Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains of Central Pennsylvania, DelGrosso’s Amusement Park has been providing fun for over 60 years. The park began in 1946 and today, is a modern family fun facility which includes more than 30 rides, an extensive water park, go-karts, and a miniature golf course. And, yes, this is the same DelGrosso family that makes DelGrosso’s pasta sauce you can find in your local grocery store.
A Day of Family Fun at DelGrosso’s Amusement Park
We took the entire family–2 adults and 5 children ranging in age 
from 3-months-old to 7-years-old–on a three hour drive to check out this park. Although we visited the weekend before the water park opened, there were no lack of visitors and most of the 16 picnic pavilions were reserved. However, the only ride my children had to wait in line for any length of time was the Dizzy Dragons and it was just two turns before their ride.
We attended a day with no special events. However, just about every weekend and some weekdays during the season there are special events from concerts to car shows to their 24th Annual Italian Food and Heritage Festival. And certain days have discounted or free ride tickets, including Father’s Day where all dads get to ride for free. A detailed listing of special events is on the DelGrosso’s website, www.delgrossos.com.
ABOUT THE PARK
The park is large enough where you need a full-day to enjoy it but not so big that you feel necessary to stay longer. In addition to the amusement park, there is a water park included in the all-day fun pass but was not yet open for the season during our visit. Next to the water park and requiring separate admission is the Champion Miniature Golf and Altoona-Tipton Speedway Go-Karts.
With 5 young children, we spent almost the entire time in the Kid’s 
Kingdom, a partially shaded area with 9 rides geared towards children under 52 inches. There are some benches scattered around Kid’s Kingdom. Ride attendants checked to make sure the kids were buckled in properly. Parents/caregivers were allowed to assist their young children on and off the rides as the ride attendants typically did not help the children board the rides.
Rides, Water Park and More…
The Boats and Corvette race car rides were popular among all of my children. My older two children loved their first experience on a roller coaster. My two-year old screamed on the Turtles and Elephants, two rides that went around and slightly up and down. Outside of Kid’s Kingdom the rides were mostly for older children and adults. However, there were a few rides that children at least 36 inches tall can enjoy including a grand carousel and a train. A complete listing of all rides and their height requirements can be found on the DelGrosso’s website, www.delgrossos.com.
At the back of Kid’s Kingdom is an infant care center with diaper changing facilities and a private air-conditioned. Diapers, baby food and other supplies are available at a nominal cost. No strollers are allowed in the Infant Care Center.
Smoking was allowed in the amusement park and there were several outdoor designated areas for smoking. I was disappointed to see one so close to the Kid’s Kingdom.
Food Choices at DelGrosso’s
DelGrosso’s offered a variety of food choices such as fresh roasted beef, sausage, potato salad, baked beans and fresh made pizza. It was not uncommon to see people taking pizza boxes home with them.
For those who wish to bring a picnic, there are several covered picnic tables in the Picnic Grove and on the edge of Kid’s Kingdom. DelGrosso’s offers various group picnic packages if you come with a large group.
The drive from the DC area took a little over 3 hours without stopping. Some of it was quite scenic with rolling hills and farms. As expected, we found several rest stops along the way with chain and local restaurants. Direction websites offered a few options. We opted to use the directions that briefly take you on the Pennsylvania Turnpike for a cost of $2.30 each way.
DelGrosso’s is open seasonally starting with weekends in mid-May until the end of September. It is open 7 days a week from June 1 until the end of August. The water park operates from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
Admission and Parking
This is a very affordable park as admission is free. Patrons have two options to enjoy the rides– purchase individual ride tickets at $.50 each to use on 2, 3 and 5-ticket rides or purchase an all-day fun pass for May/Sep = $21.95. The all-day fun pass provides unlimited rides and use of the water park. Entrance into the water park is only available through the fun pass. Children under 24 months of age are admitted free to the water park, adult carousel and train when accompanied by an adult with proper admission. Admission to the golf course and speedway are not included in the day pass.
Parking is free and located on the same side as the golf course, speedway and water park but across the street from the amusement park. Visitors use an elevated pedestrian crosswalk to the amusement park. It takes about 5 minutes or so from the parking lot to reach the amusement park. Handicapped parking is available on a first-come first-served basis Park side and in the main water slide parking lot. No camping or overnight parking is permitted.
All-day fun passes can be purchased at the ticket plaza next to the water park. There are several ticket booths inside the amusement park.
Know Before You Go
- Rides and water park open at 11 am. Water park closes at 8pm
and ride park closing time varies. - For the Mid-Season, the park is closed on weekdays and only open on weekends through Sept. 26th (& Open Labor Day Monday!)
- Before your visit, make sure to view their “Closures” page to see any changes in operation.
- Master Card, Visa and Park Gift Cards are accepted at all ticket plazas, gift shop locations and various concession stands. ATM machines are located at the Water Slide Ticket Plaza and at Murf’s Kitchen.
- Guests can bring food and drink into the park but are restricted to available picnic areas. Park food is only allowed in the water park.
- Check website, www.delgrossos.com, to preview the park map, obtain pictures of the rides, and view their operating schedule.
- No pets or weapons are allowed.
- Life jackets are provided at no charge to water park guests.
Photos courtesy of the DelGrosso website.
