Busch Gardens Williamsburg. No question.

Idlewild park. Tame rides plus a water park. Shady setting.

Hersheypark is our favorite. Good selection of rides for all ages. Associated water park inside the premises.

Quassy in middlebury ct

Small but lots of rides, perfect for that age.

Water park and lake beach attached

Relatively inexpensive

15 minutes from relatives’ home.

Anonymous wrote:At those ages they may even find Sesame Place and Dutch Wonderland fun. Quieter and sweeter but they do have a rolller coaster or two

Dutch wonderland yes. Sesame place would be too juvenile for an 8 year old. They don’t really care about an Elmo meet and greet anymore.

At those ages they may even find Sesame Place and Dutch Wonderland fun. Quieter and sweeter but they do have a rolller coaster or two

Busch Gardens Williamsburg. But really, Disney is the best of course. 2nd place Universal when your kids get a bit older/taller.

Hershey Park is terrific. Cedar Point is the best, if you love rollercoasters.

Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. Parking and admission are free.

If you want roller coasters, Cedar Point.

Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk

Busch Gardens near Williamsburg is pretty fun. I think the quality of coasters is really high, and that's the main thing I enjoy about amusement parks. I much prefer it to Hershey Park, Knottsberry Farms, and any of the Six Flags I've been too. I haven't been to the other Busch Gardens.

For a more retro, kitschy experience, Cedar Point is also pretty fun. It's good to incorporate into a road trip to that part of the country.

I've never been to either of the Universal Studios so can't speak to that, though I'd like to go to the one in Florida in the next few years because I'm interested in the Harry Potter experience for my DC. But currently not sure if we'd just do HP or do the whole park -- would depend on DC's interest.

I am personally not that into Disney. I've been a bunch of times and it's fun, but I think the cost and the hype are overblown for what it is. But again, I'm very roller coaster/ride focused. There's this whole aspect of Disney (the characters, the stuff) that just doesn't do much for me -- my kid enjoys it and I can enjoy that vicariously, but it's not for me.

I love Hershey Park

We like Busch Gardens in Williamsburg. After your child reaches 48 inches they can ride quite a few of the rides. Also, the park is pretty, mostly shaded and the food isn’t horrible. Being a close drive also helps.

Cedar Point in OH is great for a roller coaster lover, but they need to be on the taller end.

What are your favorite amusement parks in the US for 6-8 year olds that are NOT Disney? And why?