Dorney Park, 9/22/18

[Yoshi]

I wanted to get to a park yesterday and seeing sooperdooperlooper was a 90 minute wait at Hershey (and 2 hour waits for other coasters), the Bloomsburg Fair likely causing horrible traffic on the way to the Knoebels plus they having a buy 1 handstamp, get 1 for free next May deal and not wanting to go to Great Adventure on a Saturday during Fright Fest the only option was Dorney.

 

The park was crowded (for Dorney) with some of the coasters besides Wild Mouse actually having 15 - 20 minute waits. Unlike during the summer, there was someone at the Fast Lane merge points for Steel Force and Thunderhawk.

 

There is a new coaster where Stinger used to be, unfortunately for anyone hoping for a new ride, this one is made out of pumpkins.

Cedar Creek Flyers was already the worst flying scooters in the area because of the slow speed and short ride cycle that was under 2 minutes. They actually made it worse. The ride starts to slow down less than 50 seconds after it starts moving and from start to complete stop is barely over a minute.

 

I walked through the main gift shop on the way out of the park. In the middle of the store there was a display of Phillies hats for 80% off. It seemed really random for Phillies merchandise to be sold there but since it's Dorney I can't say I'm that surprised.

Chickie's and Pete's had the longest line in the park. There were at least 20 people waiting to order and the line to the pickup window was past the bar area and the total wait time from getting in line to order and actually getting the food was probably close to 45 minutes.

 

Thunder Creek Mountain was closed. I was hoping it might be open, at least during the day.

 

Ride Count:

Talon, 2x

Hydra, 1x

Wild Mouse, 1x

Thunderhawk, 2x

Possessed, 1x

Steel Force, 2x

Cedar Creek Flyers, 1x

Whip, 1x

 

 

 

The coaster in Stinger's spot. I know it's not a great picture but the only way to see the whole display well is to ride Steel Force. The lighter pumpkins on the right are supposed to be a coaster train.

 

 

There were a lot of people, both kids and adults with these necklaces.

 

 

Ghosts by Road Rally

 

Lines for the Haunt attractions started to fill up as soon as the queues were opened. This was 35 minutes before Blackout was going to open.

 

 

 

[29yrswithaGApass]

Thanks for the trip report.  

 

I always thought selling NO BOO necklaces was sort of a “forced purchase”.  

 

It would be like SeaWorld having a surcharge to sit outside the splash zone at shows.  

 

 

[Yoshi]

It would be nice if the design didn't change each year and could be re-used. Maybe also an option to rent the necklace for the day with for $1 or $2 with a $10 deposit that someone gets back when they return the necklace.

[ThemeParkRider]

I was there that night. I was a little confused by the mixed signals about when the haunted stuff was supposed to begin. I think the website said 6 but it really didn't start until 7. Same with re-entry.

[The Master]

The park and normal rides open at 6, the Haunt attractions open at 7ish.