Waldameer: (The Weirdly Wonderful) Woods by the Sea

 

Waldameer is this AMAZING throwback amusement park in Erie, PA.  It is free parking, free admission, free “shows” and all you have to do is buy a ride ticket.  It was like walking back in time.  We knew first and foremost, we wanted to ride the wooden rollercoaster with Owen.  He has been growing like a weed and was 42” when he was measured at the park, which allowed him to go on many more rides than he was mentally prepared to ride.  We stuck to the rollercoaster and the kiddie rides, and he had a blast.

 

Dad and O went on the rollercoaster first after buying their ride ticket.  Margot and I played by the carousel while we waited.

 

Then it was my turn to ride.  All smiles waiting in line…

 

 

Then he picked the last car and got a little nervous.

 

Coming in from our ride

 

 

After getting whipped in the last car (don’t you love wooden rollercoasters), he decided he wanted to do the kiddie rides.  First up the horse and carriage.  We were pretty excited because this was the first time he’s ever wanted to ride by himself.  He really thought he was moving the horse at first, and then you slowly saw the realization set in, that he wasn’t controlling anything. 

 

 

 

Here’s a little video of him riding.

 

Next up, the boats.  After it started, he looked at us very seriously and said “Am i controlling this?  Will they turn it off?”

 

 

Margot had to chill and stroll through most of the rides.

 

 

VIDEO:

 

Moving on to the Semi Trucks.  These had extremely loud horns the kids could honk, and O did not want to go by himself.  SO I joined in on the semi action 

 

 

I urged him to give it a try, but he was not a fan.

 

 

Snack time!

 

Obligatory photo op

 

THen one more kiddie ride, the airplanes.  O did not realize these went fast and also went up and down in the air.  He maintained a very serious look through the whole ride, and when Ryan got him down he said “I don’t want to ride that again.”

 

 

We saw this fishing game when we came in and O really wanted to play it, so we hit it up on the way out.  Let’s just say it took sooooo long, the girl finally just “helped” the magnet into the fish mouth O wanted.

 

 

THen to the old school shooting range which is always a blast.  O really liked hitting the targets and making the characters come to life.

 

 

It was a super fun day and while we expected both kids to sleep on the way home, they stayed awake the whole drive back!  HIghly recommend if you happen to be venturing out in Erie next summer… I know so many of you are ;)