We do love Disney, but a close second is Universal. We're Potterheads and the Harry Potter stuff is very well done. Loads of rides for everyone.

Kennywood!

Anonymous wrote:Busch Gardens, Tampa. We have been seasons pass holders for years. It’s much better than Disney. We are at Disney at least once a year. I don’t dislike the parks, but it’s just a pain in the a$$.

+1
Was just coming here to say the same thing. Although last time we went (about 6 months prepandemic) it wasn’t quite as nice as it was 5 years ago. Great roller coasters- cheetah hunt and cobras curse are perfect for elementary school kids who like coasters while still being lots of fun for adults. And our non-coaster fan loves the animals.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I disagree. Sesame place has real rides and even a roller coaster. It's just targeted at a younger group so you don't have to deal as much with height restrictions and a 6 and 8 yo certainly wouldn't be out of place. (And you don't need to say hi to Elmo, my kids always just did the rides/waterslides).

Busch Gardens, Tampa. We have been seasons pass holders for years. It’s much better than Disney. We are at Disney at least once a year. I don’t dislike the parks, but it’s just a pain in the a$$.

I thought Dollywood’s layout was a little weird and the family rides were just ok. Still a fun time.

Bush Gardens Williamsburg, Universal Florida, and Dollywood. I didn’t care for Hershey.

After an awful day at Disney Land, Knott’s Berry Farm was wonderful. Years ago Rye Playground was my favorite but I don’t know if it still exists.

Our family had a great time at Knott's Berry Farm in Southern California - range of rides from Camp Snoopy for the little ones to classic rollercoasters/log ride and some more carnival-like rides. My kids liked the Western theme and enjoyed getting souvenir geodes cut in half in front of them, panning for gold, etc. Doable in one day and not as crowded as Disney.

Great Wolf Lodge. Stay overnight. Your kids are the perfect ages.

Dollywood!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For kids your kids ages I would do Dutch Wonderland. Is it the best in the country? Definitely not. But my DD is 10 now and still loves going there. We’ve been to Disney and she doesn’t ask to go back there.

Interesting. I've never been but was considering it. After reading a bit I was thinking my 10 year old may have aged out. Is that not so?

I’m the PP, it may depend on your kid. My 10 yo still enjoys it. We always take a friend with us so she has someone to do the rides with. We went in June and she’s already asking when we’re going again. They do Halloween themed stuff in Oct but only on weekends so we’ll try and do that.,

Plus it's like 35$/ticket unlike Disney that's 5x as expensive. Plus you can check if they still have those twilight passes that allow you to go the day before.

Anonymous wrote:Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure (FL) are the runners up to Disney. Theming, rides, onsite hotels, restaurants, shopping.

Check the height restrictions for key rides at universal. A 6 yo will find stuff to do, but there's a lot of rides they can't go on.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg, absolutely. We have season passes and go frequently (my parents live nearby, so Ive been going since I was a child). Very family-friendly, good food and beverage options, great entertainment and rides. Our youngest is 2.5yo, and there's multiple rides now even for her age.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For kids your kids ages I would do Dutch Wonderland. Is it the best in the country? Definitely not. But my DD is 10 now and still loves going there. We’ve been to Disney and she doesn’t ask to go back there.

Interesting. I've never been but was considering it. After reading a bit I was thinking my 10 year old may have aged out. Is that not so?

I’m the PP, it may depend on your kid. My 10 yo still enjoys it. We always take a friend with us so she has someone to do the rides with. We went in June and she’s already asking when we’re going again. They do Halloween themed stuff in Oct but only on weekends so we’ll try and do that.,