Parking Toll Plaza Nearing Completion

The construction that has been taking place in Dutch Wonderland's parking lot is starting to take some shape and illustrate what their plans are.

It appears when you enter the property at the existing traffic light on Rt. 30 you will make an immediate right and proceed along this new road that will take you all the way around to an area near the campground enterance.

This road will allow traffic to stack (off the highway) while people dig in their pockets to pay for parking for the first time in 53 years. The new road leads to a toll plaza, similar to what you would find at most major amusement parks.

The individual toll boths carry out the park's castle theme and hopefully when they are finished, there will be plenty of colorful and welcoming signage to build visitor's anticipation for a day at the park. There is a separate lane for busses and campground use. It's not clear if Preferred Parking in front of the castle will continue to use the toll booth already in place near the Fudge Shop.

It looks like there is still more work to be done.

Photo Update 6/10/15 - Parking Lot and more

Some pics from around the complex this week starting with the news that some activity is happening towards the reorganization of the parking lot and entrance experience. The parking lot access from the campground entrance has been blocked off with barricades and fencing in anticipation of denying access to the parking lot without paying the new parking fee. It also appears that the shoulder into the park is being widened and perhaps additional lanes of traffic. If there are going to be toll booths for the parking lot they need to anticipate traffic back-ups as people spend time digging through their pockets, asking questions and undoubtedly yelling at the poor 16 year old girl who will have to take the brunt of people's anger having to pay for parking for the first time in 53 years.

Large sections of the parking lot of fenced off as construction moves on. This is the area formally occupied by the Wonderland Cinema and Mini-Golf.

 

 

 

Also around the park...

Guests were told that parents are no longer allowed inside the Choo Choo Charlie kiddie train attraction. In the past, parents of very small kids could push their children's hand powered crank cars around the track with the aid of a big stick. Now, the employees have to push the kids if they can't pedal the cars themselves. Sometime in the last week, there was reportedly an accident/injury that resulted in the new policy.

 

Noticed this around 8:00pm, all the seating from the Celebration Theater had been removed.

My guess is they moved the benches to erect the tent which is usually over the theater.

Nobody can resist taking pictures of baby ducks, especially when they cut across a walkway following their mommy.

 

And last, a picture of an empty Monorail station. Something you would NEVER see at Disney World and quite frankly it's not a common site at Dutch Wonderland either.

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.

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...