What your favorite water and amusement parks in the Philadelphia area are planning for Summer 2024
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Dorney Park's got a new roller coaster, Hersheypark has renovated multiple coasters and Six Flags is bringing back its safari a few months before opening — you guessed it — a roller coaster. Across the Philadelphia region and the Lehigh Valley, theme parks are gearing up for the summer with new offerings and the returns of old favorites.
Across the Greater Philadelphia region - we're talking Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware - you're within driving distance to plenty of amusement parks and water parks friendly to families with kids or single adults.
There's a lot of fun to be had, and some theme parks are already open for the 2024 season and teasing new spaces to explore, returns of well-known older attractions, renovations to rides and much more.
Here are some opening dates, coming attractions and other things to watch in 2024 for theme parks around the Philadelphia area. We hope this will help you plan your next road trip, whether you're a resident or just visiting the region.
Six Flags Great Adventure, Hurricane Harbor, Wild Safari Adventure and Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa in Jackson Township, New Jersey
Up in Jackson, New Jersey, Six Flags Great Adventure is already open for the season.
On Saturday, March 30, Great Adventure brought back its Safari Off Road Adventure, which gives guided tours through the park's safari zone. That's home to 1,200 animals from six continents, including kangaroos, lions, tigers, elephants and giraffes. You can find more about the available species on the Wild Safari Adventure website.
The drive-thru safari where you bring your own vehicle is not part of the fun this year.
There is a new Safari Base Camp with animal exhibits and a play area for kids, along with food stands and gift shops.
Thrillseekers are likely already aware the FLASH coaster is coming this season (we have not seen an exact date yet) and will also have a themed gift shop.
The Hurricane Harbor water park, which opens May 18, has some new upgrades, too, including a family-friendly area called Splash Island "that boasts a new tree-house play structure and seven slides geared for little splash-seekers."
And a new place to stay is opening just before the start of summer. The Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa is open for bookings starting June 14.
It's not quite a hotel - this is a chance to go "glamping," or camping with extra amenities, in the heart of the 350-acre safari area at the park. The FAQ page reassures you that the animals can't get right up next to your sleeping quarters. Also, there's a two-night minimum stay.
Jungle Jim's in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Jungle Jim's, just off Route 1 on Country Club Road in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, is set to open on Memorial Day Weekend 2024.
Visitors can check out the River Safari Waterpark with a wave pool, lazy river, kids' spray ground and several big water slides.
If you've already dried off from the beach but still want a fun activity - there's a batting cage with the option to hit softballs or baseballs. On top of that, there are two mini-golf courses on the premises.
Burgers, hot dogs, chicken, fries and salads are some of the food options available at the River Safari Cafe.
Funland on the Rehoboth Beach, Delaware Boardwalk
Funland on the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk is opening Saturday, May 11 for the 2024 season. You can check out the full schedule on their website, FunlandRehoboth.com.
Funland has all your boardwalk staples like a carousel, bumper cars and other rides; an arcade, skeeball and carnival games like ring toss.
Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania
Dorney Park has been building the hype for its new dive roller coaster, Iron Menace, all winter and spring leading up to its opening.
The coaster recently completed a successful test run and there are plenty of videos over on the park's Instagram page showing the ride from above - and even a point-of-view showing what it's like to ride.
Iron Menace is the first coaster built at Dorney in 19 years. Built on about 2,200 feet of steel track, the dive coaster has a 95-degree, 152-foot drop, max speeds up to 64 mph and the first-ever tilted loop on a dive coaster.
If you're planning on visiting the park for the official start of the season, that's May 10, 2024.
But Dorney recently announced that the public will get a chance to ride the new roller coaster during Preseason Preview Days to be held on April 27 and 28, as well as May 4 and 5.
Dorney has also partnered with the local Funk Brewing on the Iron Menace American lager, a new beer named after the coaster.
The park also partnered with the Eagles Autism Foundation for the "Ride with a Cause" event on April 19. The Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders and players Britain Covey and Reed Blankenship made an appearance with all ticket sales benefiting the foundation.
Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania
Hersheypark is breaking new ground in its 118-year history. It opened on March 29, the earliest opening date ever, the park said.
Some new things at the park include upgrades to the Skyrush coaster - which now has new seats, more comfortable restraints and a new station platform to board the ride with "an all-new paint scheme, lighting effects and custom soundscape."
Comet, the first coaster purchased by Milton S. Hershey, now has new cars and seats.
This is also the first spring that the wood and steel roller coaster Wildcat's Revenge will be open - it first opened to the public in summer 2023.
Tickets and more information on Hersheypark.com.
Clementon Park and Splash World in Clementon, NJ
On Berlin Road just minutes off the White Horse Pike in Clementon, NJ, Clementon Park and Splash World is gearing up for another season kicking off Saturday, May 25, 2024.
The park is open Fridays and weekends only until June 24 when it begins to be open seven days a week. Some days are blocked out for private events or other closures, so be sure to check the Clementon Park hours page.
Splash World has multiple water slides, a wave pool billed as the largest in South Jersey, a lazy river and an inner tube rapids ride.
You can find a list of rides in the amusement park section at ClementonPark.com.
Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pennsylvania
You can find Sesame Place on Oxford Valley Road just off Route 1 in Langhorne. The park is currently open with select water attractions set to open May 24.
Sesame Place has also moved the Sunny Day Carousel toward the front of the park. This new spot will have more shade for people waiting in line to board the rider.
The first rides on the carousel in the new location happen on April 27.
Crews are also working on the 123 Playground, the park shared in a recent construction update. Opening is set for the spring 2024 season.
Through June 16, Elmo's Springtacular will feature multiple character meet-and-greet events including a Bluey meet-and-greet on June 1-2 and a 5K race on May 19.
More details on SesamePlace.com.
Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Right on Route 30 heading into Lancaster, Dutch Wonderland opened Friday, March 29 for the 2024 season.
The park said there's a new carrot cake funnel cake, a new story time event and more.
Buying a silver, gold or platinum Dutch Wonderland season pass will also get you a discount to the nearby Cartoon Network Hotel. Passes are currently up to $30 off for the season-opening sale.
Morey's Piers in Wildwood, New Jersey
A family-owned Jersey Shore staple, Morey's Piers is getting ready to kick off its 2024 season.
Opening Day at Morey's Piers is set for Friday, May 3, 2024, according to the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority.
In a social media video posted on April Fool's Day, the Morey's team joked they were going to replace Curley, the mascot of Curley's Fries, with a waffle fry.
But in truth, Curley is not going anywhere - and as of April, the french fry stand is already open on Fridays and weekends.
Storybook Land in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey
After a short delay due to weather, Storybook Land in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey opened on March 24.
The park on the Black Horse Pike not far from the Garden State Parkway advertises "fun for the entire family...with special attention given to its youngest members."
Rides of note include the Tea Time teacups, the Tick-Tock Clock Drop and the J&J Railroad.
Find out more at StorybookLand.com.
