Lancaster - best time to go

We are planning a one-night getaway with our 3 year old and 6 month old. We are just going to do Dutch wonderland, Strasburg railroad, and kitchen kettle village. Would you opt to go mid-week in August, or a Saturday/Sunday in early October (not a holiday itself, but it's rosh hashanah the mon/tues after)? any thoughts on crowd size and weather? Price differences seem negligible and we wouldn't be doing water activities either way. Tia!

Re: Lancaster - best time to go

I personally like summer- mid week- because you can get use of the water park at Dutch Wonderland which is a lot of fun for kids that age

Weather will be hot, but it's bearable. We just went and it was 86 degrees but you can cool off in the water park, indoor restaurants and shops and there is shade.

Crowds were fine mid week. We barely had to wait on a line. It's a small park with a small crowd so it's never packed during the week.

ETA_ just read you wouldn't be doing water activities.
Then it that case I don't think it matters much either way- and it's personal preference
I have never been there on a weekend (summer OR fall) so I can't speak to crowds on the weekends

Message edited 7/19/2016 5:10:38 PM.

Re: Lancaster - best time to go

Thanks! You make good points, maybe we will check out the water activities!

Re: Lancaster - best time to go

Lancaster - best time to go

October all the way. I hate heat!

Lancaster - best time to go

For the water activities at DW, should parents be suited up too? or is it just for the kids?

we're going in Aug, and want to make sure that if we need to be suited, we are...

Lancaster - best time to go

we've never been to DW on a weekend. any weekday, the crows are thin and if you can deal with the heat, its a fun time for all.
IMO, Kettle Village was a bust

Re: Lancaster - best time to go

Re: Lancaster - best time to go

Midweek definitely, a lot is closed on Sunday's in Lancaster eta: buggy ride out of kitchen kettle was great, much better than Aaron and Jessica's

Message edited 7/20/2016 9:12:51 AM.

Re: Lancaster - best time to go

I would go midweek, we went last year in the first week of September on a Tues and Wednesday, it was still hot and there were a lot less crowds.

Re: Lancaster - best time to go

Thanks everyone. We booked a wed-Thursday in August. Thursdays have discounted park tickets so it works out great!

Re: Lancaster - best time to go

you can do the preview for the last 3 hours the park is opened on the day before your actual tickets are for.... so in your case wednesday night