Dorney Park
4.4(21K)google
2.9(567)yelp
SwimmingKidsYouth-FriendlySummer RetreatOutdoorThrillingMust-SeeCarnivalRoller Coaster
Overview
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom is a premier amusement and water park located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Featuring over 60 world-class rides, thrilling roller coasters like the famous Steel Force, and a massive water park included with admission, it offers an action-packed day for families and thrill-seekers alike. Visitors can enjoy live entertainment, classic carnival games, and dedicated kids' areas like Planet Snoopy, making it a cornerstone of regional summer fun and an essential destination for travelers seeking excitement and great memories.
Practical Info
Mon–Thu11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Fri10:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sun10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Suggested Duration6-10 hours
Best TimeThe ideal peak window is the peak summer season from June to August when the integrated Wildwater Kingdom water park is fully operational. Arrive at the main turnstiles by 9:45 AM on midweek days (Tuesday to Thursday) to enter exactly at 10:00 AM opening; this allows you to ride the signature 'Steel Force' hypercoaster with minimal wait times before regional crowds swell the queues.
Getting ThereLocated in Allentown. Driving is highly recommended via I-78; take Exit 54 for US-222/Hamilton Boulevard. Follow the prominent illuminated amusement park highway signs north for roughly 1 mile straight into the attraction's massive, well-staffed multi-zone paid surface asphalt parking plaza.
Travel Tips
- The park operates on a strictly cashless basis; no paper currency is accepted at any point of sale, requiring visitors to use debit/credit cards or utilize park 'Cash-to-Card' kiosks. Furthermore, under the Chaperone Policy, all guests aged 15 or younger must be accompanied by an escort who is at least 21 years old to enter or remain in the park after 4:00 PM.
- Standard admission seamlessly includes access to Wildwater Kingdom waterpark, which typically closes earlier than the main park around 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM, making it critical to schedule water attractions before 4:00 PM. To bypass severe gridlock at the main entrance via I-78 and Route 222 during peak morning arrivals, utilize the alternative park access point off Hamilton Blvd.
- For coaster enthusiasts, the marquee hypercoasters 'Steel Force' and the newer 'Iron Menace' see the shortest queues during the first hour of park operation, with a secondary drop-off between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM when crowds shift to the waterpark; purchasing a 'Fast Lane' pass via the official portal is highly recommended to bypass 90-minute wait times in unshaded queues.
Reviews
Positive
- The water park and roller coasters are fantastic, perfect for a family summer trip with plenty of ride options.
- The park is clean and well-maintained, with clear signage making it easy to find restrooms and rest areas.
- The staff is friendly and enthusiastic, and line management/crowd control is orderly, maintaining great flow.
- There is ample parking space and its close proximity to the highway makes it easily accessible by car or public transit.
Heads up
- The admission and in-park dining prices are high; the cost of a basic meal deal feels overpriced.
- The crowd density during weekends and holidays is overwhelming, with long lines of over two hours for popular rides.
- The maintenance on some older slides and accessibility paths lags behind, making it a bit difficult with a stroller.
- The park is overly commercialized with souvenir stalls and paid games everywhere, diluting the classic amusement vibe.