4monkeys
boys will be boys =)
Member since 9/05 7205 total posts
Name:
:)
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We're back from Hershey Park & Dutch Wonderland...and Crayola Factory!
So we just got back last nite from our little road trip mini-vacation... my quick reviews:
It was a perfect time of year to go (before school lets out!) and the weather was PERFECT, not too hot, hi 70's, low 80's most of the week. It was supposed to rain 3 of the 5 days but we lucked out and it only drizzled for 3 hours one day and it didnt affect us at all 
HERSHEY PARK
AWESOME as usual. My boys are 3 1/2 and 2, and me being 7 1/2 m preggo, of course we didnt get ALL that much out of the rides, but the rides they were able to go on, the cute shows, was all so worth it. Wasnt crowded at all, no lines. John Anthony loved the "big boy" rides which he went on with daddy: Log flume, bumper cars, etc. They have a decent amount of kiddie rides, the chocolate guys walk the parks for photo ops, very clean fun time!
The Zoo is also included, but we didnt bother since I didnt want to get tired walking through a zoo. We did go 2yrs ago, and really liked it.
The Chocolate factory was cute. I thought one little thing was silly. Theres a small "tour" in the beginning, where the kids put "Hershey FActory Workers" hats on, they "help" to pack the Hershey kisses into these colorful little boxes, to pack them for the factory, and ya think theyd give these salivating little toddlers ONE Hershey Kiss ??? Well my little Nicholas was one step ahead of them, he was already unwrapping it as they were putting his hat on   Thats what they get for abusing child labor laws
Of course after its over (no more than 5min!) they lead you into the Hershey store...hmmm, how smart of them...
DUTCH WONDERLAND
If you have toddlers, this park still takes the cake in my eyes. THey have a HUGE water section, sprinklers, slides, etc. If your kids are under 3, you might want to put on your bathing suit as well so you can walk through it with them or run to catch them if they go under a huge sprinkler section. But this alone was worth the trip! We went there over an hour first stop in the morning, and then close to 2 hours on the way out. They splashed, laughed, played with all the other kids there.
As far as rides, the park is TOTALLY geared to the toddler crowded. Every ride is for them! Very clean, courteous and friendly staff, cute shows!
At both parks, we saw shows where they were parts of the show, dressed up, etc. It was so much fun to watch (and videotape )
Both parks have a "free preview" the night before you go. So if you plan to go tomorrow, you can go tonite also, for the last 3 hours. DW (10-6) closes MUCh earlier than HErshey (10-10pm), so plan accordingly.
It was good to have this preview nite, because being 7m preggo, it was great to do a full day, half day, full day, half day.
Also, we switched hotels, 2 nites at each location, since DW is closer to home, saved us 30 miles driving home, and worked out perfectly that way.
CRAYOLA FACTORY
So I read good and bad reviews online. and I had to see for myself. THUMBS DOWN!!!!!
Please dont waste your money! Take $10pp and just go out to eat or something! IT was the biggest waste of time and money EVER. I was even more disappointed than I was with SEsame 2yrs ago. Luckily theres a Canal Museum in the same building thats also included, and it was more fun than Crayola.
Crayola, in my own words, was a few huge rooms with tables, papers, crayons, markers, clay and glue. Oh and a few HUGE colorful crayons, some activities here and there that you see at most childrens museums. But nothing worth remembering or writing home about.. MAybe the older crowd got more out of the activities, since most of the tables were set higher (for the 5 and up crowd) my boys could barely reach any chair or table and most of the activities were too time consuming for little guys. Oh well, Im glad it was on the way home, and we didnt stay too long..
Thats about it for now... Feel free to ask me any questions! All in all it was a great vacation, perfect weather and lots of fun for my little monkeys =)
I have tons of pics and will try to post some when I get a chance
Message edited 6/10/2006 3:00:12 PM.
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4monkeys
boys will be boys =)
Member since 9/05 7205 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: We're back from Hershey Park & Dutch Wonderland...and Crayola Factory!
To answer some questions:
Sam-yes one day is def enough, but if you happen to be there the day before for other things, def take advantage of the free "preview". Also know that if it rains, really pours and they close the park, you get a free tkt to go back. and its good for a year. Last time we went, we got it, and we never used it  and my BIL was smart enough to sell it on ebay, almost at the going rate of admission!
But one day is plenty! hopefully the lines are not terrible if you go on a weekend, but its really a small park, you'll love it !
Kathy- Hershey to Lancaster was about 30 miles or so, so maybe half hour?
I was looking for any hotel on that shopping strip where DW is. so I found the Lancaster Host Resort & Conference Center (not as hotsy totsy as it sounds ) the waterfalls and bright lights in the front are all for show but it was a nice decent place, cant complain. and we happened to be there in the midst of a middle school graduation, and they stayed 2 days about 100 15yr olds! they made my toddlers seem like angels But I will say the chaperones were all shushing them and on guard all evening...
I nicely complained about the noise and slamming of doors and got us all a free hot breakfast buffet I also got a really good deal on the rate, so it was fine.
and if your kids are just about 3 and can pass for "he'll be 3 next month"  I love dressing my boys alike (twin OCD I have ) so everyone constantly asking "are they twins" gave me a light bulb moment   yep "theyre under 3" shame on me 
but I did pay full price for my preggo tush to walk around and watch the kids and daddy enjoy themselves, so we're even 
Message edited 6/10/2006 9:05:52 PM.
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4monkeys
boys will be boys =)
Member since 9/05 7205 total posts
Name:
:)
|
Re: We're back from Hershey Park & Dutch Wonderland...and Crayola Factory!
Birth certificate????? I never heard of such a thing! at any park ! and its $25 for Hershey AND DW for ages 3 and up.
also, the "no snacks or beverages" thing is out the window too, I even asked around on preview nite if I could bring snacks for the kids on my next full day, and several employees were like "ahh, im sure you'll be fine " and I did bring plenty of snacks to keep them happy. and I didnt even hide them, as they checked my bag, there were my teddy grahams and sponge bob treats, and gummy bears, etc etc. lol.
I might have extra coupons if you need, but the combo pass was cheaper than our coupons (you can buy it at the parks, $59.99 per adult for both parks) where the reg price is $42 hershey and $30 DW).
Message edited 6/10/2006 9:21:21 PM.
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BTW, how long did it take you to drive from Hershey to Lancaster? 
)!
