Dutch Wonderland or Funland in Rehoboth Beach

Anonymous wrote:We have a four year old, and have never brought him to an amusement park (bad parents, I know). We are contemplating a Disney vacation within the next two years, but don't know what his threshold would be for certain rides so I am looking a local amusement parks to use as sort of a test bed that are within driving distance.

Between Sesame Place, Hershey Park, or even Busch Gardens, can anyone recommend what would be a good "starter" park for a preschooler? Are any of these options open after labor day?

I would say Sesame Place, but beware that 60% or so of the park is water related. So, if you wait too late in the season, more than half the park is shut down. Hershey is HUGE. We did a day at the waterpark, which the kids loved, and then a ride day. My really tall 4 year old was able to ride a few coasters there (this was last summer).

Dutch Wonderland is a lot of fun for this age group. Definitely not Hershey. Sesame Place is good if your child is really loves the characters.

Dutch Wonderland is great. Took our 2.5 yo and his 4 YO cousin. They both loved it. Very manageable and not crazy like some of the bigger parks. Food is terrible, though!

We've been several times to Sesame Place, and DS (now 5) loves it. We attempted Disneyland last year, and it was too much for him, so we are waiting a couple of years to go back. Another awesome choice for this age (if your child likes trucks) is Diggerland.

Our DD LOVES Sesame Place. If you're contemplating Disney and will likely want to wait in line to see the characters SP is a good option. Do breakfast with Elmo to get into the park early and see 4-5 characters without waiting in lines.

Anonymous wrote:Dutch Wonderland, hands down. It is so sweet and accessible. We just want two weeks ago with a 5 year old and a 9 year old. I thought my 9 year old might feel it's too old for him, but he loved it too. Everything that big amusement parks have (rides, shows, kettle corn!) but a smaller, manageable size. Great water park area if you go on a hot day.

OH, and we went to Hershey Park the next day and while we loved it too, it was an entirely different level. Huge, chaotic, electric. Super fun, but probably more than you need with your little one, OP.

Dutch Wonderland, hands down. It is so sweet and accessible. We just want two weeks ago with a 5 year old and a 9 year old. I thought my 9 year old might feel it's too old for him, but he loved it too. Everything that big amusement parks have (rides, shows, kettle corn!) but a smaller, manageable size. Great water park area if you go on a hot day.

We just took our preschooler and toddler to Sesame Place and they LOVED it. My husband and I had a lot of fun, too. Highly recommend!

We just took 3 5-year-olds and a 3 year old to Dutch Wonderland and they loved it. It's small enough to be able to do everything; they could ride almost everything and there's plenty to keep their attention. The food is awful though, so take your own.

Dutch Wonderland is a great "first" park, and ages 3-6 are perfect. Hershey is big and there are a lot of rides, but it's more spread out. My understanding is Sesame Place is more of a water park.

Busch Gardens is nice too - it's spread out, but there are ways to get from one section to another that don't involve crazy amounts of walking (train and skyride). There are a couple of nice sections of little kid rides, a small animal area, and a really cute animal show. That would be my second choice to Dutch Wonderland, with Hershey 3rd.

OP here: thanks.

I guess I should open it up to any other parks nearby that I may have missed in my initial inquiry. Any ideas?

OP here: thanks.

I guess I should open it up to any other parks nearby that I may have missed in my initial inquiry. Any ideas?

Sesame Place is the best for young ones.

We have a four year old, and have never brought him to an amusement park (bad parents, I know). We are contemplating a Disney vacation within the next two years, but don't know what his threshold would be for certain rides so I am looking a local amusement parks to use as sort of a test bed that are within driving distance.

Between Sesame Place, Hershey Park, or even Busch Gardens, can anyone recommend what would be a good "starter" park for a preschooler? Are any of these options open after labor day?