Help me plan my DW & Hershey Park trip pleeeease

DS is turning 2 in August and I decided that instead of having a birthday party, we'd take him to Dutch Wonderland and possibly Hershey Park.

It's going to be me, my BF, DS, and my parents. We're looking at going next weekend (July 9th) just for 1 night. The plan is to drive up on Saturday and visit one park and then wake up Sunday and hit the other park on the way home.

First of all, is Hershey worth it for a 2 year old?

I'd like to stay at the Eden Resort since it has suites with 2 rooms. Should we do DW first or Hershey first?

Anyone know how expensive the cabanas are at both parks and if they're worth it or not?

Any other advice or tips? I've never done a trip like this with DS yet so I dont even know what to bring! And...DS does NOT nap in the stroller ever. Should we plan to go back to the hotel for naps??

Should we go with the umbrella stroller or the big stroller?

TIA!

Re: Help me plan my DW & Hershey Park trip pleeeease

I think it will be fun. My DD was just under 2 last summer and we took her to Sesame. This year we're doing DW and Hershey. I just pack a diaper bag each day with everything I need for the WHOLE day and I bring a little lunch bag cooler for water and snacks for her.

As far as sleeping, there was NO way on vacation I was sitting in the hotel while she napped (and my DD naps THREE hours a day religiously). She doesn't nap in the stroller normally either but I brought my Chicco with me, it's roomier and more comfy, and when she got tired enough throughout the day she would pass out for up to an hour or more and even if she wasn't sleeping, she would relax and let us push her around while she just chilled or had a snack.

Edit - If I remember correctly Hershey is pretty far, western PA, so if it were me I would probably do at least a Fri-Sun.......but that's just me. We're going from Wed - Sun when we go in July.

Message edited 6/29/2011 4:26:45 PM.

Re: Help me plan my DW & Hershey Park trip pleeeease

Posted by Hofstra26

I think it will be fun. My DD was just under 2 last summer and we took her to Sesame. This year we're doing DW and Hershey. I just pack a diaper bag each day with everything I need for the WHOLE day and I bring a little lunch bag cooler for water and snacks for her.

As far as sleeping, there was NO way on vacation I was sitting in the hotel while she napped (and my DD naps THREE hours a day religiously). She doesn't nap in the stroller normally either but I brought my Chicco with me, it's roomier and more comfy, and when she got tired enough throughout the day she would pass out for up to an hour or more and even if she wasn't sleeping, she would relax and let us push her around while she just chilled or had a snack.

Edit - If I remember correctly Hershey is pretty far, western PA, so if it were me I would probably do at least a Fri-Sun.......but that's just me. We're going from Wed - Sun when we go in July.

Re: Help me plan my DW & Hershey Park trip pleeeease

We just came from DW this past weekend. I don't think coolers were allowed in the park.

DW is great for kids that age, my DS is 2 1/2 and was able to go on a ton of rides (some by himself and some with an adult).

It was very cute and I would def take him back again. The weather wasn't so great so I have no info on the water park.

We stayed at the Doubletree Willowtree, very nice hotel and it had a nice water playground for DS.

Have fun!

Re: Help me plan my DW & Hershey Park trip pleeeease

Re: Help me plan my DW & Hershey Park trip pleeeease

We just came from DW earlier this week and stayed at Eden...LOVED IT! DH and i wanna go every year with DS and definitely staying there every single time!!!

As far as DW, we did the "dry" part of the park first and hit up all the rides and then ate lunch. They have a picnic area outside so I packed sandwiches, chips, and soda and we left the park to eat, changed DS into his swim gear in the car (I was already wearing my suit under my clothes) and then headed back in to do Duke's Lagoon. We spent a good part of the rest of the afternoon in there and he LOVED it! Then we changed and played some games and got some funnel cake. By then DS (20 months) was exhausted so we headed back to the hotel. We hit the pool the rest of the day/night and actually just ordered dinner from Garfields (their in house restaurant) and ate dinner poolside. It was great!

For me, DS would still be too young for Hershey especially since DH and I arent big on rides and such. So I would do Sesame on the way back if I were you. Its on the way back to NY so if you wanted to check out of the hotel right after breakfast then you could head straight to Sesame as soon as they open and then head home after. Without traffic its only about 2 hours away from LI.

As far as strollers, I have a Peg Perego P3 and its big and bulky but its roomy enough that DS was able to nap and rest when he got tired.

Re: Help me plan my DW & Hershey Park trip pleeeease

Hershey is AWESOME for a 2 year old, we went last year with my DS who was just over 2 and my nephew who was 18 months, we spent almost the ENTIRE day just on kiddie rides alone.

Re: Help me plan my DW & Hershey Park trip pleeeease

We just got back from this trip - went with DS (16 months) and my nephews (4 and 7). In my opinion, skip Hershey and just do Dutchwonderland. We also did Strasborg Rail museum and DS actually liked that too - a nice train ride and trains to look at and a play room.

We stayed at Eden and it was great! They have a spray park that just opened, its perfect for their age! Not sure on prices.

For naps, Ds was able to nap in stroller at Dutch but NOT at Hershey - too much going on. Will your DS nap in the car? Eden is very close to Dutch and Railroad, so short trip.

I'd take the umbrella stroller rather than the big one since napping isn't an issue. Have fun!

Re: Help me plan my DW & Hershey Park trip pleeeease

I literally just got back yesterday from Eden resort and did Hershy and Dutch Wonderland. It was awesome!!! Although I have to disagree with the people saying to skip Hershey - my DD is 19 months and LOVED it!! She had more fun there then DW actually. I wouldnt suggest doing it all in just one overnight though. We went Sunday and came home Wednesday (yesterday) and I felt like we rushed it a bit. We had two kids - my 19 month old and a friends DD who is 2 1/2. We were at Hershey from 10 to 9!! Then we tried to do DW the next day and they were really tired. I wish I would have left a day in between for "rest".

we rented cabannas at both places. For Hershey it was $265 but SOOOOO worth it! It included towels, a fridge full of water, cups with free refills of sodas and ice tea, its own little food cafe stand that delivers food to you AND your own private entrance to the lazy river and wave pool.

DW cabanna was $85 on weekdays (I believe it was $115 on weekends) and I thought that was NOT worth it. It didnt include anything - it was literally just a reserved spot with tables and chairs. We honestly barely used it.

Let me know it you have any other questions!

Re: Help me plan my DW & Hershey Park trip pleeeease

Re: Help me plan my DW & Hershey Park trip pleeeease

Re: Help me plan my DW & Hershey Park trip pleeeease

Posted by HomeIsWithU

Posted by Hofstra26

I think it will be fun. My DD was just under 2 last summer and we took her to Sesame. This year we're doing DW and Hershey. I just pack a diaper bag each day with everything I need for the WHOLE day and I bring a little lunch bag cooler for water and snacks for her.

As far as sleeping, there was NO way on vacation I was sitting in the hotel while she napped (and my DD naps THREE hours a day religiously). She doesn't nap in the stroller normally either but I brought my Chicco with me, it's roomier and more comfy, and when she got tired enough throughout the day she would pass out for up to an hour or more and even if she wasn't sleeping, she would relax and let us push her around while she just chilled or had a snack.

Edit - If I remember correctly Hershey is pretty far, western PA, so if it were me I would probably do at least a Fri-Sun.......but that's just me. We're going from Wed - Sun when we go in July.

Thanks so much for the response! How did your DD like Sesame? That was my original plan but from the threads on LIF it seems more people prefer DW.

Good idea about the cooler...I'm going to need to remember that one.

Re: Help me plan my DW & Hershey Park trip pleeeease

Posted by HomeIsWithU

Posted by Donna

We just came from DW this past weekend. I don't think coolers were allowed in the park.

DW is great for kids that age, my DS is 2 1/2 and was able to go on a ton of rides (some by himself and some with an adult).

It was very cute and I would def take him back again. The weather wasn't so great so I have no info on the water park.

We stayed at the Doubletree Willowtree, very nice hotel and it had a nice water playground for DS.

Have fun!

Hmm I'll have to look into the cooler then...would have been nice to have one.

I'm going to check out that hotel. Thanks for the recc.

I'm also contemplating a cabana. I dont know how much they are or if they're worth it

Message edited 6/30/2011 3:17:57 PM.