Amusement Park Mom

Welcome to Delgrosso's!!!

A million thanks to Delgrosso’s Amusement Park for having internet access for your visitors.  It’s because of you that I can be writing this trip report while enjoying Murf’s amazing potato salad – thank you!!!!

My "office" at Delgrosso's Murf's Kitchen

So, I made the trip from Harrisburg, PA to Delgrosso’s Amusement Park in Tipton PA today.  Construction is normal for PA as anyone who travels here knows and I hit my fair share, but still made the trip in just over 2 hours with a bathroom/directions check break.

Plenty of Free Parking at Delgrosso's

I drove into Tipton and turned left at the light right into the FREE parking area.  A very nice parking attendant and I talked for awhile about what Hersheypark was like and what Delgrosso’s was like.  There really is no comparison.  Delgrosso’s feels in a way like a 1970′s Hersheypark with the tudor design and western themes in some areas but that is about where the comparison ends.

2011 Admission Options

This is a free admission park, with free parking, a ticket/wristband riding set-up and reasonably priced, great food.  Hersheypark in the 1970′s didn’t have any of those things – except maybe free parking.  I didn’t drive then so I don’t remember.

Tipton Water Works - pool side

When you come into the parking area you are behind the Tipton Waterworks and you cross over the road through town to the ride side of the park.  The parking attendant told me they are very strict about clothing being worn on the park side, no swimsuits on the ride side.  They stop you at the bridge.  Hersheypark could take a lesson here as I’ve seen one too many too small bathing suits in non-water areas of their park.

Pressed Pennies at Delgrosso's

First thing I did was press the four pennies at the Hines Auto Care Booth (kind of like an information booth) to add to my collection.  All turned out clear and wonderful.

Crazy Mouse at Delgrosso's

I of course took tons of pictures which I will put in later – I can’t really see which ones are blurry or not due to the sunshine out here – but I was surprised by the number and variety of the rides here.  My original thought was “Well, this is a good little kids park” and then I saw the Crazy Mouse.  Wow, that is a ride!  Lots of fun packed into a small space.

Infant Care and First Aid in the Kids Kingdom

Delgrosso’s has a Kids Kingdom section which is partially blocked off for little kids.  There is no smoking in this section and they have one of the best infants areas around – changing tables, nursing areas and HIGH CHAIRS!!!!  Oh, how much I’d give for a decent high chair at Knoebels or Hersheypark.  (One thing to note is that because they have this special area there are no changing facilities in the other bathrooms near the Kids Kingdom, but there are some in the other sections of the park.)

Flying Pink Elephants

One thing I found disappointing in the Kids Kingdom is that very few of the rides can have an adult accompany the child.  With small toddlers often it is necessary to have an adult ride to keep them seated.  I do think this will raise the age that you can bring kids here successfully to about 1 1/2 or 2 depending on y0ur child.

Dizzy Dragons - these guys are big!

There is a fascinating ride here call the Dizzy Dragons.  I’m not sure I could ride them and not get claustrophobic.  Essentially they are a tall teacup like ride shaped like a dragon and only open on one side.  Amazing to look at but I think I’d be scared to death (admittedly I’m a wuss…)

Something I’d like to applaud Delgrosso’s for is having photo IDs for their employees.  I know how easy it is to pick up park shirts at the Salvation Army (I have several for Hersheypark) so it could be very easy for people to prey on children if a shirt is the only thing that distinguishes them as an employee.  Bravo for Delgrosso’s!!!

Flying Bobs

You will see a lot of old and familiar rides here at Delgrosso’s but you will also see variations on rides that I haven’t seen nearby – such as having Flying Bobs instead of the traditional Himalya.  The Wacky Worm is a great kids coaster flat ride to get them used to the idea before they hit the Crazy Mouse which is a variation on the Wild Mouse rides found in other parks.  Large roundish cars that rotate and go up and down hills make this different than the whip-fast corners on the Wild Mouse at Hersheypark.  The Crazy Mouse looks like lots more fun.

Murf's Kitchen Menu 2011

The food here is terrific and reasonably priced.  I’ve spent under $10 and gotten a slice of pizza, a decent sized soda (Pepsi products here), a hamburger with the works and a side of Murf’s famous potato salad.  The pizza was fresh and hot (not microwaved like it is at Hersheypark) and the burger had ripe tomato and chopped onion – and it was hot too.   Before I leave I’ll be sampling the black raspberry ice cream – or maybe teaberry – and that’ll take me to about $12.50 in money spent.  Not too shabby.

So how is the potato salad?  Great.  It is creamy, cold and delicious.  A little mustard, a little celery, some mayo and fully cooked potatoes that aren’t mushy.  Great with a burger – or without a burger.  Or with funnel cakes and strawberries with whipped cream (yep they have those) or sloppy joe fries (yep, they have those too!) 

I’ll post additional articles on the various rides, ticket prices, food options and all of that later, but I thought it would be great to post something actually FROM Delgrosso’s – and I’ve done it.  I’m heading up the road to Lakemont Park to ride the oldest roller coaster – Leap the Dips.  I hope.  I’m afraid of heights!