originally posted on 11/24/2025
Photo: Mike Matscherz collection. View full-sized image.
On Sunday, September 7, 2025, the day after CocoaCon at Hersheypark, 45 ACE members and guests visited Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to enjoy the fourth annual Mayhem at Wonderland and continue the Eastern Pennsylvania region’s weekend of regional events.
Attendees picked up an event button and ACE Eastern Pennsylvania lanyard during check in.
Photo: Mike Matscherz. View full-sized image.
Attendees checked in at the park’s main entrance, which is its iconic castle. Registered attendees were treated to a specially designed ACE Eastern Pennsylvania lanyard that features the region’s event logos and a unique event button.
Kingdom Coaster was running well during ERT.
Photo: Jessica Knouse. View full-sized image.
Joust and Tilt-A-Whirl were included in the additional rides that opened early to season passholders and attendees.
Photos: Gina Althouse. View full-sized image.
The day kicked off with an hour of ERT on Kingdom Coaster and Merlin’s Mayhem. Both coasters were running wonderfully, and attendees enjoyed multiple rides, thanks to the quick and fun operational teams. Attendees were also invited to enjoy some additional rides for the final 30 minutes of ERT when the park opened to season passholders. The additional rides allowed attendees, young and young at heart, to enjoy a variety of thrills.
Photos: Jessica Knouse. View full-sized image.
Winners of the Fun Slide Race were Greg Bartolo and Ethan Salvo.
View full-sized image.
Immediately following ERT was the region’s first-ever Fun Slide Race. Fourteen participants raced in groups of three sliders, and the winner of each round moved on to the next round. The winner of the adult group was Greg Bartolo, and the winner of the kids’ group was Ethan Salvo. Informal takeover times were scheduled throughout the day on Bumper Cars and Turnpike.
Photo: Mike Matscherz collection. View full-sized image.
Photo: Mike Matscherz. View full-sized image.
Duke the dragon, Dutch Wonderland’s mascot, made an appearance during lunch.
Photo: Gina Althouse. View full-sized image.
Lunch was served at 12 p.m. in the Mill Stream Catering area. The park’s catering department treated attendees to a delicious meal that included a mac ‘n’ cheese bar with crumbled sausage, bacon and brisket, corn dog nuggets, many sides, root beer or orange soda floats with vanilla ice cream and Pepsi fountain drinks. The smoked, slow-cooked brisket was especially delicious! ACE Eastern Pennsylvania Regional Rep Mike Matscherz made a few announcements, and special recognition was made to those visiting the park for the first time, which was almost half of all the attendees! Courtney Burkarth, Dutch Wonderland’s marketing director, and Angela Tessen, operations director, welcomed attendees to the park. The park also gave the attendees a Dutch Wonderland drink cup, which allowed attendees free refills for the entire day.
Attendees were treated to a walking history tour of the park by Sales Manager Alex Crawford.
Photo: Mike Matscherz. View full-sized image.
After lunch, attendees were led by Alex Crawford, sales manager, on an ACE exclusive history tour. Tour attendees were treated to stories about the park’s history of rides, attractions and the dive show arena. Did you know that in the 1970s the park had dolphins and sea lions?
The giant pretzel is a can’t-miss spot for photo opportunities.
Photo: Gina Althouse. View full-sized image.
The ACE Eastern Pennsylvania regional rep team sent much gratitude to Burkarth, Tessen, Crawford, Jeffrey Adams and the operations teams at Dutch Wonderland for going above and beyond in welcoming attendees. Their hospitality continues to make this event truly magical!
— Mike Matscherz, ACE Eastern Pennsylvania Regional Representative
#ACENews