Our twins did not age out of DW until about age 8. We went from about 4-8 years of age. The reason that they didn't age out was that there were always things that they wanted to do when younger than they couldn't do until they were older, like some of the rollercoasters. With the Lagoon water park, they always loved going there.

Some tips:

You can find discounts for the tickets on-line. Buy them ahead and get the discount. Then go the evening before and stay over. With DW tickets, you can go for the last 2 hours or so the night before as a "preview" and it's a good way to get a little more bang for your buck. We would do some rides and especially later in the season, when it gets dark a little earlier (like mid-to-late August), my kids loved to ride things at dusk when the lights went on the rides. So we would go in the afternoon, get an earlyish dinner and then head to the park for the last two hours. Go and check into our hotel or airBnB and then in the morning pack up the car and get breakfast off-site before hitting the park when it opened.

We usually planned to do the water park (Duke's Lagoon) around 3-5pm in the afternoon, give or take. It was the hottest part of the day and the best time for water fun. So we usually planned around that. This also gave us a way to get the best deal on parking. If you park in the close in spots nearest the gate, it is double (used to be $10 instead of $5). But after 5pm, it is free to parking anywhere in the lot. So, when we came in for the preview 2 hours the night before, the gates were up and parking was free. On the full day, we would park in the cheap $5 spots. Then when we were ready for the water park, my wife would take the kids to the stand by the entrance and would get them ice cream, while I walked out to the car and grabbed the bag with our water clothes. I'd get back around the time they were finishing their ice cream and we'd head to the park. After we played in the water park, my wife would take them on a ride, like the train by the entrance or some other rides near the entrance and I would walk back out to the car, dump the water clothes and then drive the car over and park it right by the entrance. There would be plenty of spots because the people with younger kids who paid for the $10 parking were gone. I could usually park within about 20 ft of the entrance. Then go back in. When we were done for the night, the car would be close to the entrance.

DW for sure! HP is geared towards all ages, while your kid should be able to do everything at DW. It's a great park for that age. We only did the water park for an hour when we went- plenty of time for the other rides and shows.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think they will have fun at both. I like Hershey better (I like that there is a zoo) but both have water parks. Dutch wonderland had the scariest ride I have ever been on. They have some boat ride (you just ride around on a boat). Anyway there is a tunnel and the whole entire thing was infested with spiders. Terrifying lol.

OP here. Unfortunately, we won't be able to take advantage of the water parks unless we go after Memorial Day weekend. I am wondering if it is worth waiting 2 weeks to go. I am also not sure how much we can get done for a day trip.

We always manage to hit up the water parks, but my kids (since they have been itty bitty) have always been open to close amusement park kids (I typically have to drag them home ). I don't think it is necessary to postpone your trip just for the water park, the weather might be cool then anyway.

Anonymous wrote:I think they will have fun at both. I like Hershey better (I like that there is a zoo) but both have water parks. Dutch wonderland had the scariest ride I have ever been on. They have some boat ride (you just ride around on a boat). Anyway there is a tunnel and the whole entire thing was infested with spiders. Terrifying lol.

OP here. Unfortunately, we won't be able to take advantage of the water parks unless we go after Memorial Day weekend. I am wondering if it is worth waiting 2 weeks to go. I am also not sure how much we can get done for a day trip.

Both are perfect ages for Dutch Wonderland.

OP here. Thank you so much! My 6 year old have not been to amusement parks except for Idlewild, and I think she would enjoy either Dutch Wonderland or Hersheypark. We will definitely check out DW.

Go to Dutch Wonderland because they will outgrow it in a few short years. They will never be too old to go to Hershey.

For discounts, sign up for the DW emails. We got discounted tickets through AAA one year, but haven't seen that in a couple years.

We haven't been to Hershey Park but 4 is the perfect age for Dutch Wonderland and I think your 6 year old would still like it too. It really caters to younger kids so much older than 6 it won't be fun, but I think you're still in the sweet spot.

re discounts, the only one I know of is for Dutch Wonderland you can get in for a few hours the night before for free when you buy your ticket for the next day. Or at least that was the case 5-6 years ago.

I think they will have fun at both. I like Hershey better (I like that there is a zoo) but both have water parks. Dutch wonderland had the scariest ride I have ever been on. They have some boat ride (you just ride around on a boat). Anyway there is a tunnel and the whole entire thing was infested with spiders. Terrifying lol.

Dutch Wonderland. It's perfect for those ages, and very manageable to get around. We go every year, and my now-9yo is finally aging out of it. They built a couple new roller coasters/older rides that kept her interested so I could still take her younger sibling. This summer we'll hit HersheyPark instead, but for you, Dutch Wonderland, hands down. Your 4yo will be able to ride a ton of rides.

I'd say that those are good ages for Dutch Wonderland. They'll be able to go on most of the rides there and won't have to compete with the teenage crowd. We just go back from Hershey (ages 4 & 7) and it seemed really crowded and several things were closed.

sorry, 4, not 4th

4th would be a great age for dutch wonderland. even by 6, they may be aging out of it.

We have not been to either parks and plan to take my son there for his 4th bday in mid May. We also have an older child who is 6. Any feedback on which would make be more fun?

Also, I'd appreciate if there are any suggestions or advice on how to get discounted tickets. Thank you!