Dutch Wonderland Project

What in the world are you out there in webland thinking about Dutch Wonderland? I am doing a project consisting of a proposal for new additions, renovations, and removal of just about anything. I'd like for your input.
Also what would you think of Dutch Wonderland putting an Alpine coaster in? (this is a suggestion from me, not the park) (don't know what an alpine coaster is, check out www.alpinecoaster.com)
Thanks for all your disussion!!!

This is ment for ideas. I failed to mention before in the actual post. You are entitled to your ideas and here is a place to post them.

www.dutchwonderland.com
for more info. about DW

What am I thinking about Dutch Wonderland?

Not much. That park gets a big snzzzzzzzz in my book.

I doubt you will see any hearty addition there anytime soon. It simply is not economically smart.

Shaggy

*** Edited 3/29/2004 4:11:22 PM UTC by Shaggy***

On that website you directed us to, alpine slides were also listed. The closest Alpine Slide to Dutch Wonderland ran at Ski Liberty in Fairfield (just south west of Gettysburg) back in sometime in the 1970's. Not sure when it was removed, but it was definately gone by 1992.

The alpine coaster looks very similar in concept to an alpine slide... excep that it runs on conventional coater tracks and not a "bobsled" style track. I am not sure why Liberty removed their alpine slide, though I do know a few people who went flying off of the track on some of the sharp turns near the top of the mountain. Conventional coaster tracks such as on the alpbine coaster would stop this.

Now, on to Dutch Wonderland. Looking at the video on the site you listed, it appears that the alpine coasters use the terrain to their full advantage. They appear to be built on the sides of mountains (such as ski areas) and use the fall of elevation of the mountain. In other words... they need to be built on a moutain / large hill in order to work. Problem with Dutch Wonderland and an Alpine Coaster... No large hills. Not really any small hills either. Doubt it would work.

Now Knoebels, just "up the road" from DW... that might be a different story.

Yea, Yea, Knoebels needs an Alpine Slide. They already have a way to the top of the mountain We just need a faster way down now and an Alpine Slide would be perfect!

I think Dutch Wonderland needs to think about who they want to draw into the park. Right now it's mainly a kiddie park with the exception of the Bumper Cars and Sky Princess. Do they want to keep the park for a younger crowd or do they want more thrilling rides that will draw teens along with the kids. Some sort of haunted castle interactive dark ride would fit in pretty well. It would be somthing everyone would be able to ride and have fun at and get some family rivalry going.

I went to Dutch Wonderland last summer, and it was ok, it was a nice park, but not much to do for me, and I'm a fan of just about any type of amusement rides. The Sky Princess, Train, Skyride, and Monorail were ok, and I liked the boat ride around the gardens. The model railroad they're adding to the circus tent sounds cool, I love model trains. But, I don't think I'd go back for a couple of years at least, and that is if Hershey really improves the park.

I'd really like it if Hershey tried to make DW more like HP, and have more stuff that anyone could enjoy. As the last person said, some kind of Haunted House would be great for everyone, and some medium family rides, would be nice. Like a Ferris Wheel, Scrambler, Tilt-A-Whirl, Trabant, Musik Express and such. Infact, I thought that last year they were supposed to get Hershey's Starship America rocket ride, that would have been a nice addition. And, maybee another decent coaster or 2, like another woodie, or a Wild Mouse would be a nice fit. If some stuff like that would happen, I'd like to go back and check it out again in a few years. *** Edited 3/30/2004 10:24:00 PM UTC by scraperguy99***

I went there last year and we spent three hours at the park. basically all we needed.

Skyprinces and the bumper cars rocked and so did the Yo-Yo. other than that there wasn't much geared for adults and it's not meant to. Basically because we got a dutch/hershey combo ticket for $37 it was well worth it.

We spent the second half of the day at Williams Grove.

What I would like to see for this little park is more family rides.

Im not a parent but it would be nice to have more that both parents and kids could ride together. A small Jr. woodie a mine train coaster. something that a wide variety of age groups could enjoy.

Chuck who thought the park was almost exactly what he thought it would be only a little better because Sky Princess isn't no kiddie coaster. The Lusse Skooters are great and The Yo-Yo was bonus.

WEll this is/ was a forum for me to get the publics unput on DW and i have gotten ok input

What realistic rides/attractions would you like to see?

An interactive dark ride.

Keep the Wonder House and Bumper Cars!

I also think $27 admission is alot for a park of Dutch Wonderlands size. For the same price I can go to Knoebels 2 hours away and have a better selection of rides. I think a price drop would be a good addition. I just can't see spending $27 to ride 1 wooden coaster, a kiddie steel coaster, and 3 or 4 other rides. I'm sure if I had kids it would be a differant story.

$27?!? Geesh, I would not pay that for that park.

I have to agree about the addition of more traditional family rides. I'd love to see the park find an old Whip and restore it. A small, compact steel coaster like a Wildcat or Galaxi would be great, too.

mOOSH

A Mine Train like Charles said is another great idea. I dunno about a Whip, if Hershey chose to get a new one, when they got their's, I doubt DW getting an old one. Would be cool though.

How about this...

A shift toward more Family rides at DW, while at the same time shifting HP toward a more "thrill" oriented park.

Last year was the addition of The Claw, this year Storm Runner. Who knows... could be in the works.

Rebuild a Lancaster legend --- The Rocky Springs Wildcat!!

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Mamoosh said:
A small, compact steel coaster like a Wildcat or Galaxi would be great, too.

mOOSH

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That, or any one of the new steel coasters that seem to be gaining popularity. There are lots of Crazy Mouse coasters in the area so maybe one of those new Gerstlauers (like the ones at Worlds of Fun and Camp Snoopy.) They look like really good family rides.

I agree with everyone who mentioned some traditional-style family rides like a Whip or a darkride. Those are pretty much guaranteed crwod-pleasers.

I am in another forum and the wild mouse styled ride was brought up also!

about half of the park is in a flood plain so that is one of the only rides that can be put in because of the ride being steel and we can make it as high as we need.

Thansk for all the comments! Keep on Comenting on the topic please!!!!

If an alpine coaster is a lot like an alpine slide, then I dont think it should be added in. My mom and aunt both got hurt on one of them. My mom was the most injured. Both of their faces were scraped up, arms, and my mom even had a badly sprained ankle.
There could be a lot of problems at that ride.

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coasterpunk said:
Yea, Yea, Knoebels needs an Alpine Slide. They already have a way to the top of the mountain We just need a faster way down now and an Alpine Slide would be perfect!

quote]

Yeah, I have heard a few rumors that eventually they will put pavillions or possibly a ride up there. At the top of the Sky Ride there is actually controls for the Sky Ride so in the future it could be used to let people off. However, the Knoebels don't like to tear down trees and I actually heard about them putting something big else where.

l_a_d_0201@yahoo.com

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I'm thinking of taking a trip to DW and HP someday this spring, but I really don't want to pay too much for the Sky Princess credit. Anyone (Chuck?) know a cheap way to get the combo passes? Do the discounts from Giant Foods work on them?