History of Dutch Wonderland

Matt Benedetto
·2 min read

LANCASTER, Pa. (WHTM) – Pennsylvania is home to over a dozen amusement parks, and two of them are found in the Midstate.

One of those amusement parks is Hersheypark and the other is Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster.

Plenty of people know about Hersheypark and the history behind the city and park, but Dutch Wonderland is much smaller and less known about.

First, Dutch Wonderland is located at 2249 Lincoln Highway East in Lancaster and has a Golden Ticket Award for the Best Family Theme Park in 2023 (which makes it four years in a row).

On May 20, 1963, Dutch Wonderland would open. The 14-acre park would include four rides, according to Dutch Wonderland, The Wonderland Express Train, the Lady Gay Riverboat, The Turnpike featuring Antique Cars, and the Whale Boats.

Those visiting 61 years later can still find all four of these rides in operation.

What was Knoebels like 25 years ago?

Dutch Wonderland was founded by Earl Clark, a former potato farmer, who had little to no experience. His goal was to create a place for families to play together.

The park is home to over 35 attractions including Topsy Turvy Tea Party, Merlin’s Mayhem, Kingdom Coaster, Wonderland Special, and many more.

The park would grow up to 54 acres and in 1966, a monorail would be added.

A dolphin show was added in the 1970s with the addition of sea lions coming soon a few years later. According to Lancaster Online, the dolphin’s names were Dutchie, Duchness, and Wonder.

Two rides would be added, one in 1977 and the other in 1982. The log flume “Double Splash” opened in 1977 and the kid-size Ferris Wheel opened in 1982.

But the biggest upgrade to Dutch Wonderland would open in 1992, a roller coaster. “The Sky Princess” would reach up to 40 miles per hour with a 55-foot hill.

  • Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today highlighted the importance of consumer safety at the kickoff event for Amusement Ride Safety Week. The event, held at Dutch Wonderland, aimed to educate Pennsylvania’s amusement park goers about the state’s efforts to keep them safe when riding amusement attractions.
    Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today highlighted the importance of consumer safety at the kickoff event for Amusement Ride Safety Week. The event, held at Dutch Wonderland, aimed to educate Pennsylvania’s amusement park goers about the state’s efforts to keep them safe when riding amusement attractions.
  • (Courtesy Dutch Wonderland)
    (Courtesy Dutch Wonderland)
  • Courtesy of Dutch Wonderland
    Courtesy of Dutch Wonderland
  • Courtesy of Dutch Wonderland
    Courtesy of Dutch Wonderland

Earl Clark passed away in 1993 and his sons, Murl and Brad, would take over Dutch Wonderland until 2001 when they ultimately sold the park to Hershey Entertainment and Resorts.

Dutch Wonderland would then be sold again in 2010 to Palace Entertainment (who owns Kennywood).

Dutch Wonderland is set to open on Friday, March 29 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. To see the full 2024 calendar, click here.

For more information about ticket prices, attractions, and lodging visit the Dutch Wonderland website.

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