Brad

The park has quite a few 'Family Combo' promotions at various food locations (Mainly Papa Johns, Johnny Rockets, Dee Jay's Diner, Miner's Cookhouse and any place that sells chicken tenders). This is something like a large pizza, two sports bottles (with free refills all day), and a salad for $36.99. Not a bad deal considering that could easily feed 4 or 5 people. Definitely avoid Saturday. Christian concerts in the South are very popular (lots of church groups). This could also affect Friday's crowds considering many make this an overnight trip. Most of the 'must-rides' have been mentioned, but I will go ahead and throw in Acrophobia. The line for Monster Mansion has been quite long this season, so that might be a 'ride-first' option if they want to get it out of the way.

Your best bet if visiting more than once is a season pass... there are not many discounts offered for Dollywood admission. (However, they are offering free meal vouchers with online ticket purchases to be used before August 30). If you enjoy aquariums, Ripley's in Gatlinburg is suprisingly good. Also, Hillybilly Golf in Gatlinburg is great as well (and you get an awesome ride on the incline)!

I've stayed at Hotel Breakers (its is rather expensive though). For an affordable option, Breakers Express provides early access (although you have to drive over the causeway to get to the park, and pay the parking fee).

Although some people (including myself) would pay the $15-30 to be able to ride everything again with minimal wait times. This is almost worth it alone for Congo River Rapids (if you like water rides) and Sheikra.

BGA offers the "Quick Queue" system that provides express access to their top attractions including all coasters (minus Scorpion and Cheetah Chase), all of the water rides and Rhino Rally. Note that this includes one-time admission to these attractions, not unlimited. You also receive a "Bonus" that you can use on any ride featuring Quick Queue. The prices range by date (from $14.99 to $29.99). You can purchase online or at the park.

The only 'speed passes' at these two parks would be the VIP experiences. I know the one at CP costs $375/person for one day (quite pricey).

That I might could believe, given that the Hulk is probably launched 30x more a day than the water vortex (thus Hulk uses MUCH more energy).

I find this REALLY hard to believe. If this really was the case, it would have been done away with YEARS ago.

As with traveling to any large (and international) city you need to be careful of your surroundings and do not stand out as a tourist (i.e.- don't have your camera out everywhere you go). As far as being American, I do not think that Americans are specifically targeted, but simply tourists that could have a lot of cash and/or valuables. I wouldn't wear an American flag on my shirt though (nor any country's flag). Solid colors and no jewelry are a safe bet. I cannot offer specifics about MC, but I have traveled to other large cities in Latin America (some with the same 'medium risk' that the Department of State rates Mexico City in terms of theft and crime). If you are just going for two nights, you shouldn't have any problems. Read over this page (especially the safety parts). WikiTravel Most of all, have fun while you are there, but be alert and know exactly where you are going at all times.

I've always wondered how they manage to check the tickets of the people staying in the park. I thought everybody was removed from the park till the HHN opening, but wasn't sure about that. Now you wrote that you can actually stay in the park, I really would like to know how they keep control over that. They usually corral you into specific sections and when it's time to open for HHN, they have hand-held machines that scan your tickets.

Oh I was reading about that. What's the deal with that thing? Does the real park close down that day to prepair for it? Or can you still go to Universal Studios during the day even if you don't plan on doing the Horror Nights? The park is open during the day for normal operations and closes for about an hour then re-opens for HHN. You can actually stay inside the park if you have a ticket for HHN that night (but nothing is open for that hour).

But with the new system your time does not expire. You can ride any time after the specified time on your q-bot.

You cannot 'enter' a ride until the actual time displayed (no more 5-minute grace period). However, being able to reserve from any point allows you to reserve right after you 'enter' a ride. i.e.- if you reserve El Toro and it is time to ride, you go to the Lo-q attendant and they scan your q-bot, allowing you to enter. At this point, you can reserve another ride (including El Toro) so while you are riding, you are waiting for the next one. I think this is much better than the old system.

The video is VERY deceiving. When I rode it, it was definitely the most intense top spin I have been on, flipping at least 25 times (it was hard to keep count).

This park is very quaint and an easy trip from Buenos Aires. I visited the park/El Tigre a few times while I studied there last summer (May-July). The three coasters there are nothing special, but the atmosphere is great, extremely cheap to visit (an all-ride pass is about US$7), and the train ride there is worth the visit (if you ride the Tren de la Costa to get to El Tigre, which drops you off right at the entrance). I visited while it was chilly out (Argentine late fall/early winter) so the shows were not in full swing and the water flume was not open, but it was still a neat little park and I would definitely recommend going. BTW, the sky coaster is not big (maybe 150')?

I don't know I dreamed this or not, but maybe some one can clarify: Do the prices go down for Flashpasses after 3pm?

It's not time change that affects seasons, it's what hemisphere you are in.

Well, I believe that the time of year definitely should be a factor on your trip. If you do go to the US in December, your parks will be limited to Florida and SoCal for the coasters. It should be a good time to visit the Orlando area as early December is rather quiet and you get all the holiday celebrations at the parks! I'm not positive, but I would imagine most parks in Japan/South Korea would be closed during this time as well (especially around Tokyo/Seoul).

If you go any day besides July 4 (obviously), the crowds are moderate. Generally 20-40 minutes for S:UF, approximately 20 minutes for other large rides (Goliath and Batman may be a bit longer, depending on the time of day). A regular flashpass would be ideal if you hate waiting. Gold would be great if you are willing to fork over that much $.

1) Crowds in October are generally light. If you want to make sure, go with the Q2Q system (REALLY cheap, like $8/person). 2) Aunt Granny's is a really good buffet for a decent (amusement park price)... I believe it is about $10.99. They have amazing 'snacks' especially in the area between the main entrance and Craftman's Valley (just walk by and you'll see what I mean). You really can't go wrong at Dollywood (although I would avoid 'regular' meals such as Hamburgers). 3) Thunderhead= Front for awesome air or Back for decent air and good forces). Tornado=very back. I prefer Mystery Mine's second row as it seems to not be as rough. Who knows though. 4) Not much into taking photos, but there are some rather nice views all over the park.

That's AMAZING to know since that is the day I'm going (again) Except that's the start of Christian Music Weekend= not deserted.

All the coasters were open today. (Everything was except for water rides and Thomas Town).

You definitely do not want to walk to Universal. (Heck, it's a long enough walk from the parking deck!) I've never stayed at that Hampton Inn (but from the map, it's not even reasonable walking distance.) I'd recommend the Comfort Suites on Turkey Lake Road (that's still less than 5 minutes to Universal).

Thanks for the help. We know we don't 'need' 1 1/2 days at Dorney (we made a similar trip last year and hit all the coasters in about 3 hours and the log-flume, S&S tower, and the carnival-frisbee ride.) We actually stayed at the Microtel you are referring too and were impressed for the price! We just want to take our time, maybe hit-up WildWater Kingdom and not feel rushed. That said, we might spend a full day and be done or we might go back the next morning (either way, we still need a hotel at all the parks.) Is there usually a lot of traffic near SFGAdv? (Aka- would 13 miles be about 15 minutes or 30?)

You can make it from Wild Adventures to SFOG in about 3 1/2 (if you don't end up on I-285 in Atlanta during rush hour.) And FYI, that's SFOG's 2nd weekend of operation, but still expect very light crowds (especially on Sunday.) Also, expect operations to reflect the crowds though (one train on most things, with the exception of Goliath and S:UF, generally.) Still, it shouldn't matter and you'll have PLENTY of time to get in everything (more than once.)