GwaziBSRider1

The Hotel Breakers (or even Sandcastle Suites) is definitely your best option then. For Hershey, I stayed at this Sleep Inn when I visited in October. It was about a fifteen minute drive from the park and was excellent.

I wonder why they want to wait so late to announce this ride. Are they embarrassed of it?

Hotel Breakers: You're on the peninsula, which is a heavy bonus not having to drive to and from the parking lot every day. You can just wander in and out of the park to your heart's content. They also have a few different restaurants inside of the hotel like TGI Friday's and a Hibachi place. There's also indoor and outdoor pools and a guests-only beach area. The Breakers is quite expensive (especially now with the remodel), but I've always enjoyed my stays there. Breakers Express: You're off the peninsula, but you're still considered to be on-site. I think there's a shuttle that goes between the park and hotel, but if you decide to drive, you'll have to pay the parking fee. Since you're not on the peninsula, you have more freedom to eat at other restaurants in Sandusky (more info below). It's a nice hotel and will save you a lot of money compared with the Hotel Breakers. If you do stay in this hotel, I'd recommend parking in the Soak City lot and coming in the entrance by Magnum. The immediate area around Cedar Point's entrance has a handful of restaurants (I'd recommend the new Quaker Steak and Lube inside of Castaway Bay), but if you drive south on US-250 (the main road from the OH Turnpike), there are plenty of options around the Sandusky Mall. There's the typical fast food as well as most of the larger sit-down chains like Ruby Tuesday and Buffalo Wild Wings. If you're a big breakfast type of person, I highly recommend the Breakwater Cafe located at the on-site Sandcastle Suites hotel. Their breakfast buffet is one of the best I've ever had and the price isn't too bad. They'll even comp your parking.

Happy Democracy Day!

X2 - Six Flags Magic Mountain

The trains on the Jack Rabbit at Kennywood had propellers on the front when they were originally purchased in 1959.

Bert brought up a great point about the Exterminator. I don't know why I didn't list it as one of the rides that gets a huge line. For example: in its first few seasons, it was NOT uncommon to see it have three or four hour waits! Fun fact: Idlewild's Wild Mouse was originally purchased to be the Exterminator, but management didn't think it would fun in the dark.

Nice video, Robb, and thanks for the list, Larry! Alpine coasters are so much better in the snow (in my opinion) just for the novelty. This one has a very similar layout as the one at Wisp, and it doesn't have the trims like Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster does. Robb, does this one have any airtime? The one at Wisp does if you let it go down at full speed.

FLUDD isn't the main reason I enjoy this game, although it is a factor. I love it for the storyline and Isle Delphino. The story is quite different for a Mario game, and that's a good thing. As much as I enjoy chasing Bowser down in a castle, it's nice to go on a vacation that goes awry in a few different ways. I am so attached to this game, it's unbelievable. Even though Galaxy is good, I really think it's incredibly overrated and didn't deserve a sequel. Sunshine is EASILY the most underrated game in the Mario franchise (much like Majora's Mask is the most underrated of the Zelda franchise).

Saturday When was the last time you went to the supermarket?

A great weekend for video games for me! My friend and I finally got around to reopening our Minecraft server. Our last hosting company screwed us over (don't EVER use McPowerHosting, you'll regret it!), and we just now had the time to get another one going. We've been running servers together since Beta first came out. Also pre-ordered GTA V on Steam and Majora's Mask 3DS!

It also depends on the group, too. For example, my mom and I have been to CoasterMania several times, and we've agreed that the enthusiast crowd at the event has become too rude and stupid to be worth going to any more (I seriously believe this is from the Great Ohio Coaster Club). When I took her to Banshee Bash this year, she was amazed at how much better TPR enthusiasts are. I also remember hearing somewhere that Disney hates ACE. I don't know if it's true or not.

If you're doing two full days, I wouldn't even bother buying FL+ right away. Crowds are light that time of year, especially since you're visiting during the week. You should be able to just enjoy the park at your leisure. I wholeheartedly disagree. While I do agree with everyone that a family coaster is very much needed, but something like Steel Dragon would just be a mistake due to the capacity.

Looks like track for a Zierer Force coaster to me.

^ This is very true. I noticed little to no difference on Diamondback with the seat belts. All you need is a good crew.

I always thought the Hat would look great at a parking lot entrance or along one of the roads leading into the resort.

I remember that Tatsu documentary. I might even still have the VHS I taped it on. It was a very good documentary, indeed.

I love Journey into Imagination! I just happened to wander inside for the last ride, and I noticed the picture of Eric Idle and immediately fell in love!

Great TR, Martin! The Jeepney (or whatever it is) reminds me of a moment on the Mexico Tour. While we were all on the bus waiting to get into Teotihuacan, there was that van next to us that was crammed with what seemed to be more people than on our bus!

Flying over the Rainforest is definitely a better name than Parrot Coaster.

Why on earth would they choose a Wednesday for opening day? I would think you'd want to choose a Friday or Saturday when most people are off work and school.

Kennywood Advice: -First thing's first: the park opens at 10:30 AM, and the rides open at 11! There WILL be a crowd starting to form at 10:15 to enter the park, and almost everyone will head to Sky Rocket. -You absolutely CAN do this park on a Friday morning/afternoon. The do have a "fast lane" system called "VIP Coaster Tour," but I have no idea how much it costs or how it works. -Their weather policy is incredibly bizarre and very inconsistent. It used to be extremely lax, but it has tightened significantly in recent years. I would keep an eye on the weather before making the visit. If the forecast says heavy rain all day, I'd pass. Kennywood has been known to close the entire park because of bad weather. -Hotel options around the park are VERY slim. The closest hotels are in Downtown Pittsburgh. Luckily, following your original plan will negate this. -Buy your tickets at a Giant Eagle supermarket location. There's one less than a block from the parking lot entrance. Just go up to the desk where they sell the lottery tickets. They rarely ever run out of tickets, and the savings is usually about $20-25/ticket. -Don't miss all of the historic rides! Kangaroo, Auto Race, and Noah's Ark are all the last of their kind in the world. Whip, Turtle, and Garfield's Nightmare are some of the last of their kind as well. -Capacity on most rides are TERRIBLE. A few examples: Phantom rarely ever runs more than one train, Ghostwood Estate has a pre-show, and Noah's Ark can only handle so many people inside at a time. The woodies and Sky Rocket usually all run two trains, but Thunderbolt sometimes runs one as well. -Rides that will build the largest/slowest lines: All dark rides, all water rides, Exterminator, Racer, Jack Rabbit, Turtle, Paratrooper, Kangaroo, and Auto Race. -Don't miss the Potato Patch! They have some of the best fries you will ever get at a park. It WILL have a large line at lunch time, but it is very much worth the wait. All of the other food is mostly mediocre. Tips to avoid the crowds: -If arriving before/at 10:30 opening: Line up as close as security will let you to the gate before opening. Dart right to the booth and quickly make your way to Sky Rocket (you can't miss it, it's immediately to the right as you exit the tunnel). Then, head left out of the exit, past the Gran Prix and go right to the Phantom. Make a right out of the exit and go ride Exterminator. Get your fill of the Phantom until Noon and walk through Noah's Ark. Go to Turtle and continue around the park riding Thunderbolt, Ghostwood Estate, Auto Race, etc. in that direction until circling back to Sky Rocket. -If arriving for 11:00 ride opening: Ignore Sky Rocket for now and go to Phantom or Exterminator instead. Follow the other guide (you may have to ride a few other rides before Noah's Ark opens at Noon). I know this is a lot of information to digest, but I hope it helps!

IMG Worlds of Adventure in Dubai was pushed back to 2015.

"Nine out of ten British housewives can't tell the difference between Whizzo Butter and this dead crab!"

M: Monty Python and the Holy Grail