
Key Information
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Located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Dorney Park is part of the Cedar Fair theme park chain. Like most of its sister parks, it boasts a large number of major roller coasters and white-knuckle thrill rides, although it does house a selection of kids' rides in its sprawling Planet Snoopy area. The park's biggest draws are floorless coaster Hydra the Revenge, hyper coaster Steel Force and the 1923 wooden coaster Thunderhawk. Entry to the Wildwater Kingdom water park is included with standard admission, although guests do have to pay extra to experience the Dinosaurs Alive! walkthrough attraction. New for 2017 are Kaleidoscope, a Troika ride of 3 rotating arms with 7 gondolas each, and Dodgem with 20 bumper cars.
Park History
Dorney Park is named after Solomon Dorney, who first established a summer resort on his estate close to Allentown in 1860. By 1880, Dorney had installed a zoo, mechanical rides and a hotel, and he sold the property to the Allentown-Kutztown Traction Company in 1901. From 1923 to 1966, the park was owned and run by Robert Plarr, and it remained in his family's hands until the mid-80s. Cedar Fair acquired it in 1992, and in recent years it has followed its standard template for success, liberally sprinkling steel roller coasters and thrill rides across the park.