i<3coasters

Almost 2 months ago I got an itch. I rode Twisted Colossus and quickly became obsessed with tackling some of the other RMCs, most notably Wicked Cyclone and Medusa Steel Coaster. After my first TPR tour last summer, Mini New Hotness, I fell in love with the idea of making coaster trips an annual tradition. Without that option this year, and an itch to scratch, I took a look at my calendar and a coaster map, and decided the Northeast would be my best option for a trip that would be brief, but filled with new coasters that I've seen peppered throughout people's "Top 10" lists for years. I booked a flight and rental car to start and end in Philadelphia. This is, without a doubt, the most impulsive thing I've ever done. I know, that wasn't the most convenient choice if I wanted to get up to New England for Wicked Cyclone, but it was the cheapest and I'm a stubborn idiot. After some feedback from friends and people on here, (many of whom told me to skip SFNE, but again, I'm a stubborn idiot), I ended up with the following plan: 7/19: SFNE & Lake Compounce 7/20: Hersheypark 7/22: SFGAdv These stops allowed me to not only maximize the greatest and some of the most notable credits in the region, but let me hit rides I had been dying to get on for several years (Boulder Dash, Storm Runner, and El Toro) in one swoop. I had played around with the idea of squeezing another park in as well, either Knoebels or Dorney, but getting more realistic I'm glad I didn't, as my time would've been way too limited to really enjoy my trip with "credit whore" mode shut off. (...next year...) I'll have 3 or 4 updates to this thread going over the days I spent back east. Hope you enjoy! Here goes nothing: SFNE / Lake Compounce (7/19) The goals for my first day were very clear, and I knew I'd have a lot of driving in store for me to accomplish them: Wicked Cyclone, Bizarro, and Boulder Dash. I managed to get these coasters & 2 others in a short 6-hour window. As soon as I landed in Philly I started my drive north to SFNE--a drive that was actually quite beautiful and pleasant at 8AM. I arrived in Agawam just after noon and got moving. I picked up a Platinum pass, knowing I'd need it if I wanted any shot at multiple rides on Wicked Cyclone or Bizarro. Here is how my afternoon went: Wicked Cyclone x2 Lunch & Thunderbolt (while Bizarro was experiencing downtime) Bizarro x2 Wicked Cyclone x3 At 5PM I left to make my way down to Bristol. Here is how my 3 hours (6PM to 9PM closing) at Lake Compounce were spent: Boulder Dash Wildcat Boulder Dash x3 A few thoughts: SFNE is not a particularly good park, but Wicked Cyclone and Bizarro did definitely make it worth the trip. Wicked Cyclone is easily the star of the show here, no doubt. After every lap, I found myself amazed at what a perfect coaster this thing really is. Goliath was down all afternoon (perhaps fortunately, from what I hear?) but it would have been nice to reunite with the coaster on the other side of the country 5 years later. Lake Compounce on the other hand was great. I love the small local park feel, with the unpaved parking lot and free Pepsi products. I'm sure everything that can be said about this place already has been, though. Here are the counts & rankings/ratings for the day: Wicked Cyclone* x5 - Holy hell. A perfect roller coaster! Fast, airtime, airtime, airtime, twists, and more airtime! It’s also incredibly smooth and the hang time in the zero-g rolls is fantastic. 10/10. Boulder Dash* x4 - “Whoa!” came out of my mouth about 15 times each time I rode this, maybe as many as 20 times during my final ride in the dark, front row. This coaster is truly one of the greats. 10/10. Bizarro x2 - A really fantastic ride with some of the most intense ejector airtime I had experienced to this point (before Skyrush). It’s forceful, quick, and long. However, the restraints and awful music really take this one down a notch. 8.5/10. Thunderbolt x1 - Charming, if a little rough at points. A nice classic woodie though. 5/10. Wildcat (LC) x1 - Ouch. 2/10. [note: * = earned a spot in my "great/top coasters/upper echelon" category as I don't do a definitive "Top 10" ranking. Only coasters that truly "wow" me get into this group.] Aaaaaand photos (only a few from this day): Made it! It's a beautiful coaster, but damn hard to get a good, unique view of from inside the park. A nice walk back to the car... Yes! <3 So cool seeing the lift ascend into the trees. One of my favorite shots from the trip. The woods are just gorgeous on this side of the country. Bizarro! Obligatory. Proud of my timing on this one. Au revoir!

Wicked Cyclone is about as close to perfection as I've ridden so far. Sitting on the break run of that ride, all I could think was "WOW! It's a perfect coaster..." So I'm not sure if that qualifies

THAT I feel like there is about a 1% chance of. Topper track repairs & new trains would be a godsend.

I agree. With Twisted Colossus up the road, I'd prefer if GhostRider could keep its "wooden" classification -- though I'm sure the feel of the ride with topper track would be pretty similar to an I-Box running nylon wheels.

That may not be as radical or far off as you think. My fingers are still crossed for GhostRider getting at least a partial RMC topper track makeover for 2016. With the Ghost Town 75th anniversary hints dropped by Ouimet earlier this year and by Raffi Kaprelyan at the Voyage media day, as well as a comment by Schilke at the last IAAPA that RMC had 'a little extra' planned for 2016 in addition to their 3 big projects (which we can know guess are Storm Chaser, Dollywood, & SFDK Roar), I'm (perhaps foolishly) optimistic. I think 2017 is when Cedar Fair really invests into RMC. I think that Ghostrider and Hurler at KD are going to be the first two to get the treatment. It may be 2017, but I do not think the decision makers at Knott's have any intention of I-Boxing GhostRider. From the statements out there, they seem pretty committed to keeping it a wooden coaster as a hat tip to the Knott family.

That may not be as radical or far off as you think. My fingers are still crossed for GhostRider getting at least a partial RMC topper track makeover for 2016. With the Ghost Town 75th anniversary hints dropped by Ouimet earlier this year and by Raffi Kaprelyan at the Voyage media day, as well as a comment by Schilke at the last IAAPA that RMC had 'a little extra' planned for 2016 in addition to their 3 big projects (which we can now guess are Storm Chaser, Dollywood, & SFDK Roar), I'm (perhaps foolishly) optimistic.

I have 3 so far and they are: 1) Wicked Cyclone 2) Twisted Colossus 3) Goliath Looking to add Medusa this November as well during a trip to Mexico City. WC and TC are really tied in the "upper echelon" of coasters I've ridden (see signature), but I end to give Wicked Cyclone the sliiiiiight edge for its relentless pacing, and because it operates as the designers intended, whereas the full experience of Twisted Colossus can be hampered by guest's inability to quickly load/unload when the ride ops are trying to get the trains to duel. Goliath on the other hand, while a great wooden coaster, isn't in that upper echelon for me. The whole experience felt very tame and restrained when I rode it last year. Almost like a muted form of what it should be. Hoping to add 2-3 more come 2016 (KK, Dollywood (?!), and Outlaw Run)!

Holy smokes Already got my Knott's day and was waiting to hear on this... SFMM day purchased.

If its Hershey's Intamins you have come for (which is what most enthusiasts come for) you will not be disappointed! Amen. Was at Hershey for the first time on Monday and it absolutely blew me away. Maybe my favorite park now! Skyrush & Storm Runner

Was at the park last week and they were not the vest restraints. Doubt that has changed in 6 days? They had the bulkier ear-bash padding, but the ride was smoother than I remembered it. Edit: Confirmed, restraints are the same:

Oooh, I like this thread. Only from coasters I've ridden: Millennium Force Skyrush Wicked Cyclone Banshee Boulder Dash & Voyage Storm Runner Tatsu, Diamondback, Gold Striker Talk about variety!

Knott's purchased! Once I confirm my guests for MM that will be in the bag too!

I arrive in Philly at 6:30am on 7/19 and was going to head north from there.

Alright, so based on the recommendations I've been getting it looks like this will be my final schedule: 7/19: SFNE & Lake Compounce 7/20: Knoebels & Hersheypark 7/21: SFGAdv (& maybe back to Hershey in the morning if I can't get enough done on 7/20). Let me know if you have any final recommendations for how to best navigate these parks. I'm not set on getting every credit at these parks, just the majors and the "hidden gems" with other rides if time permits, but let me know if you think there's anything I cannot and should not miss.

SFNE on Sunday!

Perfect!

Looking at making a stop at Hershey when I'm in the area next month. Do you think a half-day (5pm-close) would be enough to get all of the major credits in on a Monday night (7/20)?

^ I'll probably skip the Safari in favor of getting more rides in on El Toro

Thank you so much for the input so far, everyone! It looks like Knoebels is becoming a clear frontrunner and Phoenix is obviously near the top of my list for a "must ride." That leaves my revised schedule looking something like this: 7/19 - SFNE & Lake Compounce 7/20 - Dorney & Knoebels 7/21 - SFGADv Since I won't be doing the full day at SFNE I'll be getting a Platinum Flash Pass there, but what do you think about SFGADv? With it being a Tuesday I imagine the crowds wouldn't be too horrendous, but I also have no idea what to expect from this park.

Alright, so I have a very short trip booked to the east coast (flying into & out of Philly) this July and have 3 days to work with. I've never been to any of the parks in the region and would like to get in as many great coasters as possible in the limited window. Here is a rough outline of what I was thinking so far: 7/19 - SFNE 7/20 - Lake Compounce & Dorney OR just Hersheypark OR just Knoebels 7/21 - SFGAdv Those of you who live in & visit the parks in the region, whats the best logistical option to get the most of the trip? My flight is out of PHL in the afternoon on 7/22, so I was thinking of going up north first and then working my way back down over the 3 days. Any tips, strategy, advice, or recommendations for choosing between and navigating these parks and the route would be hugely appreciated!

Maybe I should start a new thread for this to get some suggestions after all...

Ha! Thanks Bill. What I meant for 7/20 would be to do either LC & Dorney or just Hershey instead. Thoughts on that possibility? Just trying to get the most *bang* out of a single day.

Sorry if this has already been answered, I used the search but couldn't find a definitive answer. Is Wicked Cyclone on the Platinum flash pass only, or Gold as well? I've read about people essentially marathoning with the Platinum a few pages back, so I'm relieved it's not limited like Goliath @ SFGAm. What do ya'll think? I'll be visiting on a Sunday (7/19), would the Platinum just be worth it to bite the bullet anyway? EDIT: Just found the page that answers this on the SFNE website. While I have this post here, any other advice for a SFNE visit on 7/19? Should I even do the Platinum FP or do you think wait times will be manageable with use of single rider lines?

Bump! Thinking of doing a similar trip when I'm briefly on the east coast in a month. 7/19 - SFNE 7/20 - Lake Compunce and (maybe?) Dorney OR Hersheypark (if this is realistic)? 7/21 - SFGAdv Any tips, strategy, advice, or recommendations for navigating these parks and the route would be hugely appreciated!

Here we go: California: Twisted Colossus Nevada: Desperado Arizona: Desert Storm Ohio: Millennium Force Kentucky: Lightning Run Indiana: Voyage Illinois: Goliath (SFGAm)