Knott's Berry Farm Version 2.0

Two years ago I blogged about a trip our family took to a Southern California amusement park called Knott's Berry Farm and how much it had changed from when I used to go as a child. One of the reasons we had gone was because from November 1st through Thanksgiving they offer a promotion where Veterans and one guest get in free, making it a rather inexpensive outing for our family. We meant to go again last year but never found the time.

We got the opportunity to go last week and boy oh boy was it fun. I know it's a total ripoff of Disneyland in so many ways - just replace Mickey Mouse with Snoopy and Charlie Brown (not that I am knocking the Peanuts gang. Their holiday specials are tradition in this household). But when you can go for practically nothing, when it's a light weekday crowd, when the lines are almost nonexistent, when the kids are old/tall enough to go on many of the rides by themselves, well that just adds up to a good time for all.

And Jadyn is such an adventurer. I took her on a pretty intense roller coaster in Camp Snoopy - she loved it. I then showed her some of the bigger roller coasters, ones she is years away from being able to ride and had she been given the chance, she was willing and ready. Jake isn't as into the roller coasters but he did finally go on that same roller coaster on our second go round of the rides. They also did the dragon swing and the Hat Dance (tea cups) and while the kids loved it, I realized I no longer have the stomach I used to for rides that spin and continually sway up and down.

You know its a successful trip when the whole family willingly poses with Snoopy!

And check out all these genuine smiles and silly posing:

Yearly tradition? On our fall family fun to do list? Absolutely! And for extra fun click on the Knott's Berry Farm link in the first paragraph of the post for a fun comparison of how much the kids have grown over the last 2 years. Always.blows.my.mind.