Mike's Fill-In Brochure Spotlight: Dorney Park 1977(ish)

I know you guys are missing Sabrina's weekly look at historical park brochures - I am too - but while she is knee deep in dirty diapers I figured I'd step in and feature some older Dorney Park brochures I have until her return.  I've actually wanted to feature some of them for a while now, so this opportunity seems perfect.

I actually featured this brochure 2 years ago on NewsPlusNotes, but the images weren't up to my standards, so I wanted a 'do-over' on this one.  The brochure is from around 1977, or so, and that's a pretty solid guess that my friends over at Dorney Park Online helped me figure out.

Alfundo is beckoning us to join his fun at "one of America's greatest amusement parks."  The aerial view behind him is what I love, though - it's a treasure trove of old attractions.

Dorney Park - the "Natural Spot."  They were quite proud back then that they could accommodate up to 10,000 picnickers per day in their many groves.  Thunderhawk was still The Roller Coaster at this point, and the brochure proudly proclaims it one of the ten best in the country.

The all important visitor's map.  The Dorney Park of the 1970s still was settled along Dorney Park Road, with relatively little of the park on the top of the hill.  Zoorama was still a popular attraction at the time, along with the sea lions and whale boats.  That spot was later taken over by Laser, and today sits empty - for now, at least.

Here's the start of the 'guts' of this brochure.  I love how old school brochures were simple - show pictures, give a description, and watch the people flock to your attraction.  Simple and effective, right!

Among the goodies here is the Bucket of Blood, listed as a "new experience" which helps date the brochure.  Joined by the Gold Mine, these were just two of the 'dark' attractions at the park at the time.  The Zodiac and the Scrambler one two of the popular flat rides the park offered, and the Show Boat took guests on a relaxing cruise around the lower lake.

Free admission always.  That's a good way to lure people!  Plus the free picnic tables, kiddieland, plenty of thrill rides, and even stock car racing!  Dorney Park had it all back then.

The Palacio De Cristal, or glass house, was another one of the newer attractions at the park.  The unique attraction was purchased from Italy.  The Flying Bobs is called the park's "newest" thrill ride, and the Dorney Park Theater provided free entertainment on Sundays and holidays - direct from New York and Hollywood!

Sounds like a fun day, right?  Now how do we get there?  They had that covered for you, too - even in kilometers!  For instance, it was a simple trip of 104 kilometers from Shamokin, PA to the park!  Knowledge is power folks.

Joking aside, I do like the Dorney Park logo used on the map, there.  You don't see that one often.  It's not too involved but works, and is super fitting for the time.