So, what to substitute for Disney Land?

[carpetbagger]

I planned on taking my family there in 2008, when the kids are at the right age (old enough to remember, young enough to enjoy something less ride-focused than other parks).

Let me first say I'm not interested in character-builtding or educational vacation ideas. They get more than enough of that. I'm thinking of the one vacation that they'll remember as pure, commercial, TV-indoctrinated fun when they grow up.

I can do pretty much anywhere in the Lower 48 and Canada.

[Spider Jerusalem]

1. Las Vegas.

Miles of neon. Scale-model reproductions of New York, Paris, and the Egyptian pyramids. Elvis impersonators, clowns, acrobats, chorus girls and magicians. Seriously, if you want mindlessly entertaining fun, what better place?

[carpetbagger]

5. beentheredonethat, but they had a terrific time.

We'll probably go back sometime while they're still kids.

[Deja Q]

2. My domicile

:rofl:

[Blue-Jay]

3. Just go to Universal. It's in the same neighborhood,

and there's plenty of kid-friendly things to do.

Or any Six Flags. They have Looney Toons characters, as well as DC Comics superheroes.

[lost-in-nj]

15. And the Spiderman ride

ROCKS
Its worth the wait

lost

[Oeditpus Rex]

4. You could empty your wallet into the toilet

and then flush, while singing "When You Wish Upon a Star."

[lizziegrace]

6. Or sing

"It's a Small World After All"

That song got stuck in my head when we went to Disney World in 1976. Yes, it's been a long 30 years.

:(

[carpetbagger]

7. I've got $12 to get me through to Friday.

Should I try to use my credit card?

[AutumnMist]

8. Kings Island or Cedar Point

in the midwest. Kings Island has the Nickelodeon stuff. Our daughter had a ball in the area that was appropriate for her age. Just pure walking, laughing, rides and bad food fun. She loved it and we also got to live through the eyes of a five year old. The Spongebob water maze sent her over the edge. She was soaked and felt like she really was a part of her toddler idols. The plankton plunge was also a hit. They have some above average roller coasters for the kids (our daughter loves that stuff) and they have the family rides as well at Kings Island. Cedar Point is still a mystery to me. I haven't gone there. But I do know many people who have loved taking their families there. Good luck either way. I have been to Disneyland with our daughter. I grew up in California and it was a rite of passage so to speak for me as well. The lines were so long that we spent most of our day in them. I would suggest a two day pass when you go. Unless you go in December or November. We spent 10 hours in the park and rode five or six rides and watched the parade. Plus food and the monorail. The Dumbo ride alone was almost a two hour wait at the time. Its commercial...but you can plan for the crowds. Hope this helps!

[Blue-Jay]

9. Cedar Point is best if you're a roller coaster fan.

King's Island is good for the kiddos, though.

(I'm guessing you're from my home state? :hi: )

[AutumnMist]

11. I Am A Buckeye

transplanted from California. Hi neighbor! :hi: I love roller coasters! Love them! Some of the best in the world I would imagine are in the midwest. They are awesome.

[bertha katzenengel]

10. If you still want to visit So. California, take them to Knott's Berry Farm

I myself am not that crazy about it anymore, because it's become the kind of park you apparently want to visit.

No harm in that at all. It's just that when I was growing up, it was merely expanding from what it had originally been: an actual berry farm. They added a restaurant, then began making it into a gentle little western-theme park. The first coaster-type ride was the Log Ride -- I imagine that besides the stagecoach ride (and Camp Snoopy), that one is the mildest of any ride in that park. It's got some crazy wild rides now.

If you're not veg and you like fried chicken, DO wait in line for lunch or dinner at the restaurant. It's wonderful. And don't forget to try the boysenberry preserves on your biscuits. :9

[AutumnMist]

12. When I first Went To Knots Berry Farm

as a child? They had some rides, a wild west "show" and the preserves you are talking about. It was wonderful. I have heard that it is very different now. At 35 its hard to imagine that it has changed that much. :hide:

[bertha katzenengel]

14. I went there earlier this year, age 43, for the first time in about 20

years. It still seems small time to people used to Magic Mountain. :hi:

[Mutley]

13. Hershey Park in PA.

It's actually a cool little theme park.



Or Busch Gardens.



Look at that roller coaster. :wow: :yoiks: