Spinoff: Doing Dutch Wonderland in a day

We have been twice so we know the park. I lost my job so we are looking to cut costs wherever we can. Think we are crazy to drive there in the morning, do the park and drive right back home afterwards??

I figure we could be there by 10:30, do all the rides, then have lunch, then get changed to do the water area. Once we are done there, we would head home and stop for dinner on the way. My kids are almost 2.5 and 5. Am I nuts?

Re: Spinoff: Doing Dutch Wonderland in a day

I think it's a lot of driving for one day.
From where I live it takes almost 4 hours to get there.

I can't imagine doing that and then driving another 4 hours home the same day.

We usually do 2 nights , but one night in a hotel would be doable for sure. But for me personally, I wouldn't want to drive that much in one day with 2 kids.

Re: Spinoff: Doing Dutch Wonderland in a day

I also think I would try to stay over one night. I'm sure there are affordable hotels in the area.

If you're not dead set on Dutch Wonderland, I believe Sesame Place is a bit closer (although I don't know the exact difference, I've never been to Sesame). I know people who will do that trip in a day. People on LIF seem to hate Sesame but I've never heard anyone say this in real life and I know several people who go there.

Message edited 6/11/2014 10:40:39 AM.

Re: Spinoff: Doing Dutch Wonderland in a day

We wouldn't do a trip like that. We've gone to Dutch the past 4 years, and we've had the unfortunate displeasure of sitting in traffic in NY for an additional 2 hours, making it a 6 hour ride home.

We've gone to Sesame on the off-seasons (fall and Christmas) and it was a nice little park. We've done that in a day trip, although it's exhausting for the driver. We haven't gone in the summer though and used the pool area, and that's what I hear most people (on here) complain about. But I don't have any first-hand experience with that.

If you're not keen on Sesame, my kids can get just as much out of Adventureland as they can with Sesame as far as rides go. You could always take them there and spend the afternoon at a local beach or find a sprinkler park too. I live in the Town of Babylon, and there is so much to do as a family.

Re: Spinoff: Doing Dutch Wonderland in a day

I did it once. It was terrible!!! LOL

I will say that I went with DS he was about 18 months at the time and my parents. DS pooped through his diaper a good 3 times and my dad who had a worse heart condition than we thought could barely do the walking in the extreme heat. I was a mess and the only one who drove. I think even without the stress if we could have enjoyed the day more it would have been too much

It's totally doable but not too enjoyable IMO