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Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
11 reviews for Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park
Every generation will tell the generation after it that they had grown up in a simpler, happier time.
My Dad told that to me and I've told that to my daughter. I'm sure my point would be well proved if I took her to Dutch Wonderland. Originally opened in 1963. Ok, I know that's the year Governor Wallace proclaimed "segregation now" and the needed March on Washington, other troubles, and the USA cutting off trade with Cuba. But it was also the year the Beatles premiered "Please, Please Me", the birth of Michael Jordan, and Iron Man & X-Men debuted in comics. Happy thoughts, people, happy thoughts.
My recollections of this amusement park are filled with nothing but joy. My parents took my brother & me here most summers during the '70's. We stayed across the street at the Host Farms & Coral, (now Lancaster Golf Resort, I think), and were always excited when it was time to skip over to the park.
My ultimate fave is the Wonder House. A rickety shack one enters to feel the unnerving fun of being spun around & upside down. No video magic or huge 3-D projection screens, no special goggles, just simple, effective illusion. And I liked driving the Turnpike in a kid-sized Model T. I always found the Merry-go-round a bit "girlie", but to please my Mum, I'd get on with her. My brother rode the wooden rollercoaster dozens of times. I'm glad to see that even with some updated & added rides these older ones still survive. Low key, low tech enjoyment. Only for die Kinder? I loved this park passed aged 14. But, alas, that was pre computers and 24/7 mega-channel television.
Simpler, happier times? Ok, yes, I grew up in the age of Vietnam, Kent State, gas shortages & long lines at the fuel pumps, and 3-Mile Island. But it's natural to look to the simple and good of an era. Our needed escapes for solace. Not always our tensions & turmoil.
Dutch Wonderland's a great escape even now from the thoroughly modern, high tech, high drama, high stakes, high pressure, video droned lifestyles too many of us lead. And it never felt corporate. Nor conversely rinky-dink. It's cozy.
The simple, happy, uncomplicated fun of Dutch Wonderland is special. Let me call my now 25 year old daughter. Her "simpler, happier" times include the biggest recession in history and -two- war fronts. I refuse to believe it's too late for Mrs H & I to take her.
Also my daughter could use some serious PS3 detox.
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I went here with my mother-in-law, niece (5) and nephew (2).
Yes, it is the best amusement park for kids under 12. It really doesn't take much to wow the tots and it was a blast to see the kids have so much fun with little effort on your part. A lot of the rides, the kids can go by themselves. Some of the rides, are mentally stimulating enough for an adult to ride along with their kid, so I appreciated that as well.
I do not recommend you do the pony rides. For one thing, they charge you money to do it (after you've already paid $26 a pop for each kid for admission to get inside Dutch Wonderland) and then they take a picture of your kid on the pony and try to sell it to you. What a rip off.
There are 2 boat rides all the way to the back of the park, right by the blue bridge. Take those when you know it's around nap time and kids 3 and under are nearing meltdowns and tantrums.
There's a "Dragon's Tale" show (that, ironically has nothing to do with dragons) where a princess, an evil wizard, a court jester and some soldiers dive off really high platforms.
For the adult companion or older child, there are at least 2 somewhat thrilling roller coasters. The bigger one of the two was kind of a blast, I have to admit. I think it's called "Kingdom Coaster".
BTW, word of advise, don't step into the spinning upside down house. I got suckered into it by my niece and her darn puppy eyes.
This review is only 5-star if you have kids and they're not old enough to worry about being 'hep' or 'down with it' or whatever teenagers want to be these days. This place is targeted largely at the 12-and-under crowd.
Dutch Wonderland is basically what you'd get if you took all the kids' rides out of Disneyland, threw in a couple of cool things from the Epcot Center, added a bit of Amish and German decor, and then hit it with a shrink ray.
In other words, it's totally awesome for families with young kids.
You can walk across the park in less than ten minutes. Or you can soar, albeit slowly, on the sky ride gondolas. Or you can ride the monorail, which is straight out of "the future" (at least if you lived in the 50s). They even have a steam train that runs through the park. And a couple of roller coasters. And a water park. And.. and.. well, every time you turn a corner you find a new, fun thing that one of your rug monkeys will probably love. And you're never more than ten minutes from your car.
The food is also surprisingly cheap - given that you're a captive audience, you'd think they'd have a board of directors insisting that they charge $6 for a soda. Nope. You can feed the troops, including drinks and dessert, for about $8 a head. Now, none of the food will be high-falutin' foodie chow -- think hot dogs, burgers, pizza, and FUNNEL CAKES -- but given the crowd running about it's perfect.
The staff is also incredibly friendly and detail oriented. One of our carpet primates was celebrating his 3rd birthday, and they gave him a big sticker to wear. Every ride attendant wished him "Happy Birthday" and he got lots of hugs from the Dutch Wonderland Princess, who somehow managed to remain happy and smiling even six hours into her shift while wearing a big pink gown in the hot, humid weather.
Tickets are about $30 for those 3 and over, so it's not going to break the bank like some of the other local parks.
So, if you're within two hours of this place and you've got kids under 12, hop in the car on the next nice weekend and you won't be sorry.
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Awesome place for children! I went with my son (2) and my sister and her sons (2 and 1). The 2 year olds had a lot of fun and was able to ride a lot of the rides.
Prices are reasonable considering being an amusement park. No parking fees at all. Staff is nice and helpful.
Stroller friendly as well!
Will be coming back again!!
Dutch Wonderland is a cozy, family-friendly amusement park near the Lancaster outlets, perfect for little kids. (I do NOT recommend this venue as a date place. Seems like it'd be a weird place, anyway.)
Their train ride seems somewhat dangerous for tall folks. There's a spot when the tracks dip, to go under a bridge and it looks like you can smack your head against the overhang - probably was an illusion. If you're watching people ride the log flume, beware the splash!
The Epcot-esque monorail - a modern touch - goes around the park but was undergoing maintenance when I visited, so I didn't get to see it in detail. For the most part, you'll be outside, so go when it's not raining. While the park isn't terribly expensive, check at area hotels or via AAA for discounts.
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We used to go here a lot as a child; it was the local equivalent of Disneyworld because it has a monorail. It's a mishmash of standard amusement park fare, from bumper cars to log flumes. There's a diving show in the aqua theatre, though I recall there may have been actual dolphins way back (am I right?). Gone are the replicas of famous structures, like the Eiffel Tower and Leaning Tower of Pisa. But they've got Thomas the Tank Engine--if you have a small child you know how special that is. The wax museum and fiberglass cow (with plastic udders you can really milk!) are gone.
In all, it's a good park if you have young children. Otherwise, it may not be worth the trip out to Lancaster. If you are in the area with kids under 10, go for it!
One more remembrance...oh, the irony of animatronic Amish people raising a barn in the old Amish Museum at Dutch Wonderland.
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A great little amusement park mainly for the younger kids. A good place for a family. The workers are friendly and willing to help. The park is clean and the gift shop is well kept.
The park does a really nice Christmas showing.
If you don't know, there are tons of hotels and restaurants along Lincoln Highway so you are just a step away to rest and relaxation as well as two outlet shopping centers down the road.
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For the family with young children, this place is wonderful. Clean. Well done. Tons of rides that will thrill your kids. My wife went there with our 2 nephews, and everyone had a great time. It is an outdoor venue, kinda like a small Disneyworld, so good weather is a must.
No hassles. Tons of parking. These folks have been doing this for 30 plus years, they always had made a ton of money, and now, Hershey Chocolate owns the place; with very deep pockets, the place is well done. Like the other folks said, get tickets at hotels, the visitors center, or just about any place around, and save some money
My wife had a ball, and we don't even have any kids!!.
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Wonderful Family Theme Park. Small enough to not be overwelming, big enough and tons of fun stuff to do to keep you occupied all day long!
Perfect for any age. Best rides are the huge rollercoaster, and log flume. Price is not bad either.
Here is a big tip, they have a monorail that runs around the entire park.... If you would like to take a FREE Ride just go to the season pass desk and give your drivers license and they will let you go through the park to ride the monorail without having to buy a ticket just for entry. Don't forget to pick up your license on the way out though!
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We went to The Dutch Wonderland park today with our 3-year old and she loved it.
The rides are terrific for the little ones and the adults have fun too.
We had a blast and I would recommend it to anyone in the area. You can buy tickets at a discount at local hotels or online.
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This Amusement Park is excellent for small children. My daughter is 2 and she was able to go on almost every ride. It is geared more for children 0-12. There are no big thrill rides here. The place is clean and it was never crowded. If you have young kids and are looking for something to keep them busy make this place your next stop.
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