Find Your Thrill at Pennsylvania Amusement Parks

Thrill seekers don't have to travel far for exciting amusement park adventure. Pennsylvania has the most wooden roller coasters in the country and some of the fastest and steepest, delivering white-knuckled, edge-of-your-seat excitement. Pennsylvania also has the most vintage amusement parks in the nation - eight are more than 100 years old, offering truly old-fashioned fun.

Here is a roundup of amuseument park thrills in Pennsylvania:

• Idlewild & SoakZone in Ligonier, was founded in 1878 as a picnic ground along the Ligonier Valley Rail Road, Idlewild is the oldest amusement park in Pennsylvania, third oldest in the United States and is rated one of the best kid's parks in the world. The park was family-owned and operated by Kennywood Entertainment for more than 100 years. It was recently purchased by Parques Reunidos, Madrid, an international operator that manages 61 amusement, animal and water parks in the United States and Europe. Idlewild features seven fun theme areas such as SoakZone Waterpark, Story Book Forest and Mister Rogers' Neighborhood of Make-Believe. The classic Caterpillar is a set of linked cars that speed around a circular track and a green canopy covers the riders leaving them in the dark. Only three Caterpillar rides remain in North America with only two, including Idlewild's 1947 model, known to still use the canopy.

• Knoebels Amusement Resort & Campground in Elysburg, celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2001. This park, which does not charge admission, is open daily. This year, Knoebels introduced the new "classic" wooden ride Flying Turns, a roller coaster-like ride where you sit in a train and roll down a wood track much like a bobsled run.

  The Phoenix, originally built as the Rocket in San Antonio, Texas, was moved to Knoebels in 1985 and rechristened the Phoenix. It has been listed on many Top 10 roller coaster lists since. The recently restored Looper offers a unique experience where the riders decide if they want to turn upside down, hang or spin.

• Central Pennsylvania's Hersheypark, started by Milton S. Hershey for his workers and their families to have a place to watch a baseball game, eat a picnic lunch and enjoy a canoe ride, was opened April 24, 1907. In 1971, it became known as one of America's most popular theme parks.

  This year, Hersheypark is heating things up with Fahrenheit, its 11th roller coaster. This vertical lift, inverted loop coaster, will reach speeds of up to 58 mph after rising 121 feet and then falling 97 degrees, the steepest drop in the United States. Hersheypark can now boast the most roller coasters in Pennsylvania.

  In additon to Fahrenheit, Storm Runner is a one-of-a-kind coaster that launches you from 0-72 mph in two seconds. You will zoom 18 stories straight up, straight down, fly through a 135-foot cobra loop, barrel rolls, and a dramatic flying snake dive.

  New last year, The Boardwalk at Hersheypark, features five water attractions. This $21 million enhancement is the biggest attraction ever built inside the park.

• Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, started out as a fish hatchery! But 10 years later, in 1870, Solomon Dorney realized that the best future for his estate would be as an attraction. He added games, playground-style rides, refreshment stands, a hotel and restaurant. The resort also included a small zoo. Soon after, Dorney added an unprecedented number of mechanical rides and attractions.

  In 1985, Wildwater Kingdom was opened and the park was sold to Harris Weinstein. Today, it is 200 acres of more than 100 rides, games, restaurants and attractions for the entire family. This year, Dorney Park upgraded again with VOODOO, the first suspended linear induction impulse coaster in the Northeast, bringing the park to 10 coasters. The 704 feet of twisted steel will send riders rocketing from one tower to another in new heights of velocity. Dorney is also expanding its Halloween program, HalloWeekends, introduced in 1997.

• DelGrosso's Amusement Park in Tipton, nestled in the Allegheny Mountains of central Pennsylvania, has been providing fun, food and memories for more than six decades. When Fred DelGrosso purchased the park in 1946, he vowed to keep it safe, clean, fun, affordable and delicious! The popularity of the park grew with that of the spaghetti sauce. Today, the park features more than 30 rides, an extensive water park, go-karts, a miniature golf course and "America's Best Amusement Park Food." Through August 19, DelGrosso's offers "Bring a Buddy Every Tuesday" for free.

• Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, was founded by the Clark family. With just 18 acres and four rides, it quickly became a welcome destination for family fun. Celebrating its 45th year, Dutch Wonderland has grown to 48 acres and more than 30 rides, special shows and attractions, and related properties including Old Millstream Campground, Wonderland Mini-Golf and The Gift House at Kitchen Kettle Village.

  Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, which owns and operates Hersheypark, purchased Dutch Wonderland in 2001. You can still milk Bossie the Cow, ring a school bell and visit with live farm animals. Interactive attractions include Duke's Lagoon water play area, The Adventures of the Frog Prince fairytale high dive show and story time with the Princess of Dutch Wonderland.

• Kennywood, in West Mifflin, started as a small trolley park near Pittsburgh. The carousel pavilion and a restaurant, formerly the Casino, still exist from 1898.

  This year the park introduced Lord Kenneth Ghostwood and his estate, a thrilling and ghostly ride full of "spirit." The Exterminator, a high-speed roller coaster in the dark, has cars that spin individually while traveling on a twisting, turning track.

• Lakemont Park, Altoona, was also a trolley park. It is the eighth oldest amusement park in the United States. One of Lakemont's most prized possessions is the world's oldest roller coaster, Leap-the-Dips. Built at the park in 1902 by the E. Joy Morris Co., the historic wooden roller coaster was restored and reopened on Memorial Day 1999. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1996.

  At Lakemont, Wednesdays, guests pay $1 admission and ride and slide all day for $1! Plus, play a round of Traintown Miniature Golf for $1 and take advantage of dollar specials at gift shops.

• Sesame Place in Langhorne, is where parents can share in the spirit of imagination with their children through whirling rides, water slides, colorful shows and furry friends. This year, the Sunny Day Carousel will add color and life to the center of the park, with 36 custom-created colorful, muppetized horses and two benches resembling Snuffleupagus. The area will be filled with the sounds of traditional calliope and organ presentations of the most popular Sesame Street songs.

  Other rides include Monster Maze, a forest of lightweight punching bags; Cookie Mountain, a bright blue vinyl cone that children try to climb; Sesame Neighborhood, a lifesized re-creation of the classic TV show set; and Elmo's World, with a variety of activities.

• Waldameer Park in Erie, is a family fun amusement and water park complex that features scores of amusement park rides, magnificent water park slides, live shows, modern arcade, traditional midway games, food and refreshment centers, souvenir and gift shops and numerous picnic groves all surrounded by gorgeous landscaped grounds. Every aspect of this multi-use entertainment complex is specifically designed to provide the appropriate entertainment and recreation areas for every member of the family, no matter what age or thrill level desired. Admission to the amusement park and parking are free.

  The Ravine Flyer II, with almost 3,000 feet of track and three giant drops is new this year. It's awesome, with banking curves up to 90 degrees!

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