jd5189

DP also has the restrictions the community puts on its park (noise and height). I wonder with DP building the new catering area, if they will eventually remove all or some of the old catering area? That could allow them to expand and put rides into that front area of the park. Have they done anything with the land they purchased back in 2011? Being so isolated, I don't see that being other than additional parking if they need to take parking lot area from the front to expand. I don't see them taking parking lot to expand the park side, but I could definitely see where they could take some parking and expand WWK.

So like teacups? Sounds about right. With spin limiters.

The one thing I noticed was there was no announcement of the removal of the Dino's So it looks like we are stuck with them for at least another year or two. I heard conflicting info about the contract end date. I know I was told 2 years ago that this would be the final year, but someone else also mentioned that 2018 was the final year. So looks like another 2 years of those dino's taking up valuable land. The flat rides are nice and expected. Flat rides won't bring more people to the park, but certainly give those there something else to do and experience. Looking forward, next year will probably be a WWK investment and hopefully 2018, with the removal of Dino's, will be larger dry side ride investment for that area.

No need to get so defensive. I simply said the part doesn't attract high volumes of thrill seekers. As a frequent visitor and season pass holder Dorney does get busy, but not because patrons are coming to ride their roller coasters. A majority of patrons seem to go to the water park and then gravitate to the less intense flat rides - or Thunder Canyon and White Water Landing. Even on a busy overfill lot getting full day, coaster wait time is no longer than 10-15 min... for the front row. It's not that I can't stand the crowds at WWK, it is just that WWK doesn't have the capacity to handle the crowds. Has nothing to do with the park-goers themselves. The only benefit of Fast-Pass would be in the water park. Throwing up a haunt house or flat ride doesn't nearly equate to the millions needed to invest in a new roller coaster. I think the fact the last two coasters at Dorney were hand-me-downs shows they don't seem to want to make a capital investment of that size currently as their last new custom built coaster is now 11 years young

I was at ValleyFair last week and it seems very similar to Dorney in some ways and different in others (as you would expect). Riding Renegade at VF was a blast and is definitely their best and most popular coaster. They definitely don't have the B&Ms Dorney has, but it was neat to see what a nice GCI can do for a park. It was the one roller coaster that actually had lines and people wanting to go back on it again and again. Interestingly, park patrons seemed to tend more to the amusement park side of the park vs the water park side at VF. I read back since my last post and I do hope they do something with Dinosaurs Alive. I remember last year when we were there, I asked one of the workers and they said it was a 4 year contract as well (ending this year) - so unless they renewed it (which I think they would only do to avoid having to actually do something to the land), I too am hoping for something that offers a little excitement. I unfortunately don't see a new exciting coaster coming anytime too soon, Dorney just doesn't build up the thrill seekers for the investment. I personally do not enjoy the water park there, way too crowded and unless you have fast pass, you are typically waiting in lines for slides much longer than I can tolerate for a 10 second ride.

I agree that Goliath is ridiculously forceless but trust me... Steel Force has it beat. At least Goliath has a decent helix which is one more interesting element than Steel Force will ever have. Serious question: Is there any coaster at Dorney worth being excited about? I've always wanted to go, but it sounds pretty underwhelming from what I'm reading in this thread! A nice RMC coaster would really bring people to the park... and they are long overdue for a new coaster... Wishful thinking - I know...

I always manage to get the rattley one too. Its a head jostler. I was finally able to ride Stinger on yesterday (Labor Day). They were a little slow getting it up and running but they finally gave it the all clear. Guess they are extra careful with it now. It was good other than all I could think of was the person facing me losing their breakfast.

This ride looks like it will be a nice addition. It wasn't the new roller coaster we were all hoping for, but it will provide a little extra entertainment. If they can get Stinger working, that corner of the park might have a little bit more activity than just Possessed.

Good to see there will be something new to ride next year!

Not that I have heard/seen. Looks like nothing will be new for next season so far.

Batman and Robin: The Chiller at SFGA on the Robin side!

Dorney has a pretty nice deal going for their haunt. It was yesterday, but they extended it for today (until midnight to purchase) as well: PICK YOUR VISIT DATE, GET FRIGHT FEAST FREE! Includes All-you-can-eat meal served from 6:00-7:30 pm. Plus, guests enjoy a one time Front of the Line Pass to use at the haunted attraction of their choice that night. You get it all for $35.99. If you are already a Season Pass holder you can just order the Feast for $13.99 and it includes a Front Line Pass as well. I don't know if that is much of a deal, but it worked out great because we are going in a group with some being SP holders and others not.

Really? We were there on Sunday (9/21) from 12 until 4ish and the log flume was not running and was completely drained - no water anywhere. Guess they filled it back up for the warm weather? The River Rapids was not drained - but was not running either when we were there.

The log flume and river rapids are drained until they open next year.

We are heading there this weekend. Gonna bring a nice sized group and have a blast. Shooting to get there around noon and stay until close. Can't wait. Dorney is my home park, but most of the people coming havn't been there in a few years. This is our first time going for the haunt. We do plan to do some of the haunt attractions as well. Glad you had a great time.

Thunder Hawk is rough - if you ride it enough you learn how to ride it without it hurting too bad. But, first time riders are in for a treat and maybe a visit the next day to the chiropractor. All of the other coasters are very enjoyable for the park they are in - Steel Force is older and nothing compared to Nitro but it is still a ride that can be appreciated. Talon is my favorite. Hydra is nice too, just make sure you scout out the train with the new restraints not the old moldy stinky ones. Possessed gives you a nice launch, but it's a quick ride. Their flat ride selection is nice. I like revolution, dominator, and demon drop. That monster ride.... one time I rode it and hardly spun. Another time I rode it and didn't stop spinning from the beginning to the end. For me, it was just too much spinning. I also like the Sea Dragon there. It is definitely a park that can be enjoyed - and since lines are small, you can basically guarantee yourself the ability to ride any and all rides you want - and the ones you really enjoy more than once.

I don't understand their logic in spending so much to put in Snake Pit - it's such a low capacity ride. I guess for the few seconds it lasts it can be fun, but I would have rather seen that $8million go towards a new coaster than the water park. MAYBE we can hope for an announcement in 2015 for something great in 2016. Seems so far away...

My only thought is that the big announcement for the 2015 Season is that Stinger will actually be running. They have yet to hint to any concrete plans or additions for next year.

Unfortunately, it has been like that for as long as I can remember. It would be nice to see it changed and re-rides allowed but I don't mind it too much since I know I'm not going to be waiting in much of a line for anything when I go to the park. I imagine they don't like to allow re-rides to force people to go through the ride counters again. Since it is not a busy park, having a more accurate count of what people are riding helps them decide which rides people enjoy more.

I second this. Batman was my first B&M. I didn't know it was B&M at the time, all I knew is that I thought I was going to die as it was my first invert coaster!

Batman and Robin: The Chiller ThunderHawk Wildcat The Great White

Hydra has 1 train with brand new restraints and seats, and one with old, and very ugly/moldy seats and restraints. Those will most likely be replaced this winter. Also, as a ride, here's my opinion. I find Hydra to be smoother than Bizzaro at Sfga but its more of a boring ride than Bizzaro as well. That's my opinion. Could the different trains possibly account for the varying reports in roughness? When I rode two weekends ago it had a couple spots that were the roughest, and I mean THE ROUGHEST, spots I've ever felt on any B&M. And this is far from the first time I've experienced that on this ride. So either there's a good train and a bad train or people just aren't paying attention. Other than the roughness, I've decided it's really not such a bad coaster. Not the best but no floorless is the best and at least it's got a pretty unique layout. I think you may be onto something. I didn't realize one of the trains actually got new restraints. For some reason, I guess bad timing, I always get the train with the moldy restraints - so I just thought both trains we like that. I don't expect a glass smooth ride on any roller coaster, but that one train in particular I somehow managed to ride each time this summer, I thought the ride was unsettling.

THIS!!!! I about vomit every time I ride the ride from those nasty smelling/looking restraints and seats. On a hot day, those restraints rank like no other. As for the waterpark, IMO its not very enjoyable as it stands as it becomes too crowded. I personally don't find water slides thrilling, but they can be enjoyable if you are not waiting 45 minutes to spend 20 seconds on 1 slide. The other alternative is go to the wave pool and then have to be kicked out because a baby pooped in the pool. Or, you can ride the lazy river for 1 time around while young kids knock you in the head fooling around in it. As for Snake Pit, our water park upgrade, they took out Riptide Run, a much higher capacity (albeit less thrilling) attraction to put it in at a cost $8 million (almost the price of a new wooden roller coaster!). On a weekday, I waited 30 minutes just to go down Snake Pit's free-fall slide not too long after the water park opened. To go on it, mid day on a weekend, you are looking at over an hour wait without Fast Pass. From my point of view, since the parts are connected, the water park should stick with rides that can move capacity. Save the real thrills for the theme park. Also, how can you consider Stinger a ride at this point. It's been broken down for nearly the WHOLE season - and the lucky few that got to ride before it broke down it basically say it leaves little to be desired. Giving us a below mediocre coaster to "hold us over" plain and simply, sucks! It's more of a inanimate reminder of something we didn't get at this point. Possessed was a nice addition as its a fun ride that the general consensus enjoys, but that was over 6 years ago it opened. It's our time for a NEW coaster. Let us enjoy the moment and speculation!

Yep, there are coasters that are much worse. But, I have in memory a time when Hyrda was silky smooth - about 3 years ago. I didn't do Dorney for 2 years and came back with season passes this year for almost 3 years since last visited. After riding it my first time again in 3 years, I definitely noticed it had gotten more rough. I still ride it, its not bodily injury rough, but I miss it when it was smooth as silk. I was also shocked to see Stinger - the new addition. Thought it would be cool to ride, but never got the opportunity since its been down nearly the whole season. Based on reviews in the forum though, it sounds like almost a blessing I didn't get the opportunity to ride it. That being said, they really need to get the situation figured out with Stinger - it's too prominent to hide, but the fact they could not get it operating again this season is embarrassing. It particularly gets too much attention when another coaster breaks down - I always hear guests complaining that Stinger is not running (most visitors don't know its been broken down nearly all season) and now another coaster is broken down. It just looks bad and gives off a bad vibe for guests.

I have not been on Demon Drop at Dorney yet. The last time I rode a Demon Drop is when they had one a SFGA, all I could remember was... ouch. Possessed is great, as I find launch coasters a ton of fun. It's just a short ride though. Talon has the best ride experience overall. Steel Force reminds us that it is the tallest coaster Dorney will ever have. Hydra is becoming neglected. It used to be super smooth but has gotten bumpy and its trains need some serious TLC. Thunder Hawk is brutal, but I still ride it because it's the only wooden coaster there.