Story Book Ending

We looked forward to sleeping in our own beds, but I knew the boys would be sad to end our vacation. To keep them hopeful and make sure to end on a high note, I planned a fun outing for our last day on the road. The final adventure of our trip took place at Great Escape/Splashwater Kingdom, a Six Flags Theme Park near Lake George, New York. The boys and I had never been there before, but Paul remembered going as a child.

I bought discounted tickets in advance from Shelburne Parks and Recreation. The tickets cost $25 each and I bought three -- kids two and under are admitted for free. At the gate it would have cost us $41 each, so I saved $48, and the proceeds benefit Vermont State Parks and Recreation. I believe all Vermont municipal parks and rec offices offer the same deal. The tickets can be used any time during the 2009 season, so if we had not used them Sunday we could have used them later.

We arrived by 9:30. Parking was readily available and there were no lines for the attractions. The crowds starting coming about an hour later. Parking cost $10 in the lot across Route 9 from the park. There's a walkway over the road that brings you directly to the entrance. You can park closer to the entrance, for $25. We lathered up with sunscreen, filled the backpack with water bottles, gold fish crackers, swim suits and diapers and put Zac in the stroller.

After passing a dozen hawkers, picture-takers and merchants near the entry, we met Cinderella! She was dressed in a blue gown and was very charming. She was waiting for her mice to turn to horses so she could give kiddies rides around her castle. We promised to return later, and went straight to the carousel. Adam and Paul rode up and down on horses, and Zac and I floated round and round on a comfortable bench.

Next stop: Storytown village. Into the cobbler's house, through Jack's home under the beanstalk, around the giant pumpkin and a visit with live geese at Mother Goose's place. We cruised in a swan boat down the River Dee with live ducklings swimming next to us.

Thunder Alley was a hit. Paul and Zac drove their own little cars with dad and mom in the passenger seats. "Travel my way on the highway that's the best!"



The Storytown Train was so-so. There is very little scenery, just trees and storage sheds. Zac was bored, and I know he would have enjoyed it more if we passed creatures and castles. He and Adam were amused by the walk through Alice's Wonderland, with the Cheshire Cat, Tweedledee & Tweedledum and the Queen of Hearts on display.

Adam rode the Little Dragons and motorcycles by himself. Zac is too small and Paul and I are too large. Adam was the only kid on this ride.

The big winner of the day was Wiggles World, an area geared for young children. My kids aren't familiar with the Wiggles, the campy kids band from Australia (I don't know how I have avoided that!). But they loved Wiggles World's bright colors, fun music on the PA system and slow kiddy rides. The Big Red Planes were especially fun. They go round and round, and we could make our plane go higher by pressing a button.

The best part of Wiggles World is the Wiggles show. Kids LOVE it! I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself: happy 1, 2 and 3 year olds dancing and waving and screaming like teeny boppers at a Jonas Brothers concert. I laughed hysterically watching Zac bump and grind and wave his arms around with Captain Feathersword, Wags and Dorothy Dinosaur. He was hesitant to meet the cast after the show, but Adam was thrilled to pose with the costumed characters.

It was a hot day, so we headed over to Splashwater Kingdom. Zac fell asleep in his stroller on the way there. I parked him in the shade and Adam went in the water with Paul. Adam's favorite section was Noah's Sprayground, geared for young children, with shallow wading pools, fountains and slides. We had to drag him out of there so we could get home at a reasonable hour.

On our way out, we made one last stop, at Cinderella's coach. The horses pulled the pumpkin coach around a pink castle, and Adam jumped up and down begging us to let him take a ride with the princess. Of course, little one, we will not deny you this storybook ending to our family adventure!

And we all lived happily, ever after.