Are you and your family looking for a unique and exciting adventure in New Jersey? Diggerland USA offers a one-of-a-kind experience where you and your family can drive, ride, and operate real construction equipment! This was a dream come true for our three boys! I have a few tips to share to help make your visit as pleasant as possible. Of course, all opinions are my own and based solely on our personal experience..
Here are some tips and advice to make the most out of your trip to Diggerland USA:
1. Buy tickets in advance: Purchasing your tickets online is recommended and guarantees park entry. If you have a discount to use (AAA, Seniors, Military, Etc.), you cannot purchase those tickets online and need to do so at the gate. Children under 36” do not require a ticket and all tickets include admittance to the waterpark as well.
Of course with buying in advance, there’s always the chance that you’ll visit the park on a day that the weather is less than ideal. Diggerland does have a policy for inclement weather and closures. The policy states that if the park has to close for more than two hours during scheduled operating hours, guests leaving after that would receive a “rain check” to be used at a later date
2. Dress appropriately: Diggerland USA is an outdoor park, so it’s important to dress for the weather. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty, and bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for sunny days (there is little to no shade). Don’t forget your swimsuits and towels for the waterpark!
3. Plan your visit: Take a look at the park map and schedule to see which attractions your family wants to try first. We went at park opening and didn’t have much of a wait for any of the rides, but it has been suggested to try to do the diggers at the back of the park first as that line forms quickly.
4. Age and height restrictions: While there are plenty of attractions for all ages at Diggerland USA, some rides and activities have age and height restrictions. Be sure to review the park’s attractions and guidelines before your visit to ensure your family can enjoy all the attractions you’re interested in. At the time of our trip, our kids were 10, 6, and 4. Our oldest child could drive everything himself and our middle child was tall enough to drive a lot himself as well. That being said, there were definitely a few times when our six year old had to ride with a parent because even though he met the height requirement, he just didn’t have the ability to steer successfully. Therefore, either my husband or myself rode with him for some extra assistance. Our youngest had to sit on a parent’s lap to operate the equipment that had a course to drive around, but he was able to operate all of the diggers on his own.
5. Bring snacks and drinks: While Diggerland USA does offer food and drinks for purchase, you may want to bring your own snacks and drinks to save money and ensure your family’s favorite treats are available. Outside food and drink are not permitted in the park, but if you keep a cooler in your car, you can leave the park to eat and re-enter. There are picnic tables available outside of the park as well.
6. The waterpark opens at 10 am, but the construction rides don’t open until noon. We chose to ride the dry construction equipment first and then moved to the waterpark during the hotter part of the day.
There are lockers and places to change into swimsuits immediately upon entering the waterpark areas. The lockers are rented for $15 per day (cash or credit). The lockers aren’t that big, but we were able to fit all of our clothes for a family of five plus a few towels, wallets, cellphones, etc. in one locker. You will also find a rack of life jackets near the kiddie pool area. This was great for us as two of our kiddos are not strong swimmers.
The waterpark isn’t very big, but there was something there for everyone. Our older children (and my husband) enjoyed the water slide, the obstacle course, and the wave pool while our youngest child enjoyed the kiddie pool and the lazy river.
Overall, a trip to Diggerland is a fun and memorable experience for the whole family. With these tips and advice, you are sure to have a safe and enjoyable visit. Feel free to share your photos and memories in the comment section!
