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Beaver Valley Macaroni Kid Amusement Park Guide

Kennywood, Cedar Point, Hersheypark and everywhere in between!

July 23, 2016
Looking for an amusement park that's great for everyone in the family, no matter their ages? I've put together an amusement park guide that lists the main amusement and water parks within 400 miles of Beaver County. Each listing has location info, website, pricing, discounts, and a short overview. A word about AAA discounts: AAA Discounts are only available online after logging onto the AAA website with your membership information and ordering tickets. You CAN NOT show up at a park, show your AAA card, and expect to get a discount. The same goes for Giant Eagle Advantage cards! So plan and buy in advance if possible.

Kennywood Park
Location:  4800 Kennywood Boulevard, West Mifflin, PA 15122
Distance from Beaver County: about 40 miles
Prices: $43.99
Junior (less than 46") -- $28.99
Senior (55+)--$21.99
Night Rider pass (after 5 p.m.): $27.99 and New for 2016: $19.99 for Juniors 46" and under
Kids 2 & under --FREE

Discounts: Available through Giant Eagle (although these sell out quickly) and AAA. Night Rider tickets (entering the park after 5 p.m.) are also discounted. Smart Days are available this year on certain days throughout the summer with savings on a regular admission ticket. These tickets must be purchased in advance, so go to the Kennywood discount page to learn more. BOGO Days: On June 19, July 5, and July 19, there's a Buy One Admission, Get One Free deal. Military discounts are also available.
Overview: Pittsburgh’s oldest and most popular family park, home to rollercoasters, thrill rides, Kiddieland, and of course, Potato Patch fries. In 2016, they revamped Noah's Ark. 

Idlewild and SoakZone
Location: Rt. 30 East, Ligonier, PA 15658
Distance from Beaver County: About 80 miles
Prices: Regular Admission--$42.99* each (Buy tickets online and in advance to save $6 or $10, depending how far in advance you buy them.)
Senior Citizen Admission (age 60 and Older)--$33.99* each (buy tickets online and in advance and save $3)
Children 2 years and under--FREE

Discounts
:  Available at Giant Eagle and there's a AAA Discount. Smart Days discount tickets for only $27.99 are available on certain days during the summer
Overview: Perfect for families and younger kids, this park has been rated the “Best Kids Park in the World” and one of the “Best Parks for Families.” SoakZone, the waterpark, is included in the price of admission, making this a great “two parks in one” feature.

Hersheypark and Boardwalk

Location: 100 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033
Distance from Beaver County: 252 miles
Prices:  Regular, Ages 9-54--$62.95
Junior, Ages 3-8--$39.95
Senior, Ages 55-69--$39.95
Senior Plus, Ages 70+--$25.95
Children Ages 2 & under  FREE
Discounts: There is a Sunset admission option and discount tickets can be purchased at Giant (NOT Giant Eagle) food stores.
Overview:  This is a great one- or two-day trip and has a waterpark onsite! Plus, there’s plenty of chocolate, and that’s always good.

Waldameer & Water World
Location: Erie, PA 16505
Distance from Beaver County:  126 miles
Prices: 48 inches and over--$35.99
Under 48 inches--$27.99
Unlimited use of both parks for 1 day! 
Discounts: order your tickets online and save $2 on a combo ticket.
Overview: This park is at the entrance to Presque Isle on the shores of Lake Erie. It has over 75 rides and attractions, including a water park.

Splash Lagoon 
Location: 8091 Peach Street, Erie PA 16509
Distance from Beaver County: 120 miles
Prices: Day pass admission rates, must be reserved two days in advance to guarantee you'll get in.
Over 42 inches tall--$39.95
42 inches tall and under--$29.95
Spectator pass--$14.95
Two and under--Free
There are also package deals offered with area hotels.
Discounts:  They're sometimes are announced on their Facebook page. Also, check out their coupon page on their website, where they offer coupons for full day and military admissions. If you go after 4 p.m., day passes are offered for a lower price.
Overview: Splash Lagoon is an indoor waterpark in Erie. It has tons of slides, some kids’ play areas and little slides, a brand new wave pool, and hotels and restaurants that are connected right to the waterpark.

Cedar Point & Soak City
Location: One Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, OH 44870
Distance from Beaver County: 159 miles
Prices for Cedar Point: Single Day Adult Online--$51 / Gate: $65.
Single Day Jr/Sr Online--$45
Two Days Ride & Slide: $89.99 (This ticket is valid for admission on 2 days at both Cedar Point and Soak City on the same 2 days.  Junior/Senior pricing also available.)
Prices for Soak City: $35.99
VIP line passes available
Discounts: Also, if you stay at a Cedar Point Hotel, you can get discount tickets packages. You'll also get into the park early. Discount tickets are sold at Discount Drug Marts and Meijer, and AAA has discounts too.
Overview: The biggest park within 200 miles, it has everything and draws visitors from at least 5 states. So you will be standing in line A LOT. But these are some of the biggest, baddest rides in the country—and you can drive to CP in less three hours. Plan to spend a few days and get there EARLY if possible.

Dutch Wonderland 

Location:  2249 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602
Distance from Beaver County:  275 miles
Prices: Ages 3-59--$40.99
Ages 60-69--$35.99
Ages 70+--$27.99
Ages 2 and younger: free
Discounts: Buy a ticket online 7 days in advance and save $6. Buy one 3 days in advance and save $3.
Overview: A great family amusement park in Lancaster that may not be on your radar. It’s designed for younger kids and also has a waterplay area.

Kalahari Resort
Location:  7000 Kalahari Drive, Sandusky, OH 44870 and 250 Kalahari Blvd,. Pocono Manor, PA 18349
Distance from Beaver County: 155 miles (Ohio location) and 335 miles (Poconos location)
Prices: Water park prices for Kalahari are built into the hotel stay. Rooms run $249 and up depending on the date. You can also purchase day passes for $55.
Discounts:  Kalahair has lots of great deals on rooms and dining.
Overview: 
Largest indoor waterpark in the United States! It's a great time and has something for everyone!

DelGrossi's Amusement Park
Location: 4352 E. Pleasant Valley Blvd., Tipton, PA  16684
Distance from Beaver County: 128 miles
Price: $29.95 for all day-fun pass (rides and water park)
After 5 p.m. from Monday-Friday:  $15
Overview: This park is home to more than 30 rides and attractions, including Kid's Kingdom and a water park. It's right outside of Altoona and offers affordable rides and entertainment for the whole family!

Knoebels Amusement Park 
Location:  391 Knoebels Boulevard, Elysburg, PA 17824
Distance from Beaver County:  275 miles
Price:  You can pay for tickets to ride on attractions or pay one price on certain days
Discounts:  Bulk ride ticket discounts offered; WEEKDAY SPECIAL (Monday - Friday - except holidays):  $5 Book of Tickets is $4.50; $10 book of tickets is $9; $20 book of tickets is $18. Ride all day passes are offered Monday-Friday and are from $39-47.
Overview:  There are kiddie rides, thrill rides, and family rides at this park, which bills itself as “America’s Largest Free Admission Park.” Knoebels also has two campgrounds and a water park.

Great Wolf Lodge, Sandusky 
Location:  4600 Milan Road (US 250), Sandusky, OH 44870
Distance from Beaver County: 155 miles
Prices: Water park prices for Great Wolf are built into the hotel stay that you must use in order to visit the park. Rooms and family suites range from $199 a night to $350 and up, depending on how many people sleep in a room.
Discounts:  Great Wolf offers deals on rooms and dining for kids. Check out their deals page for more information.
Overview: 
There are rides and slides for parents and kids of all ages at this indoor water park!

Kings Island and Soak City
 
Location: 6300 Kings Island Dr, Mason, OH 45040
Distance from Beaver County:  271 miles
Prices for Online tickets: From Mon-Thurs.: Single Day Adult--Online: $42.99
$45.99 for a Friday-Sunday ticket
Single Day Jr/Sr--Online: $38.99
After 4 p.m.: $30.99
Discounts:  Save $20 on a single day adult ticket any Monday-Thursday if you buy your tickets in advance and print them at home. They also have several dining plans to choose from.
Overview:  Kings Island has expanded the already-large water park and added more dining options. This park also has tons of thrill rides and areas for younger kids.