Food for Passover at Kings Island and Canada's Wonderland

I plan on attending Kings Island's opening day, and Canada's Wonderland's Season Pass preview. Both those events fall during Passover (a Jewish holiday for those here that don't know, that has special dietary restrictions that easily can be explained as Jews aren't supposed to eat bread during the holiday, and should eat Matzo instead).

Anyway, I was wondering what the food options were in or around both parks. Does KI have public grills like CP? Will they give me a hard time for trying to bring my own food into the park (which Cedar Fair supposedly permits for special diets)?

Also, since transporting food internationally may be a hassle, any advice for Wonderland? Any Kosher type restaurants in/near the park? Anywhere to go grilling in/near the park? Any good grocery stores that sell Matzo anywhere in the area?

I know both Cincinnati and Toronto should have fairly large Jewish communities, but I don't know much about them. I am not religious, but would still like to avoid bread during this holiday.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Sam

There aren't amy public grills at KI, and they won't allow you to bring your own food in unless it's for medical reasons, if I remember correctly.

I think the term is "Special Dietary Needs" at Cedar Point, or something like that. I presume KI would be similar. Also, with both KI and CW being near Jewish Communities, I presume they deal with folks that keep Kosher on a regular basis.

When I go to Cedar Point with a friend of mine that keeps Kosher, we grill our own food. Much better than most of that park's food anyway! I even did a Kosher style cookout at CP with friends that aren't Jewish. I even ended up giving a burger to a park employee!

While I don't keep Kosher, I'd like to honor the spirit of the special rules for Passover, even if I don't follow them to the letter. I just want to know what to do at both parks that follows the spirit of these rules.

My apologies to anyone around here that has no idea what I am talking about.

-Sam

If they do have food for Passover, hopefully they won't follow Great Adventure's Passover pricing:

http://www.amusementpics.com/SFGAdvNotesSpring06/041906-137.jpg

Sam, this is probably something that the parks themselves are best equipped to tell you.

Brian,

What is wrong with me asking on the boards?

YoshiFan,

Given how expensive Kosher food can be to begin with, those prices don't seem too ridiculous. Yes they are very high, but so is most Kosher meat in general.

I didn't realize Great Adventure had Kosher food. That looks pretty cool to me. And then Kosher for Passover is just a bonus.

Disney does Kosher meals too, but I don't know if they do Kosher for Passover.

-Sam

I haven't been to CW, but given my perception that most things in Canada are more sensitive to diversity in the general sense, I've gotta think they have options. Wouldn't get my hopes up about KI though. Most of what they have is barely passable as food, kosher or otherwise. :)

Your best bet for KI is to call them at (800) 288-0808 and ask, I really don't know the details on that policy, it's been too long since I've looked at it.

Why not contact the park. www.visitkingsisland.com

Your treading on turf that isn't necessary on the boards and parks can't cater to everybody for everything. Yet they try their best.

Chuck

You should have no problem finding Kosher items at Krogers in Cincy...not sure about Toronto, though.

Cincy http://www.nhs-cba.org/jewishcinci.htm

Toronto http://www.jewishtorontoonline.net/home.do?ch=st_newtonbrook

BTW, The most i've seen of Kosher food at an amusement park would be at Hersheypark, as well as their Dutch Wonderland park, which has the Central PA Kosher Mart.

http://www.ourkehilla.com/

"Treading on turf that isn't necessary?" How about you let moderators make that decision.

There are three diverse grocery stores in very close proximity to Wonderland.

If you take the main entrance off Rutherford Rd onto Canada's Wonderland Drive, you'll notice that directly to the right is Highland Farms. They have a decent sized Kosher foods section if you're in need.

As far as bringing food over the border, if you have it in plain site, or declare it, it will never make it over. Just pack it up and don't mention it and you'll be fine. I've brought Olive Garden take out home with me from Buffalo and been fine. (We don't have Olive Garden in Canada).

The park will definetely give you a hard time about bringing the food in with you, but there is an outside picnic area. If you leave the food in your car, you can eat under cover there and not have to worry.

Lastly, don't foget about The Marketplace as a place to eat in the park. I'm not certain of the passover requirements, but it's a large buffet with tons of choices. I'm sure there would be lots of things you could eat there.

Have fun at Wonderland, and enjoy Behemoth!

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What is wrong with me asking on the boards?

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Nothing. But, as was mentioned, the two parks could actually tell you authoritatively.

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Jeff said:I haven't been to CW, but given my perception that most things in Canada are more sensitive to diversity in the general sense, I've gotta think they have options. Wouldn't get my hopes up about KI though. Most of what they have is barely passable as food, kosher or otherwise.

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Agreed on both accounts. I remember trying to get some vegetarian fare at PKI, some 7-8 years ago.

"What do you mean, pork isn't vegetarian?".... ;)

^Probably not kosher, either... :)

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm. Marketplace.

I don't know how Kosher the place can be, but it sure was the best CF buffet I've ever seen...

-'Playa

IF you have any problem with food at PCW, you shouldn't have any issues outside the park. There MANY, MANY restaurants around the park, within a 5 minute walk.
Plus there is a Fortino's grocery which is Kosher Friendly. I am not Jewish, but I love the Zogolo's meatless burgers.
But like someone said, you shouldn't have an issue in the park. The Toronto area is very diverse in terms of culture, and you should find something in the park. IF not, like I said, you have many options within a short walk.

Besides, look at the media frezy you could create if they deny your request.

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Brian Noble said:

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What is wrong with me asking on the boards?

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Nothing. But, as was mentioned, the two parks could actually tell you authoritatively.

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And that was my point, He'll get the right answer.

There is a Kroger Grocery about one mile east of Kings Island.

Thats all I can tell you. They do have a Kosher section. As far as the park. You need to ask them yourself and heres how you do that

P.O. Box 901, Kings Island, OH 45034-0901
(800) 288-0808 or (513) 754-5700

Nobody that isn't in operations at the park would have the correct answer.

Was trying to be helpful and not mean.
Chuck

So it's a tightly held secret and he's the first Jew in the coaster community to ever visit the park? That's a ridiculous assertion.

Whats rediculous is the obvious lack of posters and postings.

I WONDER WHY?