OT: weekend trip Storyland, NH or York Animal Kingdom, ME?

[Fall1]

DH and I are planning a weekend/mid-week trip for a couple nights as a test for how the kids will do in a hotel and just being away from home. We live in MA and are trying to decide which would be better for them, either Storyland, NH or York Animal Kingdom, ME.
The kids are 13 month old twins so I know they won't really 'get' either, but like I said, it's more of a trial for us and I want them to have a fun time.

Thanks!

 

[PollyannaMom]

I've heard both are good. At that age, I would probably expect they'd be more fascinated by the animals - but if NH is a lot shorter drive for you, I'm sure that would be great as well.

 

[imthatgirl]

we love storyland. im actually a bit bummed we wont be going this year.
but, at 13mo im not sure they will ahve too much fun there. its very hot this time of year and lots of walking and with the hills its not the easist place for a stroller.
when we went last year my youngest had just turned 2 and even that was hard. i think the only part he enjoyed was the water area where the water squirts from the boat. other than that he was just a crank.
oh wait no, he did like the flume ride. but there were some rides he couldnt even go on.
idk, i hate to sound so negative, i guess we just didnt ahve a great experience with such a young child there.

 

[leebee]

My family lives in York and I spent the first 20 summers of my life there, all summer long. IF the kids aren't going to get alot out of the trip either way, I'd go to Storyland. The traffic is OUTRAGEOUS in York in the summer, and if you are hoping to get to the beach, good luck. Also, my sis took her kids to York's Wild Kingdom last summer and said it's getting shabby; apparently the owners are looking to sell and are putting minimal cash into upkeep. DH, DD and I went to the White Mountains a couple of years ago for summer vacation. We did Storyland, but within about 20 mins drive you can also go up Mount Washington (by car or train) or ride the gondola up to the top of Wildcat Mountain (across the street from Mt.W). Once you are north of the outlets in North Conway the traffic is much better. Santa's Village is a LONG drive, but The Flume isn't too far away (and is stroller-friendly, at least partially). Storyland can be hot, for sure, but it's pretty hot in New England this summer anyhow right now it's 85 in Bangor!

 

[thegrimdwarf]

Go to Storyland!

Like a PP said, York traffic is INSANE, and the park itself has seen better days. Storyland, while dated, is incredibly charming and colorful enough to provide plenty of oooh's and aaaah's for your kids - plus their admission is free!

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Oh - and if you're looking for a nice, small zoo - Southwick's is Mendon is adorable.

 

[imthatgirl]

Go to Storyland!

Like a PP said, York traffic is INSANE, and the park itself has seen better days. Storyland, while dated, is incredibly charming and colorful enough to provide plenty of oooh's and aaaah's for your kids - plus their admission is free!

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Oh - and if you're looking for a nice, small zoo - Southwick's is Mendon is adorable.

love!! southwick zoo!!! nothing beats the deer petting area! we went last tuesday and the theres the drive in right by there, so we make an entire day of it!

 

[DisneyKT]

We love Storyland were going in August.* They have a small area with animals not alot though. Have a great time.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I'm going to be radical, and say go to Santa's Village! It's north of StoryLand, and half as crowded. It's really magical, and there are a ton of shows, rides, etc. Much less traffic than North Conway, and you get to drive through the mountains to get there!

StoryLand is great, we used to love it. When we discovered Santa's Village, we decided it was much better bang for our buck. They have live reindeer you can feed and pet! You can take pictures with Santa. You can ride the all-Rudolf carousel...just go to their website and check it out.

York is also fine, but in order I'd pick 1) Santa's Village 2) StoryLand 3) York

Have a wonderful time, whatever you choose!

 

[KSG'sDisneyMem]

Since your twins are only 13 month old I would vote for Storyland. My mom and I are taking the three grandchildren up for two days, mid-week, first week of August. It really is an adorble place. A great early introduction to nursery rhymes. They will love the swan boats, can meet Mother Goose, The Old Woman in the Shoe, Heidi's grandfather...and many more! We are staying at a nice little family run place in a little cottage. They do a campfire each night and also have a location on site called the Wolf Den which has toys/ books for all age groups of children. It is also a place you can hang out with your children if it is raining. You can "borrow" books/toys and just return them to the Wolf Den room before Check out. Many hotels/resorts within just a couple of miles of Storyland. Also, if you arrive at the park at 3:00 or later, you can get in the next day with that same ticket. This is what we plan to do as we will leave for naps on the second day. Good luck with your decision. I'm sure you will have a great time whatever you decide is best for your family.

 

[HolliePoppins]

One poster mentioned the traffic in North Conway. It can be very bad in the summer all the way through Conway Village & North Conway. If you decide on Storyland send me a pm and I will give you a bypass around all the traffic. If you do not already know about it.

I really like Storyland but havn't been in quite a while as we have 2 teens. I love Santas Village too. But, as you can see by my sig. we will have a new reason to go in a yr. or two

 

[tjmw2727]

Storyland in a heartbeat - we did both this summer and although York beach was great fun my kids didn't like the amusement/zoo at all and loved everything about North Conway.

ITA with my PP - use the bypass

TJ

 

[miprender]

I would go to North Conway. We love that place. My family has a vacation home in Lovell, Me and we always go into NH. We were just up there during 4th of July and there really were not any crowds. We went to Storyland and the only rides we waited on were for the Antique Cars and the Tractors. We took our DD5, DS2, & DS6mths and they all had fun, even the baby.

But like the other posted stated Santa's Village is great too. It's a little bit further north (about 45 minutes) but if it is a hot day Santa's Village is all in the shade. Plus your babies can meet Santa before the holiday rush!!!

 

[garmich]

I'm going to be radical, and say go to Santa's Village! It's north of StoryLand, and half as crowded. It's really magical, and there are a ton of shows, rides, etc. Much less traffic than North Conway, and you get to drive through the mountains to get there!

I agree! The Santa's Village in NH is the best Xmas theme park, that I've ever visited. The Xmas theming is excellent. We've been to other "Santa" villages. The one in VT hasn't been updated in 40 years. When we were there 6 years ago, the place was deserted, like a ghost town. We've also visited the "Santa's Village" in Barrie, Ontario (north of Toronto). That one was pretty good, but not nearly as good as the one in NH.

My kids have outgrown Storyland and Santa's Village. But, when they were young, we would go there every year on a weekend trip to Storyland and Santa's Village and we'd also enjoy the scenic White Mountains. On our last trip, we went up Mount Washington. We picked a perfect day. It was in the mid-60s on the summit and a clear day. The view was spectacular!

 

[prplcrzy]

I'm with the Santa's Village crowd! When my dd was younger we did both Santa's Village and Storyland in one weekend. Storyland was good, but I really loved Santa's Village. We have the cutest picture of my dd in a tank top and shorts sitting on Santa's lap!! Seeing we live in MA, this is not something that would even happen!

Nancy

 

[surfergirl602]

Every kid needs to go to story land and santa's village! We went overy summer when I was growing up. Memories...... YWAK is reaalllllllly falling apart. I hope that someone DOES buy it and fix it up!!!

 

[LovinPooh]

We went to York a couple years ago. We didnt go to York Beach. We went to long sands beach I believe it is???? That is absolutely beautiful. I love that beach. As far as the animal kingdom goes.... over priced and I agree, falling apart. While the zoo is really cool, the rides just dont seem safe. Nevermind the fact that there are parking meters right outside the park. I was irritated to go in and spend a ton of cash for my kids to go in the zoo and do the rides and to come out to a $10 parking ticket... Ugh!
For 13 month olds... definetly Storyland. Havent been there since I was a kid though. But from what I ahve heard, there is tons of things to do up north. DH wants to go up there, get a room at this place in Conway that is supposed to have themed rooms, and do Lost River and all the stuff up there. I just insist on FL every year, and I always get my way .

Sometime though... you should take an adult trip York for some romanc and avoid the zoo of course lol.

Hows Old Orchard in Maine? Havent been there in years either. Is that place falling apart as well?

 

[thegrimdwarf]

Hows Old Orchard in Maine? Havent been there in years either. Is that place falling apart as well?

Unfortunately, yes.

 

[LovinPooh]

thats too bad. OOB used to be great with the pier and everything. Kinda sad that people are letting these places fall apart.
We are going to Hampton in a few weeks for a show at the ballroom. We were going to get a room for the night up there. But have heard Hampton is a mess too.
sorry to go wayyyy off topic here

 

[dougsmom98]

We just went to Santa's Village last weekend and it was excellent. I think it is a great park for little ones. We have been 4 times since my oldest was two. Bring a camera, there are tons of places for pictures. Storyland is also excellent, you will also need a camera. We have been there three time and enjoy it a lot. I haven't been to York's Animal Kingdom since my oldest was 2, but it was pretty run down then.

For those asking about Old Orchard Beach, it has changed quite a bit. There are large condos across the street from Palace Playland, so the landscape is very different. We have been renting a vacation house in Old Orchard for the past 5 years and despite the changes, we still go down to the pier several times during the week but it isn't quite what it used to be even five years ago. My kids do have a blast at Palace Playland. On Mondays and Tuesdays, you can walk on the rides because the crowds are so low.

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

i vote for storyland. my dds are older now, we also really liked santa village. my sister and family had a package for storyland and i think the red roof inn, or some name like that. thier ad is always in the sunday paper. have fun.........my dd is pregnant with our 2nd grandchild and we ALL keep saying Maybe youwill have TWINS...........haha.........she loves hearing that. haha.we cant wait to take them to story land some day...........