With speeds up to 70 m.p.h., heights of more than 185 feet, and a drop of 97 degrees, this year's newest theme-park attractions are challenging visitors to go faster, higher and deeper than ever before.
In addition to introducing three new thrill rides, complete with all the inverted corkscrews, S-rolls, and loops needed to get blood pumping, theme parks like Six Flags Great Adventure, Hersheypark and Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom have invested in performers, competitions, and other events to lure new and returning customers.
Toddlers and babies, or Knights in Training as officials at Dutch Wonderland would call them, who might not be quite roller coaster-ready can enjoy Dutch Wonderland and Sesame Place, with more rides, shows, and play areas (and beloved children's characters).
Here are fast, friendly, and even furry attractions that are putting amusement into local parks this year.
Six Flags Great Adventure & Wild Safari, Jackson, N.J.
Six Flags has more than 60 rides, shows, and other attractions, including four children's ride areas and 13 coasters, and is known for its thrillers, among them Kingda Ka and Nitro. More than 20 characters, many of them from Looney Tunes and Batman movies, stroll the park, contributing to what park president Mark Kane calls "streetmosphere." Six Flags also has Hurricane Harbor, featuring water rides, and Wild Safari, a drive-through animal preserve with about 1,200 animals including endangered species such as five European brown bear cubs.
What's new: The Dark Knight is Great Adventure's newest thrill ride, based on the forthcoming Warner Bros. movie of that name. Located in the park's Gotham City, the completely enclosed steel coaster features 180-degree hairpin turns, moments of complete darkness, and a pre-show with footage from the movie, scheduled to be released in July. Also new this year are a Glow in the Dark Parade, the addition of two sea lion pups to the dolphin and sea lion show, a variety of entertainers performing for Thursday night and Sunday rock-concert series, and the Justice League, Batman's DC Comics colleagues who tour the park.
Hersheypark, Hershey, Pa.
In addition to offering more than 65 rides, including 11 coasters, and a busy entertainment schedule, Hersheypark is known for its rural location, popular Boardwalk water attractions, more than a dozen Hershey characters, and sweet treats sold in the park and at the adjacent Hershey's Chocolate World.
What's new: "Fahrenheit is one of the top coaster offerings in America right now," says the park's general manager, Frank O'Connell. "The drop is the deepest drop in the U.S. and there's a lot of air time." The steel coaster features two inverted corkscrew rolls, high loops, and an inverted S-roll, and takes riders to a height of 121 feet before dropping them 97 degrees. Also added this year is the Howler, a ride where families can control their own speed by turning a wheel, and a lineup of entertainment by David Cassidy and Pat Green.
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Allentown
At Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, you can visit two parks for one admission price. The two are home to a combined 57 rides, 10 coasters, more than 36 water attractions, and the entire Snoopy and Peanuts gang. Entertainment is offered on the parks' Center Stage and in two children's areas.
What's new: This summer, Dorney Park seeks to keep visitors coming back with Voodoo, a U-shaped coaster that stands about 185 feet tall and offers riders a corkscrew spiral experience at speeds up to 70 m.p.h. There will be two live shows this year, Heat and Dancing Under the Stars.
Sesame Place, Langhorne
Elmo's park, featuring more than 30 rides, shows, more than a dozen water rides, and a parade complete with all the
Sesame Street
characters, remains one of the area's top destinations for kids.
What's new: The park's brightly colored Sunny Day Carousel has 130 horses and two benches for children and their parents to ride, and twirls to Sesame Street themes. Kidz Bop Live is new this year. "It's today's popular music for kids by kids," said Paula Pritchard, director of communcations. Hip Hop Harry will be at the park for the first time, she added, teaching kids "about art, dance, and language through hip-hop." Fairy-in-training Abby Cadabby is the newest character to call Sesame Place home.
Dutch Wonderland, Lancaster
This "kingdom for kids" offers youngsters more than 30 rides, including two coasters, water-play areas, and Pipeline Plunge, a log flume ride. The Wonderland also has several shows (among them,
Thomas the Tank Engine Show)
and three strolling entertainment acts. Princess Brooke, Duke the Dragon, and other characters add to the royal experience.
What's new: Duke's Lagoon, introduced in 2003, has been completely revamped to feature 20 play areas, including four kids' water blasters, two pump stations, and a 70-foot geyser. There are rental cabanas where parents can be served food and drinks from Sharky's Grill while watching their children at play in the lagoon. The park's new strolling act is Knights of Recycling - two knights who roam the grounds teaching kids to be more environmentally friendly.
If You Go
Six Flags Great Adventure & Wild Safari, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, N.J., open 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays, 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily beginning June 20 through Labor Day (Fright Fest begins Oct. 4 and runs through Nov. 2). Admission: $49.99, $29.99 for children under 54 inches tall, free for ages 2 and under (discounts online). Wild Safari open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Admission: $9.99 with park ticket. Hurricane Harbor open 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends only and 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily beginning June 19 through Labor Day. Admission: $29.99, free for ages 2 and under. Three-park Combo Season Passes are $129.99. Information: 732-928-1821 or www.sixflags.com/greatadventure.
Hersheypark, 100 W. Hersheypark Dr., Hershey, Pa., open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, Saturdays until 11 p.m. in July and August through Labor Day and select weekends in September. One-day admission: $47.95, $28.95 for ages 3-8 (juniors) and ages 55-69 (seniors), $19.95 for ages 70 and older and free for children ages 2 and under. Season passes are $135 or $125 for ages 3-8 or 55 and older. Additional pass options and discounts are available. Information: 1-800-437-7439 or www.hersheypark.com.
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, 3830 Dorney Park Rd., Allentown, open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily and Wildwater Kingdom open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily through Labor Day and select days in September. Admission: $38.99, $18 for children under 48 inches tall and age 3 or older (juniors), and $18 for seniors ages 62 and older. Season passes are $105 and $63 for juniors and seniors. Additional discounts are available. Information: 610-395-3724 or www.dorneypark.com.
Sesame Place, 100 Sesame Rd., Langhorne, open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily through Aug. 31 and Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 25. Admission: $47.50, $42.50 for seniors, and free for children under 1. Sesame Passports are $74.50, Big Bird Passports are $99.95 (unlimited Sesame entrance plus other benefits), and Super Grover Passports (for unlimited admission to Sea World, Aquatica, and Busch Gardens Parks) are $144.95. Additional discounts are available. Information: 215-752-7070 or www.sesameplace.com.
Dutch Wonderland, 2249 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, open 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. daily through Labor Day and select weekdays and weekends through Dec. 31 for Happy Haunting and Winter Wonderland. Admission: $29.95 for ages 3-59 (Royalty), $24.95 for ages 60-69 (Senior Royalty), $17.95 for ages 70 and older (Senior Plus Royalty), and free for ages 2 and under (Royalty-in-Training). Season passes are $95, $80 for Senior Royalty, and free for Royalty-in-Training. Additional pass options and discounts are available. Information: 1-866-386-2839 or www.dutchwonderland.com.
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Don't forget the tried-and-true attractions
Sure, everyone's getting excited about what's new, but here are a few favorite attractions and shows that shouldn't be overlooked.
Six Flags Great Adventure & Wild Safari The Exploration Station, at the end of the Safari, where families can get up close to animals and learn about conservation as well as recycling.
Hersheypark Comet, a roller coaster that's been at Hersheypark since 1946, as well as the park's monorail, introduced in the early '60s.
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom The Whip, the oldest ride in the park (installed in 1920), and Thunderhawk, a wooden roller coaster recognized as one of the park's flagship rides.
Sesame Place Nets and Climbs, a three-story-high structure that's been at the park since it opened and is said to remain a kid favorite. The fireworks display will also return this year.
Dutch Wonderland Park representatives say they think the Kingdom Coaster has kept a lot of visitors coming back and that seats for Adventures of the Frog Prince, a children's show, fill up for almost every performance.
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For video of Fahrenheit and other attractions at Hersheypark, go to go.philly.com/hersheypark.
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