boldikus

^ Yeah me too. I feel like this off season wasn't as bad as last years, likely since Ive been so busy with real life stuff. But I'm definitely itching lately, I have already talked with some friends about what day we are going to go on opening weekend. Was thinking Saturday, how have Easter Sundays been in years past with crowds?

Back in reality... today is 50 DAYS TIL OPENING DAY!

Just to chime in about SFA, since I have been there, and it gets mostly crapped on by everyone. Yeah its known for being a parking lot with coasters strewn about, its definitely not shaded much, it really lacks any charm, and their coaster line-up leaves a little to be desired BUT some things to consider: its very close to DC, and while I havent been to nearly as many parks as folks here have, it was a pleasant surprise for me going in with such low expectations. It was clean, pretty great employees, no bad experiences at all. They do have a few great rides that would get me back to the park, hopefully this fall like we did last year. Superman: Ride Of Steel and Wild One, were imo amazing coasters, Wild One is terribly underrated. Jokers Jinx is pretty great, ROAR isnt the worst woodie Ive been on (similar to Wildcat to me, but I think you hated that), the others are mostly forgettable. A few cool flats, but what we loved most about the park is that it was DEAD. We re-rode a ton of stuff that we liked all day. 29 rides in total in 7 hours with 12 on Ride Of Steel. Not trying to convince you to add it on as its far from a must-do park, just wanted to add my two cents. You could likely do all of the coasters and some of the flats easily in half a day if you added this on to a potential DC trip. If you do wind up getting that pass its essentially free. Just sayin'.

Wow, this is mostly changed. Absolutely (have plans already): Cedar Point Kennywood Hershey SFGAdv Morey's Dorney Probably: SFA Coney Maybe: BGT

First off, this is weird that you posted this as I saw a post by you recently about one of the PA parks and was reminded of your PA parks trip report from last year, which I loved when you posted it. Anyways, I found it and just re-read it since I finally did Dorney & Hershey late last year, and I remembered enjoying at your as you were posting it last year. Not to mention it's just fun to see others impressions/expressions of a park I've been to and compare, etc. (I wanted to read about how much you hated Skyrush lololol) Anyways, I can't offer any advice on BGW or Kings Dominion since I haven't been to either (but would love to!), but my bro-in-law and I planning our first road trip out to CP on Memorial Day weekend and staying @ Breakers. In anticipation I posted a CP trip planning advice type thread that got a ton of responses with some great info. Check it out, I'm sure it will help you as it already has me with planning. You know, I think this is so weird. My missus is the exact same way. She was totally freaked on Nitro with the open B&M hyper trains (mostly the restraint she said - she felt she could slip out) and wouldn't step anywhere near Skyrush. Inverts/SLCs also freak her out a bit, but she says the OTSRs feel her more at ease on those. Normal old school enclosed cars - fine. She was totally fine on El Toro of all rides - rode it 2xs twice in fact. Anyone else know of folks that have issues with open trains/restraints? I am the opposite, I love the open feeling of lapbars, and I get the feeling most people, at least on here, might agree.

I didn't try the kettle corn or the chocolate! Was only there one night last fall for a little over 4 hours and was trying to ride every coaster I could (7 out of 12 ain't bad) but OMG agreed 100% about the map/layout. I haven't been to a ton of parks like most people on here but easily the most confusing map/layout I've experienced. I'm normally great with directions, but we got lost quite a few times that night. However, after spending 4 hours there I'm sure it would become much easier for me the 2nd time around.

^ Agreed 100%. But you forgot CHOCOLATE. lol Mostly for me its the top notch coaster line-up. I'm a huge fan of the collection we have at GAdv but between a quality B&M invert, a classic Schwarzkopf, 3 amazing Intamins and two GCIs (I liked Wildcat, sue me), Hershey's line up is basically perfect imo. My only issues with the park are their weird fast lane thing and that its not just a bit closer to home. I'm not a fan of spinning mice but I really dig the idea/theme of Laff Trakk so I'll likely try it at least once.

I can't wait for this park to open back up. Not even for this ride. It's such a great park, maybe my favorite.

LOL Aquatrax! The lake! It's amazing how one that little post can get everyone so riled up. Whether its someone behind the scenes at the park with legit knowledge or some wankster with no clue just messing around, someone is just playing with you guys and you're playing right into it.

So what does that mean. The lake! It means the lake! But probably not. Aquatrax around and into the lake.

When your day is made by your mother sending you photographic evidence of a very young you getting a very rare coaster credit that you didn't think you had. #nerdalert

Oh, oh no. Someone is going to have a very disappointing trip to NJ this year...

Has anyone tweeted that video to the park? I haven't ridden Mean Streak (yet) but that rendering looks awesome!

TTD has a much better launch in my opinion, but the restraints do make a difference. You may have problems with Maverick, since it has the same restraints. (Personally, I can't stand Maverick because I get the sh*t beat out of me every time I ride it) Well, I've done Stormrunner and Fahrenheit and the restraints seemed the same/similar to Kingda Ka, fit me the same way, and it didnt bother me really at all on those. It's seems its just during the launch that it jabs me. Stormrunner was a little uncomfortable during the launch but it didn't hurt like KK always does.

^ Funny you say that because Maverick is the reason I am considering FL+. That and Millennium are my top two must rides at the park and I have a feeling I'm going to want to re-ride them both. You are absolutely correct about Dragster. I am very curious to try it without the OTSRs because I just about fit into Kingda Ka and the shoulder harness jabs into my collarbone. As I've said here I'm not a huge fan of KK (one trick pony) but my brother is, and the lapbars might make a big difference for me. We'll probably just knock that out early one day before it gets crowded and if we like it we'll try it again I'm sure. We do want to try almost everything, including a lot of the flats. The flyers, enterprise, Pipe Scream, Maxair, the water rides, etc are all becoming must-dos. I'd like to get on every coaster (save for the kiddies, I'm not that much of a whore). I'm am freaked out by the Windseekers because I feel like I'm always hearing about them getting stuck, but I love the Skyscreamer and WS seems even more tame so we'll probably try that too. Stoked that so far its all coming together and that we'll have two full days to explore and enjoy.

^ It has been talked about in this thread for sure, a while back. Personally, I'd love a custom RMC built from the ground up, but since we have El Toro I am of the strong belief we are likely the last park in the chain being considered for one. My instincts tell me we'll get a B&M winger or an S&S free spin for our next big one, depending on the success of the one going in @ Fiesta Texas. If I ran the park we'd be getting an Intamin giga like I305, but that's really really unlikely imo.

As of summer 2014 it was Six Flags America Hersheypark Dorney Park Coney Island/Luna Park Knoebels Kennywood Kings Dominion Cedar Point Six Flags Magic Mountain Six Flags Over Georgia Six Flags New England Managed to cross the first 3 off the list late last year, and if all goes according to plan I'll be able to cross off Kennywood and Cedar Point by end of May. So that just leaves Knoebels, Kings Dominion, Coney and the three Six Flags parks. I have close family/friends in NYC, Georgia and L.A. so those are pretty likely its just a matter of making it happen. Knoebels & Kings Dominion? 2016, maybe. I have others on my list that look interesting but either due to the rides at the park or the park itself, these are the top of my list. One (or two) at a time, I will make it happen.

^ ^ Yeah, I thought about that. We'll probably use one day for the back of the park during early entry and then the other day for the front of the park.

^^^

OK so we still haven't booked the room but we're ironing out a few things and probably going to reserve within a week or two. As of right now we're doing Friday night-Monday morning at Hotel Breakers on Memorial Day weekend (stopping in Hershey Thursday, staying in Hershey Thursday night, and hitting Kennywood on Friday on our way to CP). We're gonna splurge on the room since we'll be right at the park, with beach access, etc and can come and go to the park as we please. Also after driving most of the day Friday and all day Monday we don't want to have to drive back and forth to the park on Saturday and Sunday. This trip is a big deal to us so we're going all out. Baller status, yo! Speaking of which, someone in this thread mentioned getting cheaper room rate @ Breakers if we mention we don't want the waterpark included. I've been in touch with Breakers about NOT having the water park included and trying to get a discount on a room and they've informed us that the water park is "complimentary" and included with our park admission. I explained we probably won't use them and that we hoped for a bit of a discount. I don't know if there is some magic word but the girl I talked to wouldn't budge on the issue. "It's complimentary with your park admission and cheaper than if you buy day passes to the park" or something to that effect. Oh well, at least its yet something else to do if we get tired of the dry park (I doubt that will happen). This is probably a dumb question but I have yet to get Fast Lane @ a CF park so forgive me. At Cedar Point, what is the difference between Fast Lane and Fast Lane plus? Is it just that Gatekeeper, Maverick and Dragster are not included in the non-Plus Fast Lane? AKA they are charging an additional $20 for each of us for just those three rides? Wondering if we should just do the regular Fast Lane (to save some coin) and try to get our Gatekeeper/Maverick rides in early in the morning during early entry. Still looking for suggestions for a cheap AND decent hotel close to Hershey. Just somewhere to crash on Thursday night and be up and out early on Friday to drive to CP (and stop at Kennywood). Nothing fancy, but nothing gross either. We are leaning towards the Days Inn that is very close to the park and has decent reviews on Tripadvisor. We'd like cheaper. Any other suggestions are welcome in this department.

As usual, a fantastic report.

Joy Division "Transmission"

The line usually moves at a steady clip. If its really long I wont bother but if its just down the steps on the east side (near Runaway Mine Train) or just the first row or two of the queue on the west side, I'll wait. Its worth it for the views and time you save not walking all the way across the park. On a dead day, its the best.

Please don't even talk about removing the Skyway. Don't even mention it. That's the best little shortcut in the park (when its not too crowded to bother). Actually it's one of the only ones.

these are from here