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This is a family park that captivated me as a Durban youth... It was built in the 70's and is situated on the 'Golden Mile' - about 5km of sandy swimming beaches warm 11 months of the year. I remember a couple of the rides being added in the late 80's and finding out that Nic Steyn, the parks' owner commissioned them to be built within South Africa as bringing them in from Europe would have been economically impossible. I was there recently on a nostalgic holiday with my camera.... A warm autumn day in Durban. First, the cable car to survey the scene. Awful weather. Three of the eleven official languages of SA - English, Afrikaans and Zulu. Mini Carousel. Mini Dodgems - hours of fun if you're an aggressive 10 yr old. Indian Elephants or Disney knock-offs? Swings, deceivingly hectic ....really. Terrifying theming. For the milder taste. You didn't see this - think it was a mini tumblebug. Gentile... 1 US Dollar is about 9 Rand 1 UK Pound is about 14 Rand Horrible weather. The other side of the park is home to the relative thrills. Prettyful. Home-brewed and awesome. It was a slow day... This half of the park is loosely based on centrifugal vomit. I wonder if ice cream sales are good near these machines? Spinnnnn Static. Innocent? Deceptive. This thing moves unlike most Trabants, more of a whiplash inducer. Tech. Loves his job. South Africa's only home-made breakdancer? Ignore the tape on the green car. Got all the right moves. The star of the 10yr old's show was this swingboat - hardly any restraints, massive airtime. Weeeee Awes.

RESULT. Tips appreciated, A shame the parks will only be open weekends, sure to bottleneck the visitors...tricky to tell by the parks' websites as it seems I'm a little premature in planning for their calendars. I'll check back later. KD and BGW on loop sounds awes! Car rentals in UK usually charge double if not more for one-way rentals - pirates! Sam Adams is tasty, you can get it in a select few good pubs here. Will keep Brooklyn Brewery on itinerary for sure. Thanks

UK questions seeking USA knowledge: Just found out I'm down to work with a few friends for a couple weeks in the US in April 2014. Three of us at least are game for some coaster mayhem. I'll be working in Vermont, NY and DC in that order over 2 weeks and will try to stay a week longer at the end so where is absolutely worth a visit and where is not? Six Flags America seems to have mixed reviews here. Coney Island a definite. Is Six Flags Great Adventure do-able from NYC in a day? Is Kings Dominion worth the 180 Mile drive from DC? If i can sort staying longer is Busch Gardens Williamsburg amazing? Or is Hersheypark worth a days travel? Are most parks that close for winter reopened for March/April? Are the first 3 weeks of April a suicidal time to visit parks - school holidays/ public holidays etc? What's a good US car rental company that perhaps does one-way rentals? We have the energy and stamina to drive long distances and spend all day screaming like we mean it. What's the best American beer? Been stateside once before, effing loved it Goodtimes. Thanks for any help. Gary

Looping Star travelling coaster in Durban, South Africa in 1987 Looping Star