Guide to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom

Dorney Park in eastern Pennsylvania dates back to 1860 as a trout hatchery and summer resort. The founder, Solomon Dorney, turned it into a public attraction in 1870. It took off in 1899 when a trolley line added a stop there. Dorney Park is one of 13 trolley parks (picnic and recreation areas along trolley lines) still operating today!

In 1992, the park was sold to Cedar Fair, which has operated the park since then.

Wildwater Kingdom is an adjacent water park that opened in 1985; It's included in the price of admission.

Travel Tips

The Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) is less than a 20-minute car ride from the park. The Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is about 1 hour away, and Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN) is 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Dutch Wonderland theme park is 1 hour and 15 minutes southwest. Hersheypark is 1 hour and 15 minutes west.

Must-Do Attractions

The Antique Carousel is a 1921 Dentzel carousel featuring a 66-piece menagerie of animals and two chariots. It was relocated to Dorney Park in 1995 from Cedar Point, where it operated since 1972.
Hydra the Revenge is a steel floorless coaster that opened on May 7, 2005. It was manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard and designed by Werner Stengel.
Iron Menace is an iron-industry-themed dive coaster manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard that opened in 2024.
Steel Force is a steel hypercoaster that features a 205-foot drop. It was manufactured by D. H. Morgan Manufacturing and designed by Steve Okamoto.
Talon is an inverted coaster that opened on May 5, 2001. It was manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard and designed by Werner Stengel.
Thunderhawk is one of the oldest roller coasters still in operation. It opened on March 30, 1924. Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC) manufactured the out-and-back wooden coaster.
The Zephyr Railroad is a gas-electric train that was designed after the Pioneer Zephyr, the first steam train.