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Coordinates: 40°01′40″N 76°13′06″W / 40.0277°N 76.2184°W / 40.0277; -76.2184
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{{short description|Amusement park in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States}}
{{Short description|Amusement park in Pennsylvania}}
{{Infobox amusement park
{{Infobox amusement park
| name = Dutch Wonderland
| name = Dutch Wonderland
| logo = Dutch Wonderland Logo 2019.png
| logo = Dutch Wonderland Logo 2019.png
| image = [[File:Dutch Wonderland w spider LanCo.jpg|220px]]
| image = [[File:Dutch Wonderland w spider LanCo.jpg|220px]]
| image_caption = Dutch Wonderland entrance decorated for Halloween.
| caption = Dutch Wonderland entrance decorated for Halloween in 2018.
| location = [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania|Lancaster]]
| location = [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania|Lancaster]]
| location2 = [[Pennsylvania]]
| location2 = [[Pennsylvania]]
Line 12: Line 12:
| previous_names =
| previous_names =
| season =
| season =
| area = 48 acres
| area = {{cvt|48|acres}}
| rides = 32 (34 if you count the "Dino Dig and "The Prehistoric Path")
| rides = 34
| coasters = 3
| coasters = 3
| water_rides = 1 (Plus 2 Boat Based Rides)
| water_rides = 1 (Plus 2 Boat Based Rides)
| owner = [[Palace Entertainment]]
| owner = [[Palace Entertainment]]
| slogan = "A Kingdom for Kids"
| slogan = "A Kingdom for Kids"
| homepage = http://www.dutchwonderland.com/
| homepage = {{url|www.dutchwonderland.com}}
|coordinates = {{Coord|40.027697|-76.218443|region:US_type:landmark|display=it}}
| coordinates = {{Coord|40.0277|-76.2184|region:US_type:landmark|display=it}}
}}
}}


[[File:Dutch Wonderland Entrance.jpg|thumb|right|Dutch Wonderland Entrance.]]
[[File:Dutch Wonderland Entrance.jpg|thumb|right|Dutch Wonderland Entrance at normal state in 2012.]]
'''Dutch Wonderland''' is a {{convert|48|acre|ha|sing=on}} [[theme park]] just east of [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania]] in [[East Lampeter Township]], appealing primarily to families with small children. The park's theme is a "Kingdom for Kids." The entrance to the park has a stone imitation castle façade, which was built by Earl Clark, a potato farmer, before he opened the park in 1963.
'''Dutch Wonderland''' is a {{convert|48|acre|ha|sing=on}} [[theme park]] just east of [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania]] in [[East Lampeter Township]], appealing primarily to families with small children. The park's theme is a "Kingdom for Kids." The entrance to the park has a stone imitation castle façade, which was built by Earl Clark, a potato farmer, before he opened the park in 1963.


The Clark family sold Dutch Wonderland in 2001 to [[Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company]]. They also operate Wonderland Mini-Golf (Former Wonderland Cinema; Demolished in 2015), and Old Mill Stream Campground at the same location and the Gift Shop at Kitchen Kettle Village, in nearby [[Intercourse, Pennsylvania]]. On November 12, 2010, Hershey Entertainment announced that they sold Dutch Wonderland to [[Palace Entertainment]].{{cnl|date=October 2019}}
The Clark family sold Dutch Wonderland in 2001 to [[Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company]]. They also operate Old Mill Stream Campground at the same location, as well as the Gift Shop at Kitchen Kettle Village in nearby [[Intercourse, Pennsylvania]]. Next to the park, they used to operate Wonderland Mini-Golf and Wonderland Cinema, which were demolished to make room for parking in 2014 and 2015, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/former-wonderland-cinema-at-dutch-wonderland-being-demolished/article_84781860-d6f5-11e4-b23d-1bfd3e982f8b.html|title=Former Wonderland Cinema at Dutch Wonderland being demolished|date=2015-03-30|access-date=2023-04-11}}</ref> On November 12, 2010, Hershey Entertainment announced that they sold Dutch Wonderland to [[Palace Entertainment]].


The park has 32 rides, plus a tropical-themed interactive water play area called ''Duke's Lagoon''. The park also has an extended season, open for "Happy Hauntings" and "Dutch Winter Wonderland" events for [[Halloween]] and [[Christmas]]. The park is part of a larger area in Lancaster zoned for entertainment, dining, lodging, and conferences.
The park has 32 rides, plus a tropical-themed interactive water play area called ''Duke's Lagoon''. The park also has an extended season, open for "Happy Hauntings" and "Dutch Winter Wonderland" events for [[Halloween]] and [[Christmas]]. The park is part of a larger area in Lancaster zoned for entertainment, dining, lodging, and conferences.
Line 40: Line 40:
!Ride
!Ride
!Opened
!Opened
!Manufacturer
!Description
!Description
|-
|-
|[[Merlin's Mayhem]]
|[[Merlin's Mayhem]]
|<center>2018</center>
|{{center|2018}}
|A steel suspended rollercoaster, manufactured by [[S&S Worldwide]], which passes over the Skyride and stands on the land the Turnpike once stood.
|[[S&S Worldwide]]
|A steel inverted rollercoaster, manufactured by [[S&S Worldwide]], which passes over the Skyride and stands on the land the Turnpike once stood.
|-
|-
|{{nowrap|[[Kingdom Coaster]]}}
|{{nowrap|[[Kingdom Coaster]]}}
|<center>1992</center>
|{{center|1992}}
|[[Custom Coasters International]] (CCI)
|A wooden rollercoaster, the first coaster ever built by [[Custom Coasters International]]. Uses a single [[Philadelphia Toboggan Company]] train with [[buzz bars]]. The park's [[monorail]] runs through the structure of the ride. The ride was once painted white, and is currently painted blue. It was named the Sky Princess until the 2007 season.
|A wooden rollercoaster, the first coaster ever built by [[Custom Coasters International]]. Uses a single [[Philadelphia Toboggan Company]] train with [[buzz bars]]. The park's [[monorail]] runs through the structure of the ride. The ride was once painted white, and is currently painted blue. It was named the Sky Princess until the 2007 season.
|-
|-
|Joust
|Joust
|<center>1998</center>
|{{center|1998}}
|[[Chance Rides]]
|A steel "Big Dipper" style rollercoaster, manufactured by [[Chance Rides]]. It sits where the Flying Trapeeze once stood, in front of the Kingdom Coaster. Chance's prototype Big Dipper Coaster.
|A steel "Big Dipper" style rollercoaster, manufactured by [[Chance Rides]]. It sits where the Flying Trapeeze once stood, in front of the Kingdom Coaster. Chance's prototype Big Dipper Coaster.
|-
|-
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[[File:Dutch Wonderland Sky Princess Flume.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Kingdom Coaster]] and Log Flume]]
[[File:Dutch Wonderland Sky Princess Flume.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Kingdom Coaster]] and Log Flume]]


{| class=wikitable
* '''Balloon Chase'''
|-
* '''Bumper Cars''' – a classic Lusse [[bumper car]] ride
!Ride
* '''Choo Choo Charlie'''
!Opened
!Manufacturer
!Description
|-
|'''Balloon Chase'''
|{{center|2002}}
|[[Zamperla]]
|A Samba Balloon ride.
|-
| '''Bumper Cars'''
|{{center|1962}}
|Lusse
|A classic Lusse [[bumper car]] ride
|-
| '''Choo Choo Charlie'''
|{{center|1992}}
|[[Wood Amusement Rides B.V.]]
|A manual-powered handcar ride.
|-
| '''Double Splash Flume'''
|{{center|1977}}
|[[Arrow Development]]
|A double drop [[log flume]] (the lower drop at the beginning of the ride, the higher drop at the end) with a mist tunnel.
|-
| '''Dragon's Lair'''
|{{center|1990}}
|[[Arrow Dynamics]]
|A boat ride, visible from outside the park.
|-
| '''Duke's Dozers'''
|{{center|2003}}
|[[Allan Herschell Company]]
|A kiddie ride where children ride in bulldozers, moved from [[Hersheypark]] where it was called Earthmovers.
|-
| '''Dutch Wonder House'''
|{{center|1960's}}
|In-House
|A rare "haunted swing" ride, where the entire house revolves around the riders, described in a newspaper article as "an extremely disorienting effect"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.mcall.com/2013-06-21/entertainment/mc-dutch-wonderland-50-anniversary-20130621_1_dutch-wonderland-rick-stammel-kingdom-coaster|title=Dutch Wonderland's 50th Anniversary|last=Stammel|first=Rick|date=21 June 2013|access-date=3 November 2017|work=The Morning Call}}</ref>
|-
| '''Dutch Wonderland Special'''
|{{center|1963}}
|[[Chance Rides]]
|A [[Miniature railroad|2 ft narrow gauge railroad]] featuring a [[C.P. Huntington]] [[gasoline]]-powered locomotive built by Chance Rides, previously an Allan Hershel Iron Horse Train.
|-
| '''Flying Trapeze'''
|{{center|1982}}
|[[Chance Rides]]
|A Yo-Yo chairswing ride.
|-
| '''Frog Hopper'''
|{{center|2003}}
|[[S&S - Sansei Technologies]]
|A Frog Hopper [[drop tower]].
|-
| '''Fun Slide'''
|{{center|2000's}}
|Unknown
|
|-
| '''Gondola Cruise'''
|{{center|1970's}}
|[[Arrow Dynamics]]
|Part of the larger Exploration Island area.
|-
| '''Kite Flight'''
|{{center|2009}}
|[[Zamperla]]
|A Kite Flyer ride.
|-
| '''Leapin' Frogs'''
|{{center|2000's}}
|[[Zamperla]]
|A Frog-themed Jump Around ride.
|-
| '''Monorail'''
|{{center|1968}}
|[[Universal Mobility]]
|A monorail ride which takes a tour of the park.
|-
| '''Merry-Go-Round'''
|{{center|1999}}
|[[Chance Rides]]
|A family [[carousel]] ride.
|-
| '''Off-Road Rally'''
|{{center|2003}}
|[[Venture Manufacturing]]
|A family carousel ride.
|-
| '''Panda Party'''
|{{center|1970}}
|[[Hampton Amusements]]
|A bee ride.
|-
| '''Pit Stop''''
|{{center|2000's}}
|[[Outback Toys]]
|A pedal car ride.
|-
| '''Sky Fighter'''
|{{center|1979}}
|[[Molina & Son’s]]
|A plane ride.
|-
| '''Sky Ride'''
|{{center|1969}}
|[[Universal Design Ltd.]]
|A station-to-station sky ride<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Products/9781467122856|title=Images of Modern America — Dutch Wonderland|last=Dennison|first=Austen|date=April 20, 2015|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=978-1-4671-2285-6|location=Mount Pleasant, SC|page=27}}</ref>
|-
| '''Turnpike Cars 2.0'''
|{{center|1979}}
|[[Gould Manufacturing]]
|A reconstruction of the original Turnpike Cars formerly located in the middle of the park, it opened in 2014 on Exploration Island and is nearly double the length of the original.<ref name= "Cars">{{Cite web|url=https://lancasteronline.com/business/local_business/15-huge-animatronic-dinosaurs-coming-to-dutch-wonderlands-new-exploration-island/article_7626e694-8933-11e3-94aa-001a4bcf6878.html|title=15 huge animatronic dinosaurs coming to Dutch Wonderland's new Exploration Island|last=Mekeel|first=Tim|date=January 30, 2014|publisher=[[LNP (newspaper)|LNP]]|access-date=February 12, 2021}}</ref>
|-
| '''Turtle Whirl'''
|{{center|2007}}
| Sellner Manufacturing
| A classic tilt-a-whirl ride with a turtle theme purchased from [[Clementon Lake Park]].
|-
| '''The Twister'''
|{{center|2009}}
| [[Chance Rides]]
| A family ride moved from Hersheypark (1978–2008).
|-
| '''Wonder Whip'''
|{{center|2003}}
| [[William F. Mangels|Mangles Company]]
| A kiddie whip ride moved from Hersheypark, formerly called Wells Cargo (1964–2003)
|-
|}
* '''Dino Dig''' - Part of the larger Exploration Island area.
* '''Dino Dig''' - Part of the larger Exploration Island area.
* '''Double Splash Flume''' – a double drop [[log flume]] (the lower drop at the beginning of the ride, the higher drop at the end) with a mist tunnel.
* '''Dragon's Lair''' – a boat ride, visible from outside the park
* '''Duke's Dozers''' – a kiddie ride where children ride in bulldozers, moved from [[Hersheypark]] where it was called Earthmovers
* '''Dutch Wonder House''' – a rare "haunted swing" ride, where the entire house revolves around the riders, described in a newspaper article as "an extremely disorienting effect"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.mcall.com/2013-06-21/entertainment/mc-dutch-wonderland-50-anniversary-20130621_1_dutch-wonderland-rick-stammel-kingdom-coaster|title=Dutch Wonderland's 50th Anniversary|last=Stammel|first=Rick|date=21 June 2013|access-date=3 November 2017|work=The Morning Call}}</ref>
* '''Dutch Wonderland Special''' – a [[Miniature railroad|2 ft narrow gauge railroad]] featuring a locomotive named [[C.P. Huntington]] built by Chance Rides.
* '''Flying Trapeze'''
* '''Frog Hopper'''
* '''Fun Slide'''
* '''Gondola Cruise''' - Part of the larger Exploration Island area.
* '''Kite Flight'''
* '''Leapin' Frogs'''
* '''Monorail''' – visible from outside the park
* '''Merry-Go-Round''' - a family carousel ride
* '''Off-Road Rally'''
* '''Panda Party'''
* '''Pit Stop'''
* '''Prehistoric Path''' - Features many animatronic dinosaurs. Part of the larger Exploration Island area.
* '''Prehistoric Path''' - Features many animatronic dinosaurs. Part of the larger Exploration Island area.
* '''Sky Fighter'''
* '''Sky Ride''' – a station-to-station Universal Design Ltd. sky ride<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Products/9781467122856|title=Images of Modern America — Dutch Wonderland|last=Dennison|first=Austen|date=April 20, 2015|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=978-1-4671-2285-6|location=Mount Pleasant, SC|page=27}}</ref>

On July 19, 2008, a 44-year-old woman from Ann Arbor, Michigan lost about a centimeter off the tip of her left index finger when it was caught in the safety bar.

* '''Space Shuttle''' – a swinging ship ride
* '''Turnpike Cars 2.0''' - a reconstruction of the original Turnpike Cars formerly located in the middle of the park, it opened in 2014 on Exploration Island and is nearly double the length of the original.<ref name= "Cars">{{Cite web|url=https://lancasteronline.com/business/local_business/15-huge-animatronic-dinosaurs-coming-to-dutch-wonderlands-new-exploration-island/article_7626e694-8933-11e3-94aa-001a4bcf6878.html|title=15 huge animatronic dinosaurs coming to Dutch Wonderland's new Exploration Island|last=Mekeel|first=Tim|date=January 30, 2014|publisher=[[LNP (newspaper)|LNP]]|access-date=February 12, 2021}}</ref>
* '''Turtle Whirl''' – classic tilt-a-whirl ride with a turtle theme purchased from [[Clementon Lake Park]]
* '''The Twister''' – a family ride moved from Hersheypark (1978–2008)
* '''Wonder Whip''' – a kiddie whip ride moved from Hersheypark, formerly called Wells Cargo


===Removed rides===
===Removed rides===
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* ''' Giant Slide''' – (1968–2007) Replaced with two portable slides.
* ''' Giant Slide''' – (1968–2007) Replaced with two portable slides.
* ''' Ripcord ''' – (1990–2010) A parachute ride made by Venture Manufacturing, it was replaced with a [[Zamperla]] Kite Flyer.
* ''' Ripcord ''' – (1990–2010) A parachute ride made by Venture Manufacturing, it was replaced with a [[Zamperla]] Kite Flyer.
* '''Ferris Windmill''' – (1981–2012) A kiddie Ferris wheel ride with a windmill theme, built by International amusements, the ride was removed for Exploration Island.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Dutch wonderland|first=Austin|last=Dennison|date=2015|publisher=Arcadia Pub|isbn=978-1-4671-2285-6|location=Charleston, South Carolina|pages=54|oclc=898419667}}</ref>
* '''Ferris Windmill''' – (1981–2012) A kiddie [[Ferris wheel]] ride with a [[windmill]] theme, built by International amusements, the ride was removed for Exploration Island.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Dutch wonderland|first=Austin|last=Dennison|date=2015|publisher=Arcadia Pub|isbn=978-1-4671-2285-6|location=Charleston, South Carolina|pages=54|oclc=898419667}}</ref>
* '''Crazy Plane''' – (1994–2014) A Crazy Plane prototype made by [[Zamperla]], the ride was removed after the 2014 season and was replaced by Bon Voyage Balloon Chase.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Dutch wonderland|first=Austin|last=Dennison|date=2015|publisher=Arcadia Pub|isbn=978-1-4671-2285-6|location=Charleston, South Carolina|pages=66|oclc=898419667}}</ref>
* '''Crazy Plane''' – (1994–2014) A Crazy Plane prototype made by [[Zamperla]], the ride was removed after the 2014 season and was replaced by Bon Voyage Balloon Chase.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Dutch wonderland|first=Austin|last=Dennison|date=2015|publisher=Arcadia Pub|isbn=978-1-4671-2285-6|location=Charleston, South Carolina|pages=66|oclc=898419667}}</ref>
* '''Silo slide''' – (1963–2015) A slide that went down the exterior of a silo, its final year was 2015, the silo still stands today without the slide pieces.
* '''Silo slide''' – (1963–2015) A slide that went down the exterior of a silo, its final year was 2015, the silo still stands today without the slide pieces.
Line 109: Line 217:
* '''Astroliner''' – an older space simulator that was added to the park in 1978, built by Wisdom Manufacturing, removed 2020.
* '''Astroliner''' – an older space simulator that was added to the park in 1978, built by Wisdom Manufacturing, removed 2020.
* '''VR Voyager''' – a modern motion simulator removed 2020.
* '''VR Voyager''' – a modern motion simulator removed 2020.
* '''Space Shuttle -''' (1985-2021) A swinging ship ride built by [[D.H. Morgan Manufacturing|Morgan]]. Removed in 2022.


===Shows===
===Shows===
Line 117: Line 226:


=== Previous shows ===
=== Previous shows ===
{{incomplete|additional shows|date=April 2023}}
* '''Garfield the Great & Friends''' – A magic show based on the [[Garfield]] franchise.
* '''Garfield the Great & Friends''' – A magic show based on the [[Garfield]] franchise.
* '''Thomas & Friends Live''' - based on the [[Thomas & Friends]] franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://dutchwonderland.com/map/images/DWBrochureMap_Large.jpg|title=2010 Park Map|date=2010-11-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121144824/http://dutchwonderland.com/map/images/DWBrochureMap_Large.jpg |access-date=2023-04-11|archive-date=2010-11-21 }}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 127: Line 238:
==External links==
==External links==
* [https://www.dutchwonderland.com/ Official site]
* [https://www.dutchwonderland.com/ Official site]
* [http://www.wgal.com/news/1073216/detail.html Park sale to Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company]{{dl|date=June 2020}}
* [http://www.wgal.com/news/1073216/detail.html Park sale to Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314161537/http://www.wgal.com/news/1073216/detail.html |date=2007-03-14 }}
* [http://coastergallery.com/2003T/Dutch.html Dutch Wonderland Information and Photos]
* [http://coastergallery.com/2003T/Dutch.html Dutch Wonderland Information and Photos]
* [https://www.flickr.com/groups/dutchwonderland/ Dutch Wonderland Flickr Group]
* [https://www.flickr.com/groups/dutchwonderland/ Dutch Wonderland Flickr Group]
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[[Category:Buildings and structures in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Palace Entertainment]]
[[Category:Parques Reunidos]]
[[Category:Amusement parks opened in 1963]]
[[Category:Amusement parks opened in 1963]]

Latest revision as of 14:36, 7 February 2024

Dutch Wonderland
Dutch Wonderland entrance decorated for Halloween in 2018.
LocationLancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Coordinates40°01′40″N 76°13′06″W / 40.0277°N 76.2184°W / 40.0277; -76.2184
OpenedMay 20, 1963
OwnerPalace Entertainment
Slogan"A Kingdom for Kids"
Area48 acres (19 ha)
Attractions
Total34
Roller coasters3
Water rides1 (Plus 2 Boat Based Rides)
Websitewww.dutchwonderland.com
Dutch Wonderland Entrance at normal state in 2012.

Dutch Wonderland is a 48-acre (19 ha) theme park just east of Lancaster, Pennsylvania in East Lampeter Township, appealing primarily to families with small children. The park's theme is a "Kingdom for Kids." The entrance to the park has a stone imitation castle façade, which was built by Earl Clark, a potato farmer, before he opened the park in 1963.

The Clark family sold Dutch Wonderland in 2001 to Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company. They also operate Old Mill Stream Campground at the same location, as well as the Gift Shop at Kitchen Kettle Village in nearby Intercourse, Pennsylvania. Next to the park, they used to operate Wonderland Mini-Golf and Wonderland Cinema, which were demolished to make room for parking in 2014 and 2015, respectively.[1] On November 12, 2010, Hershey Entertainment announced that they sold Dutch Wonderland to Palace Entertainment.

The park has 32 rides, plus a tropical-themed interactive water play area called Duke's Lagoon. The park also has an extended season, open for "Happy Hauntings" and "Dutch Winter Wonderland" events for Halloween and Christmas. The park is part of a larger area in Lancaster zoned for entertainment, dining, lodging, and conferences.

Attractions[edit]

Dutch Wonderland features 32 rides, a water park called Duke's Lagoon (named for a purple dragon costumed character), along with shows and games for children. In addition to Duke the Dragon, the park also features costumed characters Princess Brooke, Merlin the Wizard and Sir Brandon, the Knight of Safety.

A five-acre island at the back of the park, "Exploration Island", includes a Prehistoric Path featuring more than 15 animatronic dinosaurs. The island is viewable from the gondola ride.[2]

Current roller coasters[edit]

Dutch Wonderland has three rollercoasters.

Ride Opened Manufacturer Description
Merlin's Mayhem
2018
 S&S Worldwide A steel inverted rollercoaster, manufactured by S&S Worldwide, which passes over the Skyride and stands on the land the Turnpike once stood.
Kingdom Coaster
1992
 Custom Coasters International (CCI) A wooden rollercoaster, the first coaster ever built by Custom Coasters International. Uses a single Philadelphia Toboggan Company train with buzz bars. The park's monorail runs through the structure of the ride. The ride was once painted white, and is currently painted blue. It was named the Sky Princess until the 2007 season.
Joust
1998
 Chance Rides A steel "Big Dipper" style rollercoaster, manufactured by Chance Rides. It sits where the Flying Trapeeze once stood, in front of the Kingdom Coaster. Chance's prototype Big Dipper Coaster.

Other attractions[edit]

Merlin's Mayhem
Kingdom Coaster and Log Flume
Ride Opened Manufacturer Description
Balloon Chase
2002
 Zamperla A Samba Balloon ride.
Bumper Cars
1962
 Lusse A classic Lusse bumper car ride
Choo Choo Charlie
1992
 Wood Amusement Rides B.V. A manual-powered handcar ride.
Double Splash Flume
1977
 Arrow Development A double drop log flume (the lower drop at the beginning of the ride, the higher drop at the end) with a mist tunnel.
Dragon's Lair
1990
 Arrow Dynamics A boat ride, visible from outside the park.
Duke's Dozers
2003
 Allan Herschell Company A kiddie ride where children ride in bulldozers, moved from Hersheypark where it was called Earthmovers.
Dutch Wonder House
1960's
 In-House A rare "haunted swing" ride, where the entire house revolves around the riders, described in a newspaper article as "an extremely disorienting effect"[3]
Dutch Wonderland Special
1963
 Chance Rides A 2 ft narrow gauge railroad featuring a C.P. Huntington gasoline-powered locomotive built by Chance Rides, previously an Allan Hershel Iron Horse Train.
Flying Trapeze
1982
 Chance Rides A Yo-Yo chairswing ride.
Frog Hopper
2003
 S&S - Sansei Technologies A Frog Hopper drop tower.
Fun Slide
2000's
 Unknown
Gondola Cruise
1970's
 Arrow Dynamics Part of the larger Exploration Island area.
Kite Flight
2009
 Zamperla A Kite Flyer ride.
Leapin' Frogs
2000's
 Zamperla A Frog-themed Jump Around ride.
Monorail
1968
 Universal Mobility A monorail ride which takes a tour of the park.
Merry-Go-Round
1999
 Chance Rides A family carousel ride.
Off-Road Rally
2003
 Venture Manufacturing A family carousel ride.
Panda Party
1970
 Hampton Amusements A bee ride.
Pit Stop'
2000's
 Outback Toys A pedal car ride.
Sky Fighter
1979
 Molina & Son’s A plane ride.
Sky Ride
1969
 Universal Design Ltd. A station-to-station sky ride[4]
Turnpike Cars 2.0
1979
 Gould Manufacturing A reconstruction of the original Turnpike Cars formerly located in the middle of the park, it opened in 2014 on Exploration Island and is nearly double the length of the original.[5]
Turtle Whirl
2007
 Sellner Manufacturing A classic tilt-a-whirl ride with a turtle theme purchased from Clementon Lake Park.
The Twister
2009
 Chance Rides A family ride moved from Hersheypark (1978–2008).
Wonder Whip
2003
 Mangles Company A kiddie whip ride moved from Hersheypark, formerly called Wells Cargo (1964–2003)
  • Dino Dig - Part of the larger Exploration Island area.
  • Prehistoric Path - Features many animatronic dinosaurs. Part of the larger Exploration Island area.

Removed rides[edit]

  • Wally the Whale Boats – (1963–1967) One of the original rides for the park. It was replaced by the Swan boats. There is one of the Whales currently beside Balloon Chase.[6]
  • Swan train ride – (1965–1967) The "Gliding Swans" was a ride that drove through the path of the park, it only lasted for three seasons until it was removed due to increased foot traffic.[7]
  • Swan Boats – (1968–1974) A swan paddle boat ride that was replaced by log boats (Now "Dragon's Lair"). One of the swans are also currently beside Balloon Chase.[6]
  • Original Iron Horse Train – (1963–1985) In 1974 the park added a second train CP Huntington #123 which ran with the Iron Horse train. The Iron Horse train was removed after 1985 and replaced with CP Huntington #206 which was added in 1986.[8]
  • Old 99 – (1974–2002) An electric train ride that went around a track by itself made by Chance Rides. The ride was eventually replaced with a theater.[9]
  • Giant Slide – (1968–2007) Replaced with two portable slides.
  • Ripcord – (1990–2010) A parachute ride made by Venture Manufacturing, it was replaced with a Zamperla Kite Flyer.
  • Ferris Windmill – (1981–2012) A kiddie Ferris wheel ride with a windmill theme, built by International amusements, the ride was removed for Exploration Island.[10]
  • Crazy Plane – (1994–2014) A Crazy Plane prototype made by Zamperla, the ride was removed after the 2014 season and was replaced by Bon Voyage Balloon Chase.[11]
  • Silo slide – (1963–2015) A slide that went down the exterior of a silo, its final year was 2015, the silo still stands today without the slide pieces.
  • Lady Gay Riverboat – (1963–2016) An original ride from the park, it was modified many times since it opened, the ride and the dock were removed due to maintenance upkeep.[12]
  • Tug Boat – (1967–2016) A similar boat ride that came after the Lady Gay, the Tug Boat and Lady Gay would switch which boat was being used from time to time, until they both were ceased from operation from the park.[13]
  • Turnpike Cars 1.0 - (1963-2013) An Arrow Dynamics antique car ride that was located in the centre of the park, where Merlin's Mayhem is today. The attraction was reconstructed on Exploration Island for the 2014 season.[5]
  • Wiggle Racers – A ride where self-propelled scooters race around a track that includes a maze and a cave. This ride replaced the miniature train display which had replaced the indoor miniature circus display. The Wiggle Racers were then moved to a spot closer to the stream in the back of the park, and Huck Finn's Leapin' Frogs now reside in the footprint of the old miniature circus building.[14]
  • Astroliner – an older space simulator that was added to the park in 1978, built by Wisdom Manufacturing, removed 2020.
  • VR Voyager – a modern motion simulator removed 2020.
  • Space Shuttle - (1985-2021) A swinging ship ride built by Morgan. Removed in 2022.

Shows[edit]

  • Bubba Bear and the Badlands Band – a Sally-produced theater show
  • The Adventures of the Frog Prince – a high-dive show
  • A Dragon's Tale – a high-dive show
  • Storytime Corner – Princess of Dutch Wonderland and the Dutch Wonderland Knight read stories to children

Previous shows[edit]

  • Garfield the Great & Friends – A magic show based on the Garfield franchise.
  • Thomas & Friends Live - based on the Thomas & Friends franchise.[15]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Former Wonderland Cinema at Dutch Wonderland being demolished". 2015-03-30. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  2. ^ Lauer-Williams, Kathy (17 April 2014). "Lancaster's Dutch Wonderland to add animatronic dinosaurs". The Morning Call. Allentown PA. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  3. ^ Stammel, Rick (21 June 2013). "Dutch Wonderland's 50th Anniversary". The Morning Call. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  4. ^ Dennison, Austen (April 20, 2015). Images of Modern America — Dutch Wonderland. Mount Pleasant, SC: Arcadia Publishing. p. 27. ISBN 978-1-4671-2285-6.
  5. ^ a b Mekeel, Tim (January 30, 2014). "15 huge animatronic dinosaurs coming to Dutch Wonderland's new Exploration Island". LNP. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Dennison, Austen (April 20, 2015). Images of Modern America — Dutch Wonderland. Mount Pleasant, SC: Arcadia Publishing. p. 29. ISBN 978-1-4671-2285-6.
  7. ^ Dennison, Austen (2015). Dutch wonderland. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Pub. p. 21. ISBN 978-1-4671-2285-6. OCLC 898419667.
  8. ^ Dennison, Austen (2015). Dutch wonderland. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Pub. p. 58. ISBN 978-1-4671-2285-6. OCLC 898419667.
  9. ^ Dennison, Austin (2015). Dutch wonderland. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Pub. p. 38. ISBN 978-1-4671-2285-6. OCLC 898419667.
  10. ^ Dennison, Austin (2015). Dutch wonderland. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Pub. p. 54. ISBN 978-1-4671-2285-6. OCLC 898419667.
  11. ^ Dennison, Austin (2015). Dutch wonderland. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Pub. p. 66. ISBN 978-1-4671-2285-6. OCLC 898419667.
  12. ^ Dennison, Austin (2015). Dutch wonderland. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Pub. p. 13. ISBN 978-1-4671-2285-6. OCLC 898419667.
  13. ^ Dennison, Austin (2015). Dutch wonderland. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Pub. p. 28. ISBN 978-1-4671-2285-6. OCLC 898419667.
  14. ^ "Dutch Wonderland through the years". The Morning Call. 16 June 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  15. ^ "2010 Park Map". 2010-11-21. Archived from the original on 2010-11-21. Retrieved 2023-04-11.

External links[edit]

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