Frances Tuck

Review of Paramount's Great America (Via...

We bought Gold Passes last year, added the all sea...

We bought Gold Passes last year, added the all season dining plan, and really got our money's worth with regular visits! My young children love Planet Snoopy and Boomerang Bay/the splash pad area and there are plenty of faster rides for older kids, teens, and adults. I like the holiday offerings (Halloween & Christmas) and their events are underrated fun (we saw the Harlem Globetrotters there last month and they had lawn games the month before). The characters have been excellent with my children, too!

The lines do get long, but not if you get there early in the day. The park isn't as clean and well-maintained as it could be either, but it's been overall good enough. And yes, the food is definitely overpriced.

My tips for a better visit:
-Buy a gold pass if you live nearby. You get discounts, free parking, and you can go to Gilroy Gardens with it. Plus, having a pass removes the pressure to do everything in one day to get your money's worth.
-Get a dining plan (for one day or for the year) and/or refillable souvenir cup. You'll save a ton of money on food and drinks.
-Arrive early, as close to opening as possible. The park fills up as the day progresses, so if you get there early, the lines are much shorter and you can do more.
-Bring a towel & change of clothes for your young kids, even if you're sure they won't want to get wet. We own a set of Great America towels from the times we were sure the kids wouldn't get wet.
-Get rider switch passes if you have young kids and still want to go on faster rides they can't ride yet. Just let the ride attendant know when the first adult is in line that you'll need to switch with the second adult after the ride.