Insider's guide to theme parks
By NANCY POSTER for Smart
The anticipation can be heard in Roger Baumgarten’s voice.
The 47-year-old Mechanicsburg father of two boys can’t wait to board Fahrenheit, the roller coaster set to debut at Hersheypark this season.
Baumgarten knows coasters. And he knows amusement parks. He’s been a season pass holder at Hersheypark for about 10 years.
So when it comes to giving advice to first-time or even occasional park visitors, Baumgarten is a pro.
TIPS:
• Head to the back. When he goes to Hersheypark with his 10- and 12-year-old sons, they make a beeline for Lightning Racer, one of the park’s 11 coasters, which is closer to the back.
“Our sense is that people tend to go to the (rides) up front,” said Baumgarten, adding the “back corners take a while to fill up.”
• Get there late. The Baumgartens often visit Hersheypark during the evenings when it’s cooler and possible to ride a coaster, get back in line, and make a second trip.
“It’s a great time to be there,” he said.
Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster offers a discounted Twilight Pass three hours before closing, when crowds are thinning and temperatures cooling.
A similar Twilight Admission plan is available at Sesame Place for guests who enter after 2 p.m. when the park is open until 5 and 6 p.m., or after 4 p.m. when the park is open until 8 p.m.
• Prioritize. Another key to a great park experience for young children is to prioritize, advises Rhonda Clements, a past president of the American Association for the Child’s Right to Play and professor of education at Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y.
Speaking on behalf of Sesame Place in Langhorne, which is based on “Sesame Street,” Clements said parents should choose priorities, just in case there isn’t time in one day to do it all.
• Pack supplies. If there’s a threat of rain, bring rain gear.
Sesame Place urges guests who plan to take in the water rides first to wear bathing suits under clothing and bring a second outfit for later. Remember to pack water shoes, towels, a change of clothes and even two bathing suits.
Baumgarten suggests those people who wear glasses should bring straps to secure their spectacles so they won’t lose them on the more aggressive thrill rides.
And don’t forget a camera.
• Plan ahead. Many theme parks have Web sites that detail events going on at the park and offer maps to download.
• Find out special offers. Dutch Wonderland offers a preview plan, in which guests can buy a full-price ticket for the next day three hours prior to closing and then enter the park for free.
Hersheypark’s similar plan kicks in 2 ½ hours prior to the park’s closing.
With the ticket stamped “preview,” guests can spend the rest of the evening “getting the lay of the land” and planning the next day’s visit, said Jay Robertson, Hersheypark’s director of safety and security.
• Remember safety. Plans for a day at the park go beyond the rides and shows.
If families decide to divide and conquer the park, be sure to pick a meeting place. And make sure everyone is carrying a watch. Whenever possible, older children and adults should carry a cell phone. Two-way radios are an option for younger children.
If that’s not possible, tuck a piece of paper with your cell phone number in your child’s pocket, Robertson said. That should quickly aid in connecting parents with lost kids.
Hersheypark’s water park attraction, the Boardwalk, gives children a wristband on which is written parents’ cell phone numbers.
At Dutch Wonderland, officials suggest riding the Kingdom Coaster before the day’s largest meal. While all the park’s rides are rated mild, small tummies can get queasy on the bigger rides.
And while there are shady spots in most amusement parks, it’s a good idea to pack sunscreen. Don’t ruin the day with a sunburn. And stay hydrated by drinking lots of water.
• Plan for downtime. Even Hersheypark happy kids get grumpy — and so do their folks. Take a break from the rides by checking out other attractions, such as ZooAmerica, the Hershey Museum or Hershey’s Chocolate World.
At Sesame Place, take in a show in an air-conditioned studio, check out the Rock Around the Block Parade as it travels through the park, or burn energy in the shaded playground area.
At Dutch Wonderland, catch the diving show or the park’s new live entertainment show, Thomas & Friends Live.
Dutch Wonderland • Where: 2249 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster • For details: (866) 386-FUNatDW, www.dutchwonderland.com • Admission plans: $29.95 for ages 3-59; $24.95 for ages 60-69; $17.95 for 70 and older; free for ages 2 and under; $95 season pass for ages 3-59, $80 season pass for ages 60 and older. • New in 2008: Thomas & Friends Live at Dutch Wonderland; Beyond the Castle Walls, a storytelling show based on the children’s book; and renovated Duke’s Lagoon water play area.Hersheypark
• Where: 100 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey
• Phone: (800) HERSHEY
• On the Web: www.hersheypark.com
• Admission plans: $47.95 for ages 9-54, $28.95 for ages 3 to 8 and ages 55-69, $19.95 for ages 70 and older, free for ages 2 and younger; $125 season pass for ages 3-8 and 55 and older; $135 season pass for ages 9 to 54
• New in 2008: Roller coaster Fahrenheit and Howler, a ride that allows riders to spin their cars to create their own ride experience.Sesame Place
• Where: 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne
• Phone: (866) GO-4-ELMO
• On the Web: www.sesameplace.com
• Admission plans: $47.50 for ages 2 to 55, $42.50 for ages 55 and older, free for ages 23 months and younger; Season pass: $74.50
• New in 2008: The Sunny Day Carousel
Comments (0)
