Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom Late June Photo Update

© NewsPlusNotes

Time for a Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom update - not that anything too big is going on at the moment (besides loads of rides, water slides and fun), but it's interesting to see the park navigate their first season post-pandemic restrictions.

These photos were actually from the end of June, just haven't had time to get them posted until now.

© NewsPlusNotes

Seen at the first photo, Dorney Park is getting ready and advertising for Grand Carnivale, which returns to the park on July 24th and runs through August 8th.  Aside from advertising for the celebration, the park has also set up their large parade tent in the parking lot, seen above.  When I visited the floats had not yet arrived, but it looks like they will soon!

© NewsPlusNotes

The park has already set up the main performance state on the Main Midway, seen above.  Other decorations are starting to go up slowly, a pace which will no doubt increase as the 24th approaches.  Dorney Park has debuted their full website covering this year's Grand Carnivale celebration, including live entertainment offerings, food selections and more.  

© NewsPlusNotes

Many of the food stands that offer the various treats from around the world are already in place as well.  This year there will be featured items from China, Germany, France, India, Italy and Spain.  The entire event will kick off each day at 3 pm with the final event at 7:15 pm.

© NewsPlusNotes

This season many of the Cedar Fair parks are featuring custom Squishmallows that are themed after their rides, along with a big assortment of other characters in the line.  You can find the custom Dorney Park Squishmallows at many of the retail locations in the park, and even in display windows - like above.

© NewsPlusNotes

Here are the custom Dorney Park Squishmallows.  The Hydra one is green and slightly dragon themed, the Steel Force character is red and features the mysterious character seen in the coaster's logo, and Talon's version is appropriately bird themed.

© NewsPlusNotes

The park has a lot of great custom merchandise this season, like the Alfundo items we featured in our opening day report.  A lot of the Alfundo items are going fast it seems, and you can even snatch a free Alfundo lanyard with the purchase of select items.  

© NewsPlusNotes

It's been a bit since I took a spin on Possessed as backwards rides occasionally get my equilibrium out of sorts.  But I decided why not, and had a wonderful ride during my visit.  It's still so impressive to be in the ride's station and watch the trains go flying past at great speeds!  Plus the ride is rather photogenic all things considered.

© NewsPlusNotes

It was quite warm on my visit to the park and that meant that Wildwater Kingdom was hopping with visitors.  The Oasis has received a new outdoor stage and is a nice place to relax, enjoy the live music and take in an adult beverage.  It's located adjacent to the deck area of the Wildwater Cove wave pool.

© NewsPlusNotes

Props to the park for adding so many thematic touches to the Oasis area, it really helps set the vibe of the spot.  And the live entertainment is great!  It's location next to the wave pool means that visitors who aren't even in the Oasis area get to enjoy the music as well.  A great improvement for this year indeed.

© NewsPlusNotes

It was also a great day to check out the park's latest attraction, Seaside Splashworks.  The multi-level play structure prominently features a giant bucket that tips every minute or so, which can be seen in action in the photo above.  That's a great place to stand on a hot day!

© NewsPlusNotes

© NewsPlusNotes

The massive structure covers a larger area than the similar attraction that was here before, plus this one includes many new slides of various sizes.  None are too thrilling however, as Seaside Splashworks is definitely a family attraction.  The three larger slides on the back of the structure are most popular with kids and their families.

© NewsPlusNotes

But everywhere you look there are more slides of different sizes extending off the structure.  The entire play area can definitely keep the little ones busy for hours on end.

© NewsPlusNotes

The area next to Seaside Splashworks also got a big renovation with the addition of many interactive play elements that are aimed at the park's youngest visitors.  This section used to just have one umbrella style water fall, and now is packed with items for kids.  The redevelopment of the area came out wonderful and is a huge improvement to Wildwater Kingdom's offerings.

© NewsPlusNotes

One final note for this trip - now that the water park is back open if you're able to, make sure to stop in Tidal Wave Cafe.  It's some of the best food in the park and worth the line if there is one.  Gourmet Mac & Cheese for the win!