Trip to Dorney

Hello all. I am headed up to Dorney park this coming weekend for CoasterBuzzCon. I was wondering, other than coasters, what type of rides does the park have to offer. What are the "must ride" attractions. Also, about how long can I expect my drive: from Cincinnati to Dorney? Thanks.

Stop at Kennywood on your way over!

Pretty standard stuff all around. Dont miss the log flume or rapids ride if its warm, two of the most fun I have ridden.

I want to stop at Kennywood, but I am afraid that I may never get home. Isn't it about eight hours to get from Cincy to Dorney?

I'd say 8 hours is a good starting estimate for that drive.

If you drive fast or make few stops it should be less and if you drive slower or make several stops it should be a little more.

Check out dorneypark.com, then head to "Inside the Park" and list "All rides". That should tell you everything you want to know. As for a don't miss attraction, Thunder Canyon is the by far the most sadistic white-water rapids ride I've ever been on. Since it's right across from White-Water Landing, they let you ride in your swimsuit in that area only (this area connects to Wildwater Kingdom which will be closed this weekend). A swimsuit is highly recommended for both rides since there will not be a dry part of skin on your body after either ride.

Dominator is the drop tower ride, with both "up" and "down" sides. They have an old-fashioned Whip that I like- it has a good "snap" to it. Zephyr is a neat old train from the 30s that's actually a replica of a streamline instead of the usual steam locomotive.

As far as travel, I know that from Pittsburgh to Allentown is about 4 1/2 to hours from, so that should answer half your question.

Weather forecast for Allentown on Saturday is partly sunny with temps in the low to mid 70s, lows around 50.

RatherGoodBear said:

Weather forecast for Allentown on Saturday is partly sunny with temps in the low to mid 70s, lows around 50.

---

Should be great weather for the day, I am excited to power ride Hydra and Talon Sat night.

I am pretty excited about this weekend. I plan on riding the crap out of Hydra and Talon. By the way is Steel Force all it is cracked up to be. I mean is it as good as Magnum?

IMO, no its not. I only have two rides on it, but both were pretty uninspired. Its fast, smooth and fun. But no Magnum.

I also prefer Magnum to Steel Force, but that isn't to say the latter is bad in the least. It lacks the ejector air that Magnum has, but floating air is abundant, and the turnaround has some pretty impressive laterals. I'm looking forward to riding it again this weekend...but not nearly as much as the one right next to it!

And no, I don't mean Hydra. ;)

Thunderhawk, Vater?

PKI is about 6 hours west of my home in State College, PA. Dorney is about 2.5 hours east. maybe around 8.5 for your drive time.

Thunder Caynon is surprisingly good. At one point of the ride, your raft gets spun around very fast and then you go under falls so that everyone gets wet...so much fun.

I agree that Steel Force isn't as intense as Magnum, but it has it's good points. I especially like the turnaround, which gains a lot of speed and feels very out-of-control. Just do not expect Magnum, and you may like it.

I don't like the Little train near the creek. It's to cramped for me to feel comfortable, imho. The big train near Talon is fun, but it's way to short.

Dorney isn't a huge park with a whole days worth of rides. You'll be able to do everything the park has to offer many times, especially with the waterpark closed. Take your time and enjoy it.

Why not spend an extra day and visit the great HersheyPark (is that how we are supposed to spell it?) while you are here? There is nothing like it.

*** Edited 5/19/2005 5:16:54 AM UTC by dexter***

Mathyou said:
'Thunderhawk, Vater?'

Indeed!

does anyone know if the crowds will be bad on Saturday? I really hope not b/c I would like to get a lot of rides on each coaster.

---

dexter said:

HersheyPark (is that how we are supposed to spell it?)

---

Its all one word...

Either HERSHEYPARK or Hersheypark. Only time the "P" is in caps is if you are using all caps... else just the "H" is in caps. I think that the all CAPS is their preferred way. Some (including some of the media) still spell it Hershey Park.

As for Dorney... If you have never been there, I can see that you might be able to spend a full day there. Last time I was there I did about 5 rides on Talon, Steel Force and Thunderhawk, and two rides on Laser and (the dearly departed) Hercules and was there for about half the day... just taking my time. Had I wanted to ride any of the flats, I could have easily made it a few more hours.

*** Edited 5/19/2005 12:32:53 PM UTC by SLFAKE***

I had no problem spending an entire day there during my visit last year, although we did spend a good couple hours in the water park that won't be open this Saturday. Still, I plan to get there early and staying late (ERT!), and I certainly don't anticipate running out of things to do.
*** Edited 5/19/2005 2:28:02 PM UTC by Vater***

---

DragsterForce said:
does anyone know if the crowds will be bad on Saturday? I really hope not b/c I would like to get a lot of rides on each coaster.

---

The Crowds will be heavier then normal, but not as crowded as they'll get during the mainstream season...by far.

I'd expect a short wait to get onto the coasters, but not an hour line either. 10-15 minutes most likely, of course with all of you coaster people in the park, the lines for the coasters might be heavier.

Does anyone know how long ERT is supporsed to last? I know it starts at 10pm, but till how long?

I haven't been there in a few years, but I'll be there with my brother and little cousin. It'll be great to meet up with my fellow Buzzers!

A lot has changed since I was last there, but things I remember: Laser was quite a nice ride, and Thunderhawk was a favorite. Hercules was an entirely too long of a wait, and the turnaround over the lake was a bit rough, but I enjoyed it. The bumper cars are a real treat, since it's unique to my experience. I doubt I'll run out of things to do, but then again, I enjoy all of the different rides.