Jenkinson's Promises, And Delivers, FUN!

Disclosure:  Please note that I was given free passes to this venue in exchange for blogging about it. While the passes were nice, they did not influence my opinion of the place.  All opinions expressed are my own.  

This whole summer has been an interesting contest of wills: I ask the kids (9 and 15) to get out of the house to do something fun like go to the town pool, a waterpark, Busch Gardens, etc., and they keep looking at their devices and say, “no.” I insist, my voice growing louder and louder, and they dig their heels in. I finally persuade them to pry their eyes from their screens, they go to the places we're going to FOR THEM, and have fun. Fortunately this contest did not happen today when I announced, 

“Let's go to Jenkinson's!” 

So we grabbed Junior's friend, Sam, and trekked down to Point Pleasant nice and early, despite the prediction of thunderstorms, so we'd make it back in time for Diva's gymnastics. Arriving that early also ensured that we'd see my VERY FAVORITE attraction first: Jenkinson's Aquarium!  "'Mommy, look at THIS,” exclaimed Diva as she moved from tank to tank. Her enthusiasm was contagious as she read about piranhas, various types of shark, and just how big some of the fish were. The boys enjoyed the boa constrictor and made fun of a lot of the animals, as teenage boys are wont to do. But I think even they were touched by the story of Lucy, the blind seal, as we watched her and a sea lion being fed. Lucy's disability doesn't hinder her from having a nice life at Jenkinson's and just seeing the bond between her and her trainers is sweet. Diva also had a blast at the Touch Tank, although I was somewhat skeeved by the horseshoe crab (who might have been skeeved by me!). I also loved the penguins and was mistaken when I saw grey, furry-looking one; I thought it was an adolescent. A docent quickly corrected me. The animal in question is their oldest penguin at 29 years old and she was being cuddled by her “boyfriend” who is 2. As I said, I LOVE this aquarium!

School was in session at Jenkinson's!

My daughter touching a starfish.  She petted the horseshoe crab - not I!

Our troop headed over to Castaway Cove for miniature golf, three floors of golfing fun.  Diva immediately got a hole-in-one while the boys scoffed at her “beginner's luck.” She ultimately did lose, and apparently there was a heated discussion about points, but I didn't care. I'd found a bench and a lovely breeze as I listened to Jimmy Buffet over the Cove's speakers. If the kids were bickering, I wasn't listening.

Cheeseburgers in a pail - love this idea from Jenkinson's!

By this time, everyone was hungry, so we headed over to Jenkinson's Pavillion Oceanside Dining where, because there were several restaurants to choose from, we were each able to score what we wanted: a hot dog for Sam, tacos for Junior and me, and a cheeseburger and fries for Diva which was served in pail with shovel. Note to Self: next time, order a kids meal so YOU get a pail and shovel!

After lunch, the boys wanted to go on the rides but I, conscious of the fact that “lunch” and “rides” never produce good results, insisted we hit the the Fun House. This place
is so cool, with mazes of mirrors. After I gracefully smacked into a mirrored wall, I learned to walk with my hands out. The kids, too, were having a good time until they hit the darkened “tunnels” section of the Fun House. Diva grabbed on to her brother when she got a little scared (a lovely mental picture I won't soon forget) and, upon leaving the attraction announced, “That Fun House was NOT fun,” before she begged me to go back in. My son poo-pooed the experience, but all the while there was a twinkle in his eye.

Sorry, Junior!  This clown is taller than you!

 

While they went on the dizzing, dazzling display of rides, I sat on the Boardwalk, taking in the ocean, doing some people-watching, and sipping a cool drink. Shopping was plentiful and the array of hermit crabs for sale, fascinating.  I was happy just browsing while my kids had a blast on the rides.  

Before we left, the boys played another round of miniature golf while Diva and I went to the Aquarium Gift Shop, in my opinion, the best shopping on the Boardwalk. I happily admired the jewelry while she chose a stuffed animal (a penguin) as a souvenir of the day. 

And what a day! Jenkinson's has become synonymous with “fun” and with good reason: there's something for everyone. We could easily have spent the rest of the day there. And we will: even after school is in session, many of the attractions are open. 

We'll be back!

~~~~~~~~~~

But YOU don't have to wait that long!  Enter HERE to win a VIP Voucher for up to 5 people so you can go to Jenkinson's!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please note that the winner will be announced on this blog on August 30th.  Only one entry per family please.  If you win, please contact me so I can mail you the voucher in question.  Good luck!

14 Tips For Visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Last week, the family and I vacationed in Virginia Beach, Virginia (click here for tips on visiting this  lovely beach town) and, of course, we had to make a pilgrimage to at least one amusement park. 

Off to Busch Gardens Williamsburg we went!

For those who aren't familiar with it, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is owned by the firm that owns SeaWorld while it promotes Anheuser-Busch products, the latter company having developed the park as a marketing vehicle for their products. The theme is classic Europe, like the Parisian streets of France, towns of England ans Scotland, and the Oktoberfest celebrations of Germany. In all, Busch Gardens Williamsburg contains nine villages centered around six countries for you to explore. It also contains heart-stopping roller coasters, a variety of shows, shops, etc. designed to please attendees of all ages and courage levels. 

The Loch Ness Monster I was not courageous enough to go on.

 Here are my tips if you plan to visit Busch Gardens Williamsburg:

1. Look for discount tickets before you go.  You can sometimes find them at Wendy's and McDonald's, but here's a good site with links you can use to score discounts.  Why pay full price if you don't have to?
   
   
2. Wear good walking shoes. The park is large, but not as daunting as other (i.e. Hersheypark and Disney). It is, however, hilly, so bring comfortable walking shoes and if you're packing a stroller or wheelchair, know that you'll be using your muscles!
   
   

   

   Essential equipment.

3. Be prepared to use data. Busch Gardens Williamsburg has wifi, but it was spotty and unreliable.
   
   
4. Skip the app.  There is an app for Busch Gardens Williamsburg, but it didn't update you on waiting times for rides and didn't say which were closed.  Honestly, it added nothing to our experience.  In fact, most of the reviews in Google's Play Store were terrible and I can see why. Feel free to download the app, but don't rely on it.
   
   
5. Bring snacks. You're really not supposed to, but the guards were not confiscating any, so unless you're hauling in mass quantities of chips, you should be okay.  I packed carrots, granola bars, etc. which saved money on the unhealthy stuff the kids whined for.
   
   
6. Haul in water bottles. You're allowed one per person. I brought a small cooler with ice in Ziploc bags which kept the water cold and gave us additional cold drinking water. 
   
   
7. Purchase the souvenir bottle. It's worth it because refills are $.99 the day you're there and there aren't many water fountains in the park. Do what I do: after the initial drink, ask for refills that are half soda water and half juice or soda to cut down on amount of sugar you're getting. Oh, and you can always ask for a cup of ice water at any place that serves drinks.
   
   
8. Watch where you park either yourself or kiddies in the shade. Smoking is allowed in the park (DAMN! DAMN! DAMN!) and there's a good amount of shade you'll want to take advantage of. Just make sure you're not getting a whiff of cancer while avoiding the sun.
   
   
9. Use the tram as transportation. It goes from Italy to France to England and will save you walking. Plus the views are great!
   
   
10. See all the shows! They were all wonderful, especially Pet Shenanigans which featured rescued, trained dogs, cats, birds, a pig, and a rat. Adorable!
    
    
    
    

    

    LOVED Pet Shenanigans!

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    
    
    

    

    Celtic Fyre was good, too!

     
    
    
11. Skip the boat ride. It's boring and really doesn't add any value to your visit.  Some narration would have made it a less comatose experience.
    
    
12. Stop by and see a Clydesdale. They don't put the ones that pull the sleighs on exhibit, but even the horses they have on display are beautiful!
    
    
    
    
    
    

    

    Breathtaking animals!

     
     
13. Have dinner at the New France Trappers Smokehouse – the food was DIVINE!
    
    
14. Don't worry about the alcohol. I was concerned that they sell beer here (of course), but I honestly didn't see anyone even remotely intoxicated. Whew!
    
    

I found Busch Gardens Williamsburg to be one of, if not THE CLEANEST park, I've ever been to (sorry Hersheypark) with pleasant, efficient staff!

One refreshing aspect is that you're not constantly being hawked by marketers; sure, there are stores, but the number of merchandising kiosks is minimal and no one is blasting over the loudspeaker, “Buy this!” or “Buy that!"  Sure, it's a for-profit place, but they're not trying to snag every penny out of you - at least not openly.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg one of those parks you can do in a day and not feel completely shredded at the end of your visit. I would return in a heartbeat!  Use my tips, go, and have a blast!

For more information, visit the Busch Gardens Willilamsburg website.

For Reading!

Please note that all photos of Busch Gardens Williamsburg copied from their website. 

HersheyPark's Christmas Candylane - Here's What You Need To Know

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know that my kids go to HersheyPark every summer or else they moan and whine and complain that "they're childhood is RUINED" – they love the park THAT much! (Learn more about our yearly pilgrimage and what you need to know here). But for the first time after Christmas, we decided to combine a visit to Hershey with a weekend in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Let me tell you about our trip to “The Sweetest Place On Earth.”

Noel! At HersheyPark Candy Lane

The park tends to be understandably crowded in the Summer, with tons of rides and walking.  Make no mistake - this is a big venue.  The terrain is hilly, which makes it difficult if you're pushing a stroller or the weather is 90+ degrees. 

During the Winter, it's far more manageable, since not all areas of the park are open.

At Christmas, about 30 rides are running (weather depending) and the pace is much less frenzied, which as a parent, made it more enjoyable for me. Because we'd shown the kids the Hershey website, they knew that many of their summer favorites would not be running, but there were still enough thrill rides to keep the 14-year-old and his younger sister (9) happy. In fact, the park was so calm, they were able to do many rides two or three times without a large wait! They even got to try some that are impossible (Reese's Xtreme Cup Challenge, for example) to do during the Summer because of the long, long lines.

There were two shows running while we were there; we opted to skip A Music Box Christmas, honestly, because we were having so much fun, but since I LOVE Christmas lights, did see the Noel! Light Show. The show contains hundreds of lights in the trees, on bridges, and a walkway lighting up to the beat of Christmas carols. The show lasted about 15 minutes or so and was...okay. If you're at the park and it's freezing, walk through it and don't stand there for the full performance. Oh, and the best place to see it is from the overhead bridge.

Santa wasn't there, since it was after Christmas, but his reindeer were and are not to be missed. I never realized that reindeer are actually quite small, but they were adorable and their antlers are incredibly intricate.  In chatting with the handlers, you can tell that these are animals that are cared for with affection. Apparently Santa will be coming back for his team after he, and they, rest a bit. 

There's also ice skating on a synthetic surface. The surface isn't very big, so be forewarned if your kids are experts because they WILL get bored, however, if your children have never skated before, this might be a great introduction.

Some restaurants are open with many offering hot chocolate and coffee for around $7 with refills at, I believe, $2. We opted not to buy any beverages since it wasn't that cold, plus the park does permit you to bring one bottle of water in per person.


The Hershey characters walk around and, as with the rest of the park, the staff is quite friendly. 

As I've said before, this is one of the CLEANEST amusement parks you will go to and although they do, disgustingly, permit smoking in areas of the park (WHEN will they completely ban it!), Hershey is one of the best. Do NOT expect major discounts on Hershey products or you will be sorely disappointed. Trust me: save your money and buy the products at home where they will be cheaper.

Hershey also offers, for an additional fee, the Sweet Lights Drive-Through Spectacular. Since money is tight, we opted not to do that.

One of the displays from HersheyPark's Christmas Candylane - WHEN is this park going to ban smoking!

If you can make it to HersheyPark's Christmas Candylane for a day, go because, honestly, it's not worth a 2-day pass. If it's too far to justify a one-day trip, then plan on a weekend; do the park, go to ChocolateWorld, and then investigate some of the other attractions in the area. The AACA Car Museum is a blast as is The Turkey Hill Experience where you can learn how ice cream and iced tea are made by that company – the unlimited samples are worth the visit alone!

I'm happy we visited “the Sweetest Place On Earth” as a post-Christmas vacation. The kids had fun and my husband and I found it enjoyable, too. Many times when we visit amusement parks, we're basically just the kids' chaperones while they flit from ride to ride. On this visit, because of the pace and lack of crowds, we were able to talk and bond.


If you can, visit HersheyPark Christmas Candylane. And enjoy some sweet time with YOUR family!

Some of the lights in the trees at HersheyPark - they make it magical at night!

Need Something “Different” This Weekend? Visit Hersheypark In The Dark

Hersheypark In The Dark offers unique Fall fun!

My “must-dos” for Fall include: apple picking (done  - not to many apples left), pumpkin picking (done - field was a swamp), visiting a corn maze (scheduled – doing with the gymnastics' team), and raking leaves (no fun). But if you live or are visiting the Northeast, here's a novel place to go one weekend: Hersheypark!

This theme park is one of my favorites in the Summer because it's clean, well-run, and the workers are friendly and helpful. For three weekends starting October 18^th, this incredible destination opens itself up for Hersheypark In The Dark and it promises and delivers kids of all ages tons of Halloween fun, including:

• Kids 12 and younger can go on a Trick-or-Treat Adventure where the youngsters can visit the “neighborhood” of Treatville and receive a snack-sized treat at 8 different stops (obviously, while supplies last).
  
  

• 

  You'll be smiling, too, at Hersheypark!

  Unlimited thrills on 50 rides including 12 roller coasters. One of the cooler things Hershey does is make three of their most popular roller coasters “dark rides” after 9PM; they turn the
  track lights on Lightening Racer, the Wildcat, and Comet off to create a unique ride-in-the dark experience. Teens are going to LOVE this!
  
  
• Terrific family-friendly shows including Bunsen & The Burners (who perform Halloween hits) and Screaming Mummies (a “rockin' band of misfit mummies” who also sing holiday tunes. 
  
  
• Some great Fall-inspired food including warm soups served in bread bowls, funnel-cakes, and pumpkin sweets. Mmmmm....

Yes, Hershey in October is going to be chilly.  Yes, your feet will get sore because the park is large and hilly.  But what a unique way to spend some precious Fall time with your kids and get extra use out of those expensive Halloween costumes. For more information on Hersheypark In The Dark, visit http://www.hersheypark.com/seasonal/halloween/index.php. 

Is Hersheypark the "Sweetest Place On Earth"? Maybe...

Oh, and if you do visit Hershey, here are some other area attractions I highly recommend:

The Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Museum - features collections of some really cool antique cars (and I am NOT a car-lover). If you're out there on October 25^th, take the kids to their “Trunk Or Treat” for some trick-or-treating. For more on this very enjoyable museum, visit www.aacamuseum.org. 

Adventure Sports In Hershey – Your kids will LOVE you for taking them here! Just 4 miles south of Hershey, this place offers fun in the way of bumper cars, an arcade, laser tag, miniature golf, and a driving range. This place is clean and less of a rip-off than most venues of this type. Learn more at http://www.adventurehershey.com.

Enjoy some fun time in Hershey!

Just one "mummy's" opinion on Hersheypark

Note:  I was NOT compensated in any way for writing this post (I wish!).  I just really like Hershey...


Thanks for reading!