The Great Escape: Opening Weekend

Hard to believe that we were at a beach on Thursday since it barely hit 50 yesterday.

We were in need of something exciting to do yesterday and crazily, even with the forecast of not so warm temps and high winds, we decided to drive up to the Great Escape for their opening weekend since we have season passes this year.  We figured it would be a great first trip since there were bound to be fewer people because of the weather.  And other than being a bit chilly, it was a blast- no lines and lots of fun! And so nice that we could just go for a couple hours!

Both girls loved driving the cars.  We actually had to wait for this ride due to the slow loading nature, and even with the 15 minute wait as soon as we were off we had to drag the girls away because they both wanted to wait again!

The next favorite for both the girls was the tandem swing. MiniM.E. almost didn't ride because kids 36" and over had to ride alone, but she was so glad that she put on her brave face because it was a ton of fun - we rode it at least six times.  A couple times we got to stay on for a second ride and being a grown up two times in a row is just about all I could handle.

MiniM.E. enjoyed a few other rides in the kiddie area- the train, the planes and the kiddie cars.  We almost had LittleL.G. go up in a plane too, but the rules announcement took too long and she chickened out.

We all rode the carousel and took a trip on the swan boats.

And by the time we drove the cars and hit up the kiddie area one more time the park was closing. The girls can't wait to go again.  Hopefully it is still fun when there are more people because the weather is nice...

Great Escape with Friends

Today we went to the Great Escape with friends. It was my first time taking the three of them without Daddy, so I was a little worried about how it would go, but we did fine. At least there was another mom there to help out. Her little guy got sick on the rides, so I'm not sure how much fun he had, but everyone else had a great time.

The Great Escape

Daddy had a vacation day to take so to celebrate a long weekend and the girls finally being able to swim again, we decided to go to the Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom.

MiniM.E. has been begging to go back to the "outdoor" waterpark since the first time we went, and it seemed a better idea to go on a Friday than on a weekend.

We had some time to ride the rides before the waterpark opened.  MiniM.E. and Daddy went on the BIG roller coaster while LittleL.G. and I hung around the kiddie area.  Even though LittleL.G. loved the swing the last few times we went, today was not a swinging day.  She tried her first roller coaster:

... and had a miserable time. It was way too bumpy and jerky and because she is so short, her head kept banging the restraint bar.

The tiny spray area was a huge hit though.

Time for just one more balloon ride before the waterpark:

And then we spent a few hours splashing and swimming and sliding. It was a great Friday!

The Great Escape

Today Auntie Jen was lucky enough to get to ride lots of rides at the Great Escape. 

see how excited she looks?

It was our best day yet visiting this year because LittleL.G. grew so much in the past couple weeks she was tall enough to ride the kiddie rides all by herself (or with MiniM.E.)

We love spending all this time with Auntie Jen. She's going to be exhausted when she leaves!

And Amusement Parks?

Seriously, I don't know how many times I can write, "first time since the pandemic," but here we are again. First time... back to the Great Escape! With social distancing rules in effect, sanitization measures, and capacity limits, we are feeling safe being outside doing something fun! Being back at the Great Escape did not disappoint. Especially for the grown ups, since MiniM.E. is finally tall enough to be our accompanying 54" or taller person for the boys.

C. & H. Visit: Great Escape

Today was a low key morning.  The weather started out pretty soggy so we spent most of the morning playing inside until it was warm enough and not quite so rainy and the kids went out to dance in the rain.  Too cute!

The girls and I had a service to attend at 11, so C. & H. had some time to explore downtown Saratoga on their own.

We met back at home for lunch and headed to the Great Escape for the afternoon.  Since it was so miserable out this morning, the park was hardly crowded and their were no lines for anything.  We started out at the rollercoaster while LittleL.G. took a mini snooze in the kinderpack.  Next came the log flume and then the kiddie area before we headed over to the waterpark.

It was impressive timing because just as the kids were ready to jump in the water the sun came out and it heated up.  The big kids had a blast sliding while LittleL.G. splashed around in the kiddie area.

We stayed at the waterpark until it closed and had time for a couple car rides before the whole park closed at 7.

Another fun and busy day!

Great Escape Oktoberfest

We met some friends at the Great Escape for their Oktoberfest celebration yesterday. After living in Germany, if it were just the grown ups, we could have spent all day at the "Oktoberfest Tent" listening to the band and eating German food... but the kids prefered the rides.

It was our first time going with friends. Even though O. wasn't a fan of the rides, it was nice for the girls to have company!

LittleL.G. braving the swings solo!

a trio of screamers