Dutch Wonderland - anyone have a negative experience?

We went to DW two weeks ago and I was so excited to take the kids since it seems that a lot of people take their kids there and they all love it.
Was I the only one very disappointed and not overly impressed by the place??

First of all, I paid the same amount to get into DW and Hershey (through a series of coupons/discounts, etc.) so therefore I thought the value for HP was much greater.

The first ride we went on was the boats right in the front of the park. The ride operator was a total idiot and looked like he had no clue on how to operate the ride. The water in the ride was a disgusting green color. As we stood in line to get to the ride, the awning over the ride looked like it was 20 years old. It was moldy, dirty, had bugs on it and overall very gross to stand near.

We went on the Gondola ride in the back of the park and again the water was a nasty green color that looked like crap! As we were on the ride around the waterway, the water surface was FULL of swarming flies. EWW!

After that, we went on the jumping frogs that had the little fishing boy decor on the top of the ride (in the middle part). There were massive cobwebs hanging from this decoration.

Do they not clean this park and maintain it a little better?

I was very disappointed and not impressed at all!

Message edited 8/8/2012 11:13:12 AM.

Re: Dutch Wonderland - anyone have a negative experience?

It's definitely an old park. I took a picture of my niece, mom and dad sitting next to the same fake Amish people in 2007 that I sat next to when I was probably 5!

Not much has been changed in 25 years, thats for sure!

I like it b/c its more sentimental to me, and thats why I would take my kids there.

Hershey Park is def bigger and nicer. DW I think is more geared to young kids.

Message edited 8/8/2012 11:21:25 AM.

Re: Dutch Wonderland - anyone have a negative experience?

DH doesn't like DW or Lancaster at all. He has somehow convinced me not to go back this year. We were supposed to go at the end of the month.

DS had a blast but he also had a blast at Pt Pleasant Beach. All he needs is a few kiddie rides. We already took the kids to Sesame and plan to go to Victoria Gardens at Central Park. I think that is enough rides for this summer.

Re: Dutch Wonderland - anyone have a negative experience?

Yes it is old and there are some outdated attrations but I was so excited to take DS there this summer. I was able to relive all of the fun I had as a child through the eyes of my own child. He had a blast and that's all the matters.

Re: Dutch Wonderland - anyone have a negative experience?

We were just there and I do have to say I was kinda disappointed but I didn't know if I was just being hot, pregnant and too picky. First off, I thought this was going to be a quaint little amusement park out in the country. Um, it's on the side of what is basically Sunrise Highway.

I was happier once we were actually inside the park but I did think it was sorta "Ehh" considering the 4 hour drive from LI. It was better than Adventureland but I don't know by how much. I think I might be spoiled because I grew up in an area that had some pretty nice, old fashioned type amusement parks so I had high expectations for DW. Still, I do think we'll probably go back in the future although I'd like to include Hershey next time.

Re: Dutch Wonderland - anyone have a negative experience?

I liked it and thought it was very clean, the food however was horrible. My husband actually got stopped by an employee doing a survey and told him exactly what we thought of the food. It's definetely not as big as HP but for little kids I think it is just right.

Re: Dutch Wonderland - anyone have a negative experience?

The park is older and run down in some areas. Duke's Lagoon is the worst. If it's mid-day and in direct sun, the slow boat ride is torture (and smelly).

Some of the characters/figures/display things are so outdated and crusty, it's almost comical. But my son does not notice these things. He has a blast on the rides, and since it's a smaller park, the lines are shorter, which is key for him (and us).

We have not gone to Hershey because of the price. We aren't going to pay $65 an adult just to go on a few kiddie rides. If we were able to get cheaper tickets, comparable to the price of DW, I could totally see why you would prefer that park over DW.

Part of why we like going to DW is because we stay at Eden Resorts, which is a nicer hotel. We don't drive all the way there just for DW. That one park is not worth it for a 4 (or 6 hours with traffic) drive for us. We go and relax at the pool, go to the park, play minigolf, visit the train museums, and basically make the best of our time there.

Re: Dutch Wonderland - anyone have a negative experience?

I 100% agree! I went this year after some rave reviews from LIF and personal friends. My DH and I would never go back.

Re: Dutch Wonderland - anyone have a negative experience?

We did it once, but wouldn't go back.

Dutch Wonderland - anyone have a negative experience?

I agree. Its a little outdated and the water grossed me out. But my DD had fun so that really all that mattered. I would be fine with it if the price was lowered. We do Hershey too and Eden Resort so the trip is worth it.
I will say that I had a huge fight with the people at the park bc my daugther hurt herself in Dukes Lagoon and NOBODY could get me a friggin band aid! Her cut was not that serious but deep enough that it needed to be cleaned and have a band aid on it. This was 12:30 in the afternoon so the park was opened for a good 2 1/2 hours and there was no one that was able to get it. After 20 minutes of all the 'managers' trying to figure out what to do - they finally directed me to a phone where I had to call their corporate office and request medical assistance!!! Seriously. So I do it bc they tell me that is what has to happen for them to get a mere band aid and 10 minutes later a EMS worker shows up. I felt so bad for the guy bc it obviously wasnt a big deal - but I didnt even know that was what they were going to do. So they had to call an EMS for a band aid in a kiddie park... Lesson learned - I now ALWAYS have a small medical kit on me but that experience really turned me off.

Re: Dutch Wonderland - anyone have a negative experience?

I thought I was the only one. We went last year and I isn't like it at all! Maybe it is because I go o Disney pretty often as my family is in FL but I was underwhelmed. It's funny because I actually prefer Sesame Place even though there are mixed reviews on that.

Dutch Wonderland - anyone have a negative experience?

I happen to like Dutch BUT we went when it was EXTREMELY age appropriate for DD We went when she was 1 yr and 2 yrs. But Im done with it now. It was cute in the beginning, we stayed at Eden and enjoyed the resort, but even DH refuses to go back to Dutch.
We love Hershey! We've done that now for 2 yrs as well. Cant compare the parks.

Re: Dutch Wonderland - anyone have a negative experience?

My kids really like the park, especially because my DD can go on the Kingdom Coaster (finally), and it's much more mild than the single Wooden one she can go on at HP (The Comet). I like that it's small and manageable, but yes the water is skeevy around the whole park! I think because it's just standing water, and it's not connected to a river or anything (I don't think?)

I do agree that HP is a MUCH better value, and overall much nicer!Especially when we only paid $29.99 for the tickets! It's just a huge park!

Re: Dutch Wonderland - anyone have a negative experience?

I actually really loved it for my DS (almost 3). It was perfect bc the lines were short and he was able to go on almost all of the rides.

A park like Hershey may be prettier and nicer but if my DS can't ride most of the rides, it's not worth it for us, no matter what the cost. Everything in due time, Hershey will come later for us.

Re: Dutch Wonderland - anyone have a negative experience?