vrf19977 Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 With more and more parks going into the "young adult thrill ride" mode, and pretty much ignoring everyone else, it's getting harder to find a park that's really fit for the whole family, and still has a good variety of rides. With a 10 year old son, one of my favorite things in the world is visiting a good amusement park and sharing a few shrieks and laughs on the rides with him, without scaring the crap out of him or having my spine ripped out. So tell me, TPR experts. If you had to recommend one (or two!) FAMILY parks, with a good assortment of non-face-squashing rides, what would your choice be? I live in Delaware, so I'm limited to the following states: Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Parks I've been to: Hersheypark, Dorney Park, Knoebels, Six Flags (GAdv and GAm), Dutch Wonderland, Busch Gardens (VA). Favorites so far are Dutch Wonderland and Knoebels! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jynx242 Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 You alot of the parks you've been to seem to fit the bill perfectly. Knoebels, Hershey and Dorney seem to be the most "family" friendly as opposed to THRILL PARK or KIDDIELAND type parks. Are you looking for something else - like a park you have not visited, or are you wanting opinions regarding the ones that you have listed? David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vrf19977 Posted May 9, 2011 Author Share Posted May 9, 2011 You alot of the parks you've been to seem to fit the bill perfectly. Knoebels, Hershey and Dorney seem to be the most "family" friendly as opposed to THRILL PARK or KIDDIELAND type parks. Are you looking for something else - like a park you have not visited, or are you wanting opinions regarding the ones that you have listed? David Hey David! Yeah, Knoebels is really hard to beat as far as just plain ol' fun rides and relaxed family atmosphere. I'm mainly interested in parks that I haven't been to yet though, but feel free to comment on any park if you loved it! ~Vicky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpengeistfan1 Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 Dutch Wonderland? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hercules Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 ^ She has been to Dutch Wonderland. Depending on how far north in New York you want to go, The Great Escape in Lake George might fit the bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 Idlewild, Kennywood, Morey Piers, Great Escape all fit your description for parks you haven't been to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpengeist04 Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 I have to say it doesn't get much better than Knoebels and Hershey. A near perfect one-two punch for the whole family. I'm also a big fan of Kennywood and Morey's. There's definitely a good number to choose from in the northeast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vrf19977 Posted May 9, 2011 Author Share Posted May 9, 2011 Can you guys explain WHY you like those parks? Pro's and con's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 Can you guys explain WHY you like those parks? Pro's and con's? The four parks I suggested have fun coasters that are not extremely tall (except for Phantom's Revenge at Kennywood). They also all have family friendly atmospheres. Kennywood and Morey Piers have extensive flat ride packages. Idlewild with less flat has some interesting ones. Hope that helps. Kennywood and Morey Piers also have tasty food options. Add'l info can be found in TPR's Park Index http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/ You might find the Park Guides and Park Notes handy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vrf19977 Posted May 9, 2011 Author Share Posted May 9, 2011 Can you guys explain WHY you like those parks? Pro's and con's? The four parks I suggested have fun coasters that are not extremely tall (except for Phantom's Revenge at Kennywood). They also all have family friendly atmospheres. Kennywood and Morey Piers have extensive flat ride packages. Idlewild with less flat has some interesting ones. Hope that helps. Kennywood and Morey Piers also have tasty food options. Add'l info can be found in TPR's Park Index http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/ You might find the Park Guides and Park Notes handy. Thanks for the suggestions, Larry! People in central/western PA really have it made, I tell ya. All of those parks (Great Escape, Kennywood, Idlewild) all look great!! Looks like Idlewild is the closest, then Kennywood. If only I didn't have to drive 5-6 hours to get there! Even Knoebels is almost 4 hours away. I need to move lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esvadj Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 I really enjoy Dutch Wonderland, I plan on spending a day there in route to Hershey for this year's East Coast Bash. I haven't been to Knobels yet, but it is also on the itinerary this year. Have you tried Trimper's Rides at the boardwalk at Ocean City, MD? They have a great variety of rides. My kids love it. They have two great walk through fun houses, a ton of "carnival type" rides, and even a Vekoma Boomerang coaster. There is a Ripley's Museum within walking distance, as well as some great arcades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vrf19977 Posted May 9, 2011 Author Share Posted May 9, 2011 I really enjoy Dutch Wonderland, I plan on spending a day there in route to Hershey for this year's East Coast Bash. I haven't been to Knobels yet, but it is also on the itinerary this year. Have you tried Trimper's Rides at the boardwalk at Ocean City, MD? They have a great variety of rides. My kids love it. They have two great walk through fun houses, a ton of "carnival type" rides, and even a Vekoma Boomerang coaster. There is a Ripley's Museum within walking distance, as well as some great arcades. My son and I have gone to DW a bazillion times, and for good reason! It's close to us, it's a beautiful park, and it has a great mix of tiny-tot rides and big-kid/family rides (I could ride the Kingdom Coaster all day!). Trimper's? Never heard of that one...I'm not a fan of boardwalk/beach parks because they tend to be super-crowded, and obviously lack shade/trees. I hate being hot, so shady parks are a must! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esvadj Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 My son and I have gone to DW a bazillion times, and for good reason! It's close to us, it's a beautiful park, and it has a great mix of tiny-tot rides and big-kid/family rides (I could ride the Kingdom Coaster all day!). Trimper's? Never heard of that one...I'm not a fan of boardwalk/beach parks because they tend to be super-crowded, and obviously lack shade/trees. I hate being hot, so shady parks are a must! I have only been to Dutch Wonderland twice, but both times have been great. We actually camped at Old Mill Stream right next door, so we could walk over and bring the little ones back for naps. I mentioned my love for Kingdom Coaster in another thread, saying it was one of my top 5's. Late in the day when the park clears out you can stay on Kingdom Coaster for ride after ride after ride.. Crowds have never been a problem for me at Trimpers. We normally go early in the day and the park is normally empty. I call it park, but its really just a bunch of rides spread out over a big area. It does get hot, but you could always go early in the Spring or Fall when its cooler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 Hearing the added information that you like shade, I would also go with Larry's suggestions. Making a Kennywood/Idlewild weekend would be a lot of fun for your family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vrf19977 Posted May 9, 2011 Author Share Posted May 9, 2011 Hearing the added information that you like shade, I would also go with Larry's suggestions. Making a Kennywood/Idlewild weekend would be a lot of fun for your family. True! I'll have to see how far apart the parks are... ...and if all else fails, you cannot go wrong with a return trip to Knoebels Thanks for the input everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddie200330 Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 While in the area, check out Lakemont and DelGrosso's. They are only 10 minutes apart from each other, and within an hour or so of Idlewild. They both are free admission and also offer really cheap pop bands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarienLaker Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 I think Martin's Fantasy Island in Grand Island, NY is the best "family" park they have a decent selection of rides for everyone including the one and only Sliver Comet roller coaster also they have a petting zoo, a train, ,a small water park area with a wave pool, a lazy river, a kiddie pool with a dinosaur slide in it, a ProSlide kiddie racing slide, a ProSlide CannonBowl, and two mat water slides, a mini golf course, and brand freaking new for 2011 a Loop Fighter ride called Mind Warp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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