I live five minutes away from Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom and I know Dorney Park very well. I've updated this review many times throughout the years, and it is now #41 in travel, so thanks for checking it out!

Updates for 2009
A new ice show featuring Snoopy is coming...
No more blue and white tent to eat at outside the park...
The coaster Laser has been removed...
The Haunt will be bigger and better...
It will be the 125th year for Dorney Park!

Cedar Fair owns Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom. Dorney has a LOT of history dating back to the 1800s, and it is pretty interesting. A new book called Dorney Park details it, written by Bob Ott, former owner.

Prices
Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom are connected, so you get "two great parks for the price of one." Regular admission is around $40 a person. Anyone under 48 inches is considered a Junior. Junior/Senior price is around $19.00. Two-year olds and under are free. Bring discount coupons! Parking is $10. (Yes, I said $10.)

Again, please note and remember...Junior, Regular, or under three. Not, "Two adults, one kid." Adult = Regular. A Junior is BELOW 48 inches. The cashiers will measure each child to make sure if you think they are a Junior. Regular is anyone over 48 inches regardless of age. They do it that way because of the rides and what each person can get on. Seniors, 62 and older.

Important!
The Park does not allow food, drinks and coolers in the park. You will be stopped. When you are ready to go eat lunch elsewhere or run to your car, get your hand stamped at the exit on the right hand side. This will let you back in the park. The stamp will not wash off- it is invisible- and shines under an ultraviolet light. Food prices are high- keep this in mind.

Boys need shirts to enter- even if going directly to the water park. Everyone needs shoes and shorts to enter. This is important! You will be stopped if not dressed properly and will have to take the long walk to your car to get your stuff.

Wildwater Kingdom is a great water park. It has just about everything. On a hot day, this is the place to be. It has a two huge wave pools, speed slides, body slides, tube slides, tube rivers,and two kiddie sections with slides and activities. There is the thrill slide Aquablast which is a huge tube ride down a twisted slide. There are lifts and turns that make you feel like you will fly off the edge. A treat is Island Water Works. It is giant playhouse that will leave you drenched. Plus, it is a great place to go when the lines are too long. There is much fun awaiting you here. 10 new water slides were added for 2003...Patriot's Plunge and Wildwater Rapids for the older crowd and Jumpin' Jack Splash for the kiddies. They are body slides and tube slides...Patriot's Plunge is decorated red, white and blue! There is also a newer slide called AquaRacer, where many people can race to the bottom on mats.

Dorney Park has plenty of rides for everyone. There is Camp Snoopy for the youngsters. Parents can join their children on these rides. Okay, the coasters. Hydra: The Revenge is a B & M model coaster that has received mixed reviews. Your feet dangle above the tracks and the ride features a "jojo" roll in the beginning right after leaving the station. Steel Force is a popular coaster with a 200 ft. drop. ThunderHawk is one of the oldest- a wooden coaster-that looks tiny compared to its neighbor Steel Force. There are two kiddie coasters. One is in Camp Snoopy. The other is Little Laser - next to the Laser. Talon is a "feet-dangling, scream machine" that sends you upside down four times with intense speeds. This is an impressive one and its located right at the Park's entrance.

From the Dominator to White Water Landing to the Ferris Wheel and the train ride-there is always something for everybody.

It gets crowded. There are many bus trips with large groups. Long lines are common. Try to get there as soon as possible and stay the day. Crowds lessen toward the end of the day so there is a better opportunity to get on some rides. Important: DON'T GO ON SATURDAY IN JULY OR AUGUST! (If you can help it.) I know it sounds like a great day, but you won't get on a lot, and there are massive groups and crowds everywhere...definitely not the best.

Maps are available at the park's entrance. There are plenty of signs to guide you. Lockers are available too. My advice, if you don't want to spend for a locker, would be to have a home base in Wildwater Kingdom. There are lots of chairs near the wave pool and kiddie sections. You can leave your things there. Lockers in WWK are about 10 dollars, you get money back when you return the key at the end of your day.

The Haunt: From the end of September to the end of October, the Park does the Haunt. WWK is closed, and Dorney features plenty of screams.  The daytime is for the kids and the night is for the teens and adults.  There are haunted houses, mazes, shows, and more. 

Note that there is not a laser light show at 9:35 anymore.

Go in with a positive attitude. And if you have any questions while there, the employees are there to help you.

Make the summer count and bring the whole family to Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom. The memories will last a long time!

Recommended: Yes