DreamWorks Water Park

A Wonderful Weekend With My Little Daredevil

This past weekend, it was just me and my baby. No fancy dinner. No roses. Just swimsuits, towels, and quality time. And honestly? That part alone made it special.

We decided to spend the day at DreamWorks Water Park inside the American Dream mall in New Jersey. I wanted something fun, active, and memorable. And in a lot of ways, it really was.

What I Loved

Let me start with the good because there was plenty of it.

There was more than enough to do for a full day visit. This was not one of those parks where you run out of activities in two hours and start checking the clock. Between the slides, the wave pool, and the raft rides, my kiddo was fully entertained the entire time.

Now let’s talk about that wave pool.

When I say those were real waves, I mean real waves. Not a little splash. Not a gentle ripple. They were rolling in heavy and consistent, and my child was in absolute heaven. He stayed in there for hours. HOURS. I finally had to make him take a break.

At one point the music was blasting so loud it felt like a full-on pool party. The energy was high. Kids were dancing. Parents were trying to keep up. It was giving celebration.

And the raft ride that circles around the park? I forgot the name but baby. That thing is no joke.

I was screaming like I was about to meet my ancestors. Meanwhile, my son who clearly has no fear, was begging to go again. He is a full daredevil and it was right up his alley. Watching him light up like that made every nerve-wracking second worth it. But I ain’t go again.

Also, I have to be honest. The food prices surprised me. They were moderately priced. Not cheap, but not highway robbery either. For an amusement-style park, I expected worse.

What I Didn’t Love

Now let’s be real because you know I always keep it honest with my boo thangs.

After about noon, it got really, really busy.

What started off as manageable turned into packed sardines. The lines started maxing out. The calm energy shifted. And if you had not secured a lounge chair early? You were standing. Period.

Once the crowds picked up, it started to feel overstimulating for me. Loud. Crowded. A lot of movement. As a mom who already runs on high alert most days, it tipped me into overwhelm. After a few hours, I was ready to go. Thankfully, we had already been there long enough to feel like we got our money’s worth in fun.

*The video below is what it was like before the crowds showed up.

Now let’s talk about the price.

It was about $100 per person just for the water park. Even my six-year-old was charged the same price as an adult. That did not sit right with me, especially considering he could not ride every ride due to height restrictions. If you’re charging him adult prices, he should have access like an adult. That part felt like a rip off.

And while there are other attractions inside the American Dream mall, they are not included on the water park ticket. So it adds up fast.

The Comparison

We are personally partial to Great Wolf Lodge.

At Great Wolf, your stay includes access to the water park and additional attractions. The ride variety feels more inclusive for younger kids, especially that six and up age range. For us, it feels more bang for your buck. At American Dream, if you come from out of state, then your hotel stay is completely separate, so again, it starts to add up.

And no I’m not sponsored by Great Wolf or anything. It’s just our go to vacation spot besides cruises. It just works for us.

Final Thoughts

Overall, it was cool.

It was fun. It was exciting. It gave my son a weekend he will definitely remember. Seeing him fearless and happy made my mama heart full.

But would we rush back? Probably not.

If we went again, it would be with a group of people to make the price feel more worth it. It was not horrible at all. It just did not completely sell me on what’s included and what’s not.

Still, a weekend spent laughing, screaming down raft rides, and watching my baby conquer waves bigger than him.

That part was priceless.

P.S. If you have ever watched me moving around with my son and thought, “How is she doing all that?” honey, there is a strategy behind it.

If you want to learn how to turn your love for travel into income and create flexibility for you and your babies, email me at thesolomomtraveler@gmail.com and let’s talk about it.

Because motherhood does not cancel your passport.