We had a fantastic family day at Waldameer, and I can’t recommend it enough for anyone looking for a fun, affordable, and family-friendly amusement park that doesn’t feel like a chaotic mega-resort.
We didn’t do the water park this time around, just stuck to the dry rides, and it was more than enough for a full day of fun. Our kids (ranging in age from toddler to tween) all had a blast. The ride selection is surprisingly diverse for a smaller park—plenty of options for younger kids, some decent thrills for the older ones, and even a few rides we could all enjoy together. The park feels nostalgic in the best way—clean, safe, and not overly commercialized. You can actually relax and enjoy yourself without being bombarded by ads and upcharges at every turn.
One of the things we appreciated most was how accessible and accommodating the park was for our whole crew. Grandma came along with us but didn’t plan on riding anything. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that non-riders don’t need to pay admission, which is a huge plus. She got to walk around with us, take pictures, enjoy the scenery, and even sneak in some snacks here and there—all without feeling like she was paying just to be a spectator. That’s something most theme parks wouldn’t allow, and it made a big difference for us.
The park is really well laid out, with plenty of shade, benches, and places to rest—great for grandparents or anyone who needs a break from the sun. Lines were reasonable, staff were friendly, and it was easy to navigate with our group.
We didn’t eat much at the park, but there were plenty of food stands around with fair prices (again, a nice change from most parks). And being able to bring your own food or leave and come back with your hand stamp is a huge bonus for families trying to stick to a budget.
Overall, Waldameer is the kind of place that feels like it was designed with families in mind. It’s charming without trying too hard, affordable without cutting corners, and just an all-around great day for kids and adults alike. We’ll absolutely be back—and maybe next time we’ll try out the...
Read moreWaldameer is truly one of the best-kept secrets of family amusement parks! We had an incredible time — from the classic charm to the modern thrills, this park has something for everyone.
✨ Top highlights:
FREE admission to walk the park! Yes — you can stroll through, enjoy the atmosphere, and only pay for what you ride or do.
Bring your own food! This is a huge bonus for families on a budget or anyone with dietary needs. You can pack a cooler and have a picnic right inside the park. (Just note: you can’t bring food into Water World — fair trade-off!)
The Ravine Flyer II. Absolutely legendary. This world-class wooden coaster literally flies over a highway. It’s thrilling, smooth for a wooden coaster, and worth the trip just to ride it.
Clean, family-friendly, and super manageable. The park is well-maintained, easy to navigate, and has the charm of a local amusement park with the quality of a much bigger one.
Tons of options: From kiddie rides and classic attractions to intense coasters and a full water park — you’re never bored here.
🎡 The atmosphere is welcoming, the staff are friendly, and prices are way more reasonable than most big-name parks. You feel like a guest, not just a customer.
🌊 Water World is awesome on a hot day — just remember no outside food/drinks there, but they do have concessions available.
We left with happy kids, tired feet, and great memories. I’d recommend Waldameer to anyone — families, coaster fans, or anyone looking for affordable, quality fun.
💯 We’ll definitely be back. Waldameer deserves ALL the...
Read moreI understand policy had changed from last year, but this is the first year. I’ve had my disabled kids come with the exit wristbands. I understand you have to make it fair but when you have kids that are autistic and they can start fights and stuff this is why we jump the line to make sure that this doesn’t do anything, but everybody was under control and stuff, but when you are waiting five rounds to get on a ride and then you get to wait another five more minutes to be able to ride the ride. I feel like it would be pointless to have an exit wristband. If you’re disabled people cannot get on it before hand. But to be able to wait 20 minutes just like you would normally wait and a line or so. And I understand like you have to see which line it would be to be able to get on. And then I witness somebody else I was disabled they still had to wait at least Before they got on.
And again I recognize that the policy has changed this year, and I appreciate the effort to ensure fairness. However, I have concerns about the impact on my disabled children, who have previously utilized exit wristbands to minimize wait times and prevent potential disruptions. Despite their conditions, they were well-behaved and under control. Nevertheless, the additional five-minute wait after already waiting five rounds for a ride seems excessive. I suggest allowing disabled individuals to wait for a reasonable amount of time, similar to the standard wait, to maintain a sense of fairness and...
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