Vintage Brochure

Today we have for your viewing pleasure, a very old brochure announcing the wonders of Dutch Wonderland! I would imagine this publicity material is from one of the very first few seasons of the park as there are not many rides listed as attractions. See if you can pick out what's gone and what's still kicking!

Merlin's Opens, Bikes For Dad

Progress at Merlin's as of 5/12/12

This was the scene just a few weeks ago at the future home of Dutch Wonderland's first full service restaurant, Merlin's. Now, according to the DW website, Merlin is scheduled to host his first guests this Saturday - May 26th. I assume a table at Merlin's will require a little more than just walking up and grabbing a table. The space appears to be somewhat small but more importantly, Dutch Wonderland has a very dedicated Season Pass crowd that is probably anxious to try out this new experience. Given that character meals at Walt Disney World are hugely popular, one can only assume that the same magic (demand) will be felt on a smaller scale at the Kingdom For Kids. Anyone who is lucky enough to snag a table on opening day will also be entered into a drawing for a Free Character Breakfast in the near future.

Also just announced for Father's Day, the OCC Sunoco Chopper motorcycle will be on display at the park. The custom-built bike is the first to resemble a vintage board-track racer and reflects the key elements of Sunoco’s history. I know nothing about cars, yet alone motorcycles, so that last sentence meant nothing to me but the bike will be near the Fun Slide Sunday, June 14 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Duke's Lagoon Opens

There are three things you need to know about Dutch Wonderland this weekend:

1. Duke's Lagoon opens!
2. Saturday and Sunday are the first days of the season the park is open until 8:30pm
3. Daily operations begin Memorial Day, however the park is only open until 6:00pm until June 8 (except for the weekends)

Random Snapshots - 5/12/12

Wonderland Special

A real turtle hanging out in Dragon's Lair

Cow on the banks of the Mill Stream

Duke Hits The Road

This unusual news popped up on my Facebook feed yesterday; it appears our good buddy Duke The Dragon is also setting up residence in sister park Story Land in Glen, New Hampshire. Story Land is a small park, similar in size and scope to Dutch Wonderland. The park opened in 1956 and today features 21 family oriented ride plus 7 shows and other attractions. Story Land was operated by the family-owned Morrell Corporation from 1954 to 2007. It eventually came under the ownership of Palace Entertainment, the same company that runs Pennsylvania's Kennywood, Idlewild Park and Dutch Wonderland.

Duke the Dragon will be visiting New Hampshire guests at the park all summer long in addition to making appearances at Character Meals and staring in a second edition of his popular show; Duke's Dance Party!

Story Land kicks off their 2012 season Memorial Day Weekend.

Be A Royal Chef

If you happen to be at the park on a day when there are not birthday parties scheduled, you might get the chance to try on of these neat looking Duke The Dragon Cookies. When the Birthday Party Room in not in use, the area is sometime used to as a space to decorate cookies. Kids can take one of these larger than average cookies and cover it with frosting, sprinkles and a variety of other goodies. The project will set you back $5 a cookie, but it is a one of the more unique experiences beyond the castle walls. In addition to the cookie and decorating supplies, kids will also receive a chef hat and apron which I'm sure makes the whole event a picture perfect afternoon. The attraction is also equipped to sell you souvenir soda bottles and refills.

Happy Mother's Day!

We're not quite sure whose egg this is, but it's gotta be somebody's Mother.

Celebration Theater

There are some changes made to entertainment venues this year at Dutch Wonderland. The biggest change is the Really Useful Theatre behind the train station in the front of the park has now been redubbed Celebration Theater. Thomas The Tank Engine has chugged out of DW and the space has been updated to accommodate some new guests. While the seating for the show is still underneath a giant tent, DW has built a more permanent structure/stage to house the shows. Celebration Theatre will feature a rotating schedule of shows through out the season.

First up is Swingin' Safari, a fairly basic DW show with a male and female singer who take audiences on a make-believe trip to Africa in search of some rare animals. There are plenty of songs and an emphasis on audience participation. The music is a collection of well known pop songs slightly retailored to fit the safari theme. They even got my 8 year old (who thinks he's too cool for such things) out of his seat dancing to Crocodile Rock. As always, the performers are energetic and engaging.

The new Celebration Theater near the front of the park.

The former Really Useful Theatre is now home to Swingin' Safari.

The Amphitheater

The Amphitheater in the center of park is still home to Bubba Bear and the Badland Bears. You can also now find your favorite Dutch Wonderland friends there for a special new Meet and Greet. Have your picture taken with Duke or get an autograph from Princess Brooke. The times of each characters appearances are available on the Entertainment Schedule, currently a separate hand-out from the park map. The Amphitheater also makes a great spot for a photo between shows thanks to the nifty new Castle backdrop they've added to the theatre.

Have A Drink

Here's the lowdown on Souvenir Refillable Cups at Dutch Wonderland for the 2012 season: New cups are in and available at the same prices - $6.99 for the large and $2.99 for the toddler cup. The new designs are green and purple, respectively and feature the DW gang along with their new friend, Merlin, who will be heading up his own restaurant in a few weeks. The cups are available at several locations throughout the park, however on opening day the Mill Stream Eatery did not stock the new cups and still had plenty of supply of last year's yellow topped toddler cups and purple large cups. So if you want to seek out the new design, I suggest heading over to the Dole Whip Junction which had a large collection of both cups. (That's where I snapped this photo too!)

Another nice addition to the park this year is Vending Machines with Credit Card capability. You can swipe your credit card and purchase beverages, you can even buy multiple drinks on a single swipe. I noticed the machines behind the Potato Patch, across from the Turtle Whirl as well as one of the machines near the Off-Road Rally and One Room School House. Soda prices are $3.25, some of the juices and sports drinks were priced higher.