Hershey Park or Dutch Wonderland? Need advice

[birdiesunshine]

We will be bringing a 22 month old and a 9 yr old. Which park do you think would be the better choice? I've never been to either park.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jadie1017]

I actually used to live in the Lancaster area and we'd go to Hersheypark fairly often and my sister used to work at Dutch Wonderland. I am older and have never been to either park with younger kids, but I would personally say go to Hershey. It just seems more like a "real" amusement park while Dutch Wonderland seems to be a little cheesy and done on a much smaller scale. Hershey also has the little added bonus of there being chocolate every where you look!

Just my two cents. I'c be more than happy to answer any questions that I can...

 

[DISshopkeeper]

I was at HersheyPark yesterday. LOVE that park!

 

[Pkaroch]

I've never been to Dutch Wonderland, but I LOVE Hershey Park, they have some great rides for younger kids, and they used ot have a parade of the chocolate characters.....there's just nothing better than a life sized Hershey Kiss posing for pictures!

 

[Piglet's Pal]

I think your 9 y/o would be much happier at Hershey. In addition to the amusement park you can tour Chocolate World and visit Zoo America. As a previous poster said, Dutch Wonderland seems to be cheesy.
PP

 

[TiggerPiglet]

Another vote for Hershey Park. The way the park is situated is perfect for the ages of your children. Basically you have rollar coasters scattered around with "little kid" rides around them. So, while you or your husband are riding on the bigger rides with your nine year old, you can be with your younger child riding on kiddie rides close by

 

[Kimnicki]

I was at Hershey with my DD9 and DS6 in May 04 and Dutch Wonderland Sept. 03. My DD LOVED Hershey because they were bigger rides (she loves the big upsidedown roller coasters), but my son prefered Dutchwonderland (he hates big/fast rides). The problem I have when we go to amusement parks is that the kids like rides in different parts of the park and I can't split myself in half! You may not have that problem because your 22mth old may just be content riding around in a stroller after a few rides, but that would not go well with my kids.

There are a few "big" rides at DW, a wooden roller coaster, log flume and the swings. They also have a nice water play area.
If I were to do it again, I would go to DW until DS got older.

Take a look at both of their websites and compare the rides. That's probably the best way to get an idea of what each park has to offer for your kids!

Have fun,

Kim

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by birdiesunshine
We will be bringing a 22 month old and a 9 yr old. Which park do you think would be the better choice? I've never been to either park.

Thanks in advance.

Knoebels Grove.....LOL...

free parking, free admission, and lots of kids rides...

 

[Jadie1017]

Knoebels definitely beats out Dutch Wonderland but I don't know if it can beat Hershey!

Kfun, Kfood, Kfantasy!

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by Jadie1017
Knoebels definitely beats out Dutch Wonderland but I don't know if it can beat Hershey!

Kfun, Kfood, Kfantasy!

with a 22 month old and a 9 year old...the only thing Hershey has over Knoebels is the shows, otherwise for overall value, Knoebels wins easily, and I say that as a Hersheypark season pass holder since 1976

 

[Kallison]

It depends if your 9 year old is a thrill rider or not. Dutch Wonderland is mostly kiddie rides. My kids loved it until they were about 8 or 9 and had their first visit to Disney! We took our kids to Hershey two years ago when my youngest was 8, it was a huge waste of money. They didn't ride anything, the lines were long and in the sun, the employees don't know even how to load the coasters. I guess I've been Disney spoiled. I would pick Knoebel's over Hershey -- but then I hate long lines.

 

[Jadie1017]

Sorry about that...I forgot about the younger kids. Knoebels does hold its own in that regard...I loved it as a kid.

 

[Kimnicki]

Ok....what is Knoebles???


Kim

 

[MICKEY88]

when are you coming to PA, there are dismeets planned for Hersheypark, Dutch Wonderland and Knoebels...ansd Sesame place

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by Kimnicki
Ok....what is Knoebles???


Kim

a well kept secret park in PA..it's an oldfashioned amusement park, free parking, free admission,,there is no fence...depending on the day of the week you can either buy tickets by the book for rides, or buy an all day ride wristband..they have some great coasters,,,lots of kids rides...cheap gamestands..some of which kids play till they win.... good food, there is an airconditioned restaurant, with pretty good food.... my family favorite is chicken and waffles.... lots of trees and shaded areas, a campground, a large pool with water slides....

there is a dismeet there Aug. 13th....

 

[Kimnicki]

Originally posted by MICKEY88
a well kept secret park in PA....

Thanks for the tip! I'll have to check it out....



Kim

 

[Tigger&Belle]

We're going to Hershey Park tomorrow, but haven't been in years. We've never been to Dutch Wonderland because my kids are older (now 4, 10, 13, and 16) and my youngest is a daredevil and wouldn't be happy on only kiddie rides. With the ages of your children, I'd do both! Between those two if I had to choose I'd go to Hershey Park.

But, one of our favorites is Dorney Park in Allentown. There is something for everyone along with a little water park with a great water play area (like the Curious George area at Universal, but better). We went last summer and wanted to go back this summer, but we're not going to make it. We did go to Kennywood and with this Hershey Park trip we are doing ok...

T&B

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by Kimnicki
Thanks for the tip! I'll have to check it out....



Kim

forgot to mention the carousel is absolutely beautiful, and you can actually grab for the brass ring if you sit on a horse on the outer edge..

Knoebels

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by Kimnicki
Thanks for the tip! I'll have to check it out....



Kim

forgot to mention the carousel is absolutely beautiful, and you can actually grab for the brass ring if you sit on a horse on the outer edge..

Knoebels

 

[HollyJoy]

Dutch Wonderland will have much more for your 22 month old to do. Though I love Hershey Park!