The Dorney Park of Pennsylvania
Located in South Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania, the Dorney Park is home to a number of elaborately-designed roller coasters, and children’s rides. The park also features the Wildwater Kingdom, which is a large water park.
The Dorney Park is quite popular in the East Coast and is an especially famous recreational venue for residents from New York City and Philadelphia, which are located 90 miles from the park.
If you plan on visiting the park, it is accessible through Allentown from both the I-78 and Cedar Crest Boulevard. The region is also served by air transport through the Lehigh Valley International Airport that is just about 10 miles or 16 km east of the theme park.
Where It All Started
The Dorney Park was founded by Solomon Dorney in 1884 as a fish hatchery. The rides were eventually and gradually incorporated and the park was then a trolley park on Allentown.
The park was eventually owned by Jacob Plarr by the early 1900s and Robert Plarr by the 1940s. During the year 1967, the theme park was sold to Robert Ott after the passing of Robert Plarr and son Stephen Plarr. Eventually, Harris Weinstein purchased the propery in 1985 and owned it until the year 1992 and was then bought by Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. in July of the same year.
The Rides at the Park
Several rides have come and gone at the Dorney Park, including the Grande Carousel that debuted in 1932 but was destroyed in 1983 by a fire at the park. Additionally, the Bucket O’ Blood was also destroyed by the fire. Fortunately, the fire happened when the park was closed for the season.
During the early 1900s until 1963, the park had a swimming pool. However, the filters of the pool were damaged beyond repair and eventually closed but stayed standing. Also, the Mill Chute was located near the pool and was built in the year 1927 but closed after 33 years to become the Journey to the Center of the Earth.
The Dorney Park Road, which is formerly a two-lane state highway that cut through the park, was closed to traffic and was transformed into a midway in 1980. The closing of the road led to the enclosure of the park by fence and the introduction of a single-price admission free. In addition, the park maintained groves for family picnic and these groves remained at the outside of the park.
In 1982, the park introduced its log flume called the Thunder Creek Mountain. However, due to a major fire that nearly destroyed a large portion of the park, several rides were destroyed. Then in 1984, the Dorney Park replaced the rides with the addition of Musik Express, Enterprise, Ranger and Apollo 2000. New gift shops, skeeball alleys and food stands were added as well.
Improvements and additions to the park continued and brought progress to the Dorney Park. Camp Snoopy debuted at the park in 2000 and became the newly themed area dedicated for children. The area contained a junior coaster called the Woodstock Express. More so, the Dominator that features two seemingly anti-gravity rides was also added in the same year.
Recently, the Dorney Park announced the arrival of another adult roller coaster. The coaster was formerly known as the Steel Venom and was located at the Geauga Lake from 2000 to 2006. Currently, the roller coaster is known as the Voodoo.
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