Hershey Park or Dutch Wonderland? Need advice

[birdiesunshine]

Thanks for all the replies. I've never heard of knoebels, but it looks like it will cater to both children nicely. Now I just have to figure out how far away from CT it is.

Mickey88- We are either going the 3rd or last weekend in Aug. We brought our 22 month old to Sesame Place and were really dissapointed. She really couldn't do anything. All the water things we brought her into, she was holding onto our legs for dear life and the big kids were running and splashing. She was too scared. Knoebels looks "safer" for her.

 

[stevenpensacola]

Disney 'makes' magic..........Knoebels IS magic.

We drove from nw florida to visit Knoebels. They have a lot of old classic rides which everyone can ride which are really fun.
They have a little train track that has individual "cars" which the kids sit on and propel by "pedaling" a crank with their hands. My kids must have rode that thing twenty miles.

They also have a "twirly" slide which looks like a rocket. You sit on a piece of burlap and down you go....when you get to the bottom, there is about a twenty foot long strip of polished copper (I think) which you slide out on and coast to a stop. Every person young and old who rode this thing had the biggest smile on their faces when they came out of the twirlies.

We went early in the summer, during the week, and the lines were non-existent. Kids would get off a ride, run-around and get right back on. They must have frog-hopper'ed 20 times.

We really loved the employees, many of which were senior citizens who seemed to really enjoy what they were doing, and enjoyed interacting with the kids. Very different than the 14 year old six flags employee with an attitude.

Just wish it weren't so far away....

If you like wooden coasters, they've got two of the best.

 

[Jadie1017]

That rocket slide was one of my favorite thing to do at Knoebels when I was little...we always tried to see who could slide the farthest at the end. My family also loved the boats you could ride yourself. Somehow at least one of us always ended up turned around. Birdiesunshine...I hope your family enjoys it!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

We went to Hershey Park yesterday and had a very fun day! There really is something for all age groups. Sounds like Knoebels might be there best park for you, birdiesunshine, at this time, but keep Hershey Park in mind for sometime. There are lots of kiddy rides (my 4yo decided he doesn't do kiddy rides because the are too slow ) and a couple of big coasters that he could go on. He was so excited to be able to go on an upside down coaster, the little daredevil. My older kids (and me) had plenty to chose from, including the new Storm Runner. We were there for 12 hours and didn't get it all done and I think I would take 2 days next time so we could go at a slower pace.

T&B

 

[mom2boys]

We were at Hershey Park this past spring with my 9 & 10 yr old sons. They loved it - are begging to go back. We went a couple of years ago for the Christmas lights & they mainly had kiddie rides open at the time. That was perfect for them at their ages then. Hershey does have rides for the little one - & the big one will love it.

 

[stevenpensacola]

How about a report on how your trip went.....we'd be interested in what you thought of Knoebels....hope you had great time.

 

[Mskanga]

I have gone to Knoebels several times and it's definitely better for the 22 month old than Hershey. I just came back from Hershey Park yesterday and yes they have a lot to do for the little ones too but for the little ones I prefer Knoebels.

 

[soccercruiser87]

i would say hersheypark, theres a lot of thrill rides there and it has a good atmosphere and you can get chocolate and various hershey things at the chocolate world.

 

[birdiesunshine]

Hi everyone! we are leaving for Lancaster next weekend Aug, 20 & 21 . Still not sure which park we are going to do. I will post a trip report when we get back. Thanks for all the advice. We may have to go to all 3 parks.