PENNSYLVANIA - AMUSEMENT PARK CENTRAL

Parks Add Excitement, Nostalgia and Family-Fun to any Pennsylvania Summer Vacation

HARRISBURG, PA (2000) — Pennsylvania is home to some of the oldest and most exciting amusement parks in the country. Each park possesses its own unique signature from fast-paced and thrilling adventure to laid-back family fun where time stands still. The 2000 season is no exception with new attractions that are sure to satisfy the eternal search for summer fun by the young, the old, the wild and the mild.

    Hersheypark has struck lightning by adding another roller coaster to its inventory. The Lightning Racer, a double track wooden coaster, is the first racing/dueling coaster in the country. During the ride, both tracks run parallel until the tracks curve to face each other, creating a duel. Just as riders come face-to-face with the opposing train, the tracks split, in a near-miss.

    When the park opens its 94th season on May 13th, Hersheypark will also feature good, clean, fun boasting more than 55 rides in a beautiful 110-acre setting. With eight roller coasters, the most of any amusement park in the Commonwealth, six drenching water rides, more than 20 delightful kiddie rides, restaurants, snack shops, games, and gift shops, guests are in for a sweet surprise. In addition, Hersheypark's ZooAmerica, North American Wildlife Park, is included with admission to the park. This pristine 11-acre zoo is home to more than 200 animals native to North America. For more information on Hersheypark call 1-800-HERSHEY or visit their web site at www.hersheypa.com.

    Get ready for an incredibly cool summer in Allentown, when the world's favorite beagle marches into Camp Snoopy at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom. The introduction of Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy and the rest of the PEANUTSTM team highlights a vast array of park improvements.

   Camp Snoopy is Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom's new themed play area designed especially for children. Beyond Camp Snoopy, guests can rediscover traditional family thrills aboard a modern version of the classic Wild Mouse. Colorful four-person cars whisk riders down dizzying drops and around zigzagging, 180-degree turns on this unpredictable ride. A 200-acre amusement and waterpark, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom is one of the most diverse amusement and entertainment experiences in the northeast. For more information call (800) 551-5656 

    At Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh, guests may experience some dizziness on the new AERO 360. Sitting in seat units four across — with legs dangling in the air and strapped in only by a shoulder harness — riders will begin swinging back and forth, going higher and higher with each pendulum motion. As momentum builds, riders will finally swing over the top upside down several times, experiencing the feeling of zero gravity.

   Kennywood also offers a wide range of roller coasters. Coaster fanatics can challenge the state-of-the-art Steel Phantom's in its final season or enjoy three classic wooden roller coasters and a one-of-a-kind indoor coaster. Much like its coaster line-up, the park is also filled with an array of thrill rides, classic rides, and games. Add to the mix great food, entertainment and quiet picnic areas and its easy to see why Kennywood has been designated a National Historic Landmark. For more information call (412) 461-0500 or go online at www.kennywood.com

   Idlewild Park, located just 45 minutes east of Pittsburgh in the picturesque Laurel Highlands, continues to grow both in attractions and in appeal. For the new summer season, families can cool off in the H2Ohhh Zone at the new Dr. Hydro's Soak Zone. The new Soak Zone features six wet and wild waterslides.

    Often called America's most beautiful theme park, this park remains focused on providing the finest in family fun and entertainment while retaining its rustic charm. This family park currently ranks as the oldest continuously operating amusement park in the state and as the third oldest park in the country. For more information on Idlewild Park call (724) 238-3666.

   SandCastle waterpark, located along the Monongahela River just minutes from downtown Pittsburgh, provides guests with a resort like getaway. Patrons can arrive by boat or car, then choose between excitement and relaxation. Waterslides, a wave pool, hot tubs and a lazy river are just a few ways for guests to enjoy their day. For more information call (412) 462-6666 or visit online at www.sandcastlewaterpark.com.

   Sesame Place, located just 30 minutes from Philadelphia, is the nation's only theme park based on Sesame Street. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the park is an innovative play experience for families with children between the ages of 2 and 13. Blending the character and spirit of Sesame Street, Sesame Place offers interactive thrills with 15 exhilarating water attractions, more than 50 stimulating play activities and a roller coaster known as Vapor Trail.  Family Fun at Sesame Place and the Radisson Philadelphia NE

   High-spirited participatory live entertainment shows include the exciting "Big Bird & Company" musical revues and the ever popular "Rock around the Block" parade, starring the lovable Sesame Street friends. For more information call (215) 752-7070 or visit their web site at www.sesameplace.com.

   Located south of Altoona, Lakemont Park and The Island Waterpark is home of more than 30 rides and attractions. The park's signature ride, Leap the Dips, is the world's oldest standing roller coaster. Built in 1902 the ride has been designated a National Historic Landmark. After a complete restoration, the historic wooden coaster was reopened in May of last year. The park also features great family rides and go-kart tracks for all ages and games.

   Lakemont Park is conveniently located at the Frankstown Road Exit of Interstate 99 in Altoona. Call (800) 434-8006 for a free brochure and calendar of events.

   Knoebels Amusement Resort, located in Elysburg, is the state's largest free admission amusement park. This summer, Knoebels introduces Power Surge, a new spinning swing. Twenty-four passengers sit at the end of swings, which rotate horizontally while raising to a vertical height of 50 feet. The main arms spin 360 degrees while the seats rotate independently for a free flying sensation.

   In addition to Power Surge, Knoebels offers 46 rides, 13 gift shops, more than a dozen food stands and eateries, mini-golf, an arcade and 15 games. Families can make a weekend trip with a 500-site campground adjacent to the park. For more information call (800) ITS-4FUN or visit online at www.knoebels.com.

   Waldameer Park & Water World located in Erie will open in May for its 104th season with a new children's steel roller coaster that the entire family can enjoy. The "Showtime Theater" will feature three new exciting shows including dancing, singing and audience participation.

   Waldameer also features 26 rides, great food, gift shops and games. The waterpark offers 16 slides and an endless river. For more information on Waldameer Park & Water World call the park at (814) 838-3591 or log on to their web site at www.waldameer.com.

   At Bland's Park, just north of Altoona in Tipton, guests can ride the rapids on the "TIPTON RAPIDS" which offers a variety of wet thrills thanks to two massive towers with five waterslides.

   The "Green Tower", the tallest of the two towers, rises more than six stories and includes Twin Twisters a head-first ride down a pair of 350-foot chutes on a patented "Surf Sled" that allows riders to ride the walls of the chutes.

   The "Red Tower" features three distinct designs. Gravity Groove will give riders a weightless sensation during a roller coaster-like ride. Great White, one of the state's widest waterslides, propels riders down 12-foot wide tubes with more than 3,000 gallons of water per minute. The fully enclosed tubes of the Midnight Express will keep riders in total darkness until they hit the landing pool. For more information call (814) 949-7275 or visit their web site at www.blandspark.com.

   Dutch Wonderland, located four miles east of Lancaster, will bring in its 37th season with the new VR Voyager simulator ride. This new futuristic ride is intended to take passengers of all ages on a simulated journey into both future and civilizations of the past. In addition to the 28 exciting rides, Dutch Wonderland offers a miniature indoor circus, a live animal farm in the middle of the park, and regularly scheduled weekend shows that feature special entertainment, which include: magicians, animals and impersonators — just to name a few. For more information call (717) 291-1888 or visit their web site at www.dutchwonderland.com.

   Call 1-800-VISIT-PA for a free copy of the 2000 Pennsylvania Visitors Guide, highway map and the current Events Guide. In addition, Pennsylvania's redesigned travel and tourism web site (www.experiencepa.com) provides web surfers with detailed information on attractions throughout the state.

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