Diggerland has a HUGE Black Friday – Cyber Monday Special and they asked me to share it with YOU! You may have seen our fun day out at Diggerland over the Summer, but if you missed it, check it out! So much fun for all ages, my kids especially loved driving the machinery themselves (YES Really!).
It’s that time of year again, and we’re excited to announce our LOWEST PRICES yet for our Black Friday Sale! Our ultimate Black Friday sale gifts you with 2 parks for 1 price, with our Water Main Aquatic Park opening in 2020, plus more exciting discounts!
We’re so excited for our expansion and all the new fun things coming to Diggerland!
Grand Opening is targeted for the 2020 Memorial Day weekend
9/12/2019 West Berlin, N.J. – Diggerland USA is ecstatic to announce its newest park expansion: “The Water Main” Aquatic Park. Guests will be able cool off, swim and splash their way around an expansive 2-acre outdoor aquatic park with two multi-zone pools featuring a slide tower, Wibit-brand challenge course, swim vortex, in-pool basketball area, themed splash park plus family and leisure swim zones. Surrounding the pools are deck chairs and lawn areas for relaxation and sunbathing, walk‑up food and beverage service, and private cabana rentals.
The Water Main grand opening is targeted for the 2020 Memorial Day weekend. During the remainder of 2019, Diggerland USA will be open weekends and holidays through the Christmas holidays. Annually, Diggerland USA is open (subject to weather) during weekends, holidays and when schools are generally not in session from mid-March through the December holidays, and The Water Main will be open during those days from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Annually, starting in mid‑September, during the park’s “Diggerfest” and “Winterfest” seasons, the park offers seasonal and family entertainment and in‑park events.
Visit DiggerlandUSA.com and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with announcements about The Water Main and other aspects of Diggerland USA including our operating schedule and our in‑park entertainment and events.
Half day of school on a Friday? That calls for fun! #ExtremeLSC has just the right stuff.
Enter to win a family pack of 4 tickets for the November 22nd 6-10pm Extreme Event at the Liberty Science Center (a $70 Value!). Great for children ages 2-16!
Laser tag! Slime! A massive ball pit! Blast off into a brand new adventure for kids at Liberty Science Center: Extreme LSC!
Happening every fourth Friday from 6 pm – 10 pm, Extreme LSC is the ultimate way to kick off a weekend of fun. Experience Liberty Science Center’s most exciting adventures only at Extreme LSC! Get discounted advance tickets now for Nov. 22.
All of LSC’s exhibitions will be open, too! Experience all your favorites – the Touch Tunnel, the Infinity Climber, the animals in Eat and Be Eaten – at night with your friends. For an additional cost, you can also experience LSC’s newest premium exhibition: Angry Birds Universe!
The cafe will also be open serving food and snacks throughout the evening. Accompanying adults 21 and over can enjoy a menu of beer and wine.
Get tickets now and take advantage of the limited time online discount: $15 for kids, and $20 for adults. After the discount ends, all tickets will go up $5.
Six Flags ticket prices can break the bank and Six Flags Discount tickets can be hard to find.
At least here in NJ at Six Flags Great Adventure. I don’t know about the other popular theme park ticket prices like six flags magic mountain or six flags great america, but I’d imagine all six flags have about the same pricing structure.
#1. Season Passes
The best deal is the annual season pass that has a monthly reoccurring. For gold membership, it’s just $26 a month including tax for 4 passes. This includes free standard parking, entry to ther park any operating day, and bring a friend discounts. A six flags one day ticket will set you back $80+ if you buy it at the gate. That’s 11 months of payments if you gave the gold $7 a month plan. You can cancel any time after the first year, but why would you? You’re locked into that great rate!
This year they introduced diamond and diamond elite passes that offer even more, but your monthly payment will go up for it, so I stick to what works for my family.
#2. Coke Cans
Another way to save is coke cans or the leaflet flyers you can sometimes find at Dunkin Donuts shop counters. You can also check retailmenot.com or groupon since they’re known for deals and you may just get lucky.
#3. Scouts Days
If you know a boy scout or girl scout, you may just want to hit them up to find out if they plan on attending any scout days. If so, scouts in uniform can bring family members to the park on these days to receive a 50% off pass to enjoy the park with rest of the troops and dens.
Overall, the deals are out there, you just have to look. And with Freight Fest in full swing, the park is sure to be an exciting full morning to night day of fun.
Six Flags NJ Hours vary based on season so click and check ther current calendar.
Six Flags Parking Prices are free for members.
Six Flags Freight Fest is 6pm until close during the fall season leading up until Halloween.
Get the Six Flags free app to have access to coupons, local park info, and maps of the park.
On the app you’ll have access to bring a friend deals as well which is good for everyone! You get to bring a friend to enjoy the fun, and they get a discounted six flags ticket.
Alot of times they make these weekdays only, but there are the few tossed in for weekends. Sometimes cheap and someones even FREE! So my advice is get the app.
We’ve all paid the $5.00 or so for our kids to ride around on the new mall craze, the animals. It’s an awesome experience for the kids, and great picture opportunity for parents capturing their child in a pure joy moment. But what if it was possible to have this type of fun at home, affordably!
I am calling it now, this is sure to be a hot hot hotseller this holiday season. Get yours now while prices are still low on Amazon before they sell out!
Meet Pony Cycle, original inventor of the PonyCycle ride on toy—–world’s first simulated walking animal. Through 13 years of development, manufacturing improvement, riding test and safety test, it has arrived!
Adorable and comfortable to ride, it will fulfill your kids’ fantasy and also become their best childhood memory of their own Pony -or Unicorn…
Enter now to win a pack of Hona $10 Amazon gift card to get you started on back to school supplies this 2019/2020 school year
Honeysticks Crayons are handmade in New Zealand with 100% pure beeswax, so they are safer for children of all ages. This sustainable process causes minimal impact on the environment and gives the crayons a wonderful honey scent. Our unique chubby crayons are easy for small hands to hold, but much harder to break! Let your little ones express their inner artist with a stunning range of twelve eye catching, non-toxic crayon colours.
Welcome to the 4th Annual Oh, The Places You’ll Go! Giveaway Hop!
Please click each link below to visit a new site with a new giveaway!
Don’t forget to come back daily for bonus entries!
There is an ongoing debate if the express pass at Universal Studios Orlando is worth the money you’ll need to shell out for it.
My answer is yes, but not by itself.
If you’re traveling from far away and needing to stay at a hotel, you’re better off staying at one of the on-site resorts that include the Unlimited Express pass with your stay.
I had booked the Aventura hotel almost a year in advance of our trip and was happy with my choice. I had paid it off in 2 payments and was all set including the park tickets for us all.
About a month and a half before our trip, my husband mentioned to me that we should probably look into the express passes since we were going late July which is a busy time (I mean, is there any time that isn’t busy there?). I checked them out and noticed the site says $69.99 for the regular Express pass.
That is until I chose my specific dates. The prices jumped to $189 each for the unlimited Express passes! I couldn’t believe my eyes… I decided to wait and look around. I noticed that the top tier hotels on site, the Hard Rock Orlando and Lowes Pacifica both included free unlimited Express passes for all guests during your stay.
If I purchased the Express passes separately, it would’ve costed my just under $800.
I called to inquire about upgrading my hotel to the Hard Rock and to my surprise it was just $600 more than what I had already paid OR for an additional $800 we would get Rock Royalty Club level at the hotel.
I chose the latter and man am I happy I did. We had an AMAZING time, and the Hard Rock Club Level is definitely worth the extra money.
We took the path right from the hotel which is a 7 minute walk to City Walk and the entrance to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. We were able to take our time getting to the parks in the morning, and then leave around 12 to go back to the hotel, take a dip in the amazing pool and hot tub, eat, and head back to the parks.
It was so care free and leisurely. Getting to go in the Express lane, even during the peak July month, meant 5-10 minute waits MAX even on the newest rides (make sure the rides you want accept express passes).
Take note of the Express pass which allows one express ride per ride vs. The Express unlimited pass which allows you on the rides as many times as you’d like over and over if you chose.
Overall, YES it is so worth it, especially during the busiest Summer months. But I suggest you check the on site hotel rates that include them before shelling out the money for the passes themselves.
Did you already book a hotel or driving from local? No worries, you can always decide once you get to the parks If you want to add an Express pass. They’re the same price at the park and Express passes are sold all over in all 3 universal parks.
The following are the rides that accept express passes as of August 2019:
Participating rides and attractions subject to change without notice.
One of the biggest topics when visiting City Walk is where to eat with little kids? The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium is a little known gem at Universal’s City Walk on Orlando.
Perfect for children of all ages, this restaurant is whimsical with a feel of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. There are steampunk clocks and confections galore. If you are staying at a high end resort on site at Universal, you can use your hotel key to get premier fast seating which is great. You can chose to only visit the store, visit just the milk shake counter (we’ll get to this in a moment) or stay for dinner.
When you first walk in, there is a store filled with truffles and macaroons. Beware as they are extremely expensive to the tune of $20 for a box of 6 tiny truffles and $24 for just 6 macaroons.
With that being said, we got both. I found it with it for the experience for the kids and I can’t lie, myself too. Thet just looked so tempting and I couldn’t wait to try the hand made truffles. Just look at these displays of goodness…
We chose the salted caramel, neapolitan, chocolate, caramel corn, and coconut macaroons. I have to say they were just as good as they look.
For the truffles, I can’t recall what flavors we choose but they look so pretty. The box they come in is so cute too with a little bow. I guess for three price they better come in a cute box… the one I tried wasn’t as great as I’d hoped. If I can do it again, I’d skip getting the high priced truffles, thet weren’t worth it.
The place is known for their outrageous milk shakes. For kids, this is a dream come true. Take a look at all of the options!
I’m drooling just looking at the options on the menu again. And boy are they fantastic! Check out the birthday cake with a full piece of cake on top and the cookie jar shake with a cookie and bits of every best cookie!
The rest of the menu is great too. It’s a fancy restaurant made fun. A little secret, it is actually cheaper than many of the other restaurant’s in the area, so way worth it in my opinion, especially if you have children. They have burgers, chicken tenders, salads, and many more.
If you can request a specific seat, ask for upstairs by the window. The view of city walk is great.
This year my family and I took a vacation from our home state of New Jersey to Florida. We’ve done the drive previous years, and it’s always worked well so I thought, why not share with others the easiest way to travel to Florida with children?
Well, the first rule is always take the westerly route. I-95 is the better known way, and sometimes thought to be the only way by those who do not travel often by car. I-81 is a much better route and although on Google maps is longer, it’ll be a smoother, traffic-free ride. Usually, you can get a cheaper hotel rate as well since it isn’t where all of the main traffic traveling down south comes from.
If you want fool proof, I’ll give you the hotel’s we frequent on the way down south and if you use these in your gps, you’ll be good to go! Not to mention, this makes the ride down a part of the vacation rather than dreaded driving time.
First up is the Quality inn in Troutville, VA.
Address:
3139 Lee Hwy South,
Troutville, VA 24175
It’ll be a 6 to 6 1/2 hour ride from central NJ. We like to leave early morning and do 4 straight hours. This way, the kids sleep and it usually gets us right to the point of needing to get gas. Then break for some eat in lunch at one of the easy on-off exits and it’ll be only another 2 hours left of the ride until the hotel. There is a Cracker Barrel restaurant right in the parking lot of the Troutville, VA Quality Inn that you can walk to for dinner and they have an outdoor pool that’s perfect for kids (3ft- 5.5ft) and open until it gets dark out.
From the Troutville hotel, we head to Savannah, GA which is another 6 hour drive from the previous hotel, and again, we break it up into 4 hours, stop for lunch, and then 2 hours. Our favorite hotel there is the Doubletree.
Address:
50 Yvette J Hagins Drive,
Savannah, GA 31408
It’s so nice and classy and has a pull out bed sofa which is perfect for the kids. They have their own tv as well so we can all lounge and watch what we want after yet another long drive. The pool at the Doubletree is indoors and open 24/7 which is nice. The heated pool is so refreshing and helps to refresh muscles after sitting in a car for so long.
The area is highly populated with stores including fast food, Tanger Outlets, and a super Walmart all within short driving distance. Not to mention it’s a highly sought after area since its close to downtown historic district of Savannah. The Doubletree is a bit pricey, but there are many hotels within the same area for less.
After this, you’re almost there. Just an hour or so to enter into Jacksonville, Florida! And 4 hours from Orlando. By now, the trip has placed you on I-95, but it’s a lot smoother since you’re past the tri-state traffic sections.
It helps to use the Waze app during your travels since it alerts you of construction, hazards on road, and even police waiting to catch speeding vehicles. We find it very helpful.
It really is much better to break up the trip this way with children, it makes it a journey rather than a dreaded ride in the car. My kids love visiting the hotels and using the pools since they’re all different. It’s nice to have long rests in between if you have the time.
Note: If visiting Universal Studios Orlando, I highly recommend staying on site at the Hard Rock.
I’ve done both ways (staying at a cheap local hotel vs on site) and there’s no comparison. If you stay at the Hard Rock, you get free Expess Unlimited Passes and this saves SO much time. It was ther best choice we made on our entire trip to stay at Hard Rock Orlando. We upgraded and stayed on Rock Royalty Club Level which was an added perk to our trip since it allows you access to the club lounge for free drinks and snacks all day which you are encouraged to take to the parks.
It’s only a 10 minute walk to city walk through an amazingly aesthetically pleasing path with views of the water or you can take the water taxi’s. And if you get the chance, check out the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium!
Let me know if you use my trip tips and any comments or suggestions!
All aboard!Thomas the Tank Engine invites little engineers to go full steam ahead for a day of engaging activities and fun adventures at Day Out With Thomas: The Steam Team Tour 2019.Children are invited to spend a day with their friend Thomas when the #1 Engine pulls into Arkville on August 9th. Day Out With Thomas: The Steam Team Tour 2019 is presented by Mattel.
This fun-filled event offers children and their families the opportunity to take a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, star of the popular Thomas & Friends™ series. In addition, they will meet Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway and enjoy a day of Thomas-themed activities including toy play, photo ops, and more. The tour, now in its 24th year, will make 37 stops across the U.S. and Canada and is expected to welcome nearly one million passengers in 2019.
THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE™ TO VISIT ARKVILLE, NEW YORK ON AUGUST 9-10-11 AND 16 -17-18
Enter to win a family 4 pack of tickets to the ARKVILLE NY Ride, August 9th at 9 am ONLY.
The New Jersey Event is on Sun, Jul 12-14, rides starting at 10:00 AM daily at Delaware River Railroad Excursions, 99 Elizabeth St, Phillipsburg, NJ.
This fun-filled event offers children and their families the opportunity to take a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, star of the popular Thomas & Friends™ series. In addition, they will meet Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway and enjoy a day of Thomas-themed activities including toy play, photo ops, and more. The tour, now in its 24th year, will make 37 stops across the U.S. and Canada and is expected to welcome nearly one million passengers in 2019.
WHO: Thomas the Tank Engine
WHAT:
25-minute (approximate) ride with a talking Thomas the Tank Engine
Meet & Greet with Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway
Thomas & Friends Imagination Station featuring a variety of activities
A ‘Passport to Adventures’ booklet for children to track their journey at the event and receive a special prize upon completion.
Thomas & Friends-themed activities including toy play, photo ops, and more
Storytelling, video viewing and live music, along with all of the memories
WHEN: Friday, August 9th, – Saturday, August 10th, – Sunday, August 11th
Friday, August 16th, – Saturday, August 17th, – Sunday, August 18th
TIME: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
WHERE: Delaware & Ulster Railroad, 43510 NYS Route 28, ARKVILLE, NEW YORK 12406
Tickets for Day Out With Thomas: The Steam Team Tour 2019are on sale now and available by calling Ticketweb toll-free at 866-468-7630, or by visiting www.dayoutwiththomas.com. Ticket prices are $20 plus tax for ages 2 and up (service charges and fee may apply).
For more information and directions, contact the (845) 586 – 3877 or (845) 586 – 2929 AND www.durr.org
Over the weekend myself, my kids, my aunt, my niece and nephew visited Diggerland in West Berlin, NJ. It is a bit of a drive from Central NJ, about 1 and a half hours, but it is well worth it and an easy trip right up the NJ Turnpike to exit 4.
This is a dream come true for any child who has a thing for construction. Even though my boys were never into it much, they had huge smiles on their faces all day!
It is toddler friendly, there are many things they can do even if they do not meet some of the ride height requirements because many allow for an accompanying adult, so although they cannot go alone if they do not meet the requirement, they can still ride the ride and enjoy all of the experiences.
One thing to note is that when we went, on a Saturday, it was not at all too crowded which I loved. The kids only had short waits in the lines for the rides and activities. That means a lot to me. Especially on a hot Summer day, nothing is worse than standing in a long line with the sun beaming down on you and cranky hot kids. That is not the case here, so feel free to go on a weekend if that is when you’re free.
Let’s check out some of the awesome things we saw and did during our visit this June;
RUGGED RIDERS –
The kids absolutely loved this! As long as they’re 48″ or taller they get to drive the RTV themselves, yes by themselves! There is a track that you go around twice. My 11 year old did it all by himself, and I went on with my 7 year old just for the ride, but he did all of the driving and steering. The smiles on their faces were priceless.
Driver Minimum Height 48″, Minimum rider height when accompanied by parents/guardian: 42″
Ride or drive the comfortable and versatile off-road Kubota RTV-900. Weighing almost 2000 lbs and with 21.6 HP, the ease of using the Rugged Riders might surprise you. Read all about the release of this new ride in the press release.
BIG DIGGERS –
This was another hit with our kids. Actually operating the construction machinery. The REAL, big, construction machines. They had digging pits filled with dirt set up and the kids get to dig away. The machines are set on a few minute timer, but again, there were not many long lines or waits so they were able to go on as many times as they’d like. I was amazed at how easily they all figured out how to operate them and maybe they are some construction workers in the making!
Operator minimum height: 42″ | Lap rider must be: 36″ – 48″
Learn to operate a real digger! Weighing in at a whopping 7,092 pounds, and with a powerful 26.8hp engine, kids can dig until their hearts are content on the JCB 8030’s. This supervised attraction offers family-friendly machinery and the chance to really get down and dirty!
MINI DIG: DUCKS
Similar to the Big Diggers attraction above, they got to operate the real machinery and in this case, had some arcade like games with it. There were different ones set up, some to pick up a row of ducks and see how many you can get in the limited time (maybe 2 minutes or so) and a bowling setup of “pins” to try and knock over in the same amount of time. Again, I was impressed how quickly the kids picked up how to operate it. My 11 year old got almost all of the ducks (except 1) in the time frame and I had watched adults do it prior to him, only getting 1 or 2, so I was impressed. It was fun to watch. Adults are welcome to join in on all of the fun including these game and verse your children or eachother.
Operator minimum height: 42″ | Lap rider must be: 36″ – 48″
Snatch floating ducks from a pond with a JCB 8018 CTS mini-excavator! At 2,200 rpms with its piston-driven motor, grabbing all the ducks from our pond is not as easy as it looks!
MINI DIG: BOWLERS
Operator minimum height: 42″ | Lap rider must be: 36″ – 48″
No special shoes required for this game of EXTREME bowling! Your “bowling ball” is attached to the arm of a JCB 8018 mini-excavator! Manipulate the arm and see if you can knock down all of the pins! Sounds easy—but not when you’re controlling over two tons of steel!
DIG-A-ROUND –
This is the more awesome version of the carousel that you’re used to. Instead of riding on a horse, the kids get to sit in actual cranes that have been made into a fun ride we all know and love. Is this a kids dream or what?
Minimum height 36” to ride
Half merry-go-round, half excavator! The Dig-A-Round is Diggerland’s version of a carousel! Climb into the bucket of a JCB 8065 and enjoy the breeze as you are elevated and circled around this 14,515 pound 8065 excavator!
DIGGER DERBY –
Your classic go karts, but they’re rigged to go bit slower for little ones. Easy to start and stop, the “pedals” to go are actually on the steering wheel making it easy for even the smallest of drivers to have fun.
Driver minimum height: 38″ Driver maximum height: 60″
Hop behind the wheel of one of these individual mini cars and prepare to burn some serious rubber as you operate the vehicle around our exclusive racetrack. No better way to test your speedway skills and get the adrenaline pumping! (Note: This ride has a 38” minimum and 60” maximum height to drive)
THE KID ZONE –
This is a cute park in the coolest rainbow colors for the kids to enjoy when they need a break from such coolness surrounding them. Slides come from every angle of the main unit, accompanied by some swings and standard park-like fun.
Children Only, No Height Requirement.
Kids have a place of their very own in the Kids’ Zone! Packed with activities to keep them busy, mom and dad can relax and know that their child is safe and having fun in a place built just for them!
VIDEO ARCADE –
The arcade is simple and small, but packs a lot of fun. My nephew got a whopping 1800 pts to spend at the prize counter and my kids enjoyed the video games and claws. It’s a nice break from the heat, and a chance to escape the little rain we got on the day we went.
Diggerland has a full arcade center stocked with some awesome prizes! Take a break and play some Skee-Ball, air hockey, or one of the many other game systems to enjoy.
There are many other rides that we didn’t have time to visit, 25+! Check out their site for more. They also have tractor pulls and fun activities that vary per day. The Elmwood park zoo was there with some animals the day we went which was a perk!
