AmyUD06

The Jitneys in Atlantic City do, at least the last time I rode one sometime in 2019. I don't know if you'd call that a "major bus transit system" though.

It's Six Flags, vertical construction won't start until May.

EDIT: My roadtrip got cut back once again, so some modifications are due here. * indicates parks that I've not yet been to. Definite Regular Trips King's Dominion Morey's Piers Expected Summer Roadtrip King's Island Cedar Point Waldameer* Conneaut Lake* Lakemont Park* Maybe SF Great Adventure Dorney Park SF over Georgia Knoebels Kennywood Hersheypark Busch Gardens Tampa* Unlikely SF America Definitely Not Nickelodeon Universe/American Dream*

"papers please" and "just following orders" Where have I heard that before? Please learn how to quote properly. I never said that.

This wasn't a high school security guard like Six Flags. These were older officers from K9 units wearing bulletproof vests. They were not messing around so I wasn't going to put up a fight even if it was annoying. It's NJ. If they don't have a firearm, they're just a security officer in private employ by the business and not law enforcement, and have zero actual authority whatsoever. No different than Six Flags. Puppy dog or ballistic armor or not. The most they can ask you to do is leave. However, you are right to be careful, since their perceived authority, especially in that part of the state, is probably extremely intense and stepping up to their BS would likey result in them taking illegal physical action against you. Which could be nice if you're the lawsuit type, since you'd definitely get a nice settlement. If they did in fact have firearms and were actual police officers, I apologize on behalf of the profession. That said, you absolutely should have reported this behavior to the management. If they don't know it's happening, nothing will ever change, and if they do know it's happening, you know not to give them any more of your business. Source: A former SFGAdv Security Officer, me.

You're on the right path with Platinum Passes. I would not target going the first week of June or before, since they may still be experiencing their typical early-season staffing issues. My taste in hotels varies from most...when I'm on a coaster trip, I'm just looking for a place to sleep after the park and don't need anything fancy...just a bed with a room that locks and doesn't reek, so my recommendations will reflect that. When I last visited CP in 2017, I stayed at the Magnuson Hotel East Sandusky, about a 5 minute drive from the park. Some here will tell you its a shithole but I did not have that experience, and when I stayed then the pool was open super-late, allowing you to take a dip to relax your muscles after the park. Everyone raves about Breakers but I just can't justify spending $300+ a night for a hotel when there's decent enough places 5-10 minutes away for under $100 a night. As for Kings Island hotels, I stayed at the Super 8 Mason during my last trip there (October 2019) and in 2017. It's not fancy, but it is cheap and is almost across the street from the park. The pool here was also open super late. Another theory that I employed to some success in my 2008 Ohio Coaster Trip was staying mid-way between the Cedar Point and Kings Island. Yes, you have a ~2 hour drive to and from each day, but it allows you some flexibility to account for the weather, since being so far away the chances of it being pouring in both locations at the same time is extremely slim. I stayed in Marion on that trip, which is an hour 40 minutes from CP and 2 hours 15 minutes from KI. We did two days at CP, split by a day a KI because it was supposed to pour the second day at CP. It does suck driving that far after a day at a park but it gives you options. Crowds at CP mid-week should be manageable no matter when you go. With two full days, you probably won't need any particular plan of attack, but hitting SV early is always recommended. I'd also try to get on Dragster as soon as you can, since it can be finicky. If you can, budget for Fast Lane+, and you'll be guaranteed a great time so long as the weather works in your favor. I'd even skimp on the hotel to budget for it. Remember, with Platinum Passes you can get FL+ for the regular FL price, but only when purchased at the park. Kings Island should also be manageable any day except Saturday. If you can possibly swing it, and you've never been there before, I'd try to add a second day, even partial. Night rides on Beast are mandatory, and Mystic Timbers also gives a decent night ride, and Orion is poised to offer some nice ones as well and with how late it'll be getting dark it'll be impossible to swing all three in one night. If you planned on doing most of what the waterpark has to offer, you'd need a second day for that anyway.

I don't think it matters what the numbers are. I can't imagine any scenario in which a 400% increase in rent (or even 50%) is "fair." I get upset with my landlord when they try to raise my rent more than 3%.

I try to always give the benefit of the doubt when people moan about ride-ops and just say they're doing their jobs but I hate this. IF you've taken the time to get your child checked at guest services or wherever and had a wristband attached confirming the height that should then be the end of it. I feel like either here or twitter or facebook there was a TR a while back where some-one got measured at another Six Flags and the ride-op denied them and people were booing at the hold-up. I can't remember all the facts but I remember feeling horrified. I can't imagine explaining to my son why he's getting remeasured or worse turned away when he's ridden things with the same height requirement. It's unnecessary stress on a child and defeats the purpose of the wristband. Sorry didn't mean for it to turn into such a rant. Great Adventure is weird. They also make you show ID and get an "Over 21" wristband when you buy alcohol and then proceed to ask for ID when you go back to get another beer. If you get carded every time you buy a beer anyway (fine by me) then why does the wristband exist? It's Six Flags. I'm convinced that every group of employees in each ride / store / customer service location / department operates in a vacuum and never discusses anything with anyone in any other department or location ever for any reason. I don't blame the ride ops. I guarantee that there's no clear communication on anything. Full disclosure: I don't work there and I've never worked there but I'm pretty confident in that assumption. From someone that worked there for 6 years in two different departments, you're not that far off. Basically, communication between departments (ie, rides vs. games vs. merch) would only be covered during the big "what's new" orientation at the start of a season and then never again during the season. Within a department, I have to say that mine were pretty good but they were kinda small comparitively (parking and security), but I've heard stores of various stores within merch not talking to each other and various supervisors not sharing the same information with all locations.

I encountered the same demand for coasters at KD when I was there for their Winterfest. Remember that CF has only been doing this for a few years now, give them time...I'm confident that more/better coasters will open year after year.

There's also one in Wildwood, NJ, at the aptly named "Retro Arcade & Fascination" at 2900 Boardwalk. It's the new version of what was crazy Randy's basement arcade from the basement of the Boardwalk Mall; much smaller than that location but still quite nice with Fascination and a nice assortment of old-school mechanical games.

And on the other hand, this is Triple 5, who leveraged their two existing, highly profitable, properties, against the inevitable fire-sale that will be American Dream NJ.

I don't know how much you've looked into it, but keep in mind that this will be an expensive credit for what it is. Zoo Parking and Admission will be required and set you back about $40-50. The coaster ride itself is only a couple of dollars on top of that. The coaster is very similar to the Ghoster Coaster/Woodstock Express junior woodies. Of course, it's your trip and your money so you do you. Just didn't want you to show up thinking it could be a quick, cheap credit stop. Awesome, that is great to know that I'd have to pay admission to the zoo to get to the coaster . However, looking online it appears to only be $14 and parking is $10, but $26 is still too rich for my blood for a non-unique credit.

Man, you were in north Jersey. You should be happy you walked out of the encounter with all of your teeth LOL. In all seriousness, it has everything to do with the fact that they were scrambling for employees and hired whoever applied.

From 6 years at Six Flags Great Adventure, they don't.

I can't speak to start-up temps, but it was mid-40s when I left at 7:30 on 12/14 and it was running strong then. When I was there for Haunt on November 1, I believe the ambient was in the high 30s/ low 40s and it was running.

At the very least, the "upgrade center" (for lack of a better term) directly to the right after entering the main gate (near the stroller rentals) sells it. It's also where you'd exchange the online voucher for it for a wristband, if you had bought it online. Typically during the main season, almost every retail establishment also sells it, but I'm not sure if that's true during Winterfest.

Indeed.

Yeah, I know that's why they don't offer it, but with the one-day-purchase All-Day-Dining, the cooldown between meals is only 90 minutes, so you could theoretically get like 4 meals in the 5-6 hours that they're open. I know I use it during the regular season and and get 6 or 7 out of a full day. And here are the pictures. Three-cheese Grilled Cheese and expensive adult beverage. The food truck from whence the Grilled Cheese came. Poor log flume, sitting all dormant... Somewhat washed out, but these were literally the only non-Christmas decorations in the whole place.

Well, I just got back from a quick 3.5-hour jaunt into KD to check out their Winterfest offerings this year. Fun fact: I spent literally double the time driving to and from the park than I actually spent in the park. Anyway, photos will follow in another post, but here are some observations, mainly in comparison to last year: The good: -Kudos for them offering Fast Lane, and making it valid on almost every adult ride that was open. Bonus points for the "Season Fast Lane" still counting (even though it was only $35). -As a result, I got on the following rides in that 3 and a half hours: 3x Twisted Timbers (2x front, 1x back) 1x Dominator 1x Wave Swinger 1x Bad Apple (Trokia) 1x Blue Ridge Tollway (their drive-'em-cars that they decorate the path to the 12 Days of Christmas) -Kudos to the park for opening Twisted Timbers instead of Racer '75. The 45-minute standby line at 7 PM, while people were still pouring into the park, should be a clear indication that this event draws more than the families they target. -No one seemed to notice that Fast Lane was an option - I saw literally no one else utilize it while I was there. Did I feel like a little bit of a dick cutting in front of 30 minutes worth of families at the Wave Swinger? Sure, but I gotta get my money's worth on the Season Fast Lane. -Surprisingly cheap ($7) three-cheese Grilled Cheese from what appeared to be a KD-operated food truck was delicious. -Awesome decorations and craft vendors as last year. -Juke Box Diner was offering a "donut burger," which is exactly what it sounds like. I did not try it, because a) It was $16, b) Juke Box's burgers are usually very dry, and c) people were waiting up to an hour for their food to come out, but believe me I wanted to. -Moving the Coke Polar Dance Party DJ-thing to an area with alcohol service was a good move. The not so good: -$14 for an 8oz Jack and Coke. I get it, they don't want people getting blitzed (but then why do they have bars every 100 feet?), but c'mon. A few years back it was $7 during Haunt. -Some areas where you'd expect lights had nothing installed, which seemed weird in contrast to the awesome decorations otherwise. -Some lighting displays were in and out. Even part of the Eiffel Tower went out towards the end of my trip. I get it, fuses blow and some such, but this is their second year and it was a Saturday. -No changes to the show lineup from last year whatsoever (I asked). -Last year, the lighting displays in Candy Apple Grove were perfectly synchronized with the music. This year, not so much. -PLEASE, please offer the $30 all-day-dining option during Winterfest next year! Overall, the park was packed, and it seemed to be a big success just like last years. I don't want to seem like I'm complaining, because I'm not...it was a great time despite the duration of the trip. Here's hoping they keep it up and keep expanding.

Don't forget about "Halloween Hunt" in the line right before. Further proof of the decline of journalism.

Awesome. I agree, it was definitely a tolerable boomerang before, this just makes it even better.

Good catch, I hate driving through or around DC; Adventure Park has been added.

Well, a reduction in my time off at work has shortened this trip by four available days. I've cut out the Western NY/Canada part completely and Indiana Beach, cut down Holiday World to a half-day, removed a day at Cedar Point, and added Idlewild and Lakemont (hoping they have Leap the Dips open by then, if not oh well). So, here's the new itinerary and map: Fri, 7/10: Prep Day Sat, 7/11: Drive to Pigeon Forge, TN, stopping at Adventure Park USA on the way. Sun, 7/12: Full day at Dollywood Mon, 7/13: Drive to Austell, GA, hitting Lake Wikkepesaukah on the way. Tue, 7/14: Full day at SFoG Wed, 7/15: Drive to Santa Claus, IN, hitting Alabama Adventure and Beech Bend on the way. Thu, 7/16: Drive to Mason, OH, hitting Holiday World and Kentucky Kingdom on the way. Fri, 7/17: Full day at King's Island Sat, 7/18: Drive to Sandusky, OH, hitting Camden Park and Columbus Zoo on the way Sun, 7/19: Full day at Cedar Point Mon, 7/20: Full day at Cedar Point Tue, 7/21: Drive to West Mifflin, PA, hitting Waldameer and Conneaut Lake on the way. Wed, 7/22: Full day at Kennywood Thu, 7/23: Drive to Elysburg, PA, hitting Idlewild and Lakemont on the way. Fri, 7/24: Full day at Knoebels Sat, 7/25: Drive home, hitting Hershey Park on the way. Sun,7/26: Recover I think I've gotten the answers I need, but I'll leave this up for any additional commentary or criticism. Thanks to everyone who responded!

I had the two water parks as part of my plan under the old platinum plan and under the premium plan for Williamsburg so that aspect never changed for me. My issue is that since my pass says premium, which was the highest tier at that time but I'm grandfathered into a lot of current platinum perks, that it confuses some of the employees since premium is no longer the highest tier. I have trouble at reserved seating / re-ride privileges sometimes because of it. It's not a deal breaker or anything crazy to me. They just should have left premium as the highest tier and named the other new tiers whatever else. Or you could just go to guest services, explain the situation, and have them print you a new card?

... bwahaha Okay Barb I don’t get it.... Hanna Barbera cartoons, the owners of Flintstones and Jetsons among others, who the kiddie areas at the Paramount Parks were themed around pre-Cedar Fair.