OT: Dutch Wonderland with 14-month-old

[Ava]

We are taking a trip out to Western PA to visit family next month and are planning a stop in Lancaster to see my sister and go to Dutch Wonderland. Any tips for doing this park with a 14-month-old? I know it is geared for little ones, but is there a lot for one THAT little to do? I'm not sure how I feel about putting her on a ride that I can't ride with her - I'd be worried she'd freak out in the middle of it & be stuck on the ride alone crying - so I think we're limited to rides we can ride together. Is the water park section good for that age?

Also any recommendations for hotels nearby? Would prefer something with a kitchenette so we can eat at least breakfast in the room.

 

[Brook1099]

Absolutely, DW is a great place for little ones, u can go on all the rides w/ her. We have been going for 9 yrs now. My kids are 10 and 8, it is still fun.
Bring your beach bag filled w/ towels and sunscreen etc.(nothing VALUABLE, they have lockers for that stuff in needed) and grab a couple of chairs as soon as you get into the park, hang your towels over the chairs or you will not get any later in the day.Then head off to do the rides. The waterpark has a great section for her age.

We just got home back from Lancaster and had a great Memorial Day weekend there. Any other questions let me know, Lancaster isl ike our second home.

We mostly stay @ former Willow Valley Resort and Conference Center. Now it is Willow Valley Inn and a Double Tree Inn they split the resort up but you can share the indoor and out door pools. It is about 20 min. away.
Strasburg Inn about 15 min. away.
Amish View Inn.
There are so many and some very close to DW (main road rt 30) go to Pennsylavania Dutch.com
Rockvalle Outlet and Tangler on that highway as well.

 

[aprilfoolwed]

You will love Dutch Wonderland! We have done that park MANY times when we had little, little ones! There are many rides you can do together. And the little waterpark is tons of fun! The water is only about an inch deep in the majority of the park - perfect for little ones!

We only live an hour from DW, but we have stayed overnight several times (just made it easier). Our favorite place BY FAR was http://www.edenresort.com/

We got one of the 2 Queen 2-room suites, so we had plenty of space and privacy for us and our 3 kids (we used a pack-n-play for our youngest then). There was a microwave and fridge in the room, as well as a coffee maker and toaster (I think). We were very pleased. Nice indoor pool and a great outdoor pool & playground too!

And there is a Sheetz right next door, so it was super easy to run and get snacks and sandwiches. And it's very close to DW and the Lancaster attractions.

Have a great trip - I am bummed that my older kids are too old for DW now. I love that park!

 

[myhouseofmouse]

Yeah DW is sooo made for little kids, you will have a great time. I do not know about a hotel with a kitchen, we stay at the Days Inn in Hershey, it is very close to park, affordable and they have a nice continental breakfast there. Enjoy yourself

 

[Ava]

Thanks for all the hotel suggestions! Now we just have to decide if we're going to stay 1 or 2 nights - its hard to figure out what will be best for DD with her nap schedule - annoying that the park doesn't open until 10am! We'd only be there for a couple hours, then have to leave for lunch & nap. How do you all handle going to parks with a little one who still needs to nap? Do you think we should plan for 2 days at the park, since we'll only be able to go for a few hours each day (2 hours in the morning, then 2-3 hours between nap & bed time)? Or is 4-5 hours enough time to do everything a 14-month-old will be able to do?

Can you tell this is our first amusement park visit since having DD?

 

[npmommie]

We love DW, we go every summer
the kids love it,
I can second the suggestion for Willow Valley, we stayed there a few years back when we were in town for a wedding, it is very nice, and the indoor waterpark area is a lot of fun for the kids
( assuming they still have the waterpark area)