Bon Voyage Balloon Chase to Open!

Lancaster, PA (PRWEB) February 25, 2015 

Dutch Wonderland will introduce Bon Voyage Balloon Chase, a new family ride for 2015 featuring eight hot air “balloons” that fly in a circle rotation while riders in the balloon gondola baskets control their individual balloon’s spin. The ride is scheduled to open with the Park on May 2, 2015.

Bon Voyage Balloon Chase tells the story of Princess Brooke, the Princess of Dutch Wonderland, who receives the ride as a gift from a fellow royal whom she met during her winter travels – “Empress Emille from the Kingdom of Dania” from faraway France. The ride is a symbol of their friendship and their mutual love of adventure and fun.

“We are thrilled about the addition of this new family ride,” said Rick Stammel, Dutch Wonderland’s General Manager. “We are excited to receive this gift and very thankful to Princess Brooke for sharing this ride with us and our guests. It’s going to be a wonderful addition to Dutch Wonderland,” Stammel remarked.


As a proposed family ride, Bon Voyage Balloon Chase will accommodate riders of all heights. Riders fewer than 36 inches will need to be accompanied by a responsible rider. Hand-held infants are not permitted on the ride. Each balloon can accommodate up to four riders, based on height and weight.
Ride Specs for Bon Voyage Balloon Chase

• Manufactured by Zamperla
• Horizontal rotating vehicles (balloon gondola baskets) are attached to arms, which are attached to a hydraulically lifted center. The center is tilted at the top giving the feel of a rotating wave
• Maximum capacity per ride cycle: 32 riders
• Height of the ride structure is 17’ 6”. Extended height is 21” 6’. Ride circumference is 24 feet. Balloons will soar between 5-8 feet off the ground as they ascend and descend during rotation.
• Ride speed: 7.5 RPMs.
• Ride time: approx. 2 minutes (end of Press Release)

It is rumored that the ride comes from the very recently closed Boomers! park in Dania Beach, Florida. Here is a picture of the ride as it was situated there:

New Entertainment Announced

With opening day less than a week away, Dutch Wonderland has announced their Entertainment Lineup for the 50th Anniversary 2013 Season.

New Shows include:

Decades of Dutch Wonderland - Travel through time with two Dutch Wonder-ful explorers as they rock through the last 50 years of Dutch Wonderland! Along the way you’ll meet up with Princess Brooke, the Knight of Safety, and the lovable Duke the Dragon! Tap your feet to timeless tunes and dance to today’s hottest hits!

Really Royal: The Story of Princess Brooke - Ever wonder how Princess Brooke began her reign over the Kingdom for Kids? Well join Brooke and two of her dearest friends as they tell the magical tale of everyone’s favorite Princess! Brush up your curtsies and bows and be a part of the most Dutch Wonder-ful story ever told!!

Enchanted: A Star Studded Parade - Princess Brooke is calling all Princesses and Knights in the Kingdom to be a part of her Royal Parade! This is your chance to be seen by everyone in the park as you join your favorite characters and march to the Celebration Theater for Funsation “50 Year” Celebration! Don’t miss your chance to be Dutch Royalty! It’s a magical moment for the whole family!

Funsation "50 Year" Celebration - Funsation Celebration is back, brand new, and celebrating 50 wonderful years! That’s right, new songs, new dances, and even more chances for you to be part of the show! Join us as we celebrate your visit here at the park, including a special tribute to 50 Years of Dutch Wonder-ful Fun! Don’t be tardy for the party!

Sounds like a unique and fun collection of shows that will join returning favorites: Adventures of the Frog Prince, Dragon's Tale, Open Dive, The Wonderers, Storytime With Princess Brooke, and who can forget Bubba Bear and the Badland Bears.

The Kingdom For Kids lowers it's drawbridge for another Summer of fun this Saturday at 10am!

2013 Brochure Is Here

2013 Brochure

Once again this year, instead of a full open up brochure, Dutch Wonderland has chosen the cheaper route of using a double sided card to promote the park. I found the new brochures in a hotel lobby in Gettysburg. The new fliers feature the 50th Anniversary logo and tagline and also play on the park's history selling "vintage" attractions like the Wonder House and the Lady Gay Riverboat. In addition, the brochure hits at a new show coming to the Kingdom, "Decades of Dutch Wonderland" which promises to be "A Spectacular Stage-Show Celebrating the Park's 50 Years!"

 

The back of the flyer features information on Birthday Parties and Season Passes, but does not have an operating calendar for the new season. The 50th Season of Dutch Wonderland kicks off April 27.

Happy 50th!

Here's a look at a new 50th Anniversary logo that the park unveiled at the end of last year. Dutch Wonderland enters into it's 50th operating season, and they've hinted at some big surprises in store to celebrate. It would be nice to see that new logo used on a few merchandise items. The park begins weekend only hours from April 27 until Memorial Day weekend. There has been no official word on any new attractions debuting at the park this year.

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 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.

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.

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!