Dorney Park TR 10-9-10

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We got to the park more than 30 minutes before opening. We got a great parking spot, and were at the front of the line, but was it worth it, when they don't open the gates one nano-second before it's time? I don't think so. Next time, I'm not hurrying just to stand there for 30+ minutes.

 

The weather was PERFECTION today, clear, sunny, 70ish, nice breezes. October is definitely the time to go. I didn't even notice the lack of shady trees, but I sure wouldn't want to be there in the summertime. There ARE lots of trees, contrary to what I'd heard, but they don't shade the paths much.

 

The crowds were really sparse for the first few hours, and most rides were walk-on, or only had to wait one or two ride cycles at most. The exception, of course, was the Wild Mouse, which always has a long line the entire day.

 

Breakdowns seemed to be rampant through the day. We only got one ride on Wild Mouse before it broke down. Then we witnessed (we weren't on it) Steel Force stalling at the top of the lift hill, and the people had to be evacuated. Scary!

 

The kiddie rides shut down at 5:00, since the scary stuff would start at 6:00. I figured that was a good time to grab some food, but I was worried that everyone else would be doing the same thing and we wouldn't find anywhere to eat. I was totally wrong, though, we found a place (I wish I could remember the name) with plenty of empty tables and a counter with barstools that looked out at the park (no windows), so we sat there and chilled with some snacks. My son was entertaining passersby with the plush Pikachu I'd won for him playing Whack-A-Mole (go mom!).

 

The crowds really started arriving late afternoon, for the evening's Halloween activities. By dark, the place was packed with loud, rude, obnoxious teenagers, so it was time to go.

 

Here's a list of the rides we did:

 

Antique carousel - 2X

Scrambler - 1X

Wild Mouse - 1X

Dragon Coaster - 3X

Zephyr Train - 1X

Cedar Creek Cannonball Train - 1X

Tilt-A-Whirl - 3X (my son rode that one alone!)

Musik Express - 3X

Whip - 3X (possibly my favorite ride, I could ride that thing all day long)

Waveswinger - 3X (my son rode alone)

Woodstock Express - 2X (my son rode alone)

 

Sorry that I didn't get any photos, but I've really gotten to enjoy not having to carry anything around the parks. I just stick my keys and money in my pockets and never have to worry about holding/carrying/forgetting/losing stuff.