Helene P.
Yelp
Right off I am going to say that for the single entrance fee of this place, it might be a good idea to purchase the season pass because the mandatory entrance fee of $35 is insane. I am not keen on the rides and it is steep just for entering the park, kinda makes the Calgary Stampede affordable! That being said, I don't anticipate coming to this place more than once a year for the following reasons.
1. INSANE ENTRY FEES.
2. STUPID PARKING, I got trapped in by some mental defectives creating their own stalls in the rocky portion of the lot.
3. No healthy eating options, I know it is a carnival but I don't like being bombarded by cotton candy and iced cream at almost every vendor and don't get me started at the $5 bag of fluffy sugar that is still sitting in the back of my car.
4. Bumper Boats, seriously? My kids waited almost an hour for a 2 min ride, and one of the boats didn't work and my little guy was stuck in a corner for the entire ride and none of the carnies pulled him out!
5. Not done with bumper boats...why the hell isn't their a little kids bumper boats? There is a little kids bumper cars where the wait was less than 5 minutes. Get your crap together Calaway. Also, 2 of the boats were not working so only 10 people at a time were going, unlike the other rides where you can get over double in at once. Most of the riders were adults anyway, how is that fair for an 8 year old? Stupid.
6. Very limited kids rides. My younger son was not tall enough to go the the adult rides so for the kiddie rides there were less than 10 and he even thought they were lame and he is 6!. Even less if you have a toddler, my niece went on 3 rides.
7. Carny games with lame prizes, enough said.
8. No water fountains anywhere. (at least I didn't see any)
9. This has nothing to do with Calaway Park itself, but noticed lingering cigarette smoke odours, possibly from the douche-bag parents who are fabulous examples to their bratty undisciplined kids that I have personally seen jumping lines and their parents encouraging it. I can't wait to see how these exemplary members of society will turn out.
10. Stupid bumper boats, still pissed about it.
All in all I give it a 2.5 because I love my kids and they had a good time. I personally prefer the Stampede to this and would go every year!
And, WOOO HOOO, 1st to review!