Amusement Park Mom

I almost wish my family didn’t live so close to Hershey so we could have a reason to camp at Highmeadow Campground.  If you are considering staying there, watch their video showing all their great activities here.

While you are there sign up for the email list so you can find out first about coupons and discounts for Campground guests.

A local paper reported what we’ve all been expecting to hear, Hersheypark is petitioning for zoning exceptions and a variance to open something they are now calling “Attraction 2012.”

“Attraction 2012″ will be built in the Comet Hollow section of the park – a place that has long needed some fresh blood to balance all the new building on the other side of the park.

They are asking special exceptions for a height 12.2 feet over the 200 foot allowable and a reduction in the minimum front-yard area.  They are also seeking a variance for building in a senstive environmental areas – probably to place those 32 support columns it is saying will be needed.

Sounds like a roller coaster to me folks, but one that won’t boast a highest drop since 212.2 feet just isn’t that much.

Stay tuned for details and read the whole report here in the Lebanon Daily News.

Hershey Gardens is holding what they are calling the Pumpkin Glow on selected October evenings this fall.  Pumpkins will be lit from 6-8 and children can come in costume to follow the paths by flashlight and collect candy supplied by the Hershey Company.

Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors 62+ and 3-12 are $6.  Children under 3 are FREE as are members of the garden.

For details, visit the Hershey Calendar here.

Hersheypark has upped their Hersheypark in the Dark ticket price $2 to $26.95 for ages 9-54.  It is $17.95 for those 3-8 or 55+.  They are offering multi day tickets this year and preview options for those arriving the day before the day they actually want to visit.  Full details can be found on the ticket ordering page here.

After nearly a decade of visiting and working at the PA Ren Faire I can tell you that there are certain times you will have the whole place to yourself and others when you won’t be able to move because of the crowds.

If you are searching for a less crowded weekend to visit, choose one of these themed weekends:

• The Grande Arrival – Aug 14 and 15 (opening weekend)
• Chivalry and Romance – Aug 21 and 22
• Children’s Fantasy – Sept 4-6 (Labor Day weekend)
• Wine Harvest – Oct 9-10

The single least-busy day for the Faire in my experience has always been Labor Day Monday.  Most people do not even realize the Faire is open that day so do not attend.

The busiest weekends (and ones to avoid if you hate crowds) are always:

• Pyrate Invasion: Aug 28-29
• Scottish Weeked: Sept 18-19
• The last Halloween weekend:  Oct 30-31

You will find that people flock to the Faire in hot weather but avoid it like the plague in rain.  If the day is forecast to be overcast with a chance of showers it is a good day to go – just bring an umbrella.

Saturdays are busy all day but Sundays are light until 1-2pm when the church crowd arrives.

Hope these tips help you choose the best time to attend the Faire.  Enjoy!

Planning a trip to the Faire in 2010?  According to their website, discount tickets for the Faire can be found at these participating locations:

• Burger King
• Hess
• Turkey Hill
• Boyers

I always tell anyone that wants to go to the PA Ren Faire that they should go in costume. 

Why?  Because it makes you part of the show.  Actors and vendors will pay a different kind of attention to you than they would if you came in shorts and a t-shirt. 

It isn’t that they aren’t usually nice, it is just that they see you went to the trouble to come in costume and that is a form of appreciation of the Ren Faire itself.

If you visit Faire often you may want to invest in Faire “garb” – or simply, a costume.  Women generally wear a chemise, skirts, bodice or corset and a belt.  Men wear pants or a kilt and a shirt and belt. 

This general costuming is changed for people who play pirates, merchants, Spaniards, gypsies and other characters.  The sky is the limit for some of these folks, but a simple costume made from found objects will do just as well for the casual visitor.

Here are some suggestions for basic costumes for men, women and children.

• For all Faire goers the easiest costume is a pirate costume.  Black pants, white shirt with a bandanna around the head qualifies.  This can be accented with as much or as little as you want – pirate themes are very popular these days so there are lots of accessories to choose from at stores from Walmart to Target.
• For men who want to be different, a peasant outfit is pretty easy to assemble.  Khaki or brown pants, loose white/off white shirt without buttons and a wide belt work.
• For women and girls, the easiest outfit is a peasant/gypsy type outfit.  Find a peasant blouse, a full skirt and a dressy scarf to tie at your waist and another for your hair and you are done.
• If a woman has a bodice or corset in her collection it can be worn over a loose shirt and full skirt for a wench outfit.  A straw hat with a ribbon around it would complete this look.  (Women are always supposed to have something on their heads)
• For children, any costume they have will be fine.  Honestly, in our days at Faire we have seen everything from Star Wars to The Little Mermaid and for kids it all works.
• The hardest part of all costumes are shoes.  Faire appropriate shoes would not have visible velcro or be flip flops.  Boots, shoes with buckles and moccasins are all acceptable.  But if you don’t have those types of shoes and don’t want to invest in them, don’t worry.  For kids nobody cares what is on their feet so let them wear what is comfortable.  For adults, try to match your shoe color to your costume.  Black pants with black shoes etc.  If all else fails, wear whatever you like to walk in, nobody will say a thing.

So you’ve searched your closet and can’t find anything appropriate?  Here are some other places to look:  your grandmother’s closet, your mother’s closet, thrift shops, consignment stores, Salvation Army, Good Will, dollar and $5 dollar stores – the clearance rack at nearly any department store.  Ask your friends and relatives, put a note up on Freecycle or the bulletin board in town.

If you have a costume that isn’t Faire related (most of us have an old halloween costume) consider hitting one of the Halloween weekends in October.  Anything (and I mean anything!) goes on these weekends from Scarlet O’Hara to C3PO.

Most of all, just have fun.

A magician entertains some small Faire goers

The 2010 season of the Pennsylvania Rennaissance Faire opens August 14th and if you have never visited it, it is definitely a fun place to go with your children.

This post deals with making the trip with children, but will also include general information that would benefit anyone.  For my top 20 tips on visiting Faire, check here.

A trip to Faire is a wonderful thing for children from the ages of 3-11 since this is the prime time when kids have dreams of being pirates, fairies or gypsies.  They are not afraid at these ages to act the part and they will definitely get into the spirit while there.

Children who are younger may enjoy aspects of Faire, but the outdoor setting, poor stroller access and loud noises may cause problems with some toddlers.  Children in the tween phase may think the whole thing is corny and refuse to participate and teens may pick up on the “adult” aspects of certain parts of Faire that younger children won’t get which could make parents uncomfortable.

Here is my list of suggestions for making your trip a success:

• Have your child, and your entire family if possible, go in costume.  Being in costume makes you part of the total experience and will get your children some specialized attention from the actors during the day.  If you aren’t sure how to get a costume together,  I’ve got another post that deals with this very topic so check out my suggestions.  It does not have to cost much money or be very difficult, but your kids will love you for it.
• Make sure the kids have comfortable walking shoes and clothing appropriate for the weather.  Rainy days at Faire can be super fun because it isn’t crowded and there are few lines for food and rides.  A poncho over a costume will give protection and still allow the kids full range of motion.  Flip flops are NOT a good idea for Faire.  Parts of the area are stone or dirt and closed shoes are definitely better for the feet.  Parts of Faire have very little shade so a hat, sunscreen or umbrella are also a great idea.
• Visit the Faire on Children’s Fantasy Weekend, historically Labor Day Weekend, for maximum kid fun.  Labor Day Monday is traditionally one of the best days to visit Faire since most people don’t know it is open.  Extra activities are planned for Children on this weekend and many vendors carry things for kids on these weekends that they normally don’t have. The Faire website has a listing of all kids activities on every weekend so check that out before you go.
• Drink plenty of water while you are there.  Faire has a few drinking fountains where you can fill up your tankard (a cup from home) or a previous drink cup.
• Pack a picnic lunch and a blanket to eat by your car for your big meal and plan to only purchase snacks inside. Faire will stamp your hand on exit for return entry.  Faire is pricey when it comes to eating and drinking, but the bigger issue for children is finding real food that they will eat.  They at first think that turkey leg looks great, but upon tasting it (they taste like smoked ham) they don’t want to eat it – usally “gross” is the word I’ve heard.  Having familiar food from home to keep them satiated and only buying a pickle on a stick or a pretzel is your best bet for small kids.
• If at all possible, have your children look over all the items for sale at Faire before purchasing something.  Many of the things for sale will be things they have never seen before and each is more magical than the last.  There is one exception to this rule – if there is only one of an item, you may want to purchase it immediately.  The child’s hopes might be dashed if you wait.
• A note about wooden swords:  If you can help it, do NOT purchase your child’s wooden sword until close to the end of the day.  Yes, all boys and many girls want one of these and they are a hazard to the children and to the people around them.  If they MUST have one, wait until before Finale to purchase it so that you don’t have to spend all day apologizing for the people your kids hit with it. One thing you can try is to advise your would-be knight or pirate that there is a rule that the sword must always point down when walking or entering shops.  This sometimes helps – and sometimes does not.
• I mentioned this in my Top 20, but it is worth mentioning here too.  Some shows are for adults only.  Please respect that and keep your children away.  If an actor sees a child in the audience, they will issue a general warning.  There is a reason for this – the material is adult in content and it will be embarassing for you as a parent to have to explain the meaning of what is going on in front of them.  Bawdy songs and innuendo are a natural part of the Ren Faire experience, but PA does a good job of keeping the non-adult shows clean.  It is up to the parents to make sure their kids are not at a show that is not kid-appropriate.
• If there are contests for kids the weekend you are going, by all means let the kids participate.  Grape stomping was one my daughter enjoyed in the past and ended up with a goodie bag and a t-shirt out of it.  I got a lot of great photos and we all had a wonderful time.
• Take a carriage ride around Faire.  Yes, it is a bit pricey, but it gets your kids off their tired feet and lets them see it at a new level.  Remember kids are short and in crowds they do not get to see much other than the legs of other people.  Putting them at carriage height lets them see all the things they have been missing.  Plus they can usually pet the horse.
• Take cash with you and be prepared to spend it.  Most families visit Faire infrequently and this may be the only time your child gets to try to joust or handle a sword.
• See the mud show.  This is one of the best shows on the shire and it is always a hit with the kids.  If you dare, sit in the first few rows and you may even get splashed.
• If you take a stroller, be warned that much of the land is rough or steep.  And if it has rained it WILL be muddy.

Hopefully these tips will help you enjoy your trip to the PA Ren Faire with your kids.  If you’ve got questions, just leave a comment and we’ll do our best to answer them.

PA Ren Faire Chess Board

The 2010 edition of the PA Renaissance Faire opens Saturday, August 14th at Mt. Hope Estate and Winery.  The Faire runs weekends from August 14 – October 31 and Labor Day Monday.

Our family has held season passes to Faire for many years and it is a unique experience that can be fun for the whole family with a little inside information and advance planning.

If you’ve never been to one, a Renaissance Faire (or Festival as some are called) is a costumed re-enactment of life in the Renaissance time period.  Different Faires cover different time periods, but our Faire in PA always showcases the Reign of Queen Elizabeth.

To make the most of your trip to the PA Ren Faire, you definitely want to do some research on their website to find the best time for your family to go.  Each weekend has a different theme and some may be more interesting to you than others.  Historically the pirate, Scottish and Irish themed weekends draw the largest crowds, followed by the Halloween weekends.

In addition to finding out all there is to see and do, you can also buy tickets online which can be a great time savings if you go on one of the busiest weekends. 

For current ticket prices, check the PA Ren Faire website.  Children’s pricing is from ages 5-11.

Here are my top 20 tips to make the most of your trip:

1. Review the entertainment schedule BEFORE you go.  It take two full days at least to see all there is at Faire and if you are only going for one day, you need to make some decisions on what to see and do.
2. If you have been to Faire before and liked a certain act, make sure to check the schedule to see if they are listed.  Certain acts appear only on certain weekends with special guests added according to the theme of the weekend.
3. Faire is open from 11am – 8pm and there is a mini show at the time of gate opening.  If you hate crowds, avoid opening time but if you don’t mind them then get there around 10:30 for good parking and easy ticket purchase.
4. If you want to visit at the least crowded time, go first thing on a Sunday morning – or go in the rain.  Labor Day is generally the lightest day since people don’t realize Faire is open.
5. Eat a big breakfast before you come and pack snacks and a cooler in your car.  Food and drink are pricey at the Faire and it is better to take your main meal someplace else.  Bring an empty cup (tankard) with you to utilize the drinking fountains to minimize drink purchases OR just save your first cup of the day.
6. If you are planning to stay until closing, bring a flashlight with you.  The outskirts of the Faire grounds and the parking lots get awful dark as we get toward daylight savings time.
7. Try to come in Faire costume.  It makes the experience more enjoyable, especially if you have children with you.  More on costumes and taking children in later posts.
8. Be sure to drink plenty of WATER… not wine, not beer, not sangria – WATER.
9. Use sunscreen, wear a hat or carry a parasol.  Portions of the Faire grounds, such as the jousting field, have very little cover.
10. Wear sensible shoes.  Flip-flops are a no-no at Faire due to the stone and dirt paths and the fact that the Faire grounds become extremely muddy and slick when it rains.
11. Keep a map with you at all times and ask for directions.  Faire folk will be happy to point you in the right direction.
12. If you are approached by an actor to take part in a show, or if someone just strikes up a conversation – go with it!  Your kids will love you for it and so will the actor.  You playing along makes their job easier and everyone’s Faire experience better.
13. Bring money with you – cash money.  Many vendors do not take credit or debit cards to keep their costs down.  There are ATM machines on site but they charge hefty fees and dispense big bills which vendors may not always be able to break.  If you run into this situation, go buy a soda at the Queen’s Cup and they will make change.
14. Shop around before you buy.  Unless something you are looking at is a one of a kind piece, it pays to shop around at Faire.  The vendors are competative and each has a unique style.  You may find something you like better a little later and kick yourself.  Of course if you MUST have the item, then pick it up.
15. Pay careful attention to shows marked as adult shows.  It is unpleasant for everyone for children to be exposed to subject matter they should not be.  Try a baby swap if someone must see the show and have someone else take the kids to another activity.
16. If you really enjoy your Faire experience, consider a Season Pass.  You will definitely get your money’s worth if you go more than twice plus you can go for a few hours only and not feel like you’ve wasted your admission charge.
17. Try the wine tasting and then go and buy a bottle of that wine to take home.  Buying wine on site in teeny cups for a huge price is just not a good value.  The beer is expensive also, but can’t be taken home so easily.
18. There are several free events held each weekend that can score you free passes or your kids a trinket or two.  Don’t be afraid to participate.
19. If you have a stroller or a person in a wheelchair please note that certain paths are very steep and others are stone.  This can make for tough going.
20. Bathrooms (known as privies) at Faire are on the primitive side, but some have attendants to help keep them in ship shape.  Be kind to those folks who work so hard and only see the inside of a privy all day.  A small tip is always appreciated.

So there are twenty tips to make your trip go more smoothly.  Check my other posts for more specific discussions on costumes and children.

I got an update on Conneaut Lake’s Blue Streak today from my fellow amusement park fan Lisa. 

She wrote, “The Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park, Lisko Entertainment, Park Restoration, and Structural Technologies Inc. (STI) wish to thank all of the supporters of the Pepsi Refresh Project in July and donors to the Blue Streak Restoration Fund.  Our project has rolled over into the August voting period, so please continue to vote every day and spread the word in any way you can.  Remember, votes can be submitted via the text message 100510 sent to Pepsi at 73774. Our website has the link to take you directly to the voting page where you can cast your vote.  Remember to Sign In/Join first (lower left corner of the page) then click on Vote for this Idea. Also, Pepsi has notified us of this important rule: ‘Any idea that uses proxy voting, which includes but is not limited to creating multiple or dummy accounts and voting on behalf of other users, may be disqualified.’”

I’ve added this important topic to my top menu bar so come back every day to visit the Conneaut Lake park’s website so you can check out their work and also link to the Pepsi Refresh program to vote for them all during August. 

If you love old coasters, please consider making a donation to save the Blue Streak.  Click on their website here.