The Carousel- Dorney Park

Many seem to have mixed feelings about Dorney Park. Some seem to really enjoy their trips there, while others go away unimpressed and disappointed. Many I have talked to say the same thing, the carousel entrance is beautiful, but beyond it the midway looks bare, cold and corporate. Indeed, after walking through the front gate a Dentzel carousel stands in front of you. However, beyond it lies a midway lined with restaurants, games and little else. Instead of meandering down the midway let's just look at Dorney Park's history and the carousels that have spun there. Dorney's carousel history is a bit confusing. To complicate matters, there are no books or websites that completely document the park's ride history. At the Dorney Park website it says that, "That same year [1901], Jacob Plarr, an enterprising caterer and butcher from Philadelphia came to Dorney Park as a concessionaire. He brought with him a Dentzel carousel, a ride that revolutionized the Park." The P.T.C. carousel list says that their carousel number 38 (which was carved between 1915 and 1916) was delivered to Dorney Park from Shellpot Park in Delaware in 1934. My guess is that the park put the first carousel away (possibly because totally refurbishing it was more expensive than buying a used one from another park) and solely used the P.T.C. machine. This is reinforced by a quote from Frederick Fried's book, A Pictorial History of the Carousel, which reads, "At Dorney Park, near Allentown, Pennsylvania, when the seventieth year of its operation was celebrated, Bob Plarr got out his dad's first carousel, painted it gold and gave free rides to one and all." If you can correct any of this information, or simply confirm it, I would be very appreciative.

The Antique Carrousel sits just inside the park's entrance. I love the combination of the mirrored drum, white lights and large curtains on the ride's edge.

From old maps it is hard to estimate where the old carousel stood. My guess is that it was roughly near the location of the Dominator today. Old Dorney Park was advertised as "the natural spot" because of all the trees that lined the park's walkway's and it seems the carousel building was surrounded by lots of vegetation. Dorney suffered many fires during the 1980's and one of the largest occurred on September 22, 1983. It sadly destroyed the park's heart and soul, the carousel. I heard some horses were saved[1], but I believe most of the machine was lost to one of the amusement park's oldest foes. Not long after this the management bought a thirty-animal carousel from Chance Rides. It did not come close to replacing the huge loss of the Philadelphia Toboggan Company carousel, but at least the park's owners realized that every park needs some sort of carousel.

Cedar Fair bought the park on July 22, 1992 after it had become run down by the former owners. Three years later they made an important decision and moved Cedar Point's Frontier Town carousel to Dorney. It was a Dentzel with Muller carvings and dated to 1921. They placed it directly behind the new front gate. Today the machine warmly invites the park's visitors to enjoy the day, much like the old wind chime tower did near the old entrance. There are sixty-six menagerie pieces and two chariots on the machine. My personal favorite is a deer (or it could be an elk or some other sort of animal with antlers). Whatever it is, the animal shows the carver's ability right down to the beautiful saddle blanket and delicate antler tips. The Antique Carrousel makes a great way to begin and end your day at Dorney Park. No, the Dorney Park of today is not the same one as twenty years ago. Many things have changed- some for the better and some for the worst. However, it is refreshing to see that even a corporate park knows the value of an antique carousel and that even after all of Dorney's problems it looks like its third antique carousel is here to stay.

[1] It was rumored that the parts from one of the carousels, either the old Dentzel or P.T.C. number 38, were sold to gain the necessary capital for Whitewater Landing. However, the amusement industry is full of rumors and I have no idea whether these were true or not.


An outside stander quietly waits for a rider.	A beautiful Dentzel lion stands proudly at the edge of the rounding table.	Although a little hard to make out, the back of the chariot features an angel blowing into a trumpet. In the rear, the drum has some beautiful mountain paintings.

The new building built by Cedar Fair for the carousel's 1995 debut at Dorney Park.	A beautiful joker carving on the outside rim.	Wurlitzer band organ number 153 is lined with white lights.