Northern California trip tips

[CoasterGoblin]

Hi all,

 

Trying to plan a 3-day weekend trip to 3 of the parks in Northern California (SFDK, Great America, and Bonfante Gardens) and was wondering when a good time to go to avoid the crowds.

 

Is early in the season (let's say opening weekend of March 31st for the two Cedar Fair parks) a good time to go? Or is later in the season better? I would prefer going sometime early in the season but am worried about the crowds.

 

Thanks for any advice!

[phazan]

I go to Great America every April on a Sunday, because my cousin has a sister who does a dance competition thing there every year, and that personally is my favorite time to go out of the whole year. Ususally the weather is nice and cool, and even with the special even on a Sunday, the park doesn't get that crowded. The longest lines you will see would probably be Psycho Mouse and Drop Zone, and at the time when the park has the most crowds, they can be about a 30-45 minute wait. Keep in mind though, that this is during a Sunday, and a special event is going on in the park that day. I think if you go to Great America during a week day in the early spring time, the park should be pretty much empty. You will have to check the schedule though, I'm not sure which days they are open.

 

As for Bofonte Gardens, I've never even been there, so I have no advice for you.

 

Marine World... or should I say Discovery Kingdom should also be pretty light during early-mid spring. I ususally go to Discovery Kingdom in the late summer though, because I hate the cold Vallejo weather.

 

Hope that helpped. (I'm a Nor Cal native)

[scooterdoug]

I went to Marine World (Discovery Kingdom) on a Sunday in September of 2005. The crowds were really low and it was easy to ride yourself silly. The longest line was for Kong, but that's because it only has one train running. Medusa (which is brilliant example of B&M floorless perfection) was a walk on all day. That's my only experience with the park. If I want to get crowds like that at SFMM, I have to take a day off work and go mid-week while schools are still in session.

[CoasterGoblin]

Ok thanks for the tips.. I'll try to make the trip out there early or late in the season. Hopefully Knott's lets me use my annual pass voucher toward a Maxx Pass!

[chmilo24]

-When you go to PGA, try to get there early to avoid all the San Jose traffic.

 

-Try to go there in mid April, I go to SCBB, PGA, and SFDK every fall and spring and most of the rides in all the parks are walk on.

 

-At SFDK, if it is crowded, hit the big rides durring the Shouka shows, because everybody loves to watch a big whale do tricks.

 

-If the the lines get long, bring snacks if they let you to eat while you wait in the lines.