Happy Hollow Howdy Do

It probably wasn't the best conceived plan, but on Saturday we decided to take the boys to Happy Hollow for the first time since it reopened last month. What we didn't know was that it was San Jose State graduation -- since Happy Hollow is across the street from Spartan Stadium all of the parking was taken. At that point we should have taken this as an omen, given up, and planned to visit another day, but alas we stuck it out, and eventually found parking in a satellite lot for $6, and took a yellow school bus to the park entrance.

Sadly, Happy Hollow has raised its prices, and it no longer an affordable way to spend a weekend afternoon. The City of San Jose is obviously trying to make back their investment in the park as quickly as possible.  Park entry is $10 for everyone 2 and up, plus the cost of parking and a family of four is out between $46 to $50 (depending on where you park) for the day. Now since we live locally we really should consider getting a family membership. At $95 it would pay for itself on our fourth visit.

Happy Hollow has also decided to play the movie theater food card, and to charge $5 for a hot dog. This is more than the cost of a hot dog at some major league ballparks -- which means we passed on eating at the park. If you go, you really should pack a picnic lunch, and bypass the concession stand altogether.

The holiday weekend also meant long lines for everything. However, I must say that even with the crowds, the boys had fun. Xander rode his first roller coaster. Caleb liked the playscape and driving the cars. The boys also liked the Red Barn petting zoo, and the carousel. Xander rode on the rhino and Caleb rode on the zebra. The dragon train was not worth the wait time -- too bad because this was an old favorite. Apparently the park has been having trouble keeping it on the track and it had to go too slow to be fun for anyone.

On our way out we went to the zoo part of the park, the boys were exhausted, and near melt down, but liked playing in the sand, and seeing the exotic birds.

We may buy a membership, and will probably come back to Happy Hollow -- it is very close to our house. But if you're visiting from out of town, there are other places that are more reasonably priced, or more fun.