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
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]
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 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 kiddie ride where children ride in bulldozers, moved from Hersheypark where it had been called Earthmovers.
Dutch Wonder House
1960s
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]
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
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
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 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, and the ride and the dock were eventually 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 ceased operation in 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 resides in the footprint of the old miniature circus building.[14]
Astroliner (1978–2020) – an older space simulator that was added to the park in 1978, built by Wisdom Manufacturing, and removed in 2020.
VR Voyager – a modern motion simulator removed in 2020.
Space Shuttle (1985–2021) – A swinging ship ride built by Morgan. Removed in 2022.
Shows
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
This article is missing information about additional shows. Please expand the article to include this information. Further details may exist on the talk page.(April 2023)
Garfield the Great & Friends – A magic show based on the Garfield franchise.
^ abDennison, Austen (April 20, 2015). Images of Modern America — Dutch Wonderland. Mount Pleasant, SC: Arcadia Publishing. p. 29. ISBN978-1-4671-2285-6.
