Best first giant waterslide park and rollercoaster near DC - for first time

[Anonymous]

My Aspie 7 year old has a birthday coming up on the 4th. He wants to go to a giant slide or rollercoaster nearby.

It is not really his first time on a large water slide as he enjoyed a 2+ story slide 18 months ago - but it was in the midwest at a family member's low key indoor sports club bubble. He went down about 20 times - until we said we had to leave (:

He has never been to an amusement park or a big water park. I am looking for a relatively low key but fun choice for one or both (separately I assume). I am guessing July 4th would be a terrible day given the projected heat and the holiday traffic etc.

Any suggestions for the following weekend would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

We went to one of the nvrpa water parks one year 4th of July and t was dead. The one out by centreville is fun fr that age.

[Anonymous]

If you are willing to go a bit further and stay overnight, Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, PA is great. It's about a 2 1/2 hour drive.

[Anonymous]

I would recommend the nova water parks. They are like 7 bucks, slides are just long enough to be exciting but not terrifying

I live in dc and we always enjoy driving out there twice a year or so

[Anonymous]

How much rollercoaster? Six Flags America is close. Dutch Wonderland is a bit young for 7, though so low-key it could be good for an aspie. For waterslides alone, Watermine or some county pools. We like Germantown Indoor Swim Center.

[Anonymous]

The Water Mine is smaller with 2-3 slides and a lazy river.

[Anonymous]

Hersheypark. Has a waterpark in it with admission and tons of coasters.

[Anonymous]

How tall?

[Anonymous]

How about Rollingcrest in Hyattsville?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Water Mine is smaller with 2-3 slides and a lazy river.

Agree but it’s hard to go there and not get stuck in a long entry line which might be terrible wth a dc wth HFA.

The NVRPA places in Sterling and centreville are very fun. There is also great waves in Alexandria-I wouldn’t do that one on 4th of July or a weekend though.

[Anonymous]

Of the NVRPA water parks we like Volcano Island the best. Go for the after 4 discount admission. If your son did the FCPL summer reading program there is coupon for free admission. We also love Great Waves but it does tend to very busy there.

[Anonymous]

For roller coasters, I am going to recommend saving up for Disney. They have a pass you can get for SN to wait in a more quiet spot for your turn and not stand in a big line. You still wait but just in another place. Check the DISboards under disAbilties for help in planning.

I looked at Busch Gardens website and it appears they have a similar program but I don’t have experience with it.
https://buschgardens.com/tampa/park-info/accessibility-guide/
Some discounts for BG: https://www.groupon.com/coupons/stores/buschgardens.com

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hersheypark. Has a waterpark in it with admission and tons of coasters.

Go to Hershey. They have a lot of water rides and it’s family oriented. If you need a place quiet place to rest get a cabana in the park.

http://www.hersheypark.com

http://www.hersheypark.com/rides/cabanas.php

Relax with family and friends in a luxurious cabana complete with complimentary soda, bottled water, towels, and more!

Hersheypark Cabana Benefits

All-day use of the cabana, equipped with refrigerator, table, four chairs, and two chaise lounge chairs
Beach towel at check-in for each guest
Beach bag and suntan lotion at check-in
12 complimentary water bottles per cabana
Walk-up service to exclusive Cabana Grill, offering a grill menu, including kids' meals* - View Cabana Grill Menu
Complimentary fountain soda at the Cabana Grill
Complimentary locker for use throughout the day next to the Beach Club Restrooms & Changing Rooms
Exclusive ride access to the Intercoastal Waterway (lazy river)
Cabana Capacity

May 26 - September 3

2018 rates starting at $275 (up to 4 guests).
Additional guests are $32 each (max of 7 guests per cabana).

Access to the Cabana Area is private and each guest requires a non-transferable wristband.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hersheypark. Has a waterpark in it with admission and tons of coasters.

Go to Hershey. They have a lot of water rides and it’s family oriented. If you need a place quiet place to rest get a cabana in the park.

http://www.hersheypark.com

http://www.hersheypark.com/rides/cabanas.php

Relax with family and friends in a luxurious cabana complete with complimentary soda, bottled water, towels, and more!

Hersheypark Cabana Benefits

All-day use of the cabana, equipped with refrigerator, table, four chairs, and two chaise lounge chairs
Beach towel at check-in for each guest
Beach bag and suntan lotion at check-in
12 complimentary water bottles per cabana
Walk-up service to exclusive Cabana Grill, offering a grill menu, including kids' meals* - View Cabana Grill Menu
Complimentary fountain soda at the Cabana Grill
Complimentary locker for use throughout the day next to the Beach Club Restrooms & Changing Rooms
Exclusive ride access to the Intercoastal Waterway (lazy river)
Cabana Capacity

May 26 - September 3

2018 rates starting at $275 (up to 4 guests).
Additional guests are $32 each (max of 7 guests per cabana).

Access to the Cabana Area is private and each guest requires a non-transferable wristband.

I’ve heard Hershey has some really great accessibility programs.

[Anonymous]

Another recommendation for NoVA water parks.