Idlewild and SoakZone

Reviews 3

JA

Jackie Short

ALL rides my 9 year old had searched and explored on your website were in soak zone were CLOSED. We rode the the only water slide open on FLAT tubes when we finally found one after LONG waits because of every ride being close.-The water park was clearly understaffed Only 1 slide type ride was actually open, and that was only one of its 2 tube slides. The lazy river ride had more kids tubes (with no kids in them) than necessary crowding every spare inch of the river. The adult tubes that we basically had to fight over were underinflated. At least inflate the tubes for the 2 rides that are open! We waiting for 30 minutes in excessivly long lines for the 2 atm style machines to rent a locker the price was a obscene amount at $12 !! Then when I inserted the debit card to pay the machine would not " read" the card. After 4 tries we scrambled to fine some cash... inserted our $20 for the machine to then read " no change". SOOO... we were forced out of line and to another line for change. Then back to the 30 minute line for a locker. All this while the cabana rental had 3-4 staff member sat renting out tents for even more $$ and had no line and no customers!! We had printed out this handy little souvineer cup voucher we purchased online prior to the trip for a "discounted " cost... which we then found was not actually a discount at all ! We also were only allowed to use the coupon at certain locations throughout the park. None clearly maked or easy to find! Story book forest from HELL! I cannot imagine a more disappointing experience for my 5 year old niece. She came so excited for the pictures with Snow White, and other characters. I think 2 character were actually there at 11 am when we toured the "story book forrest". No snow white:( The paint on character statues is WAY past time for a new coat, and most objects would take maybe a $30 can of paint, and an hour of 2 of work to spruce up. Why would you let a park of scuptures be in this condition? Why were the areas with grass overgrown and unmaintained in prime park season?- The rabbits were actually terrifying. The black large bunny was attacking and causing the small white bunny to bleed! He chased the white bunny in circles attacking in for the 3 minutes we stood there knawing his fur off... We tried to find staff to report this too, but could not. So now lets get to asking staff members that we did finally run into a simple question. So I ask " Can I take my car from parking lot A to Parking lot E to be closer to water park? " Simple question... no was the answer.... you have to walk. So we sat down looked at map, my husband pulls up google images and saw clear as day you could. We did, and it was possible never even exited park, and no traffic. Rude staff.Same lady staff member said it was not possible to ride train to get any closer either. The same train that broke down as we waited in line for 45 minutes to ride it! Now to the bathroom... I have photos showing the broken tile and jagged rusted metal laying in the corner of the womans bathroom. So many children shoeless and with shorts... this is a dangerous sloppy mistake waiting to happen. We were dissapointed to fine many of the rides closed in other areas of the park also. We did not think this park deserved the title " Americas Best Kids Park" and heard SEVERAL other park guest making the same comments. The park is over priced to get in, and especially greedy when it comes to charging for everything from lockers, to rentals for shaded places to sit. The layout is confusing, and the bathrooms are too small for large crowd, dirty, and falling apart. The rides have no discription, and I witnessed a small child measure himself at the entrance and be the 42" to ride only to wait a good 30 minutes to be told he was too short according to the staff member 48 inch stick. The park needs help and to lower its prices until it is remodeled or serious issues are addressed. This was a huge disappointment and we decided not to return the next day, and probably never will again.

MA

Mandy Canfield of Hope For A Simple Life

Ticket check in was a nightmare! Purchased tickets online (14 tickets). I had all my confirmation info etc. Their site says just show your screen at the ticket booth. They neglect to inform guests that there is no cell service at the booths for all but at&t cell providers. The attendent was annoyed and said to pull forward and maybe I could get service a bit away from the booths sometimes that helps for people. (So from that directive given its obvious it happens often to people since there is no heads up online. Many cars were pulled over there). Luckily a friend with us had a hotspot and could pull up some tickets and screenshot them. She was only able to get 8 before she had service trouble too. The attendant again was annoyed and rude about having to scan each ticket from her phone and said Im lucky they werent busy. And he went so far as to tell me I should have at&t. I am not from that area! It shouldnt matter if I had at&t or Sprint (my carrier). He said he couldnt look up anything by my order #. Mind you we were spending alot of $. Finally after I asked about other assistance since he clearly felt put out he directed me to their little office by the booths. (Which would have been nice to know from the start). Also the website didnt allow me to select our arrival date so we could get 15 tickets at the group rate. 15 tickets at the group rate was cheaper than 14 tickets at the non group rate which would have saved us alot. Since I bought tickets on Groupon they could do no adjustments. Even though I went on Groupon because their site was charging more due to the arrival date. Then there were 3 rides not operating the day on tjere sign. As it turns out there were actually 3 more off with closed signs as we walked around in addition to the 3 shown on the main sign. And of course it was the nicer, faster rides that all the kids in our group were hoping to ride. Very very disappointed with the whole experience. It did rain later in the day (no storm or lightening etc) for a bit and they shut everything down and closed early even though the rain had stopped. Will not be recommending to anyone. Quite the opposite. Big waste of money. I hope they listen to the many complaints about the cell service and update their website to advise people they need to print tickets or do screenshots of every ticket purchased instead of telling them to just pull up their purchase when they get there!

HE

Heidi Kuhn

Idlewild has been a solid fixture in the Ligonier community for as long as I can remember. . . I remember it being so big and amazing as a child. Now not so much. Its very sad to see the number one childrens park...slowly descend into what it is now. When I was small I remember it being open until at least 9:30pm and how exciting it was to see the lights come on on all of the working rides. The old-fashion feel of the park, the friendly and helpful staff, the beautiful scenery on the train ride, great food, fun games with awesome prizes. Mr. Rogers Neighborhood was one of the greatest attractions there. You felt like you were transported into the neighborhood of make believe and you were actually on trolley!! Now as an adult with my own children. Hmmm.. Not so amazing. Our last trip was last year and that will be our last trip unfortunately. The park closes early and sometimes with no warning. Whatever rides are operational that day may or may not have working lights and maintenance of the park is shabby. The old-fashion feel is more like run down, underwhelming, and unkept. The disgruntled employees are trying to put on a happy face, but look miserable. The walking paths are overgrown with grass, the food stands are barely open and when they are you cant get everything in one line. Games again...not even worth mentioning. Lastly, they did add things like Thomas the Train, but then took it out. They have events like Princess and Super Hero appearances, but they are only for an hour and only on set days. Lots of performances or appearances are scheduled at the same time or too close together in time so that getting to the next show or appearance is nearly impossible with small children. My one last comment...I totally understand trying to update or bring a breath of fresh air into the park, but why overhaul and ruin a beloved attraction like Mr. Rogers Neighborhood??? Maybe you should have just given some TLC to what was already there. And maybe add in some touches and modernize Daniel at his clock and incorporate in the New characters from the hit WQED show. That way it would have satisfied old and new fans alike. Im sad to see this beloved park fade into just another memory. Long live the original family friendly amusement park that brought joy to young and old alike. BRING IDLEWILD BACK TO LIFE!

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