Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
A historic amusement and water park complex in Pennsylvania, featuring roller coasters, family attractions, seasonal events, and Wildwater Kingdom water attractions.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom is a combined amusement park and water park in Dorneyville, Pennsylvania, immediately outside Allentown. Its roots reach back to 1860, when Solomon Dorney established a trout hatchery and summer resort on his estate. Dorney later developed the property into a public recreation destination, adding picnic grounds, games, refreshment facilities, playground-style attractions, a hotel, restaurant, gardens, and eventually a small zoo. The park is generally dated to 1884 and is recognized as one of the oldest continuously operating amusement parks in the United States. The site became an example of the trolley-park model that connected urban populations with leisure destinations. In 1899, the Allentown–Kutztown Traction Company extended a trolley line to the property, and the company purchased the park in 1901. After a period under traction-company ownership, Robert Plarr acquired the property in 1923. The Plarr family and related ownership operated Dorney Park for much of the mid-twentieth century, during which the park developed a durable identity as a regional family-entertainment destination. The Whip, introduced in 1918, remains its oldest operating ride, while its first roller coaster opened in 1923 and later became known as Thunderhawk. Dorney Park expanded substantially during the late twentieth century. The park added major rides, rebuilt after a damaging 1983 fire, closed the public road that had divided the property, and moved from separate ride tickets and free park entry toward a fenced, single-price admission model. In 1985, Harris Weinstein acquired the park and developed a neighboring automobile-racetrack site into Wildwater Kingdom, initially operating the water park with separate admission. Major additions during this era included Laser, Hercules, Thunder Creek Mountain, and a variety of slides, pools, and family attractions. Cedar Fair acquired Dorney Park in 1992 for a reported $48 million, integrating it into a larger portfolio of North American amusement parks. Under Cedar Fair, Wildwater Kingdom was increasingly connected operationally and physically with the amusement park. The two gates were combined under a single admission price in 1995. The park then added or developed attractions including Thunder Canyon, Steel Force, Dominator, Talon, Hydra the Revenge, Planet Snoopy, Stinger, Snake Pit, and Seaside Splashworks. Some rides were removed, relocated, rethemed, or replaced as the park adjusted its attraction mix and maintained its infrastructure. The complex offers approximately 64 rides and attractions, including eight roller coasters and a water park with numerous slides and play areas, although the exact lineup changes by season. Steel Force is one of its signature attractions and is noted for its substantial length; Hydra the Revenge is known for its floorless design and inversion sequence. The park also operates family and children’s areas, food and merchandise facilities, entertainment venues, and recurring seasonal programs such as Halloween Haunt and The Great Pumpkin Fest. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted normal operations in 2020. Dorney Park opened later than planned with screening, face-covering, distancing, capacity, and other health measures, while Wildwater Kingdom remained closed for that season. Both components returned in 2021, although the park faced staffing-related schedule restrictions. The property continued seasonal operations and attraction maintenance in subsequent years. Following the merger of Cedar Fair and Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, Dorney Park became part of the Six Flags operating group. Its present positioning remains that of a regional, multi-generational destination serving eastern Pennsylvania and surrounding markets through rides, water attractions, events, food, and season-pass products.
History
Dorney Park originated on Solomon Dorney’s estate. In 1860 the property included a trout hatchery and summer resort; by 1870 Dorney had begun transforming it into a public attraction. The early destination offered games, picnic areas, refreshments, gardens, a hotel, restaurant, and simple rides. A zoo was added by the 1880s. Its later growth was strongly influenced by electric streetcar transportation: the Allentown–Kutztown Traction Company built a line to the park in 1899 and purchased it in 1901. The traction company operated the property until 1923, when Robert Plarr and partners acquired it. Plarr soon became the sole operator. Following his death in 1966 and the death of his son Stephen the next year, Robert Ott, Plarr’s son-in-law, assumed control. The park retained many classic amusement-park traditions while adding increasingly sophisticated rides. The Whip, opened in 1918, remains in service, and the first roller coaster arrived in 1923. The Philadelphia Toboggan Company’s Grande Carousel debuted in 1932. During the twentieth century, Dorney changed from a picnic and trolley destination into a modern regional amusement park. In 1980, Dorney Park Road was closed to through traffic and converted into a midway, allowing the property to be enclosed and enabling a single-price admission system. A major fire in 1983 destroyed a large section of the park, including the carousel, Bucket O’ Blood, Flying Bobs, and food facilities. The park rebuilt for its 1984 centennial with attractions such as Enterprise, Musik Express, Ranger, and Apollo. Harris Weinstein purchased the park in 1985 and developed the neighboring racetrack site as Wildwater Kingdom. The water park initially had its own admission and included a wave pool, slides, raft attractions, and children’s facilities. Dorney added major rides during the same period, including the looping Laser coaster in 1986 and the wooden Hercules coaster in 1989. Cedar Fair purchased the property in 1992. It expanded the shared infrastructure, built a connecting midway, enlarged parking, and ultimately combined admission to the amusement and water parks in 1995. Cedar Fair’s major investment period included White Water Landing, Thunder Canyon, Steel Force, Dominator, Talon, and later Hydra the Revenge, which replaced Hercules in 2005. The company also developed themed children’s areas, moving from Camp Snoopy to Planet Snoopy, and added or relocated attractions such as Stinger and Possessed. Wildwater Kingdom received successive slide and children’s-area upgrades, including Snake Pit and Seaside Splashworks. The park supplemented rides with technology and entertainment initiatives such as Fast Lane, Fast Pay, FUNtv, Dinosaurs Alive!, Grand Carnivale, and Monster Jam: Thunder Alley. The park’s recent history has included normal cycles of attraction replacement, retracking, renovation, and seasonal programming. The pandemic forced a delayed and restricted 2020 season, with Wildwater Kingdom closed. Operations broadened again in 2021, though staffing constraints temporarily reduced the schedule. In 2022, the historic Whip underwent renovation and daily operation returned. After the Cedar Fair–Six Flags corporate combination, Dorney Park continued as a Pennsylvania property in the expanded Six Flags portfolio.
- 2022
The Whip renovated
[1]The historic Whip received renovations as the park restored daily operations.
- 2021
Water park operations resumed
[1]Wildwater Kingdom reopened and Seaside Splashworks opened after pandemic-related delays.
- 2020
Pandemic-restricted season
[1]Dorney Park opened late under COVID-19 safety measures, while Wildwater Kingdom remained closed.
- 2014
Snake Pit added
[1]Wildwater Kingdom introduced a six-slide complex named Snake Pit.
- 2011
Planet Snoopy opened
[1]An $8 million redevelopment transformed Camp Snoopy into Planet Snoopy with new rides and an amphitheater.
- 2005
Hydra the Revenge opened
[1]The floorless steel coaster opened on the former Hercules site.
- 1997
Steel Force opened
[1]The D.H. Morgan steel hypercoaster opened as a major signature attraction.
- 1995
Unified admission introduced
[1]Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom began offering admission under a single price.
- 1992
Cedar Fair acquisition
[1]Cedar Fair purchased Dorney Park for a reported $48 million.
- 1985
Wildwater Kingdom developed
[1]Harris Weinstein acquired the park and converted a neighboring racetrack site into Wildwater Kingdom.
Products and positioning
Regional family entertainment destination combining a traditional amusement park, major roller coasters, children’s areas, seasonal events, and a separately themed water-park experience.
Roller coaster · 1997
Steel Force
A large steel hypercoaster designed by D.H. Morgan and opened in 1997. It is one of Dorney Park’s principal headline attractions and is noted for its long out-and-back layout and substantial scale.
Roller coaster · 2005
Hydra the Revenge
A B&M floorless steel coaster that opened in 2005 on the former Hercules site. It features a 105-foot drop and an inversion sequence and is promoted as Pennsylvania’s first and only floorless roller coaster.
Roller coaster · 2001
Talon
A Bolliger & Mabillard inverted looping coaster added near the park entrance in 2001. Riders travel beneath the track through inversions and other high-intensity elements.
Roller coaster · 1923
Thunderhawk
Dorney Park’s first roller coaster opened in 1923. Originally known simply as The Coaster or the yellow roller coaster, it was renamed Thunderhawk in 1989 and remains part of the operating lineup.
Water park · 1985
Wildwater Kingdom
The water-park component of the complex, developed in 1985 on the site of a former automobile racetrack. Its attractions include water slides, raft rides, wave-pool-style recreation, lazy rivers, and children’s water-play areas.
Children’s area · 2011
Planet Snoopy
A themed children’s area created through an extensive redevelopment of Camp Snoopy for the 2011 season. It includes children’s rides, play facilities, and an amphitheater.
Marketing campaigns
- 2021Grand Carnivale return
United States
Grand Carnivale returned during July as the park rebuilt its seasonal calendar after pandemic disruption.
Outcome. The return accompanied the resumption of Halloween Haunt and The Great Pumpkin Fest later in the year.
- 2019Grand Carnivale
United States
A large international-themed seasonal festival introduced at the park during the summer period, combining themed entertainment, food, and cultural presentation.
Outcome. The event became one of the park’s prominent seasonal programs and was later joined by other event offerings.
- 2019Monster Jam: Thunder Alley
United States
A fall truck-themed event staged as part of the park’s expanded event calendar.
Outcome. It complemented Halloween Haunt and other autumn programming during the 2019 season.
Brand decisions
2024
Join the combined Six Flags portfolioM&ABackground
Cedar Fair and Six Flags Entertainment Corporation completed a corporate combination.
Action taken
Dorney Park became part of the expanded Six Flags operating group.
Aftermath
The park continued operating as a Pennsylvania amusement and water-park destination under the Six Flags brand family.
2020
Reopen under pandemic operating protocolsStrategyBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic prevented the park from opening on its originally planned schedule.
Action taken
Dorney Park reopened in July with screening, temperature checks, distancing, reduced ride capacity, and mandatory masks; Wildwater Kingdom remained closed.
Aftermath
The park operated a restricted season, with further schedule and staffing effects continuing into 2021.
2003
Replace Hercules with Hydra the RevengeGeneration changeBackground
Hercules had developed a reputation for a rough ride and had become expensive to maintain.
Action taken
The wooden coaster was removed after the 2003 season and replaced by a new B&M floorless coaster.
Aftermath
Hydra the Revenge opened in 2005 as a major steel-coaster investment.
1995
Combine amusement-park and water-park admissionStrategyBackground
Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom had initially operated as separately gated attractions.
Action taken
The operator introduced a single admission price covering both components.
Aftermath
The unified ticket supported cross-property circulation and positioned the complex as one destination.
1992
Cedar Fair acquired Dorney ParkM&ABackground
Dorney Park had been owned by Harris Weinstein since 1985 and had recently expanded into water-park operations.
Action taken
Cedar Fair purchased the park for a reported $48 million.
Aftermath
Cedar Fair invested in shared infrastructure, major rides, water attractions, and a unified park experience.
Reported acquisition price. $48 million (1992)
1980
Convert Dorney Park Road into a midwayStrategyBackground
A public road had divided the amusement-park property and was crossed by the park’s narrow-gauge railroad.
Action taken
The road was closed to through traffic and converted into a midway, allowing the park to be enclosed and supporting a single-price admission model.
Aftermath
The change helped create a more integrated, modern gated-park operating format.
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