Pennsylvania
DORNEY PARK and WILDWATER KINGDOM
3830 Dorney Park Rd.,
Allentown, PA 18104
610-395-3724, www.dorneypark.com
2008 Rates: $18-$38.99; Free age 2 and younger; $10 parking fee; Save $3 off adult summer admission ($38.99) by purchasing tickets online
New This Year: Voodoo: The first suspended linear induction coaster in the Northeast US. In laymen’s terms, the track is above riders’ heads and a propulsion system propels the coaster at speeds reaching 70mph. This is not for the feint-of-heart or those under 52” tall.
Season begins May 3. Wildwater Kingdom opens May 24.

DUTCH WONDERLAND
2249 Lincoln Hwy. East, Lancaster, PA 17602
866-FUNatDW, www.dutchwonderland.com
2008 Rates: $29.95, ages 3-59; Free age 2 and younger; Free parking
New This Year: Thomas and Friends Live at Dutch Wonderland, a stage show with singing and dancing; and the renovated Duke’s Lagoon, a waterpark with 20 play features, including a 70-foot geyser, kiddie water-blasters and pump stations.
Season begins May 3. Duke’s Lagoon opens Memorial Day weekend.

HERSHEYPARK
100 West Hersheypark Dr., Hershey, PA 17033
800-HERSHEY, www.hersheypa.com
2008 Rates: $26.95-$47.95; Free age 2 and younger;
$6 parking fee
New This Year: Fahrenheit, a vertical-lift, inverted-loop coaster featuring a 121-foot lift, a 97-degree first drop and the steepest drop of any coaster in the U.S. This coaster reaches a maximum speed of 58 mph and may only be experienced by those who are 54” or taller. The Park is also adding a moderate thrill ride for those who stand 42” and taller. Howler is “tornado” ride that allows riders to spin their cars to create their own ride experience. As the rotation reaches 10rpm, the ride lifts 71⁄2 feet into the air at a 20-degree angle.
Season begins May 2. Fahrenheit opens May 24.

IDLEWILD and SOAKZONE
Rte. 30 East, Ligonier, PA 15658
724-238-3666, www.idlewild.com
2008 Rates: $26.95; Free age 2 and younger; Free parking
New This Year: Bigfoot’s Mudslide, a giant family fun-slide.
Season begins May 22.

SESAME PLACE
100 Sesame Rd., Langhorne, PA 19047
866-GO-4-ELMO, www.sesameplace.com
2008 Rates: $47.50; Free 23 months and younger; $13-$16 parking fee
New This Year: : Sunny Day Carousel, a Sesame-themed carousel located in the center of the park. It features 36 custom-created colorful, muppetized horses and two benches resembling Snuffleupagus.
Season begins May 3.

SNÖ COVE
100 Montage Mountain Rd., Scranton, PA 18507
800-GOT-SNOW, www.snowcove.com
New This Year: Everything is new this year at this new waterpark, which is located at the Snö Mountain ski area (formerly Montage Mountain). Scheduled for a “soft opening” on Memorial Day weekend, the park expects to be open entirely in August. Planned attractions include a lazy river, bumper boats, a wave pool, a children’s interactive play structure and a ZipRider, which is definitely for those with a sense of adventure and no fear of heights.
Season begins Memorial Day weekend.

Delaware
JUNGLE JIM’S
8 Country Club Rd., Rehoboth Beach, DE
302-227-8444, www.junglejimswaterpark.com
2008 Rates: $19-$29
New This Year: The new 10,000 sq. ft. Sprayground features slides, sprays and a tipping bucket for kids up to age 7.
Season begins May 24.

KILLENS POND STATE PARK
5025 Killens Pond Rd., Felton, DE 19943
302-284-3311, 302-284-4526, www.destateparks.com
2008 Rates: $1-$2 plus a $3-$6 parking fee
No additions to the park this year.
Season begins May 24.

VIKING GOLF THEME PARK and
THUNDER LAGOON WATERPARK
Corner of Rte. 1 and Rte. 54
Fenwick Island, DE 19944
302-539-1644, 302-539-4027
www.vikinggolfamusements.com
2008 Rates: Waterpark, $6-$17;
Golf, $4-$7.50; Gokarts, $5-$6
New This Year: The waterpark added a Viking-themed play structure.
Golf now open. Waterpark season begins Memorial Day weekend.

Maryland
SIX FLAGS AMERICA and
HURRICANE HARBOR
13710 Central Ave., Mitchellville, MD 20721
301-249-1500, www.sixflags.com
2008 Rates: $34.99-$49.99, Free age 2 and younger, $15-$25 parking fee
New This Year: The Tony Hawk’s Halfpipe 4-story waterslide sends guests flying down one side of a “ramp” and up the other on 1 and 2 person inner tubes.
Now open. Hurricane Harbor opens May 24.

New Jersey

CLEMENTON PARK and SPLASH WORLD
144 Berlin Rd., Clementon, NJ 08021
856-783-0263, www.clementonpark.com
2008 Rates: $24.99-$32.99;
parking fee included
New This Year: Recently purchased by Adrenaline Family Entertainment, Inc., Splash World underwent the largest expansion in the waterpark’s history. It now boasts one of the country’s biggest aqua play structures — Laguna Kahuna. The park also features more than an acre of Polynesian-themed slides, play platforms, spray, jets, bubbles and waterfalls. Other improvements include new landscaping and buildings renovated to match the park’s Victorian theme.
Season begins May 23.

KRAZY CITY
The Mall at Voorhees Town Center
2120 Voorhees Town Center, Voorhees, NJ 08043
856-770-1200, www.krazycity.com
New This Year: Everything is new this year at this indoor amusement park located at the Voorhees Town Center (formerly the Echelon Mall). Scheduled to open in June, it features indoor amusement park rides, video games and City Grill, a casual family dining restaurant.
Opens June 2008.

LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE
Rte. 611, Hope, NJ 07844
908-459-5100, www.lomb.com
2008 Rates: $20-$22; Free 24 months and younger; Free parking
New This Year: An as yet unnamed “Hot Air” Balloon Ride. This gentle family-friendly ride features 8 gondolas in the shape of hot air balloons that allow riders the opportunity to take to the skies while barely leaving ground.
Season begins Memorial Day weekend.

MOREY’S PIERS and BEACHFRONT WATERPARKS,
Wildwood, NJ
Mariner’s Landing Pier and Raging Waters Waterpark are located at Schellenger Ave. and the Boardwalk. Surfside Pier, Ocean Oasis Waterpark and Beach Club are at 25th Ave. and the Boardwalk. Adventure Pier is at Spencer Ave. and the Boardwalk.
609-522-3900, www.moreyspiers.com
2008 Rates: Amusement Ride Wristbands good for all 3 piers range from $33 for riders under 48” tall to $150 for a family of 4; Amusement Ride Tickets good for all 3 piers, run from $50 for 70 tickets to $150 for 275 tickets. Waterparks prices range from $15 for riders under 48” tall to $68 for a family of 4.
New This Year: The Great Nor’Easter underwent a major transformation over the winter and now features a new train with ergonomic seats that hold the rider firmly but allow unhindered vision in all directions. The new Cygnus X-1, based on the first “visible black hole,” is described as an out-of-this-world, gravity-free thrill. Younger kids and moms who prefer their amusements amusing will enjoy the new Magic Bikes. This interactive family attraction allows guests to control their experience. In addition to the new rides the Radio Disney Summer Concert Series is scheduled throughout July on Mariner’s Landing Pier. The Series will end with a major headliner in concert.
Now open.

SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE, WILD SAFARI & HURRICANE HARBOR
1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, NJ 08527
732-928-1821, www.sixflags.com
2008 Rates: $29.99-$59.99 ($59.99 admission can be purchased online for $39.99); Free age 2 and younger; $15-$25 parking fee
New This Year: Based on the newest Batman movie, which opens July 18, The Dark Knight Coaster is an indoor roller coaster. The adventure begins when riders line up for the park’s newest attraction. Along with six 180-degree hairpin turns, riders can expect to see customized footage featuring Gotham District Attorney Harvey Dent. The Starburst Thursday Night Concert Series and the Sunday Rocks Concert Series feature up and coming performers and are included in park admission. The new nighttime parade, Glow in the Park begins Memorial Day weekend. It features state-of-the-art floats, cirque-style music and thousands of sparkling lights.
Now open. Hurricane Harbor opens May 24.

SPLASH ZONE WATER PARK
Schellenger Ave. and the Boardwalk
Wildwood, NJ 08260
609-729-5600, www.splashzonewaterpark.com
2008 Rates: $17.99-$29.99; $5 ages 13-35 months (includes a free swim diaper); Free age 12 months and younger; a Landlubbers pass is $12
New This Year: All-day passes are $29.99 with free parking at Oak and the Boardwalk. Purchase 2 all-day passes to receive free unlimited Pepsi fountain drinks. Free sunscreen and towel rental.
Season begins May 24.

It’s a big year for amusement and water parks in the Delaware Valley and nearby areas. In the Poconos, a new waterpark is scheduled to open at the Snö Mountain Ski area (formerly Montage Mountain) on Memorial Day weekend.

In South Jersey, two new indoor waterparks are under construction. Coco Key Water Resort and Sahara Sam’s Oasis Indoor waterpark are scheduled to open in fall 2008 and early 2009, respectively. Adrenaline Family Entertainment purchased, expanded and extensively renovated Clemeton Park. Krazy City, an indoor amusement park, is scheduled to open in the Voorhees Town Center (formerly the Echelon Mall).

Sadly, Blue Diamond Amusement Park in New Castle, DE will not open for the 2008 season and is closed indefinitely.

The accompanying listing includes information about each park’s rates, new attractions and season opening dates. See www.metrokids.com for 10 tips for a better amusement park experience.