Another Dutch Wonderland question

Hi all-- im thinking of taking a trip to Dutch Wonderland next week with my DH and DC who just turned 2. Should we stay 1 or 2 nights? Any recommendations for things to do, places to eat? Also, did you drive up and go straight to the park, or drive up the day before?

Re: Another Dutch Wonderland question

We do 2 nights- only because it's a long drive.
We drive up, check in, hit the pool/spray area at Eden where we stay. Relax, have lunch at the pool, etc
Then go out to dinner

Next day we have breakfast and hit DW at opening.
Spend the whole day there.

Then back to the hotel for pool if time allows and go out to a nice dinner.

The next morning we have breakfast and check out, head home.

It's more relaxing and less rushed that way.


As far as restaurants, the best I have found up there is the Lancaster Brewing Company. It was DELICIOUS!

Message edited 8/18/2015 11:53:50 AM.

Re: Another Dutch Wonderland question

Re: Another Dutch Wonderland question

We did 2 nights.

Day 1 hung out at the pool had dinner
Day 2 - Dutch Wonderland
Day 3 - pool. checkout and then went to Cherry Hill Crest Farm

Another Dutch Wonderland question

We just came back. If you are buying a regular day ticket, you can go the night before for a "Preview" and enjoy the park the last three hours of the day.
I would do 2 nights. There is so much to do in Lancaster - Shopping (DW is right across the street from 2 outlets), Amish farms, buggy rides, Turkey Hill Experience, Herrs Factory, Hershey Park (even for just Chocolate World). Have fun!

Re: Another Dutch Wonderland question

Re: Another Dutch Wonderland question

I would definitely stay 2 nights if you can. We always did 3 nights. We have so much fun when we do a dutch/hershey weekend.


One check in day, we usually just grab lunch and go to the pool.
We will spend a full day (open-close) at the park the following day & just eat at the park.

For breakfast, I love Oregon Dairy Restaurant. Certain breakfast combos come with a donut & milk so the kids love that. They have a few animals you can see outside and an outdoor wooden playset.

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant for dinner. We only went here once but it was really good. My kids had the pizza, because that is all they eat, & it was delicious. DH & I had some sort of burgers & I could have eaten a second it was so good.

We did Please Touch when we went to philly zoo a few years ago & it was really fun.

Re: Another Dutch Wonderland question

I would stay 2/3 nights. Arrival day would be settling in, maybe some pool time followed by dinner. Next day DW for the day (with a break if needed) then dinner, breakfast/checkout the next morning. If you have a 3rd night I'd do a pool/shopping day.

I've never done the Philly stuff but I would probably skip it for that age, besides I'm sure you'll want to hang at the pool instead.

Re: Another Dutch Wonderland question

We went to Sesame Place 1 day and stayed in the area overnight. The next day, we drove to Philadelphia and went to the Please Touch Museum. We headed up to Lancaster later that afternoon and spent a few days there. There are plenty of kid friendly things to do so I'd stay 2 nights. I agree with Lancaster Brewing Company. If you like the big Amish smorgasbords, Millers and Shady Maple are both good.

Re: Another Dutch Wonderland question

We did 3 nights. Checked in and hung out at the pool first day

Second day went to Dutch,actually left for a couple
Hours and went back to Dutch with the hand stamp

Slept over again,checked out and drove tom sesame for the day,then drove home

Another Dutch Wonderland question

Hands on House is a fun kid friendly museum (more of a play space with a bunch of pretend play areas). There is also the Lancaster Science Center (haven't been there). We only spent one night this past week since we were going to Hershey. We stayed at the Marriott Fairfield Inn since I had points and I couldn't argue with free. It's updated, modern, outdoor pool, free breakfast. The Fulton Steamboat received good reviews though, and of course Eden which is great, but sold out a lot! We have also stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott which is good.