Funtown Splashtown USA, Saco, ME (5 smiles)

We went to Funtown Splashtown USA in Saco, ME today and here is my review.....

Date:  7/29/2009

Parking: Plenty of free parking.

Gate/Admissions: [$$$$$] They offer a combo pass for both the water park and rides or passes for only the water park or only the rides. You can see their prices here.

Birthday Parties: Yes. See there prices here.

Bathrooms: I noticed two places where they had bathrooms. One is over by the water park area and the other is in the ride area by the antique cars. There are plenty of stalls and there are changing tables. (one note: if you use the locker room in the water park there is no changing table, but there is a long bench)

Cleanliness: The park is clean. It is an older park, but well maintained.

Store: There are vendors everywhere! I was surprised to see how many places there were to get a cold drink or food. They also have picnic tables around if you bring your own food.

Overall: We really enjoyed this park. We started out at the water park area and ended up there after! It was an extremely hot and humid day, so having the water park was a big plus! The kids loved the water area. They also have a lot of younger children's rides. I was amazed at how many they had. We did almost everyone of them! My son loved the small water slide in the pirate area and the splash pool over by the big water slides. He was also very fond of the train! If you purchase the combo ticket expect to spend the day! We got there at 11:30 and didn't leave until around 4:30. We had a great time. This is a must do!

Children's Museum of Maine, Portland, ME (4.5 smiles)

We went to the Children's Museum of Maine in Portland today, January 25, 2009 here is my review....

Date:  1/25/2009

Parking: There is a municipal parking garage on Free Street that offers discounted parking for musuem visitors. Make sure you have your ticket stamped by the musuem for your discount. They also list the Gateway Garage on High Street or parking next the museum (not at a discount). We parked right along the street.

Gate/Admissions: [$$$$] $8.00 per person under age 1 is free. Group rates are available.

Birthday Parties: Yes

Bathrooms: There are large bathrooms on every floor. They also have family style bathrooms on the main floor. Every bathroom has a changing table!

Cleanliness: Clean

Store: They have a souvenir store on the main floor and on the lower level they have a tables and chairs for guests to bring a picnic lunch. During the warmer weather they have picnic tables outside also. Keep in mind there is no eating in the exhibit area of the museum.

Overall: Fabulous! My son had so much fun. He loved the ball area where you roll balls down inclines and he also enjoyed climbing around in the tree house. They have a water exhibit set up and as you can imagine it was a hit! They also have a touch tank that the staff opens during the day, a fire engine, a store, a cafe, a race car, a veterinarian's office, a farm exhibit, a campsite, a logging exhibit, a wildlife exhibit, a craft area, a boat and a children's theatre. I know I am missing a few things. Check out their website for a complete list of exhibits. I did not see any strollers in the museum. I saw a lot of babies in carriers on thier parents, but not one stroller. I don't see how you could bring a stroller in there because there are a lot of narrow spots and stairs. I will call the museum tomorrow and find out what their policy is on strollers. In my opionion if you are in Portland or anywhere near Portland you should check this museum out. We loved it!

**Update:  I found out that you are allowed to bring strollers in, but they discourage it on busy days.  You can park your stroller where you hang jackets.  It's located right behind the front desk area.

York's Wild Kingdom, York, ME (4 smiles)

We went to York's Wild Kingdom in York, ME today and here is my review.....

Date:  8/21/2008

Parking:  There is a lot of parking, but I did notice that if you arrive later in the day the cars are parked along the road into the zoo and up at a field quite a walk from the main gate.  We arrived at 11:00 AM and the lines were long, but we parked up close to the gate.

Gate/Admission:  [$$$] - We paid for the zoo only.  The lines to get in were long.  I don't know if it's always like that or if it was a combination of the great weather and the time of day.  Anyhow, there were 4 lines open and we waited about 25 minutes to pay and get in.  The umbrella stroller was helpful so I could keep my son in one spot while we patiently (yah, right) waited to pay and get a wrist band.  The lines in the morning are in the shade!

Birthday Parties:  No mention of actual birthday parties on their site, but I love this zoo.  I think this would be a great place for a party!

Bathroom:  There is a bathroom to the right of the gate and there is another one inside the zoo near the Two-toed Sloth!  We used the one by the Sloth.  The changing table is outside of the bathroom in full sun during mid-day.  

Cleanliness:  The park is pretty clean.

Store:  There is a souvenir store at the main gate and another near the butterfly exhibit.  There is an area to get food.  They have the typical variety of hotdogs, chicken tenders, french fries and I think I saw a sign for tacos!  I noticed a few vending machines with drinks also.

Overall:  I like York's Wild Kingdom for a couple of reasons.  I like the zoo itself.  My son loves the deer petting/feeding area.  It's just the right size for a toddler.  It's not huge and it's not tiny either.  It has just enough to see.  I love the fact that if you walk through the ride area it ends up on the main road to Short Sands Beach.  We walked over to a diner and grabbed a grilled cheese and went to the grassy park overlooking the beach.  We had lunch there then walked the beach.  There is a playground right there as well.  We had a great day.  Go check it out for yourself!