Which US park should I visit?

[MrMorgan]

I just can't decide what to do!!! Basically, I can fly anywhere I want in the states for a day and a half. Here is my dilemna: I will be visiting family in the USA the first 2 weeks of August and I have a free flight I need to use before it expires. I can only budget a day and a half into my time frame. SO, for people who have been to the parks, would you rather spend a day alone at

 

A) Cedar Point and Geauga Lake

or

B) Holiday World and Beech Bend

or

C) Other.

 

I was thinking of Point/Geauga because I haven't been to Ohio in 10 years, it would be a great way to expand my coaster count, and I will have a Cedar Fair Parks season pass which will get me into both parks. HOWEVER, I would really love to ride the Voyage, (almost more than getting all the credits that I've missed the last 10 years in northern Ohio). Plus, I've been to Holiday World before and I know it's not the kind of place you feel like a loser walking around alone all day.

Of course, I'm open to other suggestions, but those are the 2 that seem the most interesting to me. I'm planning on going to Knoebels for the Pfun Pfest, I was in LA a few years ago, and last year I did all the new coasters in MN and WI. What would you guys do???

[ParkTrips]

Ohio.

 

None of the parks are above average, IMO. Go for the credits.

 

Of course, I would do Orlando.. especially if you've never been.

[MrMorgan]

Well, I have been to Orlando, albeit also not for 12 years, and i REALLLLY want to experience Everest, but like I said, I will only have one full day and will be travelling alone. Disney is really NOT the place to go credit whoring by yourself. Know what I mean? My Better halF and I are talking about doing a Disney vacation sometime in Spring 07, so it's out of the question for now anyways, (and I was just at TDL and TDS last September).

[BeemerBoy]

I'd say Holiday World and Beech Bend. Unless the shear number of credits is most important to you, I'd say skip Ohio. Unless you have a huge desire to get a strata credit (TTD), go for the quality wood. I mean, you've got GeForce over there, so from everything I've heard, Milly won't impress you that much. And you've also got Black Mamba, so why waste your time with Raptor, right? (although it still rocks, IMHO). And let's see.....Raging Wolf Bobs and Mean Streak vs. Voyage and Kentucky Rumbler...yeah, no brainer on that one. Plus, regardless of the varied opinions about Voyage, you'd be hard pressed to find anything comparable anywhere else in the world.

 

I guess it just comes down to wood vs. steel, and credits vs. quality. Be warned though, unlike Holiday World, there is only one real reason to go to Beech Bend, so don't expect anymore than that.

[Bob O]

My first choice would have been to go to Orlando and spend one day hitting the best of wdw with a all parks pass and then go to USF the 1/2 day.

 

I wouldnt chose the options you did, Instead i would to go Virginia and hit Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Paramounts Kings Dominion. BGW is a excellant all around park and PKD has some very good rides so you could enjoy some excellant parks and also get in some credits also.

[DerekRx]

Well, if you're saving Orlando for a trip next year with your better half, I'd say you may as well put off Ohio for another year or so as well. Chances are, you may be able to also include Kings Island in there with your season pass (or at least a discount hopefully!), and Cedar Point will be getting a new coaster next year. Head to Holiday World and Beech Bend for Voyage and Rumbler. Or perhaps you haven't been to the East Coast lately, maybe hit up like Six Flags Great Adventure for a full day and Dorney Park for a half day...thats a possible 21 coaster credits right there!

[ECZenith]

Well, it basically depends on if you prefer steel coasters or wood. You're not missing any amazing new wooden coasters at CP, but they have that awesome Intamin lineup that'll be new to you. If you're a wood fan, do the Holiday World trip... If you're like me and prefer the steel beasts (that just happen to be designed in your native country) go with Cedar Point and Geaga Lake (and don't miss Dominator! One of the most under-rated coasters ever!)

[larrygator]

Day and a half?

 

I'd do these before the options offered.

 

Holiday World and Indiana Beach

Knoebels and Hershey

Hershey and Kennywood

[MrMorgan]

Day and a half?

 

I'd do these before the options offered.

 

Holiday World and Indiana Beach

Knoebels and Hershey

Hershey and Kennywood

 

Thanks for the suggestions. Holiday World to Indiana Beach and back is a little far for one day, if you ask me. Most of the itineraries I've been looking at have been, for example, arriving in Louisville at 6pm on Monday, flying out at 8 am Wednesday.

Anyways. I'm going to Knoebels and Hershey in October, and the only new ride at Kennywood since I've last visited is Phantom's Revenge, so that's out, too.

At the moment, I'm still leaning towards Holiday World and Beech Bend. I'm just so intruiged by the Voyage!

[CP_RULES]

Well, if you're saving Orlando for a trip next year with your better half, I'd say you may as well put off Ohio for another year or so as well. Chances are, you may be able to also include Kings Island in there with your season pass (or at least a discount hopefully!), and Cedar Point will be getting a new coaster next year. Head to Holiday World and Beech Bend for Voyage and Rumbler. Or perhaps you haven't been to the East Coast lately, maybe hit up like Six Flags Great Adventure for a full day and Dorney Park for a half day...thats a possible 21 coaster credits right there!

 

I was going to tell you to go to CP and GL but this is just so well said. He has so many good points, go to CP next year for their new coaster, and go to HW and BB this year. WELL SAID DEREK!

[larrygator]

Beech Bend really doesn't have much to offer after Kentucky Rumbler. I just don't want you to think it is a great place.

 

I thought you were going to have a day and one half at the parks but seeing your projected timing, IB and HW would not be possible. You would have to fly into Indianapolis mid-Monday morning to make those two parks before leaving Wednesday morning.

[Jeezus Juice]

Beech Bend, it is after all "The Knoebel's of Kentucky" according to an ACE official.

 

I'd take his word for it, he tucks in his polo shirts and everything.

[Xxhershey818xX]

CP and GL why after spending a whole day waiting in line and doing world record breaking crap i could spend half a day actually enjoying a park without habving to worry about lines and unwanted crowds!

[Chadley]

For me, it would be CP and GL. Not every coaster is a winner in these parks, but you do have quite a variety to choose from in these two. You've got height, speed, and quantity at CP. And over at GL you've got 10 pretty decent coasters IMO, and in those coasters not much repeat in styles, (floorless, flying, hybrid, classic wood, and impulse, just to name a few).

 

If you're counting credits, conceivably, you've got 26 possible credits in two parks.

 

Just whatever you do, don't make Paramount's King's Island part of the trip...it won't be a memorable coaster experience, below average maybe, but not memorable.