My husband and I are in need of a fun day. We were at the "old" 6 Flags years ago and since then they have added animals and new rides. I know we will enjoy the animal shows (killer whale, dolphins), but are there any rides that are gentle enough for us to ride with our 18 mos old? They currently have a great promotion for 6 visits for one day's admission cost of $40 - we can go once a month until it expires in Jan! But we want to make sure there are enough things to do besides just watching shows. Thanks!
So we went to 6 Flags on Sat (we were so bored). It was really fun, we enjoyed the shows and animals and was able to get on 2 rides with our little one. It was packed and crazy, but at least it was cooler and breezy. It was a much needed day-cation. Our son really likes the animals and seeing real ones just solidified his knowledge of animals from pictures he had seen before. Unfortunately, after we got home, then we saw all these suggestions to Gilroy Gardens! I had looked them up several months ago but didn't see the season pass deal =( Anyone out there with a GG season pass that want to SWAP for a visit to 6 Flags? We have grandparents coming July 25th and would love to do something different with them instead of heading back to 6 Flags 2 weeks later! Write me if you are interested in swapping!
I don't believe that Six Flags will have enough for him to enjoy. Have you tried Gilroy Gardens (formerly Bonfante Gardens)? I think that you will find more there for him.
Hi K.,
My son never seemed to enjoy Six Flags/Wild Animal Kingdom as much as we did. The experience has always been very hot and lots of crowds inside the park as well as the parking lot. Maybe we didn't choose our dates wisely b/c we always wanted a deal on the tickets.
When my oldest son was about your son's age we discovered Bonfante Gardens was a great way to spend a day out (now Gilroy Gardens). The drive for us is shorter, smoother, and less traffic. You mentioned Happy Hollow, so I'm assuming the drive won't be long for you either.
The park is not overwhelmingly big, extremely clean, beautiful and geared towards families w/young children. Plenty of rides for kids 3' and under they can go solo and family rides that we can all enjoy together.
Our son never seemed to mind the heat in Gilroy probably b/c his favorite attraction includes the water fountain play area for toddlers. Since he's a few years older now he LOVES the new water playground. It's a great way to beat the heat. I just have to make sure we hit the rides before the water play or that's all we do!
There's always parking close by the entrance. Majority of the time he doesn't even have to go back in line for the kiddie rides b/c hardly any visitors inside the park. Maybe more people now since they've changed the name of the park and have done more advertising. Overall, even on a holiday weekend it still hasn't been that crowded.
When he was an only child we would bring his Little Tykes red car instead of a stroller and throw some snacks w/an ice pack in the hood and we we're set.
Now with a little brother in tow we bring our wagon with a small cooler (not supposed to bring outside food in, but they've never stopped us even when they've thoroughly inspected our belongings). If you decide to purchase food in the park it's still reasonable.
I usually purchase tickets online to save a few dollars, then convert to a membership once at the park. We pay the lowest membership for my oldest son and it's free for my younger son. I get a membership that includes free parking when we visit and I check for dates that we can bring a friend for free. It allows me to bring grandma, a sitter, my husband or even a friend w/o shelling out more money. It will give you a small discount on souvenirs and food. Definitely worth your money to join if you'll be visiting at least 3 times. There's even a higher membership level that will give you reciprocal privledges with Great America (possibly Raging Waters, but not sure this year; haven't heard it advertised.) Best thing to do is go onto their website to make sure things haven't changed since last summer...
Whatever you decide to do, enjoy your time with your family!
I don't know about 6 flags, but Children's Fairyland in Oakland is ideal for very young children.
Everyone seems to be focusing on the rides at 6 Flags. This is a perfect opportunity to expose your child to animals and marine life. Watching the whales and dolphins. The bird shows, fishes, tigers. There is also a petting zoo. You don't just have to go on the rides, enjoy the other 1/2 of the park too. Before Marineworld became Six Flags and now the Wild Animal Kindgom, I would take my daughter there every year. She loved to get wet by the whales.
So enjoy the animals as well as the rides. If you want to ride the rides, bring someone along that don't like the rides that way they can watch your child while you and your husband ride the rides.
While you are at Vallejo, try my all time favorite restaurant, Mongolian BBQ all you can eat buffet. Service is top notch for a buffet restaurant. It is easy to get to and close to the park, when you are on 80 you make a left to go to the park, you make a right on Callhan and you make another right at the top of the hill, the restaurant is located on the other side of Ramada Inn, in the strip mall by Target shopping center.
I took my daughters (7&9) about a month ago and I would say for this age, it's pretty much shows and animal rides only for him. If you and your husband are the coaster types, you could take him the first time and judge for yourself and get a sitter the other 5 times if you think there's not much for him.
I definately recommend Tony Hawks Big Spin for you and your husband. That was an awesome ride!!
A much better place for your son would be Gilroy Gardens. It's Great America for the pre-roller coaster age level.
K.,
You and your husband are entitled to a fun day. If you like Six Flags go. Six Flags is no place for an 18 month old baby. Get a sitter and go have fun with your husband. I bet he's adorable too and might be in need of some alone time with his wife. Monterey Bay, the wine country and San Francisco are also nice for a couple's day out.
As for a place with gentle rides for families and small children, I think you would enjoy Gilroy Gardens (formerly Bonfonte Gardens)<gilroygardens.org>
Have a good time!
I do not know about 6 Flags, but have you ever been to Gilroy Gardens? It is the perfect place to bring an 18 month old. He will be able to go on most rides and you can go on many of them with him. I have a 21 month old son, and I have been bringing him for months now. He loves it! Besides having child friendly rides, the park is clean, beautiful and filled with young families. Good luck to you!
I agree with the responses regarding Gilroy Gardens. It is geared towards the younger kids. There are even a few rides that your child will be able to go on by themselves. If you pay the full price admission for one day, You get what is called a lotsa card which is basically a seasons pass. Or you can pay more to get the premium pass which will take care of your parking. We were there yesterday, and it said the Animal Safari begins today. They have at least two Bengal tigers and a bird show. Tht will go on for the next month. Hope you enjoy whichever park you choose.
Last summer when my daughter was about 13 months old we took her to Six Flags?Animal Kingdom. She loved the animals and the few kiddie rides. She also just enjoyed being included with the family. Most of her day was spent pushing her own stroller and my husband and I took turns riding things with his then 12 year old son. I would say it is worth it and if you get the 6 days for one get a babysitter for the next 5 if he doesn't enjoy the first one :)
Good luck
Sandy
