Photo TR: Dorney Park 9-2-2010

[johncolon91]

Yesterday the family and I decided to go to Dorney before my brothers go back to school. Its been years since they have gone and the first time they were tall enough for the "big boy" rides. We got to the park around 12:30 and luckily got a parking spot right in the front.

 

Upon arrival, Possessed was closed as was White Water Landing, though they kept testing WWL on and off. Later in the day both were up and running. We played a bunch of games and one an XL Domo and a Large Domo. All of my Domo pictures and some others that were taking disappeared off my camera when I went to upload them. Most of the photos I have left were from the ferris wheel.

 

My only complaints for Dorney is that both Thunderhawk and Steel Force need new paint...bad. Also, after riding Possessed we all had splitting headaches. Talon did not have, as far as I could tell, the trim before the Immelmann on which is a plus, but Thunderhawk had the one after the first bunny hill on which killed the rest of the bunny hills which is a huge minus.

 

Ride Count:

Talon 2x

Hydra 1x

Steel Force 2x

Possessed 1x

White Water Landing 1x (unacceptable amount of wetness)

Thunder Canyon 1x (also, unacceptable amount of wetness)

Thunder Creek Mountain 1x (acceptable amount of wetness)

Woodstock Express 1x

Zephyr Train 1x

Thunderhawk 1x

Apollo 1x

Demon Drop 1x

Dominator 1x on each red & green

Wild Mouse 1x

Ferris Wheel 1x

Hang Time 1x

Meteor 1x

Sea Dragon 1x

Wave Swinger 1x

 

And to the photos, hope you enjoy:

Talon's queue around 12:30

Talon's queue around 7:00

"You will be possessed in 3, 2, 1" (Swooshhhhh)

Possessed looks well...possessed

Justin's shoes were still soaked so he wanted to air dry his feet a little.

I was the only one ready.

Where's Hydra?

There it is!

The best coaster in the park.

Hydra has plenty of "twisties."

The newest member of Dorney's great thrill ride line up.

[Sir Coaster]

Nice pics! I'm glad to see new pics of Dorney, seeing as I wasn't able to get there this year AT ALL...

 

 

I'm also interested in that new area where Demon Drop is located...I was thinking they'd place it in the spot Laser used to occupy, seeing as the last time I was there, there seemed to be quite a bit of land preparation going on in that area.

 

 

Oh well, I don't own the place.

 

 

Speaking of site preparation, were there any signs of a new attraction going anywhere for next year? (I know about the Snoopy Starlight package, but just wondering, as we've seen in the past, it's possible to get an export coaster (i.e. Steel Venom to VooDoo)

[johncolon91]

^ I haven't noticed anything that would point to a new coaster, though I didn't actually walk down where the ex-Laser site is, I only say from the ferris wheel and the train. I would be happy if they just painted Steel Force and Thunderhawk for next year. The ex-Laser site is still empty, but as you said would have made sense to put Demon Drop there so its not right next to the S&S tower. Maybe they'll add another kiddie coaster to the ex-Laser site since they have Kids Cove or whatever its called right there. Yesterday I noticed a lot, and I mean a LOT of boxes marked with the different Halloween attractions on them when riding the Zephyr train. Also, all of the walk through Halloween attractions were built/set up throughout the park. They had Asylum, Club Dead(i think it was called that), HMH(some hotel) as well as one just to the left of the Steel Force entrance in the field. I've never gone to Dorney for the Halloween Haunt but it looks like it will be terrific and very well themed.

[Sir Coaster]

Seems likely. Last I heard, Dorney wasn't looking for another coaster for another couple years.

 

 

Then again, the pattern of new coasters still follows itself recently...

 

 

1996 - Steel Force

1999 - Colosuss (Laser)

2001 - Talon

2005 - Hydra

2008 - VooDoo

 

 

Seems likely that we'll get another coaster in another 2 or so years...If they still have room left, seeing as the place may just barely be able to hold another coaster.

[johncolon91]

I wouldn't mind if they just retracked Thunderhawk or if they just got rid of the stupid thing since it only ever runs one train and build a GCI, GG, or any other good woodie. They should get rid of the swan boats too cause the water was looking mighty nasty.

[YoshiFan]

White Water Landing was having problems on Wednesday with a lot of water getting into the front row of the boats. That might have been why it was closed yesterday. Crowds also looks the same as Wednesday, empty on the rides side with the waterpark jammed.

 

Seems likely. Last I heard, Dorney wasn't looking for another coaster for another couple years.

 

 

Then again, the pattern of new coasters still follows itself recently...

 

 

1996 - Steel Force

1999 - Colosuss (Laser)

2001 - Talon

2005 - Hydra

2008 - VooDoo

 

Steel Force was added in 1997, Laser was added in 1986 and there was also Wild Mouse in 2000.

[Sir Coaster]

Don't quote me on this, but if Dorney would remove some of the trees near the former site of Laser, perhaps they could fit a LIM coaster of a sort?

 

 

Either that, or remove Thunderhawk, because not only has it losts its popularity, but it's become SUPER rough the past couple of years.

 

Believe me, I went on it last year, and the thing was rougher than any coaster I've been on since GASM in 2007. (And to be fair, last two times I went on Scream Machine, it was smooth as silk!)

[Jcoaster]

I think a GCI woodie would be a perfect fit in Laser's old spot.

[SLY]

Either that, or remove Thunderhawk, because not only has it losts its popularity, but it's become SUPER rough the past couple of years.

 

I'd hate to see the loss of Thunderhawk just on classic principal. I'd much rather see a park put some work into a ride like that than simply do away with it. I've still never quite forgiven Dorney for removing Hercules. The Comet at Hersheypark is still quite old, but maintains great popularity with park goers.

 

As for the roughness of Thunderhawk, it's mixed. I've been to Dorney three times this year. The first two times, I was extremely displeased with the ride and thought it was extremely rough. (Seated in the same position)

 

Last month, I had the opportunity to take part in a commercial shoot for CF/Dorney at the park and I thought it was running good, if not great.

 

As with all wood coasters, there are many factors that go into making each individual ride enjoyable or miserable.

[Sir Coaster]

I think a GCI woodie would be a perfect fit in Laser's old spot.

 

 

YES! PLEASE!

 

 

That'd be a perfect addition to Dorney! With the place being flooded with only steel coasters, it'd be refreshing to get a GCI woodie!

 

 

And honestly, riding the back-breaking madness of Thunderhawk has become tiresome. In fact, there's been reports from multiple people that the que area for Thunderhawk is being overrun by hornet and wasp nests...

 

 

I think Dorney better fix their attention onto Thunderhawk, and realize that they either should renovate the thing, or just kill it to let another coaster (Or ride) take its place...

 

 

EDIT: For the record, I don't HATE Thunderhawk...I actually enjoyed it the first few times I rode it...But last year, the ride felt completely different from the last time I was on it...And, I also counted FIVE hornet nests along the line...I'm lucky I didn't get stung.

[Jcoaster]

If they put a GCI along the lines of Prowler I would be beyond happy. I have only heard rave reviews about that coaster. Cedar Fair has been showing love to all its other parks lately with new coasters. I think Dorney's turn should be coming up shortly.