Dutch Wonderland

My husband and I had decided to take our kids to Dutch Wonderland after talking to several parents and reading positive reviews. And it was quite a hit!  We arrived just before they opened and were among the first to enter.  We went on a weekday so it was not terribly crowded and the kids rarely had to wait in line for the rides and could go on them repeatedly.

When I first pulled into the parking lot, I saw the castle and it was complete deja-vous.  I asked my mother if we had ever gone to DW and she told me we had!  It was kinda neat that some 25 years later, I could take my own children to the same place I had visited as a child!

At the entrance of the castle

Duke's Lagoon is a water play area with slides, sprays, water guns, etc.  The only thing missing was a wading pool!  Nonetheless, it was still great for the 90 degree weather.  We went to Duke's Lagoon as soon as we arrived at DW and it was nice because it was not crowded.  When we came back again in the afternoon to cool down, all the lawn chairs and tables were taken and it was super crowded. 

I was so proud of my son for attempting the water slide once!  When he came down, he ended up in a pool that submerged his face so he didn't like it and wouldn't attempt it again.   

L coming down the water slide

My 1 year old daughter was not nearly as comfortable in the water play area and I had to carry her most of the time.  I think the water shooting up randomly from the ground startled her.

 

My daughter was too short for most of the rides but they were perfect for my 3 years old.  He got to ride all his favorite vehicles including bumper cars, bull dozers, hand-cranked trains, and old fashioned cars.  There were some family rides that we could all enjoy together including the monorail and gondola ride.

We even played a few games and passed by some outdoor performances.  Even after only 5 hours there, we felt like we did everything we had wanted and the kids were ready to nap the entire 3 hour drive home.  It was a fun trip!