Pre-Season Photo Update

My kids and I are pretty excited to be Season Pass holders again for the 2015 season. We went dozens of times in both 2011 & 2012 as pass holders, but we welcomed our third child in 2013 and decided to take a couple years off of spending half the summer at an amusement park. Now, with my daughter 2 years old and walking and just about talking - we figured the passes would be a good investment at least one last time before the boys completely outgrow the park. 

We went up to the park today to visit the Season Pass office and take care of business before opening day May 2, so we could maximize our fun once the park is open. I was happy that my older boys were excited to be back at the park and can't wait to get back inside in a few weeks. My daughter was very excited too. You could hear the music from the carousel and the sound of the train running as we were in the courtyard catching a peek into the park. She wanted to go in and "go rides!"

Here's some pictures I snapped because I'm an amusement park nerd and this is my park...

Here's boxes of Christmas decorations sitting by the main gate awaiting a visit to storage. It looked like many of the winter decorations were just being removed. The kids spotted a giant candy cane in the park.

The castle gift shop not exactly roped off to visitors passing through to the season pass office, but in the process of stocking up for all the guests.

The castle moat must have just been cleaned out. We were the very first visitors of the season to toss a coin and make a wish! (My daughter wasn't too sure about the crocodiles in the moat.)

The boats from the Gondola Cruise in dry dock behind the human resources office.

We also spotted the knight from the Joust Coaster hanging out in pieces nearby.

I always see this truck with old artwork from the park in a backstage area while on the monorail. I can never get a good picture of it from up above, and I'm not sure I got a great picture of it from my car either.

So, they demolished the old Wonderland Cinema building, which was more recently used for mini-golf and storage. They are making way for much needed additional parking. They are supposedly also creating a new entrance to the Dutch Wonderland property. These new changes are the reasoning behind the park charging for vehicle parking in the first time in 52 years. However at only 5.00 it seems like a bargain compared to Six Flags' $20.00 parking fee. (Knoebels might be the only park in Pennsylvania to be able to claim Free Parking now!)

One last photo, taken from the Mill Stream Campground, you can see on this beautiful preseason day they were running empty cars on the Kingdom Coaster. Just the sound of the chain lift was enough to take us all right back to those wonderful hot summer days at the park.

See ya at Dutch Wonderland for opening day, May 2, 2015.

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:

Wonderland Cinema Hosts Fire Drills

Here's a link to an interesting article about the defunct Wonderland Cinemas which sat on the Dutch Wonderland Entertainment Complex property: Yelling ‘Fire!’ in a movie theater: Wonderland Cinema, due to be razed, used for firefighter training (via :Lancaster Online)

Major Construction at Chocolate World

You wouldn't even notice the place when you walk into Hershey's Chocolate World right now. There is some major renovations going on at the moment.

The entire lobby area is blocked off with a construction wall. To enter the Factory Tour Ride you need to enter through the upstairs cafe in the Bake Shoppe area. Once upstairs, you are directed to an unassuming door and then down a hallway before stumbling upon the area where you walk down the stairs to enter the ride vehicles. 

Upon exiting the ride, you travel up the entrance staircase and head down another flight of hidden stairs where you receive your free sample of candy in a fire escape area. 

The ride itself has not been altered but an employe told me that the ride is scheduled to get an overhaul soon. My guess is they will incorporate the newly redesigned Hershey product characters who are now featured in the 4D movie.

This new Kiss fixture stands where the Trolly Works ticket booth was. At this point, the hallway behind it is the only way to access the back portion of Chocolate World. 

There are construction walls up in the Food Court area which cuts off the retail space at the end of the ride.

A large amount of retail merchandise has been relocated to the area between the 3D Movie exit and the Ice Cream Shop. 

It's neat that Hershey Foods constantly pours money into this attraction. It will be exciting to see what changes are in the future.

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.