For anyone who subscribed to find out more themselves -
We went yesterday, and had a great time! (It's not Disney, of course, but was fun for a quick day trip.) Here are my condensed tips:
Use your
AAA card! It's a discount not only for parking, but also for food and shopping.
Two Warnings - There are a lot of things that cost extra once you are in. And the maps are not great. We were a bit lost a first, but finally got the hang of it. (Except in the water park area. We thought there should have been posted maps there, with a list of height requirements.)
If you have a Scooby fan, and are there on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, go straigt to the Emporium when you get there, and you can buy tickets to "Sundaes with Scooby Doo." It's one of those affore-mentioned extras, but worth it. They set up in the BBQ place in Crack Axle Canyon, you make your own sundaes (Cold Stone Creamery ice cream!) and Scooby and Shaggy come around and take pics with each kid/family, and then play games with the kids.
There is a shortcut to the right of the main lockers into the backside of Crackaxle Canyon.
Places to eat that weren't crowded at what I thought would be peak times were the BBQ place in Crack Axle Canyon, and a place in the Loony Toons area whose entrance was on the backside, so not obvious from the main walkway.
There ARE roller coasters for the kids too little to ride the big name ones. The one in the Loony Toons area is the smallest (they can go on alone), then Catwoman's Whip in the Super Hero area is a step up from that (I did this one with DS, but there were some kids alone), then Pandemonium is a "family" coaster they can go on with you.
Our favorite rides:
Pandemonium - kind of the spinny format of Primieval Whirl at AK, but a lower height requirement. (It's gentler than it looks.) I loved this one!
The Skyway - DS loved being able to "see the whole park, Mommy!"
Batman - DH says he actually liked this better than Superman. He said it was more comfortable.
Bertie's Bus - DS isn't impressed by too many of the real "kiddie" rides anymore, but did list this one as a favorite.
The Houdini Illusion Ride - a bit of a hidden gem, tucked in the back of the Crack Axle Canyon area. It's a very neat trick!
On The Water Park:
Difficult to navigate, but some good stuff. We liked the family raft ride and especially the wave pool. - It is much smaller than Water Country's, so DS was able to be in the big waves at a shallower depth. He loved the freedom to stand next to us instead of being stuck in a float.
We (as parents) hated one of the children's areas - the island climbing structure thing with the big bucket that dumps - because it is impossible to see where your kids are. (DS of course, loved it, but we didn't let him go back in a second time.)
The "Lily Pad" crossing thing was neat. - DS loved it and it was fun to watch him.
Have to sign off now, but will add later if I think of anything.
