CJStephens15 Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 I feel so spoiled having grown up with this park right in my backyard Also for anyone wondering, material started to pop up on site for Flying Turns late summer of 2005 and construction began not long after, I could remember because it was right around my birthday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marth555 Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Next time theres a TPR trip to Knoebels I really need to go Also is that the tunnel from Willy Wonka? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sspaz1000 Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 The only negative things I can say about Knoebels is that the bathtroooms are pretty disgusting and the one train operation even on busy days. I totally agree with you on the bathroom thing. I can't imagine it would cost too much money to add toilet seats, locks on doors, etc. Just a little sprucing up would really brighten up your day. Even Kristen was avoiding having to go as much as possible! As for the one train operation though, I find Knoebels one train operation still goes faster than more parks multi train operation! Bathroom behind Cesari's is the least disgusting and yes, I will walk through the entire park just to get back to that bathroom. (One of the few places that has seats on the toilets). But besides that Chuck thank you for the amazing Knoebels report. That day was awesome. One of the most fun days I've ever had at the park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted October 8, 2014 Author Share Posted October 8, 2014 Also is that the tunnel from Willy Wonka? It is now. "There's no earthly way of knowing . . ." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatdaddy Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Why was Dan dressed as a penis? That big black helmet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted October 17, 2014 Author Share Posted October 17, 2014 (edited) Day 9: "Well, You May as Well Stop at Dorney Park" Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is what I call a "Well, you may as well stop there, too" park. Why? Because any conversation revolving around parks in that state usually goes like this. "So, where are you going this weekend?" "Hersheypark and Knoebels." "Well, you may as well stop at Dorney, too." Don't get me wrong. It's not that Dorney is a "bad" place; it's just so generic. Yes, if you were to put together a template for a corporate amusement park, it would look much like Dorney. Or Valleyfair. Or Worlds of Fun. While you can spend an enjoyable day there, you really don't remember much about it later. It's just some place you visited. This was my second visit to Dorney, and the only big change to the place was the loss of Laser, the old Schwarzkopf double looper (the park's one stand-out coaster), and its subsequent replacement with three used rides: Demon Drop (Cedar Fair), Possessed (Geauga Lake), and Stinger (California's Great America). One might be tempted to call Dorney the "Six Flags America of Cedar Fair," but I think the park is nicer than that. So, what of our day at Dorney? Well, we joined the passholder ERT on the park's B&M invert, Talon (the best coaster in the park). Steel Force, the clunky old Morgan hyper, is still fun. Poessessed was the one new credit for me, but Stinger . . . well, it is a problematic Vekoma Invertigo (hasn't run all season, I believe). Demon Drop, a first-generation Intamin Free Fall, is as "ker-chunky" as these rides have always been--but they're worth doing at least once. Let's have a look at our day at Dorney. Yes, the entrance just screams excitement and intrigue, doesn't it? Fast Lane makes any park day better. I rather like Talon, although this is not necessarily a widely held opinion. "Oh my god! He's slapped on the Grip of Fear! This match is over!" Looks like there was a bit of a plush party last night. Ride the Wild Mouse first. Almost any enthusiast will give you this advice, not because it's a particularly good mouse, but because of its very low capacity and slow operations. This is a normal reaction to the Wild Mouse's "dub step/hip hop" safety spiel. It's actually worth waiting just to hear it--so bizarre. (One of the few bizarre things about Dorney.) Jacqui is totally feeling the safety instructions. Dignity. Always dignity. Hydra--I just don't get this ride. It's one of the worst, most rattly B&Ms outside of their stand-up coasters. That gimmick jojo roll before you reach the lift hill is "interesting," but not particularly comfortable. Steel Dragon is more my speed. I've always been a bit of sucker for these old Morgan Hypers, clunky though they are. I think they should've just kept the name "Roller Coaster." But this woodie by any other name . . . . . . would still be pretty bad. "Poor, unfortunate souls . . ." I'm going to use my phone to find a groupon for a local chiropractor. I think we're all going to need a little readjustment today. Dorney does have some cool signs. Yes, "calories count" on Steel Force. I rode this the last time I was at Dorney. But not this time. The memory is evil! Oh boy! New credit! Or maybe not . . . . . . for a hell of a long time. More to come. Edited October 20, 2014 by cfc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 I felt bad suggesting you ride the Revolution years ago, you did not look well afterwards. Then you posted some real flattering pictures of me at Hersheypark and I didn't feel so bad anymore. But at least you learned never to ask a spinning ride fan if a ride is intense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted October 17, 2014 Author Share Posted October 17, 2014 (edited) One last look at . . . er . . . Dorney. That's right. This sign has absolutely nothing to do with "voodoo." Not a thing. No "voodoo" to be seen here. It in no way violates a Six Flags trademark of what is a fairly common word, which was even used by George H. W. Bush to describe the economic policies of Ronald Reagan. No "voodoo"! Ever! Dorney's old Whip is a fun ride. Not too many of these left. Jacqui wants to whip it. Whip it good. Pretty durn sure that's a Haunt maze. Not sure why. It's just a premonition I had. An interesting mix of groups here for the customary hot dogs and fried chicken meal. I first rode one of these at Marriott's Great America when I was in high school. It was called "The Edge." It was like reliving my teenage years--with exactly the same "ker-chunk." I still think these rides are kind of fun. Demon Drop also has a weird safety spiel. Yes, this is TPR's kind of gambling. Don't hate Robb because he's lucky. Dorney does have a couple of train rides. Nice trees. (Yeah, that's all I got here, folks. Sorry.) I didn't venture into the water park, but I hear it's very good. Good luck in your hunt for ghosts, aliens, or wendigoes. Did you discover the Haunt maze? You're welcome, Dorney--next stop, Carrabba's for dinner! That's all for now. Edited October 20, 2014 by cfc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted October 17, 2014 Author Share Posted October 17, 2014 I felt bad suggesting you ride the Revolution years ago, you did not look well afterwards. Then you posted some real flattering pictures of me at Hersheypark and I didn't feel so bad anymore. But at least you learned never to ask a spinning ride fan if a ride is intense. When have I ever posted unflattering pictures of you? . . . Oh, almost all the time. Sorry I brought it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nannerdw Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 I'm glad I got to ride Demon Drop again. It's still one of my favorite drop rides, regardless of its kerckunkiness. I did not appreciate Hydra's kerckunkiness, though; that ride seriously needs some TLC. It looked like the water park was the main draw for most people at this park, since that's the only place where I saw any lines. Also, what's the story with the 2 adults max rule on the Wild Mouse? Have they been having maintenance issues with the ride or something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meteornotes Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 ^The two adults per car on the Wild Mouse rule has been in place for a very long time. No idea why, other than it's just one of those bizarre CF rules that makes no sense. dt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcjp Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 Nice photos! This is a normal reaction to the Wild Mouse's "dub step/hip hop" safety spiel. It's actually worth waiting just to hear it--so bizarre. (One of the few bizarre things about Dorney.) I remember stinger also had something like that (I didn't try the wild mouse though) and I too thought it was rather bizarre but quite funny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooterdoug Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 Good TR, Chuck. I definitely agree with your assessment of Dorney. I was wondering why everyone seems to find the park so uninspiring, and now I understand. Nothing bad about it, but nothing really stands out. It's very "middle of the pack". I heard so many people on these forums say that you only needed until noon, and then you'd be done. I was skeptical of this claim, because I even spend more time on my regular visits to my home park, SFDK. But, at exactly 11:51 I looked at the time on my phone and realized, "I'm done, I can totally leave now". Still, not a waste of a day by any standard, and I had fun. Though, the glaring absence of crowds of even the slightest sort on a Saturday in early August still baffles me. Looking forward to the next installment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 Nice photos! This is a normal reaction to the Wild Mouse's "dub step/hip hop" safety spiel. It's actually worth waiting just to hear it--so bizarre. (One of the few bizarre things about Dorney.) I remember stinger also had something like that (I didn't try the wild mouse though) and I too thought it was rather bizarre but quite funny. Demon Drop does too... something like You... Are... Ri.. Ding... De... Mon... Drop... Be ...Sure To Keep Your Head... Against... The... Seat Back. It's so bad it's almost good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcjp Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 ^When I first heard it I thought: Am I listening right? Are they really giving safety instructions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted October 17, 2014 Author Share Posted October 17, 2014 Nice photos! This is a normal reaction to the Wild Mouse's "dub step/hip hop" safety spiel. It's actually worth waiting just to hear it--so bizarre. (One of the few bizarre things about Dorney.) I remember stinger also had something like that (I didn't try the wild mouse though) and I too thought it was rather bizarre but quite funny. So, Stinger was actually open this season? Dorney should make all of their safety spiels a bit more "funky." Could be a way to make the park stand out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 So, Stinger was actually open this season? Yes... for a few hours on opening day before it stranded everyone on the train and then closed down for the remainder of the season. I'm not joking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcjp Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 ^^No I rode it a year ago and it was pretty decent, actually (the forces were strong) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boldikus Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 Good report. I always like to read reports for parks I've been to. I really liked Dorney on my first visit last month. I haven't been around to enough parks to agree that it felt "corporate", then again I'm used to SFGAdv as my regular spot. Talon and Possessed are awesome, Hydra was so-so, Thunderhawk is horrific, and Steel Force was meh in the back but awesome in the front! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBpony414 Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 Nothing like a really good looking ride sign - Dorney seems to have that down pat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaellynn4 Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 Nice photos! This is a normal reaction to the Wild Mouse's "dub step/hip hop" safety spiel. It's actually worth waiting just to hear it--so bizarre. (One of the few bizarre things about Dorney.) I remember stinger also had something like that (I didn't try the wild mouse though) and I too thought it was rather bizarre but quite funny. Stinger definitely has one, too. I haven't been to the park this year but went several times last year. Just like the other rides, it's so bad, it's good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted October 17, 2014 Author Share Posted October 17, 2014 It's a shame the we never got to experience the wonder of Stinger's safety spiel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bert425 Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 I enjoyed Dorney on our trip thru Penn. . tho yes, it was by far the least "charming" of the parks we visited (Kennywood, Knoebel's, HersheyPark, Dorney). and not much shade. but I really did enjoy a LOT of the flats there, and thought it was worth the trip to visit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted October 20, 2014 Author Share Posted October 20, 2014 ^I'm not into flat rides, but I do like their old Whip. They also have a very good log flume, but none of us cared to get soaked that day. It follows the terrain and seems more like a "real" river. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaellynn4 Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 I agree with the general consensus here. Every time I go, I have a good time - clean park, decent rides, nice employees, etc. However, it's definitely a very bland, generic experience. It's a bit of a shame, because when you review the park's long history, there was a great amount of charm to the park originally, but it's been whitewashed away by corporate into the tepid experience it is today. ^ I've only been on the log flume once, and it is one of the better ones I've ridden. You're right, very "river"-like. You were wise to skip it if you didn't want to get wet, because it gets you soaked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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