Exclusive Interview! With Caitlin Stibitz
Caitlin Stibitz, the Manager of Public Relations and Communications, was kind enough to take the time and answer some questions about Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom. Dorney Park is an amusement park owned by Cedar Fair located in Allentown, PA. They are home to rides such as the Steel Force hypercoaster, the B&M invert named Talon, an Intamin Impulse named Possessed, and many other attractions for the whole family. Dorney Park is not located in New England, but the reason that I wanted to do this interview is because while many parks are removing classic flat rides, Dorney is adding some, and they are much appreciated additions.
We hope you enjoy our interview!
Q. How long have you been at Dorney Park?
A. I started with Dorney Park in April as the Manager of Public Relations and Communications.
Q. Can you tell our viewers all about the new for 2017 attractions?
A. Plans include two new rides, new live entertainment, a new catering pavilion, as well as enhancements to Wildwater Kingdom.
Kaleidoscope and Dodgem will make their debut in the spring, adding more thrills to your visit!
- Kaleidoscope - Manufactured by HUSS, it is a circular ride with three arms of seven gondolas moving counterclockwise against the ride's main clockwise direction. Riders will experience weightlessness, strong accelerations, and side-to-side movement.
- Dodgem– Back by the popular demand of Dorney Park guests….bumper cars! Just when you think you’ve got a clear path, BAM!--there’s someone you didn’t dodge. Get behind the wheel of this midway classic and take a crash course in family fun.
Guests will be mesmerized as they witness the breathtaking stunts and aerial performances of Cirque Imagine – which is included in the price of admission to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom! This thrilling 30-minute live show, perfect for families and guests of all ages, features acts including Trampolines, Cyr wheel, Aerialists, Hand Balancing and Bikes.
Adding these classic amusement park rides and an exciting live show will give guests more family entertainment options, but that’s not all! A new dining experience will be available in the 2017 season. The addition of Parkside Pavilion will provide a catering facility for corporate, school, church and other group outings. Parkside Pavilion will have a chef’s kitchen offering extensive new culinary options and will comfortably accommodate over 2,000 guests.
Wildwater Kingdom will also receive enhancements for the 2017 season including 17 new cabanas for guests who want to add some privacy and luxury to their day. Cabana rentals provide the perfect amount of R&R and include private seating/lounge chairs, cabana-side food and beverage service and numerous other amenities. Wildwater Kingdom guests can enjoy new food and beverage offerings at the Sunset Beach Bar including outdoor seating space and a full-service bar for adults.
Q. How did the idea come about to bring classic flat rides to Dorney Park?
A. Bumper Cars is one of the classic rides that our guests have consistently been asking for. We are very happy to bring these back for 2017 by popular demand!
Q. This year the park got new trains and paint on Thunderhawk, will we be seeing more improvements to this ride in the future, such as re-tracking?
A. We do not have plans for 2018 capital or future projects finalized at this time.
Here is some of the history of the ride:
The Coaster was the pride and joy of Robert L. Plarr, then owner of the park. It was one of the earliest designs of Herbert P. Schmeck, who went on to design 84 roller coasters during the first half of the 20th century. The coaster was heralded as a “giant” when it opened on May 18, 1924 and was originally constructed as an “out-and-back” coaster. We have found a few references to the coaster being called “Joy Ride” when it opened. Just 6 years later, the layout was altered to provide a more thrilling ride to its current figure-eight pattern, as well as a lengthened trip and increased height, no doubt due to competition from the cross-town rival Central Park. In 1954 the color was changed from the original white to gold. This was in order to commemorate the double anniversary of Plarr’s fiftieth anniversary and the park’s 70th anniversary. Thunderhawk was originally built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Coaster (PTC) and it is their oldest operating roller coaster. Thunderhawk remains a classic, old-fashioned American wooden roller coaster with thrilling out-of-seat airtime pops. It is the eighth oldest roller coaster in the United States, the tenth oldest roller coaster in the world and it remains a favorite among Dorney Park guests!
In addition to new trains and paint, Thunderhawk received a new light package consisting of LED tracer lights. They virtually cover the entire ride with thousands of individual clear bulbs. The bright, white lights that outline the classic wooden roller coaster are sure to bring back a bit of nostalgia to Dorney Park!
Q. Dorney just announced new frights for your Haunt event. Can you describe these new additions for us?
A. New scares for 2016 include two new mazes and two new Skeleton Keys. Guests can travel through the brand new Blood on the Bayou maze and discover the dark secrets that trouble the monsters of the French Quarter, encountering mindless demons trudging through murky waters in search of their next victim. Guests can also make their way through The Ward, where orderlies have some loose ends to tie up with the impending state foreclosure. (The Ward is formerly The Asylum, which was updated and revamped to open in 2016). Guests can unlock a Skeleton Key while settling in for their terrifying stay at the Mansion House Hotel, a night they would rather forget! Those who dare to walk among the Captain and his band of probates can unlock the Skeleton Key on Cut Throat Island.
Q. Is there anything else that you would like to tell the viewers of New England Coaster News?
A. In addition to Halloween Haunt this fall, The Great Pumpkin Fest provides a unique family-friendly Halloween experience (for kids 12 and under) that can only be experienced at Dorney Park. Younger guests can put the “WEE” in Halloween on Saturdays and Sundays through October 30th and enjoy their favorite PEANUTS® characters, trick-or-treat stations, a foam pit, a petting zoo, numerous Halloween decorating activities, spectacular live entertainment and all the fun of Planet Snoopy! New for 2016, guests can experience Franklin’s Monster Mania and see what our friendly monsters are up to in the Funster House and Monster Foam Machine. This fall is also the 50th anniversary of the Halloween classic “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”! As a special treat for our pint-sized guests, special viewings of the movie will be offered. For more information about The Great Pumpkin Fest or to purchase tickets, please visit https://www.dorneypark.com/
2016 Season Passholders can invite their friends to be terrorized during Bring a Friend Days. Passholders can bring up to 4 guests per pass for just $19 per person on Sundays through the end of October. Guests who are not currently passholders can start next year’s fun now by purchasing their 2017 Season Pass online now for as low as 9 easy payments of just $12.50 each (through October, 30th, 2016). This is an unbeatable value for families and the special offer is the lowest price of the year. As a special bonus new passholders will receive a bonus offer of one (1) FREE visit in 2016 and additional visits for only $19 (plus applicable taxes and fees). 2017 Season Passes can also be purchased in full payment at the park.
Once again, we would like to thank Ms. Stibitz for answering our questions! We here at New England Coaster News are very excited for the 2017 additions and improvements!
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