A posting on yeahthatskosher.com reported that after many years of running a kosher concession at Dutch Wonderland, PA kosher mart at Dutch Wonderland has closed. It will be a fond farewell to one of the first theme parks to offer a full menu of kosher food and save us the burden of packing a cooler of pekalach to sneak in and carry around the park. It was a godsend for families with small kids.  Yes, the food really was not that great and the long lines for meals were absurd at times. Yet, I will dearly miss those fried chicken drum sticks and fries heated by a red glowing lamp. I will also miss the fabulous young staff they had working there. The frum high school boys and girls with no restaurant experience, who are the first line in the onslaught of hungry Jewish families and their kids barking orders for extra dressing on their tuna salad.  I am sure they just needed a summer off.

So the question of the hour…. Was the kosher food the most compelling reason to visit Dutch Wonderland?  The answer is no. Dutch Wonderland is the best option of a theme park within 2 and half hours of NYC for ages 2-8.  The trip can be a day excursion, but to truly enjoy Dutch Wonderland and Lancaster I recommend staying at least one night in one of the many hotel options nearby. Most hotels have nice suite options, mini fridges, and free breakfast.  The staff is used to kosher clientele and will mark which cereals and breads are kosher, if not just ask, people are nice out in the country and will be happy to show you the package the bagels came from.

Before entering the park make the decision whether you will want to have your kids get wet at the mini water park called Duke’s Lagoon. It is not so large but can certainly keep your crew busy for hours on a sweltering day. For those not up for bathing suits and towels tumult or the day is on the cooler part, skip the water park, there is plenty to do in the main dry area.  Like many of the water parks Dutch Wonderland offers Cabana rentals starting at $90 a day. Not the best way to keep costs down, but they can be great as a home base while plunging into Duke’s Lagoon.

For those who have visited Disney, you really cannot compare the Broadway style shows of Disney World to Dutch Wonderland.  The shows at Dutch Wonderland are full of bad actors and cheesy plots, but that is the charm that makes this place remarkable.  Small children will marvel at the shows and if you sit back and leave the cynic at the door you might chuckle a bit as well.  Adventures of the Frog Prince is one of the classics. Running for who knows how many years it is a comic diving show with a pathetic plot only astonish a 3 year old. Just try to get there early or you might end up in the first few rows called the “splash zone”

The rides at the park are also quite classic. Some are unique to Dutch Wonderland like Duke’s Dozers. It is a ride that was created for the original Hershey Park. It was acquired years ago by Dutch Wonderland and is the most docile ride that has the only disclaimer of “no hand held infants allowed”.  For those with a toddler that just started walking this ride will be their Kinda Kah.  Sometimes I marvel on how the parents are jumping up and down and so excited as their child takes their first ride (I was one of those parents). There are also plenty of rides for the bigger kids (ages 6-10). The flume ride and kingdom coaster are major thrills for that crowd.  This park is not for the teenagers, send them off to Six Flags or Hershey with some friends they will have a much better time. The park is quite small and you should try to go on every ride if you can. The general rule is if there is a long line come back later.  As the day goes on and the park clears out, you can breeze through the park and go on every ride in a couple of hours.

If your trip allows you to explore Lancaster and Amish Country further visit Cherry Crest Farms. Only 15 minutes from Dutch Wonderland, Cherry Crest Farms has a full day of fun activities.  There is a corn maze, pedal cars, farm wagon tour, and jumping balloons. Also PA Kosher Mart plans to have kosher pizza there a few days a week starting in July (visit www.centralpaskoshermart.com for exact days and times)  There are other farms to visit that are more “authentic” but Cherry Crest Farms has a home-style allure all its own.

So for those who plan to head out to Lancaster and Dutch Wonderland pack those coolers. Hershey park still offers their kosher fare, but that is 45 plus minutes away. You can always stay somewhere in between both parks. There are plenty of pop up minyans all over town just make sure you look twice before you stop some chum with a beard to complete the minyan. His name may be Jebediah and will have no clue what a minyan is.  Summers at Lancaster will create lasting memories for young families.  For the time being we are out of luck on kosher food, but I am sure the kosher food will be back soon. (For more info on Dutch Wonderland visit www.dutchwonderland.com and for Cherry Crest Farms visit www.cherrycrestfarm.com )

By Benjamin Cohen