderland promotion. Listen to Hit Music Station for a chance to win one of three great prize packages from DW. Prizes include park tickets, souvenir mugs and all day Cabana rentals.

Celebration Theatre

It appears Thomas The Tank Engine has chugged out of Dutch Wonderland for the 2012 season. (If your kids really want to see him, he's now appearing at not-too-distant Idlewild Park.) The Really Useful Theatre has been redubbed the Celebration Theatre and will host a lineup of shows that changes throughout the Summer season.

At first glance it looks as if DW has added three new shows, but Celebration Theatre will be the venue for a parade of stars visiting the park in 2012.

Here's a rundown of the schedule in order of appearance:

• April 28 - June 1  Swingin' Safari
• June 2 - June 15  Superstar Funfest: Curious George
• June 16 - June 29  Superstar Funfest: Clifford The Big Red Dog
• June 30 - Aug. 3  Garfield The Great and Friends Magic Show
• Aug. 4 - 17  Superstar Funfest: Maisy
• Aug 18 - 31 Superstar Funfest: Max (from Max & Ruby)
• Sep. 1 - Oct. 7  Swingin' Safari

Extra Entertainment in May

Dutch Wonderland announces two additions to the entertainment schedule for the weekend of May 5th and 6th, 2012.

On Saturday May 5th, the Cocalico Middle School 6th Grade Chorus from Denver, PA will perform at 12:30pm in the Amphitheater.

Sunday May 6th will mark the return of the Carol Ann School of Dance for their 8th season performing in the park. The troupe travels from Southampton, PA and performs at 11:30am (presumably also in the Amphitheater.)

You can expect larger than normal early-season crowds this weekend.

Castle Construction Update

There's plenty of activity inside Brooke's Castle before the park opens in a few weeks. On a recent visit to the Season Pass Office, we snapped a few pictures of some of the progress just beyond the castle drawbridge...

There will be a whole new view when guests enter the castle this year. On the right hand side of the picture, covered by the tarp, is the gift shop. Just beyond the retail area is a new room. On the other side, what once housed more retail space is now taking shape to become Merlin's - Dutch Wonderland's first full service restaurant.

You can see at the far end of the hallway, a new yellow room is making it's debut where just a wall stood before...

...Not sure exactly what this room will be yet. It looks like cubby holes, which is a doubtful addition. Perhaps these are display units for merchandise?

On the other side of the hallway, construction is still moving forward on Merlin's. The restaurant is scheduled to open at the beginning of the Summer and it looks like they've still got quite a way to go. The new restaurant will give guests the opportunity to dine inside the castle in what promises to be a themed dining experience.

It certain looks like there will be plenty of new surprises just inside the castle alone when the park opens for the 2012 season. It make you wonder what other surprises Duke has planned inside the park...

Dutch Wonderland 2012 Begins April 28

Dutch Wonderland's 2012 season kicks off Satruday April 28th! The park opens at 10:00am both Saturday and Sunday. Opening Day festivities will include live performances by Jim Rule! See you there!