Summer Fun at Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania

Dorney Park was established in 1870 when Solomon Dorney became aware that his parks future rested on an attraction that would draw people in from all over the nation. The park first started out as a fish hatchery in 1860 with trout ponds and picnic areas that gave local anglers a full supply of all the fish that they could get their hands on. This tactic was the start of bigger and better things to come as Solomon Dorney was a creative man full of visions of what the future could hold if given the right tools to pursue it.

Dorney's estate in Allentown, Pennsylvania was soon embellished with games, playground-style rides, refreshment stands, a small zoo, featuring deer, bears, wolves, monkeys, foxes, squirrels, peacocks, swans, ducks, tortoises, and turtles. In no time he added a vast amount of rides and attractions, including Bowling-on-the-Greens, Quoits, Russian Ten Pins, Archery, Glass Ball Shooting, Safety Swings, lush gardens and exquisite conservatories. The resort also boasted a hotel and first class restaurant where guests could put up their feet and relax. By 1915, a casino, pool hall and roller-skating rink were added to the park, and soon the park was flourishing with a wooden roller coaster.

The 1970's witnessed many exciting additions to Dorney Park, including the Bucket of Blood, Gold Mine, Whacky Shack, and the Flying Dutchman. Unfortunately in 1983, a major fire burned most of Dorney Park attractions, including Bucket of Blood and the Philadelphia Toboggan Carousel. Recovering from the damage in 1985, the park opened Wildwater Kingdom, and in 1989, Dorney Park broke ground on a new and ambitious project. With an unprecedented 157-foot drop, Hercules was born as the tallest wooden coaster anywhere in the world. The colossal coaster attracted international attention and put Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom on the map as one of the most exciting amusement experiences in the Northeast.

In 2005 the first and only floorless roller coaster in Pennsylvania, was introduced. Hydra the Revenge proudly sits on 200 acres of prime land that offers 100 rides for all ages to enjoy. The floorless coaster runs on a tubular steel track that runs 3,198 feet with twists and an inclined dive loop of 62 feet. Another favorite at Dorney Park is the Steel Force roller coaster. This happens to be one of the world's best roller coasters simply because it was the first the East to break the 200-foot barrier. It boasts a 205-foot drop with two tunnels, steep banks and a maximum speed of 75 m.p.h.

The Steel Force, Laser, Meteor, Hydra the Revenge, Dominator, Thunderhawk and Talon are the stars of the show. The Dominator is a 200 foot power tower that defies gravity by blasting riders 15-stories high that give visitors an excellent view of the park. The Laser gives riders a hair raising thrill ride with two consecutive 360-degree vertical loops that typically bring screams that can be heard over the coasters tubular green and purple steel track that carries riders onto a coaster trip like no other.

Small children love Dorney Park as there is a special area designed just for them that hosts 17 rides along with 3 special waterpark areas. The Peanuts gang lives at the park and Camp Snoopy is the place to be for the young at heart who enjoys interactive play in a themed setting.

Live shows are a favorite of guests who wish to take a break from the rides. Talented singers, musicians, and dancers from all over the U.S. perform live shows for guests throughout the day and evening. In fact you can audition yourself to perform in front of hundreds of guests simply by applying at Fancy Pants Productions. To audition go to: http://www.fancypantsproductionsinc.com/auditioning.htm.

Dorney Park is loved by thousands of amusement park dwellers, and it is not just the rides that bring them to this beautiful area of Pennsylvania. The landscape of the park is breath taking, and visitors still enjoy feeding the trout in the historic fish pond that was built in the 1920's. Guests also lounge around in comfortable chairs at the Wildwater Kingdom water park while others enjoy browsing through the many souvenir shops that offer one-of-a-kind gifts.

Along with a new wave pool, guests can stay in relaxing cabanas that come with all day access to the Wildwater Kingdom water park and other attractions. The cabanas are quite roomy, and they each come with a dining table and chairs for a relaxing meal that is catered by a wait staff that serves food and drinks. The menu consists of hot dogs, personal pizzas, Subway sandwiches, chips, cookies, soda, and water. The cost of the cabanas are $55.00 through the week and $100.00 during the weekend and holidays. You can Pre-book a cabana by contacting Dorney Park's Guest Services at (610) 391-7639.

Admission to Dorney Park has been kept reasonable throughout the years, and visitors to the park can save by purchasing a two day pass for $58.95. A one day adult guest pass is $37.95 during the peak season which runs from May 26th through September 3rd. Junior tickets are for guests that are under 48" or 3 years or older. Tickets for this group run $15.95 or $24.95 for a two day pass. The admission includes the Wildwater Kingdom water park as well as admission to the rides. Before deciding on Dorney Park as your destination for summer fun you can request a brochure of the park at http://www.dorneypark.com/public/trip_planning/brochure_request.cfm.

Dorney Park officially opens May 5th and runs through to October 28th. From May until the first two days of September the park opens at 10:00 a.m. For more on Dorney Parks hours go to: http://www.dorneypark.com/public/trip_planning/calendar/. Allentown, Pennsylvania is just 60 minutes north of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Just take I-476 North) to the Lehigh Valley Exit 56, then Route 22 East, to Route 309 South, to I-78 East to Exit 54. The park is located at 3919 Dorney Park Road, Allentown, Pennsylvania in the beautiful Lehigh Valley. For more on directions to the park go to: http://www.dorneypark.com/public/trip_planning/travel.cfm.