Silverwood Theme Park and Boulder Beach Waterpark in Idaho

On a recent trip to Eastern Washington my family and I were invited to visit Silverwood Theme Park and Boulder Beach Water park near Coeur d'Alene Idaho.  We packed  up from Spokane, Washington where we were camping and took the 45min drive over to Idaho Sunday morning.

With the park opening at 11am that morning, we packed our own lunch and were pleasantly surprised to see a nice area next to the parking lot at Silverwood where we were able to use a picnic table under a shaded tree.  

My daughter wanted to visit Boulder Beach first and she screamed with excitement when she saw the huge Polliwog play area for kids.  My sites were set on the Lazy River just across the way and after some playtime on the slides, waterfalls and shallow pool we took the entire family into the lazy river, including my two year old son who had a blast.  The park provides life vests so it was great to know they were safe in the water with plenty of lifeguards at every turn you take.

After hours of playing in the water on different rides, slides and pools, we realized we had to head over to the other side of Silverwood theme park to ride the roller coasters and kids rides.

Before we went over, we grabbed a snack at Boulder Beach and I was surprised by the prices and quantity of food they provided.  Unlike other big name parks they don't charge ridiculous prices for their food and a single scoop of ice cream was more like four scoops.  We opted for the Sliders miniature hamburgers which was enough to feed our family of four for a quick snack.  In one meal we each got a burger and a handful of fries.  If your looking for a bigger selection on food, head over towards the Silverwood park entrance where I found Salads, sandwiches, chicken and plenty of healthier options at a great price as well.

Warning: Gushy motherly moment is about to take place. 

My favorite part about the Silverwood theme park was finally getting to see my two year old son ride the rides and enjoy them with his sister, it truly brought tears to my eyes.  The height limits in this park are very forgiving and are mostly set at "maximum height" limits in the kids Garfield Camp area.  He was able to ride the helicopters and planes over and over again with a big smile!  The lines were short and quick and both my children had a blast. 

With a six year old who is not yet a fan of roller coasters or big rides and a two year old, we spent alot of time in Garfield's Camp.  But we walked the entire park and the adults were able to enjoy a few of the larger rides such as the Panic Plunge and Timber Terror wooden coaster.  There are also a few smaller kid rides mixed in with the roller coasters so don't just stay in the kids area for smaller rides.

Ok, he really WAS smiling, but he's a pretty serious kid  

Overall we ended up staying at the park from open to close and still didn't get to do everything they had to offer.  Our children left tired, but extremely happy and had a great day!  I left happy knowing that the great Northwest does have a theme park to brag about.  I can't wait to plan a trip to Idaho again to get back to Silverwood. 

Plan your Silverwood Trip

Silverwood has two great parks to visit, each of which could entertain your family for the entire day.  Silverwood has it's very own Campground right across the street next to the parking lot.  Why not plan a weekend camping trip with theme parks? Plus, you get discount tickets to the park during your stay.

Looking for discount tickets? Before talking with Silverwood I had priced out the best tickets for the park and found that Costco was providing the best overall entrance price.  You can also visit Silverwood's website for e-ticket pricing and list of current offers. 

*Silverwood gave my family complimentary entry to the park. However, this does not affect my personal opinions in this article. ShareThis

Theme Park Savings - Twilight admission and other Discounts!

I recently asked Theme Parks across the Nation if they offer a twilight, late entry or other discounted prices that may not be listed or always known by the public.  This is always of course public information, but not typically something parks promote on their sites. 

I recalled my favorite park Knotts Berry Farm used to have a Twilight rate and checked up with them first.  They still offer a discount after 4p.m for $27.50 opposed to the normal Full day $54.99 rate for adults.  HALF OFF the all day price and well worth it in my book.  Typically in the summertime parks are open until 10p.m to sometimes Midnight and that gives you 5-8hrs during your half admission price.

WHY GO LATE?
On top of the cheaper entry your most likely to see shorter lines, cooler weather and a few less children.  Most families plan their theme park trips for first thing in the morning, and younger children tire out usually sometime around 4pm if they've been at the park since 9a.m.  

Spend your day visiting the city, enjoying your hotel pool or taking a scenic drive.  Save even more money by having your breakfast, lunch and dinner outside the park, then head in once your ready to hit the rides and have fun.  If your a Theme Park food lover, have a late night snack between all the walking around you'll be doing. 

Locals

You probably already know as a local that purchasing a season pass is the best offer of them all! Some theme parks charging a daily rate of $55 may give a season pass for a mere $10 more.  As a traveler this is the downside of not getting to be a frequent visitor.

Here is a list of just a few Parks that offer a Twilight or late entry price and a few other tips! Call the park where your planning your next trip and see if they offer any late entry discounts. Don't forget to even ask the local Zoo's and Museums

THEME PARK TWILIGHT & DISCOUNT RATES

Lake Compouse - New England - $34.99 Normal Rate - After 5pm $17.99

        There is a discount when someone purchases their ticket online from our website, by showing a stop and shop card, as well as discount coupons available at Burger King and Dunkin Donuts. Members of AAA and Costco can also buy discounted tickets through those entities.

Sesame Place - Philadelphia - $53 Normal Rate - After 3p.m $30

        Another special promotion ticket that we have is the Elmo Any 2-Day Ticket. With our Elmo tickets, guests get two days in the park for the price of one--$53

Seabreeze - New York - $24.99 Normal Pass - After 5pm. $19.99

       The best deal for getting tickets to Seabreeze is to buy them online at http://www.seabreeze.com/. The web price for a Ride & Slide Pass is $21.99 instead of $24.99. Plus to get to use our Express Lanes for faster access to the park.

Hershey Park - Pennsylvania - $52.95 Normal Rate - After 5p.m $26.95

       Discounted tickets to Hersheypark are sold through AAA, Giant and Martin Food Stores and through many participating businesses

Elitch Gardens - Denver, Colorado - $40.99 Normal Rate - After 4p.m - $32.99

       We have coupons for discounted admission at Dairy Queens in Colorado and there are offers on Pepsi cans. We also have discounted day tickets available at King Soopers.  Sunday Funday tickets are $31.99 available online for Sundays in July and August. We also have a Play Like a Kid, Pay Like a Kid promotion which will run the first week in August. This promotion allows adults to pay the child’s price for admission during that week ($29.99). Those last two offers (Sunday Funday and Play Like a Kid, Pay Like a Kid) are only available on our website, http://www.elitchgardens.com/.

Knotts Berry Farm - Buena Park, California - $54.99 Normal Rate - After 5p.m $27.50

      More discounts are offered at the local Ralphs Grocery, Subways, online tickets, AAA members and Military discounts as low as $29.99 for an adult.

Busch Gardens Park in Virginia did not provide a Twilight Rate, but gave the following discount information

      For guests visiting from outside the Williamsburg region, we offer the Discovery Ticket ($69.95 online) that provides unlimited admission to Busch Gardens and Water Country USA for seven consecutive days. We also offer Virginia residents a Fun Card that provides unlimited admission to Busch Gardens through Labor Day for the price of a single-day ticket ($61.95). For guests who only plan to visit the park once, we offer coupons in businesses throughout the area that provide discounts for single-day admission to the park.

Travel Tip Tuesday - July 27th 2010

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Foto Fun Friday - July 16th, 2010

Last week I wrote about my favorite theme park and how my family has gone for generations.  Well, here is the fun proof I found in my moms photo albums!

Same fun cowboys, still sitting and waiting for us everytime we visit!  There are even some nice looking ladies for the boys to pose with as well

My father - sometime in the early 60's

My Aunt and I (left)- 1985My daughter, mother and I - 2007

So, here is your super EASY Foto Friday Question...What Theme park is this?

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Knotts Berry Farm Theme Park - Buena Park, California

Growing up as a child in Los Angeles California I was not a Disneyland child, but I was a Knotts kid!  Each year my parents saved up for that one day when we would enjoy the rides, Snoopy Characters and all that was Knotts Berry Farm.  America's very first theme park and childhood memories that no one can ever erase. 

What I love so much about this theme Park is that no matter how many years have gone by I can still take a picture next to the same statues that were there in the sixties and my own parents stood by as teens.  The modern world has done little to affect the great atmosphere of the Wild West, Ghost Town theme.  It still smells the same as I remember years past and the moment I step beyond the gates I feel like a child again. 

Camp Snoopy still has those same Red Baron airplanes and Huff and Puff soap box carts I rode as a child and watched my own daughter ride a couple years ago. Yet a few newer rides added to the mix makes it all the more fun for kids seeking a little more action these days.

My favorite two rides are still making a splash at Knotts.  "Big Foot Rapids" winds you through the river in which ever direction the water takes you, and the best part is not knowing who is going to get drenched under the waterfall.  And who doesn't enjoy a "Timber Mountain Log Ride" through dark caves and taking a stomach dropping plunge at the end! (Don't forget to smile, your on camera!)

Although I believe Knotts has done very well at keeping it's timeless Western charm, they have added some great Roller coasters to the park, as well as the Soak City Water Park just next door.

I love the food in Knotts Berry Farm and although it's not cheap (No theme park ever is) it's part of the experience and well worth the few extra bucks.

Be sure to hop on the Train, ride the bumper cars and even take a thrilling fall on the supreme scream! If your a fan of Halloween you can visit each year when the park is taken over by Ghosts and Goblins and turned into "Knotts Scary Farm". ShareThis

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort - Disneyworld, Florida

First off I will say, I am digging into my memory bank on this review, but my vacation to Disneyworld several years ago is still one of the Top on my list and Coronado Springs was part of that reason!

When we pulled into the Disney Resort I felt as though I had entered a whole new world, with it's Southwest Spanish style theme, everything is transformed.  This massive resort has several buildings, fountains, a 22 acre lake, 3 pools and a Grand pool with a Pyramid slide.  You can also find restaurants, a health club, salon, babysitting and shopping all within the resort.

My first trip to Disneyworld and Coronado was with my parents and best friend.  My parents were very strict growing up, so I was surprised when they allowed us free range of the Disneyworld property for a couple of days.  The resorts have buses that come every couple of minutes and at Coronado there are bus stops in front of almost every building they have.  You hop on the bus and head for which ever Disney park your heart desires.  Even something a parent can feel comfortable for an older, responsible teenager to accomplish on their own. 

We spent 8 days at the resort and after every long busy day at the park we were happy to come back to the resort for a swim in the pyramid pool and dinner at the "Pepper Market" inside the resort.  I recall every night having dinner with my parents and we'd sit  and talk about all the great stuff we saw and did that day.  GREAT memories I still have!  Some people complain about pricing at the resorts, but it's a theme park and everyone knows when your inside a park prices go up (just because they can), so don't expect to find any cheap eats inside any of the resort hotels or Disney parks.  Save up your money and make this a good trip. You can also purchase a refillable mug for fountain drinks at Coronado during your stay, well worth the money!

Since my trip was awhile back, I looked into the Coronado Springs Resort today and they have since updated their rooms with the newest flat screens, plush bedding and updated decor.  Even nicer looking than I recall and during my first stay, and we had enjoyed the nice rooms as they were.  My FAVORITE part of the trip...turning on the TV each morning on the resort channel hearing "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay, My, oh, my, what a wonderful day!"...everyday was truly a wonderful day for us at the Disneyworld Resort.  An unforgetable and memorable trip with my family.  I can't wait to take my children there someday!

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