Help with a one-park trip

[Reality15]

Hey Robb/Elissa/Forum Members,

 

I'm working on planning a small two-three day trip to hit one really amazing park (or possibly two smaller parks) somewhere away from where I live (Michigan). It has to be a small trip like this because I'm on a $500 budget and I don't have that good of a car. I'm really having trouble trying to decide what parks I might like best and I'd like some feedback from you guys. Here's a few I was considering:

 

Dollywood - I'm a big fan of wooden coasters, so Thunderhead is the big draw for me. Not to mention the opening of Mystery Mine kind of makes this park one I'd like to go to. Unfortunately, the con would be that this might be where my family will be going for vacation in 2008.

 

Six Flags Great Adventure - Of course the big draw on this one is El Toro. Also there's the fact that there's some really nice coasters there that I've never been on (Nitro, Batman clone, Medusa). The only problem with this is... is $500 worth a one-day trip to the park?

 

Indiana/Ohio Tour - This one would include Cedar Point, Kings Island, and Indiana Beach. The upside to this one is that I own a Cedar Fair Maxx Pass, so it's cheap, and I live within five hours of each of these parks. The downside is I've been there, the only new credit would be Firehawk, and I really didn't like Indiana Beach all that well the last time I was there.

 

So yeah, basically, I'm just asking for a little bit of advice. Like I said, I live in Michigan, so anywhere like Texas or California is WAY out of the question. But really, I just need all the advice I can get.

 

Thanks guys,

 

-Jon "Reality" Roost

 

P.S. - this will be in May, I might add, probably on Memorial Day weekend or that following week.

[RedB]

Dollywood seems kind of far if your car is a piece as you say and I wouldn't waste my money on Kings Island. Since you live on the west side of the state maybe you could hit up SFGAm since it's close by. Also you said you like woods so how about Holiday World. Of course if you have already hit up both of these parks never mind.

[imbordisux]

Have you been to "Kennywood"? That's an amazing park, and much closer than some of the options you listed.

 

As for "Dollywood", I'm pretty sure they're going to be adding a new ride each year for the next few years, so you might want to wait on that one to get the "full experience" down the line.

 

And if you like woodies, check out "Holiday World" if you haven't been - our personal favorite park.

[Reality15]

I'll be at Great America in July for a family vacation, and I was just at Holiday World last year.

 

Kennywood is definitely an idea. I've never been there and seen as how I like older parks, it might be the best choice.

[HogarthOK]

As unimaginative as the cross-Ohio trip is -- I think you'll have the most coasters to ride at the lowest cost to you.

 

My wife and I are doing the same thing in May.

[Carnage]

What about the Wisconsin Dells?

[Reality15]

Hogarth, I actually thought about doing the Cedar Fair "Ohio Circle Tour". Because I have the season pass, it would only cost me gas and hotels for two nights.

 

Carnage, the Wisconsin Dells is part of the SFGAm trip, which will also include the MoA and Valleyfair. Plus the Dells are very expensive as far as accommodations go.

[Carnage]

Fair enough.

 

How about Silver Dollar City/Celebration City? That'd be along the same lines of Dollywood.

[ParkTrips]

Great Adventure.

 

El Toro was worth a few hundred bucks to me... and if you've never been to the park before there's a lot more to do. Its not my favorite of the choices - Dollywood is - but it offers a lot more for your money in terms of rides and such, and if an 08 DW trip is a possibility you might as well save your money for then.

[larrygator]

I would hold off on SFGAdv until you have more time and money as there are quite a few parks/coasters close by. When I drive that many hours I like to hit a few parks.

 

Like Imbordisux says, consider Kennywood along with CP for your two days.

[Reality15]

The only problem with a SDC/CC trip is the amount of driving. It's a full day of driving just to get to the area and another full day back. That's definitely a possibility of a larger trip hitting some more parks on the way there, however.

 

What other parks are near SFGAdv? I've already hit Hershey, Dorney, and Knoebel's. Are there any other "not-to-miss" parks over there. I mean if Joe says Great Adventure then there must be something about the place that makes it amazing.

 

Right now my dates are looking to be around the beginning of May, and not many parks are in daily operation by that time, too, so that's one of my setbacks.

[Carnage]

The only problem with a SDC/CC trip is the amount of driving. It's a full day of driving just to get to the area and another full day back. That's definitely a possibility of a larger trip hitting some more parks on the way there, however.

 

So is SFGAdv.

 

Actually SDC/CC is closer to you than SFGADV.

[Reality15]

Yeah, I guess they are pretty much the same distance (11 hours). Going to SFGAdv could include a stop at Kennywood, too, which would mean nearly 20 new coasters for me. Are both of these parks open daily in early May?

[imbordisux]

Dates:

 

http://www.sixflags.com/greatAdventure/info/parkInfo.aspx

http://www.kennywood.com/park_info/calendar.php

[Reality15]

And neither are open on Monday/Tuesday, unfortunately. Maybe I should just save my money and not go on the extra trip.

 

EDIT: Looks like all plans are off. I got hired at Cedar Point on Maverick for the summer. Can't wait to get started, either.

[RedB]

You got hired on maverick? Congrats! I'll see you there in May.