Three Reasons Preschoolers Will Love Idlewild and SoakZone

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood and a beautiful day to head to Idlewild & SoakZone! This theme park is great for families with little ones! Read my three reasons why your preschooler will love spending the day at Idlewild & SoakZone!

Disclaimer: My family was provided free, 1-day admission to Idlewild & SoakZone. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Three Reasons Why Preschoolers Will Love Idlewild & SoakZone

Idlewild & SoakZone is a children's amusement park located in Ligonier, PA, about 50 miles east of Pittsburgh.  Idlewild & SoakZone is home to 7 themed areas:

• Storybook Forest
• Jumpin' Jungle
• Hootin' Holler
• Olde Idlewild
• Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood
• Raccoon Lagoon 
• SoakZone

Each area has rides or attractions that are perfect for preschoolers! 

Reason 1 Preschoolers Will Love Idlewild & SoakZone| Fun Without Lines

Not a fan of lines? I'm here to tell you it is totally possible to have a fun-filled day with your preschooler at Idlewild & SoakZone without having to step foot into a single line.

For starters, Storybook Forest is a walk through trail that features scenes from famous storybooks! Children (and adults) can explore cottages and setups from storybooks like "Little Miss Muffet", "Jack and the Beanstalk", "Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater", "Snow White and Seven Dwarfs" and many, many, more. 

Next up, Jumpin' Jungle. Preschoolers will have a blast playing at Safari Hut, this playground features slides  and the base of it is a giant Eucalyptus tree! Other fun experiences located in Jumpin' Jungle include a suspension bridge, a tunnel crawl and the "Jumpin' Juggler" where balls float on air - all accessible without having to stand in a line.

Over in SoakZone there are plenty of ways to get wet without waiting in line! SoakZone offers a lazy river, a wave pool, a tipping bucket (stand under it at your own risk of getting SOAKED!)  and the water play area "Little Squirts" that is perfect for preschoolers.

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That is a seriously full day and a lot of fun without waiting in line!

Reason 2 Preschoolers Will Love Idlewild & SoakZone | Daniel Tiger

"Hi neighbor!" Idlewild & SoakZone is home to Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood and it not only includes a meet and greet with Daniel but there is also a trolley ride that is just like the trolley Daniel and his family and friends ride on the show.

This trolley ride is worth the price of admission if you have a little one who loves Daniel Tiger. The attention to detail on this ride is a sight to be seen, I was geeking out myself over this immersive trolley ride. 

Now be warned, you will most likely have to wait in line, but luckily the line is made up of rows and rows of wooden benches, under awnings. So really, this line isn't bad. It is easy to see the progress you're making on the line because as one trolley fills up you all move up in a group and wait for it to return.

While you're waiting you can play Daniel Tiger trivia with your little ones because signs with questions are posted throughout the line.

Once you board Trolley let your imagination take hold as you tour through the Land of Make Believe and say high to all of Daniel's friends; Prince Wednesday, O the Owl, Ms. Elena and more!

Don't forget to check showtimes for the day to see when you can catch Daniel Tiger and give him a great big tiger-tastic hug!

Reason 3 Preschoolers Will Love Idlewild & SoakZone | They'll Feel Like a Big Kid

Because Idlewild & SoakZone was built for younger children, it means most of the rides allow for preschool-aged (and sized) children to ride by themselves or with an adult. Because of this preschoolers will feel like big kids when they proudly stand against the measuring stick and discover they are tall enough to ride!

Here is a selection of rides that a preschooler can ride. These rides reminded me of rides one might see at a carnival or on a boardwalk near the ocean. ​

Children under 48" must be accompanied by an adult on the following rides:

• Balloon Race (located in Olde Idlewild)

Children under 46" must be accompanied by an adult:

• Merry-Go-Round (located in Olde Idlewild)

Children must be 38" tall to ride, those under 48" must be accompanied by an adult:

• Howler (located in Hootin' Holler)

Children must be 36" to ride, those under 48" must be accompanied by an adult:

• Spider (located in Olde Idlewild)

Children must be 36" tall to ride, those under 46" must be accompanied by an adult:

• Paul Bunyan's Loggin Toboggan
• Paratrooper (located in Olde Idlewild)
• Scrambler (located in Olde Idlewild)
• Tilt-a-Whirl (located in Olde Idlewild)

Children must be at least 36" and under 56" to ride:

• Dino Soars (located in Raccoon Lagoon)
• Motorcycles (located in Raccoon Lagoon)
• Red Barron (located in Raccoon Lagoon)

Most of the rides listed above are subject to lines as they do not run continuously. Once each car/motorcycle/balloon/what have you is full, the ride will go and then those guests will disembark to make way for new riders.


My family had a fun-filled day at Idlewild & SoakZone we experienced both the dry and wet side offerings and felt like we accomplished a ton!
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Idlewild & SoakZone is a family-fun destination that preschoolers and adults alike will love!