Winter Park Update: Ride Maintenance

Snow Miser is coming to work every day here in the Northeast Region. But even with the frost, ice, snow and ten below he’s conjuring up for the Lehigh Valley, our amazing maintenance team is hustling and bustling to get all of the rides in check for the 2020 Operating Season. A lot is going on since we’ve crossed over into the new year, and I figured it’s time to stop by our maintenance shop, snoop around to see what they are up to.

Everybody’s favorite horses and circus animals from our Antique Carousel are getting touched-up after putting in some hard work during the 2019 Season, along with the 80, Bavarian-inspired, illustrated panels from Wave Swinger.

Our painters layer the paint by starting with a base, then hand paint each intricate detail to perfection.

Shuffling a little further into the Maintenance Warehouse, Scrambler was disassembled, and in full refresh mode. This 50-year-old family-ride is under-going routine milestone maintenance per the manufacturer (Eli Bridge) manual guidelines (phew, say that 10 times fast). Our maintenance team is checking and testing all components, refreshing surfaces, cleaning, replacing parts as needed and reassembling.

I was surprised to catch one of the Demon Drop cars in the warehouse since I've coincidentally been doing a lot of research on this ride, but again this is all part of our annual maintenance program. All seven Demon Drop cars will be checked and tested and receive brand-new hardware this winter.

Side note: Demon Drop always piques my interest since it is the last of its kind (Gen1 Drop Tower) in the United States, and although it opened at Dorney Park in 2010, it was a staple at Cedar Point for 26 years prior.

Finally, in the back of the warehouse, I spotted one of my favorite rides in the park, which made a significant addition to the park in 1997 – Steel Force. The black train was propped up getting cleaned, greased and ready to roll for the upcoming season. 

Steel Force Axels:

Other elements of rides were spotted in the queue line to receive annual winter maintenance, such as the Whip, and Monster. Stay tuned for updates on the park gearing up for Opening Day of the 2020 Season, Friday, May 1, 2020.

With opening day right around the corner, the best way to experience Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom is with a 2020 Season Pass. You’ll come and go like you own the place all season long with FREE season-long parking, unlimited visits to Dorney Park, and Wildwater Kingdom, exclusive Season Passholder events, discounts and so much more. To purchase your 2020 Dorney Park Season Pass today, click here.