Rompin' Fun
Written: Oct 26 '00 (Updated Nov 11 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: It's beautiful, plus you don't have to walk forever to get to a restroom, a seat or a place for hungry kids!
Cons: I'm ready to hit another park, but the kids love it so much!!!!! I guess that's not a con, at least they stay interested!
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| koolmama66's Full Review: Idlewild Park |
Idlewild Park & Storybook Forest has been our yearly haunt for the last 3 years. Located on Route 30 in Ligonier PA it's one of the most convenient places to get to! Close to Greensburg & Latrobe.
Storybook Forest opens at 10 a.m. & is the first to close, hit this wonderful little village of storybook friends early, but you only need to go through it once or twice in your lifetime. For the kids older than about 4, it gets boring.
From Storybook, head into Jumpin' Jungle it's the place for folks with kids under about 10 years of age, some of the high points: the rope ladder, where you climb up to a clubhouse of sorts, parents should accompany kids on this, but there is one for little kids that is enclosed. There is a ball pit, scooter type racers & an area where they have pipes with air coming out of them, kids can place balls on these pipes & the forced air supports them, you can entertain a 3 year old for an hour in there!!!! A BIG PLUS, A RESTROOM IS LOCATED RIGHT BY THIS SECTION!!!
From Jumpin' Jungle it's Hootin' Holler, great Old West fun. There is a puppet show, a place to get your picture taken as one of the "Tombstone Gang", a room called Confusion Hill, I've yet to go in there because I get dizzy real easy! Visit the General Store where you can purchase souveniers (when you go here, if you're planning to come back go to guest services behind the General Store & sign up for the next day which will only cost $9 per person compared to full price of $16.95 per person), practice at the shooting gallery, grab some fudge or an ice cream cone, see a show at the Gazebo or just sit for a relaxing rest!
Plus in Hootin' Holler, the Mineshaft Grill is THE place to get BBQ chicken, ribs, desserts galore, homemade lemonade & so much more. From there you can ride the Loyalhanna Limited over the Loyalhanna River and visit Racoon Lagoon or walk over to Olde Idlewild. However, when your feet get tired, the train is the way to go, it's a breezy ride which feels good on aching parents. I'll "walk" you through, though, just so you can get the full effect!
Next is Olde Idlewild where you can ride the bumper cars, ferris wheel, scrambler, caterpillar, paratrooper, Balloon Race and the Whip, it's not a thrill seeking ride but really fun. In the same area is the tilt a whirl & round-up. This area is also the place where you can ride one of the oldest rollercoast in the US, the Rollocoaster, it's the old wood kind plus there is a more "modern" one called the Mousetrap.
If you like to play carnival games stay in this area, there is plenty to do! There is a midway with games galore!!! Plus the eateries in this area are yummy, you CAN'T leave without having a Cyclone Cone - a soft waffle cone filled with vanilla ice cream, strawberries & whipped topping or Dippin' Dots - the ice cream of the future. They are little round balls of frozen ice cream in a bowl but melt into a smooth ice cream in your mouth!
In Olde Idlewild, Goofy Golf is a really nice little putt-putt course. In the evening you can catch a couple of "Broadway"-type shows, a little on the cheesy side but it's really fun! There is an Italian eatery which has pastas, salads, pizza etc. for a sit down lunch or dinner.
Next walk across the bridge to Raccoon Lagoon to a place where children 4 & under will dream about long after they've left Idlewild. It's all for them. The rides are geared toward the littlest tourist! You can visit all your friend from the Land of Make Believe from Mister Rogers Neighborhood, King Friday will invite you to the Castle Hug 'n' Song. The wait there is sometimes lengthy but if you keep checking throughout your day, you'll find a time when the lines aren't too long. Pony rides were available this year at an additional charge ($2 or $3). The Ricky Racers are the highlight here and the chance to meet Ricky Raccoon, not to mention Flivvers (old time "electric cars"), Red Baron airplanes & a small version of the bumper cars! In addition, there is a little area for a kiddy show at various times through the day. From here it's to the H2OOOHH Zone (water fun at it's best).
Walk past the Ricky Racers in Raccoon Lagoon and you'll be led to a water park that has literally something for everyone. Boat rides (the lake is a little murky, yuck) but the newest addition was the DR. HYDRO'S SOAK ZONE - a 300 POUND BUCKET OF WATER THAT DUMPS ON YOUR HEAD. My 5 year old son & 3 year old daughter LOVED IT!!!!!!! Wait for the bucket to fill up & dump on those standing below it! There are typical water slides, a full size pool, and a little tikes pool complete with a waterfall & fun little buckets that dump a little water on tots' heads! Plus a place to chow if the family gets hungry.
This park is conveniently located close to Greensburg where lodging & more activities can be had OR if you like the historical scene, stay at the Ramada Inn right in Ligonier & it's only 10 minutes from the park. Fort Ligonier is right there, you can go into town & see the "Diamond" which is the business area - the stores are situated in a diamond, at the end of the diamond is Town Hall and in the center of it is a gazebo, where a band plays every Sunday & from what we hear they pack 'em in! We never stayed anywhere but the Ramada because of the close proximity to Idlewild. Ligonier is a very quiet town and it's sooo relaxing. You can get up in the morning, go up town & get breakfast (or eat in the hotel), head to the park about 9:30 & get ready to start your day at this beautiful little theme park.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
koolmama66
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Member: Shellie H.
Location: Shadyside OH
Reviews written: 2
Trusted by: 0 members
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