Conner Prairie - Interactive History Park

Last week, the kids and I took a field trip to Conner Prairie in Fishers, Indiana. As a child, I always enjoyed stepping back in time with a visit to Conner Prairie. That was a field trip experience I looked forward to and was excited to have several teachers who took us to visit the park.

Conner Prairie is an interactive history park - which means you are able to get involved and have a more hands-on experience while learning about the past. Employees within the park are dressed in period appropriate attire and speak as if they are living in that era. This helped to "open up" history for Joey. He began to better grasp the idea that not everyone has lived how we experience life. No cell phones? No computers? No cars or video games? No running water? It was neat to watch as Joey began to process the thought of not having certain possessions or conveniences.

They were able to experience how life was different in Indiana all those years ago. They were amazed that people cooked their meals over a fire. Joey thinks it's neat when I cook our meals over a fire when we're camping and now wants me to cook every meal that way.  Oh dear! 

The kids watched a blacksmith go about his daily work and listened as he explained is trade. They spoke with early settlers to Indiana and got an inside look at what their homes were like.

They were also able to experience a brief moment of how school would have been in those days and what types of toys the children would have owned. Savannah and Joey both enjoyed the simple game of hoop rolling. I loved watching them pick it up with ease and begin having fun.

I'm not sure which experience the kids found most memorable. They've told everyone about their ride in a hot air balloon, joining the military, walking on stilts and going to school.

You can view all of our pictures in the slideshow below.

Conner Prairie is a great place to visit if you're in the Indianapolis area.  It's a fun field trip idea and a nice way to spend the day with your children.  

Conner Prairie also offers fun events and activities throughout the year. I'm looking forward to taking them to the Headless Horseman activities this month!  I loved going to that when I was younger and hope they enjoy it just as much.

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Goodbye Mantis - Hello Rougarou!

I'm going to just say it. I was a little disappointed when I heard that Cedar Point's new coaster, Rougarou, is Mantis (view Mantis POV video below) with a new set of trains. I had desperately hoped that the Mantis' last stand this October would mean that the ride was going to be dismantled and delivered to a different Cedar Fair park. I wishfully imagined that it would be Kings Island which just so happens to be the nearest amusement park to me. I had dreamed of it being a wonderful throw-back to the days of King Cobra at Kings Island.

I find myself pleasantly relieved that "Mantis" will actually remain at Cedar Point. It will receive a new name and a new set of trains that will give it a new experience. Joey, my 7 year old, is thrilled as this means he will be able to still ride the track that he wasn't tall enough for this past Summer. It won't be quite the same experience - but he's excited.

Cedar Point, The Roller Coaster Capital of the World!®, will introduce a dynamically new riding experience when it unleashes Rougarou™ in the spring of 2015!

Named after a terrifying werewolf-like creature in French folklore, Rougarou [roo-guh-roo] feeds on screams and lurks in and around the swampy lagoon at the center of the park, shared with other coasters like Iron Dragon and Top Thrill Dragster.

Rougarou’s floorless trains will take riders on an epic journey at speeds reaching 60 mph as their feet dangle just inches above the track and the murky waters below. The trains will be manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, Monthey, Switzerland, the same team behind rides like Raptor and GateKeeper, and will transform the ride experience dramatically while utilizing the structure and track of the former Mantis roller coaster.

The ride begins with a climb to the top of the 145-foot-tall first hill, providing amazing views of the Cedar Point skyline. After reaching the apex, the trains will make a 180-degree turn to the right and plummet 137 feet, at a 52-degree angle, to within inches above the water. Thrill-seekers caught in Rougarou’s grasp will then be flipped upside-down by a 119-foot-tall vertical loop, spun around a 103-foot-tall dive loop, whipped around a highly-banked 360-degree turn and then twisted upside-down again by the world’s only inclined loop on a floorless coaster, angled at a wicked 45 degrees. Just when guests think the ride is over, the steel beast will take them through a 360-degree flat spin, tight and twisty turns and a figure-eight finale. Riders must be 54” tall to ride Rougarou.

“Rougarou is going to be a fantastic addition to our coaster lineup and our guests are going to love it,” said Jason McClure, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point. “With the swampy waters below, the vibrant colors of the supports and track, lighting and other effects, it will be a ride like no other at the park.”

Even though my hopes were dashed - I'm excited to see the ride revamped. I'll miss the experience that a stand-up coaster offers - and I hope Cedar Fair will once again offer it in the area in the near future.

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Meal Deals at Kings Island!

Amusement parks are a lot of fun and we enjoy visiting them often - especially Kings Island! Taking kids to an amusement park can include a lot of planning depending on their ages. The older they've become, the less that I need to take with us to the park.

However, food is always the biggest focus of my trip-planning. Where, what and when are we going to eat?

Since we live a bit of a distance from the park - I pack food to eat on the way there. Often, I also pack a cooler full of food for lunch and dinner. It's a bit of a trek to leave the park and make our way to the car for a quick meal - but I grew up doing that and am use to it. However, I very much enjoy just eating inside the park.  This year, I've finally looked into purchasing a meal deal or plan.  If you plan to spend a lot of time at the park - I think it is well worth the money.

We purchase season passes each year to Kings Island - and the All Season Dining Plan would absolutely be worth the time I would save by not preparing picnic meals ahead of time.  We visit Kings Island a lot and the price per person would more than pay for itself over the course of one season.

Interested in a Kings Island Meal Deal?  Check them out:

Single Meal Deal

The Single Meal Deal includes an entree, side and a regular size fountain drink at participating restaurants throughout the park.

This is available only online at $12.99 plus applicable fees and taxes.

All Day Dining Plan

Guests with All Day Dining will receive a wristband at any of the participating locations and enjoy an entree and side as often as every 90 minutes! Drinks are not included.

With the All Day Dining Plan, you'll never go hungry, but you'll save a bundle. Enjoy an entree and a side every time you choose to stop in at one of the participating restaurants inside the park. Best of all, there's only a 90-minute wait time between meals. Stay fueled for the fun with the All Day Dining Plan.

Dine All Day. One Great Price.

This deal is available online at $29.99 plus applicable taxes and fees

All Season Dining Plan

When you purchase the All Season Dining Plan, it will be uploaded to your season pass at any participating location. Simply present your pass at any participating location. You'll enjoy 2 meals per day with a minimum of 2 hours between each meal. Drinks are not included.

As low as $72.00 plus applicable taxes and fees.  This is available for purchase at the park.

Remember to visit Kings Island online to keep up with any changes made to the meal options.

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The Verrückt at Kansas City Schlitterbahn

So, Joey wants to know if we can go and ride the Verrückt at Kansas City Schlitterbahn. The Verrückt is scheduled to open this Summer and will be the world's largest waterslide.

Photo Credit: www.schlitterbahnnews.com

Joey cried on White Water Canyon at Kings Island. So, I don't think we'll be riding this. Not just yet.

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Halloween Haunt at Kings Island!

It is finally that time of year again! Time to pull out the cute and spooky Fall decorations! I love Fall and the many events that take place during this time of year. One of them being Halloween Haunt at Kings Island!

Darkness falls. Evil rises. Each weekend night, Kings Island transforms into a horror-filled nightmare. From mazes with terrifying creatures around every corner to thrill rides that'll haunt your dreams, it's everything you fear and can't wait to experience. Not for anyone under 13.
Credit: www.visitkingsisland.com/haunt

When I was younger, my brother always enjoyed visiting Kings Island during this time of year. Though the event had a different name "back in the day".  He always made sure to visit and always enjoyed it. I never understood his excitement. I'm more into the cute pumpkin decorations as opposed to spiders, skeletons and tombstones. So, unfortunately, I never went with him and experienced it.

Last year, I went to Halloween Haunt for the first time! I attended the RIP Party and then spent hours enjoying coasters and a few of their haunted mazes and scare zones. Though I am still not a big fan of ghouls, ghosts and goblins - I do have a lot of fun. The spooky characters wonder through the park - at moments speaking to you. I could do without visiting the mazes and scare zones. I'm just there for the rides! I love riding the coasters at night, especially the Beast!

I'm usually with a group that wants to go through the mazes - so we do venture through them. Note that the mazes and scare zones are not intended for children. All the spooky imagery and characters that come with Halloween Haunt are again - not my thing. However, the costumes and makeup are fascinating! I can't imagine how much time it takes to get that many ghouls and ghosts ready.

Image courtesy of Kings Island

Image courtesy of Kings Island

A few of the mazes:

:: Carnevil

:: Board to Death

:: Club Blood

:: Cornstalkers

:: Delta Delta Die


If you're like me and really enjoy the park over the themed attractions of Halloween Haunt - don't worry! There are plenty of rides and food to enjoy! The major thrill rides are usually operating and the lines aren't incredibly long. I've not yet ridden Diamondback at night but I imagine it is as amazing as the Beast is.



Check out Halloween Haunt hours and ticket information here.



*I was provided with media passes to Kings Island's Halloween Haunt. All opinions are my own.

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