SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom is firing up its rides and shows in preparation for the opening of its 140th season.
The park is adding two new bars "for adults to purchase alcoholic beverages in areas that will double as entertainment hot spots," Dorney spokesman Ryan Eldredge said.
The park will have several other updates and upgrades for the new season, including adding new cabanas and new shows, an all-new main stage and more, Eldredge said.
- Dorney Park will open to the public on May 12 and Wildwater Kingdom on May 27. A preview day for season pass-holders only will be May 7
- Upgrades for the season include new cabanas, two new bars, new shows and an all-new main stage
- Season passes start at $94, with daily admission starting at $70 or $39.99 online
Dorney Park will open to the public Friday, May 12. Wildwater Kingdom will open Saturday, May 27.
But from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, it will hold a preview day for season pass-holders only. Season passes, starting at $94, are available on Dorney Park's website.
Eldredge said the park's attendance was up in 2022 after the pandemic impacted the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
"We do anticipate a bigger and better 2023!" Eldredge said in an email response.
Daily admission to the park this season starts at $70, or $39.99 online, or $36.99 after 4 p.m. daily for ages 2 and older.
Free Pre-K passes for ages 3-5 also are available by registering online.
Dorney is adding cabanas, both luxury and traditional, for those looking to relax at Wildwater Kingdom.
New bars, updated restaurants, more
"One of the new bars will be placed in an area by our Wave Pool and will lean into a new stage and live music," Eldredge said.
"The other bar will be close to Wildwater Cove, again leaning into a relaxing environment where adults can unwind."
Eldredge said Dorney also will renovate two of its three Chickie’s and Pete’s restaurant locations "to improve access and speed of service."
In addition to the stage in Wildwater Kingdom, which is being moved from the front of the park to the Wave Pool area, "we are getting a brand new Midway Stage (behind the Antique Carousel).
The new stage will feature a new Peanuts show "for families to enjoy and a new nighttime offering featuring live music and dancing," Eldredge said.
“We are excited to bring a number of improvements to the overall guest experience this year, in addition to our incredible lineup of exciting events.”Dorney General Manager Jessica Naderman
“We are excited to bring a number of improvements to the overall guest experience this year, in addition to our incredible lineup of exciting events,” Dorney General Manager Jessica Naderman said in the news release.
“With our large collection of classic rides, Planet Snoopy for the little ones, Wildwater Kingdom and new improved dining options, there really is something for everyone, every day of the season.”
Season highlights
In its news release, Dorney highlighted the global celebration Grand Carnivale, which returned in 2021 after a one-year hiatus, a Fourth of July spectacular and the Halloween Haunt.
Dorney has said it expects to hire 2,000 seasonal workers for the season, and at the end of March held a job fair saying it still had 500 positions to fill. The openings include ride operators, security personnel, lifeguards and more.
The full event lineup for 2023 includes:
- Fourth of July Celebration (July 4): A holiday fireworks display with a patriotic soundtrack is set to begin at 9:30 p.m.
- Grand Carnivale (select dates, July 22-Aug. 6): Experience how the world kicks up its heels at a day-to-night, larger-than-life, global celebration with high-energy live music, international food, games and crafts. After nightfall, there will be a Spectacle of Color Parade, full of floats, street performers and pulsing rhythms.
- Food Truck Rally (Aug. 26-27): With food trucks from across the region.
- Halloween Haunt (select nights, Sept. 15-Oct. 28): Haunted scare mazes, scare zones and live entertainment.
- The Great Pumpkin Fest (Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 16-Oct. 29): A super-sized festival of all things fall, with games, activities and a speck of spooky for pint-sized ghosts and goblins.
