Pirate's Cove Theme Park and Rainbow Falls Waterpark Elk Grove Village

Hi A.,
I have not been to the water park, but have been to Pirates Cove.
It's great! You and your daughter will have a blast. It really is designed for little kids
so she will love it. I don't know what they charge now, but it can't be too expensive, it's the park district. And it's her birthday. It's not like you are going to go there everyday. If you go, it will be worth it!

S

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My kids and I LOVE them both. Pirates Cove was one of both my girls' favorite places to go. They still have very fond memories of it. Rainbow falls is also a great pool. You would have a great time at either place. Sometimes Rainbow Falls gets a little crowded in the late morning early afternoon because of summer campers. You might want to go a little later in the afternoon. Have fun!

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I love Pirate's Cove. I actually plan on having my son's 4 year birthday party there in July. There's great rides and play thing and things to climb on. There are water rides but you don't get wet-don't need bathing suits. Rainbow Falls is fun if you want to get wet and like water slides. The two parks aren't side by side, you have to drive from one to another. I think it would be a lot to do in one day.

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HI A.-

In my opinion, I think I would wait until she is older to go to Rainbow Falls. It's $14. or more for each one of you to enter (even for your daughter) and she will not be able to go on the water slides. All people who ride them have to be 48 inches or taller. I would suggest taking her to Itasca waterpark for only $5 or $6. a person. It's really cute with a tropical theme and there's a great area for her age. (It is under 10 minutes away from Rainbow Falls.) My kids have really enjoyed their times at Itasca's waterpark and I enjoyed the low cost.)

Yes... she will enjoy Pirate's Cove. There are some days where they have special attractions and Pirates roaming around passing out trinkets and stickers. It's a relaxing, fun, and affordable fun. I'm pretty sure you can bring your own food in and have a picnic. I know they sell food there, too. (Kids are under $10. and parents are free.) My kids are getting a bit old for the place now, but in the past, they have spent hours there not wanting to leave... You could leave in an hour or two if needed because it's so affordable. It really only attracts younger kids... so it's kind of nice for the little ones to have a place of their own. It's not huge, but the little ones don't care ... as they go again and again on the rides... loving it like it was the first time. There is a cute indoor waterpark that is only walking steps away from Pirate's Cove. (I think it's called the Aquatic Pavilion.) I haven't used it, but I've seen it and it looks nice for young kids. I know they have a combo pass it is very reasonable. (For a 4 yr old., I would just tell her about the first place, and take it from there. If she is tired after visiting one place, just go home. That way she won't be crying to visit the second place if you feel she's had enough for one day. Sometimes, I would tell my children our plans for the day because I would enjoy seeing how excited they would get. Then I would "kick myself" for sharing my plans half way thru the day... why did I say we would do "this" AND "this?" My kids did learn that plans sometimes do have to change, though.

Have fun,

J.

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OH, YES!!!!! We live in Elk Grove and our grown kids (32 & 26) still talk about both places. Now the Grandboys (6 & 4) are also having a blast! Go for it and have FUN!!!!

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I live in Elk Grove and love Pirate's Cove for kids your daughter's age. I think both parks would be too much. If you want to swim the same day, then pay a lot less money and go inside the Pavilion and swim at the indoor pool and there is an outdoor facility also. It is a zero depth pool the kids of all swimmning ability will love and you can walk there and park in the same parking lot to get to that pool. LOVE Pirates Cove - went there every year with my kids from 2 and up!

I have not been to Rainbow Falls since they remodeled - it is pricey for out of town people. Also - no pools are indoors like the one I mentioned above.

M. H. in Elk Grove Village

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I worked there as a teen and have taken my daughter there since she was 3. Totally worth it, it's all things they can do without the hassle of having to say 'you're not big enough' like at bigger parks. They have some of the originals from 15 years ago, and have replaced other things. You can pack a picnic or even just drinks if you're on the cheap route. It is totally catered to the young children. I also worked at Rainbow Falls, but it's been torn down & rebuilt since then so I can't comment. Good luck, hope you get good weather! PS-I read thru the other comments and do agree that you could spend a day at PC or RF. Both in 1 day would be a lot!

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Pirates Cove is great for little ones and where else do parents get in for free. Yes skip Rainbow falls and do the two for 1 admission for the indoor zero depth pool next to Pirates Cove

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We love Pirates Cove. It is NOT a huge amusement park with tons of rides. They have simple rides, a couple of them are kid powered. My kids have such a blast there. It is simple and fun! We have not been to Rainbow Falls yet

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I've raised my kids in Elk Grove. Done Pirates Cove 25 years
and NEVER had a bad time. The kids love it; boys and girls. Rainbow Falls was remodeled and updated a couple of years ago. It was great even before being named Rainbow Falls. It had been Lyons Park. Just get there early as it becomes extremely crowded. Call the park district to check on open hours. I heard there are times where different ages can attend...whatever, Elk Grove has everything for all age groups all year round. It's an unbelievable village. I was raised in Riverside, Ill. and we never had 1/3 of the offered things that Elk Grove has.

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I haven't been there, but my son and nephew have been they are ages 2 and 4 and they loved it. My son is still talking about it from over a week ago.

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Nothing but a bath of germs. Beware!