Idlewilde and Soak Zone or Dutch Wonderland

[disneybound2010]

Has anyone taken their DC to these parks? DH and I are thinking of taking our DS there this summer and I have heard some pretty mixed reviews about the parks. I want to start getting DS acquainted with amusement parks so he will be ready for our "big adventure." Any input would be greatly appreciated! I had considered Kings Dominion because of the children's areas,but I think to get DS into the swing of things, I would prefer a park especially geared towards younger ones at least for his first park experience. TIA

 

[juligrl]

Has anyone taken their DC to these parks? DH and I are thinking of taking our DS there this summer and I have heard some pretty mixed reviews about the parks. I want to start getting DS acquainted with amusement parks so he will be ready for our "big adventure." Any input would be greatly appreciated! I had considered Kings Dominion because of the children's areas,but I think to get DS into the swing of things, I would prefer a park especially geared towards younger ones at least for his first park experience. TIA

My family gets season passes to Idlewild & Soakzone every year so I'm not exactly an unbiased opinion. In fact, the first time we took my oldest DD to Disney (she was 2, almost 3) it was January and all she wanted to do was ride the rides like Idlewild has - couldn't figure out why there was no turtle, doodlebus, airplanes, ferris wheel or Mr. Rogers trolley . I think at the time I was more like - you bring the kid to Disney and she wants Idlewild! Now I think it's funny.

Here's my plug for Idlewild - it's quaint, in the woods and they have a laid-back kiddie area (Raccoon Lagoon) with rides that even my chicken-children love! My 5 year old even rides most of the rides in the big park now. The really great thing about Idlewild is that they also have Storybook Forest, Jumpin' Jungle and SoakZone for when the kids aren't in the ride mode. Check out their website for more information: http://www.idlewild.com/. I believe Idlewild is the second or third oldest amusement park in the country - it retains a lot of simplistic flavor. We really like it there!

 

[npmommie]

We went to Dutch Wonderland last summer for the first time and my kids loved it. they asked if we can go again so we are planning to go again this summer.
we usually also go to Storyland in NH each summer because the rides are geared for the youngers, no thrill rides, and Dutch Wonderland was like this as well.
if you have AAA they give a discount on the tickets for DW , you buy them thru AAA.
have fun!

 

[npmommie]

I am looking at the Idlewilde site now, and I see that Storyland ( NH) is one of their sister parks!
maybe we will check out Idlewilde too this summer when we are in the area

ooopss I see now that Idlewilde is in the western part of the state.

 

[disny_luvr]

I've never been to Idlewild so I can't comment on it. DH and I would like to try it one day. Actually his employer (which is very large and has branches all over PA) has a company day every summer at Hersheypark and we always wish that just one year they'd have their company day at Idlewild. Maybe one day.

Anyway, we love Dutch Wonderland. We took our twin sons this past summer and they had just turned two. It was perfect for them. They loved it. The park is pretty small and my boys enjoyed walking around instead of being pushed around in the stroller. It also never seems too crowded. The wait time for almost any ride is usually a few minutes, if that. This past summer they had a Thomas the Train show that my boys about went crazy over. I'm not sure if they'll have it next summer, but my guess would be that they will. The water park there is also very cute. Some of the water slides were just the perfect size for my boys. They had a blast. We have season passes to Hersheypark and this year we decided to upgrade to a Gold Pass so we can go to Dutch Wonderland anytime too. My advice, if you're considering taking your DS to Dutch Wonderland I'd do it soon before he gets too old. Both DH and I think that once our sons turn 5 or 6 it may be a little too "babyish" for them. There aren't many thrill rides at Dutch Wonderland. My sister took her kids there this summer (ages 7,5,4) and they were a little bored there - they also have Hersheypark season passes and are used to riding more "bigger" rides.

As a mentioned earlier, Dutch Wonderland is pretty small. You probably won't spend a whole day there unless you ride the rides again and again.

 

[RMulieri]

We love Dutch Wonderland( we live about 20 mins away) we go all the time.It is a very quaint ,smallish park.Great for the little ones, not so great for the older kids.Perfect for just introducing kiddies to themeparks tho.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We've been to both Idlewild and Dutch Wonderland.

Idlewild and Soak Zone as another pp described quaint little parks in the woods. Not really any big rides to speak of. DD (5) and 40" can ride everything. We didn't go last year,because I have a 10 yo also and he is bored there . There is another cute little park called Story book Forest that kind of takes you through the nursery rhymes, cute again for the younger group. There is also Soak Zone, a smaller water park and pool.

Another thing that has kept us away from Idlewild is they started selling season passes, which are a good deal for the locals but it makes the place crowded no matter when you go.

Last time we were at DW was a couple years ago. Very cute small amusement park. Nice smaller type rides for the little ones.

I think your child will like either place. If you have any ?'s feel free to PM me.

 

[juligrl]

Another thing that has kept us away from Idlewild is they started selling season passes, which are a good deal for the locals but it makes the place crowded no matter when you go.

I guess that makes me a "local". I'm only about 40 minutes away so I'm there about every other week during the summer.

I would definately avoid going on Mondays. Idlewild has bring a buddy day on Monday and season pass holders can bring a friend in for free. It does get "busy" then, but busy is relative at Idlewild, plus if it's a nice day most of the locals are lounging at the pool during the day rather than riding. Even a busy day at Idlewild is almost relaxing.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Hey no offense, its a good deal.. We live about 75-90 minutes away (south of Pittsburgh) if we were closer I'd get them too. Even though we live 40 minutes from Sandcastle, we get them for there. If we go just 4 times it pays for itself.

Then we'll use the discount rate from the Sandcastle pass to go to Idlewild, but we didn't make it there last year.

I;m spoiled regarding the crowds. I remember going on say a Wednesday during the week and all rides were walk-ons and it hasn't been like that since the season passes were started. At least no when we've been there.

 

[katyjeka]

We live in Ligonier, and are minutes from Idlewild. It's a great park for little ones and soakzone is nice. I agree that it can get very crowded, as season passes are a bargain. They're open in October for Halloween, and its really a neat time to go. My family lived in Lititz when I was in my early teens, and Dutch Wonderland was just okay. Maybe it's changed a lot in 20 years. Have a great time, whatever you choose. Janice

 

[Pixiedust34]

We've been to Idlewild/Soak Zone (last summer) and Dutch Wonderland (years ago). Both parks would be nice for your 2 year old. Both parks are geared toward young kids and are nice in that they are old fashioned with some classic rides and lots of trees for shade. You can't go wrong with either park.

If you go to Dutch Wonderland, consider doing Strasburg, PA if you have the time and if your ds is into trains. There is a train musuem there, and you can take a train ride though some Amish farmlands.

 

[disneybound2010]

Thank you all so much for all the responses. I am really looking forward to planning on one of these outings now. I had heard so many mixed(mostly bad)reviews about these parks,so I was really hoping that I would get some great positives here! DS will turn 3 in June so I am thinking of making it a birthday trip for him.

If you go to Dutch Wonderland, consider doing Strasburg, PA if you have the time and if your ds is into trains. There is a train musuem there, and you can take a train ride though some Amish farmlands.

DH is a train fanatic and DS is turning into one quickly. Pair that up with my fascination(obsession ) of Amish life and Strasburg makes for a great time. I'll definitely be looking into that as well now. Thanks!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

There is a Day Out with Thomas event in Strasburg in June and September. Where a train that looks exactly like Thomas the Tank engine comes and everyone gets a ride.

Plus there are other activities as well. Going to this event for 4 years in a row when DS was younger is how we found Dutch Wonderland. Just beware of attending the Thomas event on the weekends, it can be very crowded.

 

[Pixiedust34]

Thank you all so much for all the responses. I am really looking forward to planning on one of these outings now. I had heard so many mixed(mostly bad)reviews about these parks,so I was really hoping that I would get some great positives here! DS will turn 3 in June so I am thinking of making it a birthday trip for him.



DH is a train fanatic and DS is turning into one quickly. Pair that up with my fascination(obsession ) of Amish life and Strasburg makes for a great time. I'll definitely be looking into that as well now. Thanks!

If your family is into trains, you can even sleep in one in Strasburg!

http://www.redcaboosemotel.com/about.html

We've never stayed there, but we have driven past and it looks like it would be a fun place for a kid who likes trains.

Another overnight option is to google family-friendly Bed and Breakfast places in the area. I used to have a list of them, but I lost the list. If you do a B&B that caters to families with kids, your ds might have a chance to hang around a farm (helping gather eggs, playing with kittens, etc.).

 

[juligrl]

DH is a train fanatic and DS is turning into one quickly. Pair that up with my fascination(obsession ) of Amish life and Strasburg makes for a great time. I'll definitely be looking into that as well now. Thanks!

It sounds like Strasburg & Dutch Wonderland would be a perfect trip for you! Definately check it out!

 

[sne26]

We have been to both, and both of them are very nice. I have nothing bad to say about either, so far in our experiences. We have gone to Dutch Wonderland many, many times. We started going about 1 or 2x's a summer since our first child was almost 2. (He's 6 now, and now the oldest of 3). And we have gone to Idlewild twice- once a couple years ago, and once this past summer.

Whichever park you choose, I think you will have a great time. But, just to give you my opinion, I would say to go to Dutch Wonderland. It's a perfect park for a 2 year old. They can ride almost everything- there are only a few rides they won't be able to ride because of height restrictions. And it's a small park, you can do in all in less than a day. So it's not overwhelming, and you won't feel as if you are missing park of the park b/c your child is tired. We usually get there when the park opens (10am?), and are finished by about 3-4ish. And that is usually riding our favorites more than once. It's usually not that crowded, or at least the lines are short. There have only been two times that the park was really crowded and every line long- one of those was during Labor day weekend. Usually the park may seem full by the parking lot, but most of the lines are fine, and the day is enjoyable.

Also, I recommend it for you for Strasburg, if you guys like trains. My son went thru the train phase, and we took him there several times as well. We've gone to the day out with Thomas too, but we hated it, only because it got SO crowded! (I have heard that there is a train place in Cumberland, MD that has the day out with Thomas as well, and it does not get crowded like Strasburg) We like going to Strasburg when Thomas wasn't there. Plus there are several other train things- museums, ect that PP have mentioned.

There is so much to see and do in Lancaster, and many many good places to eat as well-esp the smorgaboards.

Idlewild is great too, but for a 2 year old, we liked DW better. Plus, I think the kids will grow out of DW sooner than they will Idlewild. I think the rides are smaller, and not very scary- they only have 2 bigger rides- small wooden roller coaster, and a small pirate ship like ride. From what I remember Idlewild has alot more "bigger" rides.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

If your family is into trains, you can even sleep in one in Strasburg!

http://www.redcaboosemotel.com/about.html

We've never stayed there, but we have driven past and it looks like it would be a fun place for a kid who likes trains.

Another overnight option is to google family-friendly Bed and Breakfast places in the area. I used to have a list of them, but I lost the list. If you do a B&B that caters to families with kids, your ds might have a chance to hang around a farm (helping gather eggs, playing with kittens, etc.).

OHHHH YUCK!!!! PLEASE DON'T STAY AT THE CABOOSE MOTEL!!!!!!

We paid over $100.00 a night and it was the dirtiest thing I have ever seen. Cobwebs and bugs crawling around. it was horrible. Of course, DS who was 4 at the time, was in 7th heaven., It was the worst night ever . I didn't sleep at all because I was afraid of what might happen if I did.

We complained, but during the Thomas weeks at Strasburg, hotels are sold out for miles around. I still shudder when I think about that place.

We did stay at a nice farmhouse one year, no way associated with the Caboose Motel , a bed and breakfast/ The train tracks of Thomas run right through the fields of the farm. You can swing on the tire swing in the backyard and wave to Thomas as he goes by. Plus the kids could help feed the cows, chickens and pigs. The kids had a ball at that place. We've also stayed at the Willow Valley resort which is very nice and the Strasburg Inn.

 

[Pixiedust34]

OHHHH YUCK!!!! PLEASE DON'T STAY AT THE CABOOSE MOTEL!!!!!!

We paid over $100.00 a night and it was the dirtiest thing I have ever seen. Cobwebs and bugs crawling around. it was horrible. Of course, DS who was 4 at the time, was in 7th heaven., It was the worst night ever . I didn't sleep at all because I was afraid of what might happen if I did.

We complained, but during the Thomas weeks at Strasburg, hotels are sold out for miles around. I still shudder when I think about that place.

We did stay at a nice farmhouse one year, no way associated with the Caboose Motel , a bed and breakfast/ The train tracks of Thomas run right through the fields of the farm. You can swing on the tire swing in the backyard and wave to Thomas as he goes by. Plus the kids could help feed the cows, chickens and pigs. The kids had a ball at that place. We've also stayed at the Willow Valley resort which is very nice and the Strasburg Inn.

Thanks for the first-hand review. We've never stayed at the train place, but I did think it looked unique. I'm sorry to hear that the place was dirty.

We've always wanted to stay at a Bed and Breakfast in the area but have never done so. I'm glad to hear that you had a good B&B experience!
I think it would be fun to stay at a farm for a night or two.

 

[juligrl]

OHHHH YUCK!!!! PLEASE DON'T STAY AT THE CABOOSE MOTEL!!!!!!

We paid over $100.00 a night and it was the dirtiest thing I have ever seen. Cobwebs and bugs crawling around. it was horrible. Of course, DS who was 4 at the time, was in 7th heaven., It was the worst night ever . I didn't sleep at all because I was afraid of what might happen if I did.

That's what our friends said too!