Theme Park trip! Hershey, Kings Island

[jemz]

Our first RV trip of this year will be east to Hershey Park, time in Lancaster County including Dutch Wonderland, then skipping Idlewild and Cedar Point (went to both last time) and to King's Island.  There are 7 of us including kids ages 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10!  We plan to leave the Wednesday after Memorial Day.  Here's the itinerary:
We could use advice on where to camp and any tips for the areas we're visiting.  We want to camp at Quarryville Jellystone since the kids really love them and we've enjoyed this one before.  We know there will only be activities on the weekends at this time of year.  We have a pretty good idea of shopping, restaurants, and activiities in Lancaster County, but would like to hear any gems you recommend too.  Any discount ticket sources would be great too.

Day 1:  Drive a lot!  Stop when necessary to camp
Day 2:  Drive to Quarryville PA and camp at Jellstone
Day 3:  Lancaster County
Day 4:  Day at campgrounds (if warm enough to swim)
Day 5:  Hershey Park (Sunday-- much closed in Lancaster County)
Day 6:  Lancaster County
Day 7:  Dutch Wonderland Amusement Park
Day 8:  Drive to Ohio
Day 9:  King's Island Amusement Park
Day 10: Cincinatti 4 in 1 Museum
Day 11: Drive home

Our other planned RV trips this year will be:
1.  South to IL state fair, Springfield, and St. Louis (9 or 10 days)
2.  West to Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore (16 days)

 

[Rene T]

Years ago (1982) we stayed at a campground called Starlite RV Resort in PA. http://www.starlitecampingresort.com/  It was on a hillside and the site we had in our pop up was overlooking the Amish farmlands. We went in late August I believe and the farmers were working the fields with their horses. You may want to look at that campground. I looked at their web site and it looks like there are a lot of activities for kids too.

And then there's the Strasburg railroad.  http://www.strasburgrailroad.com/

Go and see the pretzel factory.http://www.juliussturgis.com/ourhistory.html

Go to a restaurant called "GoodNPlenty". http://www.goodnplenty.com/ The cost of the meal for kids at that time  was dependent on how tall they are. You sit at a huge table along with other people.  Then they bring out huge platters of food which the Amish have cooked. Makes me hungry just thinking about it.

Don't forget to hit one of the Amish farm markets. They cook all kinds of pies and pastries.

Also take in a tour of a actual working Amish farm. http://www.amishfarmandhouse.com/  Very interesting learning about their lifestyle.

 

[jemz]

Good info!  Thanks!
Can't wait to go!

 

[HappyWanderer]

Ditto on the Amish Farm and House.

We were at Starlight in '97 with kids about the same age as yours; the pool and activities were great. When Rene says it's on the side a hill, he's not kidding!

The Old Mill Stream Campground is right next door to Dutch Wonderland. I camped there about 1970, and the only thing I remember was the monorail was right above our camper. I know nothing else about the campground, or even if it's the same campground, but I sure remember that monorail. I thought it was the coolest thing on earth.

 

[jemz]

Last time we were in this area, we camped at the Jellystone in Quarryville and liked it so much we have to do it again. 
DH said we should work in a day in Philadelphia too.  We'll see.  I think we'll end up thinking we haven't seen and done everything we want to in Lancaster County if we do.  Maybe if the weather isn't good on the day we plan to spend at the campgrounds.