Question for DVC-ers from Indiana or Ohio

[noname70]

We will be driving through Indiana and Ohio in early June. I plan on taking the family for a one day visit to either Kings Island or Holiday World. I can't decide on which one. I've read some info. online, however, I'd rather have a DVC-ers input on this. Any and all info. would be great - thanks.

 

[figmentfan0724]

kings island...hands down!

 

[GopherHockey]

Cedar Point is also a great park. It has 17 roller coasters and lots of other activities. Holiday World has the Voyage-#1 wooden coaster in the world. Both parks are great and you can't go wrong going to either one.

 

[mgroshans]

there is also great america on the north side of chicago, if you are going near there. if we had to choose, it would be cedar point like someone else mentioned above. it all depends where you will be in indiana and ohio.

 

[dizfanz]

Funny you should ask today. Check out this link from the Indianapolis Star:

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090409/NEWS/904090447

Holiday World will be family friendly, cheaper and cleaner from what I hear. Kings Island has better thrill rides.

 

[stopher1]

We enjoy both. Either would be a fun experience.

Kings Island is more convenient and keeps you on the main roads more, but Holiday World is a bit cheaper when everything is factored together.

 

[ADP]

I think both Kings Island and Holiday World are wonderful parks. Cedar Point is over the top as well.

If I had to choose 1 I'd go with Kings Island only because it is more convenient. Also, there are other things to do around the park. If you choose to spend a night in the area may I suggest the Great Wolf Lodge which is right next door to Kings Island. They have a great indoor water park. It's a great resort.
www.greatwolflodge.com.

Kings Island website.
www.pki.com

 

[hockeyprincess]

Another vote for Cedar Point if it's possible.

Kings Island is next... never heard of the other one, so wondering if that should tell me something?

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Scott]

It depends on what kind of experience you are looking for. Kings Island has more modern thrill rides and is much bigger with more options. Holiday World is a relic of days gone by, a genuine slice of Americana. Three fantastic wooden roller coasters are the main draw, as are the low prices (as a disney person you will be shocked by the price of food in the park and drinks are free). It is a family run business and they pride themselves on keeping the park clean. As for convenience, it is only a few miles from I-64, so if that is your route it is quite easy to get to.
Enjoy
Scott

 

[Caskbill]

King's Island is a major theme park, along the lines of a Disney, Universal, Busch Gardens, Six-Flags, Great America, etc. type of park. It's similar to it's sister park, "Kings Dominion" in Virginia, if you've ever been there.

Holiday World is a nice park but considerably smaller. It's located in Santa Claus, Indiana. I'd put it more along the lines of a "Dolly World" type park (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee) or maybe a "Silver Dollar City" type park (Branson, Missouri), or "Worlds of Fun" (Kansas City), but smaller than any of those three.

Both King's Island and Holiday World have associated Water Park areas as part of the theme park (no separate admission required), but King's Island is the larger one.

If you won't have a full day to spend, then Holiday World is cheaper and you can do the whole park fairly quickly. The roller coasters are nice but older and shorter. Nothing like King's Island which has the #1 rated wooden roller coaster in the country ("The Beast").

As others have mentioned, Cedar Point is also a great park, but it's not clear where you'll be coming from, so Cedar Point could be out of your way.

One thing unique about Holiday World is they have unlimited free beverages. (soft drinks, lemonade, ice tea, coffee) There are stations around the park. Just go in, get a paper glass and self-serve. In the water park area, they have free self-serve sunscreen lotion.

I assume you've gone on-line and checked out both park's websites. (www.visitkingsisland.com and www.holidayworld.com)

Hope this helps

 

[noname70]

Our trek takes us more south so Cedar point (the greatest coaster park in my opinion) will be out of the way for us. My family includes two small girls (age
3 and 5) if that makes any difference in the decision.
Thanks so much to all

 

[Jenny-momof3]

We have season passes to Kings Island as well as Cedar Point.... and Disney.. and the Children's museum... and the aquarium... and

Kings Island would be GREAT for our family! Plenty of things to do for the little girls. Very nice children's area. Also a nice children's area in the waterpark as well.

Not sure if you're planning on spending several days in the Cincinnati area or not. If so... may I also recommend the Newport Aquarium... about 20 minutes from Kings Island. We love to go the aquarium and then see a Cincinnati Reds game.

You can get tickets online for Kings Island at a discount.

 

[Disneypirate85]

With the smaller kids I would go to Holiday World, Its very clean free drinks Pepsi products, and sun block, the water park is great...Enjoy...

 

[jbdisneymom13]

I have to recommend Cedar Point if there's any way you can spare the time to get there. If you are Disney fans, you will be much more impressed with Cedar Point. The park has the closest to Disney feel of any amusement park we've been to other than a Disney park. Nothing tops Disney but for the Midwest you can't beat Cedar Point - best assortment of rides for the entire family too! Have fun wherever you end up!!

 

[mic_KY_mouses]

There are some good replies here, but I wanted to add something. If your family likes water park fun you might enjoy Holiday World better. It has been on the travel channel as one of the top ten water parks in the U.S. We have visited the water park at King's Island and thought Holiday World was much better.

The last time we were at Holiday World/Spashin' Safari the owner was cleaning up trash during the middle of the day. We recognized her from the TV spots they do. We thanked her for keeping the park a family friendly place and talked about their growing business. The free softdrink promo has brought in lots and lots of business for them. Every year they are able to add to the ride and water ride attractions from their profit. They don't allow the behaviors and clothing statements so common at large theme parks. It is a family oriented park.

There is very little to do other than the park in Santa Claus, so if eating and lodging choices are important you might want to stay in one of the larger communities in the vicinity, like Louisville or Evansville (depending on your route).

 

[noname70]

There is very little to do other than the park in Santa Claus, so if eating and lodging choices are important you might want to stay in one of the larger communities in the vicinity, like Louisville or Evansville (depending on your route).

I was hoping to find a Sheraton near one of the two parks because I have some Starwood Points that I could use. Thanks again to all.

 

[fijidoc]

my recomendation would be Holiday World due to the ages of your children. If you had older kids who were into roller coasters and other thrill rides then probably King's Island.

Holiday world would be perfect for your kids. Very compact place so don't have to walk nearly as much. Much, Much Cheaper. You get a pass for both holiday world and splashin safari for the price of entry to king's island alone.

The park is great and the water park is far superior to the the one at King's Island. Overall Splashin Safari rated in the top 3 water parks in the entire country.

There are of course thrill rides at Holiday world for the parents to enjoy if you like.

Also the wait in lines will be far less at Holiday World when compared to King's Island.

I personally think it is an easy choice for your family demographic.

 

[Twinprincesses]

Not sure if it will still be going on but HOliday World sometime has where you bring 2 cans of food per person and they will give you a $5 food voucher per person. Plus holiday world gives you free soda all day.

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

With the exception of the Snoopy area at Cedar Point, there is not much that children your age can do there. But, boy are they going to love it when they are bigger!!!
-mary

 

[Eliza'sMom]

I vote Kings Island, though I'm biased -- DH and I both worked there in rides through high school/college. In fact, it's where we met. Now we have season passes.

Kings Island's children's area routinely wins the award for Best Kids' Area from Amusement Today Magazine, so it is a fabulous place for kids. There is also plenty to do for adults. Don't miss The Beast! And try a scoop of Graeter's ice cream while you're there too, there's a Graeter's in the park.