Originally Posted By retlawfan Does anyone know of any changes coming to Bonfante Gardens this year? Anything new due to Cedar Fair buying out Paramounts? Inquiring minds want to know. And me too! By the way, BG and Great America begin their seasons on March 31st.
Originally Posted By momofbuzzfan I was JUST on the Bonfante Gardens website. Sorry.....I have no information for you, as we have never been there. But it looks incrediable! The new(ish) water park looks awesome - I think my kids would love it. Have you been? I have a 3 and 5 year old and we are going to go this summer. I'm curious to hear about it, since I don't know anyone who has gone!
Originally Posted By retlawfan Yeah, we live about 5 minutes away from the park. We spend a lot of time there with our (this year)5 and 7 year olds. The information from the park always seems a bit slow in coming out, so I was hoping someone on LP would have some inside info. BG is a really great park for families with the little ones. Your 3 year old and 5 year old will just love it. The whole experience is really geared to the younger kids. Great rides, and at a pace and size that isn't too much for them either. If it's not crowded, you can do the whole park in about half a day, which works well for the little ones. If it is busy, you can still do everything in one day. The food is a bit overpriced, and is not the best, but it is similar to the walk up type of food at DL. There is even a place to get deep fried artichoke hearts. Yum. I could go on all day. Feel free to ask if you have any specific questions or want recomendations!
Originally Posted By SuzieQ I've only been once, but I was thinking 5 & 7 year olds will LOVE this place! It's beautiful. I'm looking forward to going back this summer.
Originally Posted By momofbuzzfan ^^Thanks retlawfan. We are coming from Sacramento, so should we try to drive from home in the am and drive back in the pm.....or get a hotel? What are the usual summer weekday park hours? Also, with regards to the water park, can we sit on the sidelines and let the 3 and 5 year old run about, or do we need to get wet too to supervise them? Also, do they sell one day passes...and if so how much? All I saw on their website were the $59(ish) tickets that looked like season passes. So many questions! Thanks so much....you are lucky to live so close!!!
Originally Posted By retlawfan Usually the park opens at 10AM. So, if you don’t mind the drive, a one day trip would probably work. If you don’t like the drive, there are a few hotels in town. Then you could wake a decent time, have a leisurely breakfast(there are a couple or really good coffee shops in town too), and still be ready to go before the park opens. Yes, there is seating around the water areas. There are actually two areas. One that has a large structure, and one area with water jets that squirt from the ground like DL used to have in Tomorrowland). There isn’t a lot of seating, however, so if it’s a hot day plan on maybe two different times to go to the water areas. If it is too busy the first time, you should maybe come back in an hour or two. You should not have to get wet to watch them. They do sell one day passes at the gate, that work like a season pass with no benefits(the regular season passes offer park discounts on some food and merchandise). Occasionally, the local grocery store offers discounts on admissions. So, if you’re going for just one day, it is possible to get in a bit cheaper. There are also various discounts listed on the BG website. Hope this information is helpful. Enjoy!
Originally Posted By momofbuzzfan Definitely helpful. Thanks so much....I'm looking forward to going!
Originally Posted By buzzlyear You can buy a season pass for Paramounts Great America that is also good for 'Gilroy' Gardens. Additionally, they have another pass for about $20 more that is good at all Cedar Fair parks, including Knotts. <a href="http://www1.cedarfair.com/greatamerica/shop/shopping_season_pass.cfm" target="_blank">http://www1.cedarfair.com/grea tamerica/shop/shopping_season_pass.cfm</a>
Originally Posted By buzzlyear That being said (above), in my opinion, there is not much at Paramounts Great America, maybe worth 1 trip per year. Considering that they own Sponge Bob and Nickolodeon rights, its too bad that they do not create 'real' dark rides (not 3D). I think they would bring in a lot of folks if they did. The 'themed' rides now amount to carnival rides with character music, and maybe a statue of the character somewhere. Very weak.
Originally Posted By retlawfan Yeah, we have only broken down and purchased Great America pases when there is something particular we want to go see (such as a special event/guest). Otherwise, although you can get into both parks, Cedar Fair(then Paramount Parks) gets the income from the pass and Bonfante (the NON PROFIT park) gets nothing except additonal spending(food/souveniers). So, unless you really want to go to GA or one of the other CF parks, just buy a BG pass. Keep the money at BG and help with the liitle park. And, I agree. there is not much a GA to see anymore. all of the themeing is being eliminated, and it's more like a small MM (full of teenagers and concrete).
