HoliWood Nights Trip Planning Question: HW, SFKK, KI

[milst1]

We're going to HoliWood Nights at Holiday World in Indiana. We get in late Friday May 23 and spend the full day Saturday May 24 at Holiday World. Then we'd like to hit Kentucky Kingdom and Kings Island.

 

We thought we'd fly into Louisville for HoliWood Nights, then do Kentucky Kingdom on Sunday, then do Kings Island on Monday, then fly out of...where? Is it easier to fly out of Cincinnati or Dayton? Or maybe better to do Kings Island on Saturday and do Kentucky Kingdom on the travel-shortened Monday, thus having a round-trip from Louisville instead of two airports? Your thoughts are welcome.

 

Also, any decent hotel recommendations for these three parks? We're looking for value (more expensive is okay if it actually comes with benefits) and convenience.

 

Thanks!

 

Martin

[supertrooper]

Tickets out of or into Dayton will generally be $100.00 less than Cincinnati. Cincy is always one of the most expensive airports to fly into or out of for some reason. But, my advice would be to just fly in and out of Louisville and go to SFKK on your last day since it is directly across from the airport and really requires no more than a half day. There are alot of hotels right at the entrance of SFKK and the fairgrounds too, which would be really convenient...I think The Executive Inn is okay.

 

http://www.executiveinnhotel.com/

[SharkTums]

Yeah the Louisville airport is usually pretty cheap and easy. (Small airport, rental car onsite, etc.)

 

Use TripAdvisor when looking for hotels around SFKK/Airport though because there are some real dives there.

[ginzo]

You could try flying into Louisville on Southwest and out of Dayton on AirTran. Both airports are small and easy to deal with. That one way rental car is going to cost you a little bit more. You might try Priceline for that.

 

As for hotels, stay at Santa's Lodge for HW. It's close and pretty nice. Though the buffet is gross. You're getting meals included with HWN anyway.

 

You could also try substituting Beech Bend for Kings Island and doing all of your flying out of Louisville. Kentucky Rumbler > Kings Island. Though Beech Bend the park isn't that great.

[milst1]

You guys are awesome, thanks!

[spaceace12]

I will be at HWN too and plan on hitting KI the day after, might have to meet up.

[Groteslurf]

We'll be doing the same parks only 1 week earlier. We're flying in on Evansville.

[Loopy]

I HIGHLY recommend the Days Inn Jasper. Don't let the name fool you, we had a clean comfortable room with snacks, wireless internet, and all the basics. The staff was friendly and it beats the crap out of Santa's Lodge or whatever the name is. For the price, it could not be beat.

 

Also in Jasper is the Shnitzelbank. If you like german food, make a stop there. Awesome.

[Evan1127]

You could also try substituting Beech Bend for Kings Island and doing all of your flying out of Louisville. Kentucky Rumbler > Kings Island. Though Beech Bend the park isn't that great.

 

If I'm not mistaken, RumbleFest is that weekend, no? I should probably know this.

[spaceace12]

I believe it is the next day, like the first year for HWN. BB is also a park I want to visit.

[dj snow]

Also in Jasper is the Shnitzelbank. If you like german food, make a stop there. Awesome.

Yes, Schnitzelbank is good stuff.

 

Don't forget to order up a Hacker-Pschorr on draft if you stop.

[larrygator]

I HIGHLY recommend the Days Inn Jasper. Don't let the name fool you, we had a clean comfortable room with snacks, wireless internet, and all the basics.

 

I'll second this opinion.

[All Clear]

I'll third it. I wish I'd had more time to go to a couple of places in Jasper.

 

But I've also stayed at Santa's before, and while I don't recommend the restaurant downstairs, the room was quite comfey.

[milst1]

You could try flying into Louisville on Southwest and out of Dayton on AirTran. Both airports are small and easy to deal with. That on

 

Unfortunately, Southwest really only serves Long Island around here and the other Big 3 airports are way easier for us but Southwest-deficient.

 

Okay, so what's better: Sunday at Kings Island or Sunday at Rumblefest (Beech Bend, Bowling Green, KY)?

 

I haven't been to Kings Island in over 10 years, my wife's never been there. Neither of us have ever been to Beech Bend.

 

What are your votes? I think someone already weighed in for Beech Bend.

 

Thanks again,

 

Martin

[All Clear]

I think Rumblefest would be more fun, personally. Kentucky Rumbler is more fun than any of the coasters at KI, IMHO. I mean, I know that seems somehow wrong, but I'm trying to think if there's a ride at KI that I prefer and I can't think of one. Maybe The Beast, but it makes me mad more than it makes me have fun, because of how fun it could be but isn't.

 

Plus with Rumblefest, you'll get some ERT and a gravy buffet and maybe a door prize. They gave out about a billion door prizes a couple of years ago.

[BeemerBoy]

^ He summed it up rather well.

 

Furthermore, even without Rumbler, I'd spend a day at Beech Bend before I'd willingly go back to KI.

[milst1]

^ He summed it up rather well.

 

Furthermore, even without Rumbler, I'd spend a day at Beech Bend before I'd willingly go back to KI.

 

Wow, that sounds harsh. My experiences at PKI in the 90's were positive. Has Cedar Fair destroyed the park? Or did you have a uniquely bad experience?

 

Thanks,

 

Martin

[BeemerBoy]

Nothing particularly bad happened to us on our only visit several years ago. To me, there's just no redeeming quality offered for such a "major" amusement park. When the best ride among a sizable coaster collection is the drop tower, you know you've got work to do to get back on track. Seriously, off the top of my head it's probably the only large park I can think of (that I've been to) that doesn't have at least one standout coaster to grab my attention, IMHO.

 

I've actually tried many times to rationalize why, or put a finger on something more specific, but I can only muster a huge "MEH" when thinking about the place. Perhaps since you haven't been in a while, and you enjoyed it last time, you'll continue to appreciate the place more than I did. But honestly, I really would prefer going back to Rumblefest over a day at KI. Rumbler really is worth the trip!

[SharkTums]

^He's right.

 

There may not be one concrete (ha, get it, concrete!!??) thing you can say negative abotu Kings Island, but it just sucks.

 

Rumbler at Beech Bend is worth whatever other 'meh' credits you would get at Kings Island!

[larrygator]

Personally I don't like the "red neck carnival" set-up of Beech Bend, but Rumbler does kick quite a bit of butt.

 

If you went more variety in your day Kings Island will provide it, but Rumbler is far superior to anything at Kings Island. However, outisde of SCAT 2, nothing else at Beech Bend held my interest.

[ginzo]

I HIGHLY recommend the Days Inn Jasper. Don't let the name fool you, we had a clean comfortable room with snacks, wireless internet, and all the basics.

 

I'll second this opinion.

 

I just priced out that Days Inn versus Santa's Lodge. Santa's Lodge is about $30 more per night. But that Days Inn is 22 miles away. I'd rather pay the extra money to stay right next to the park. I like to take midday breaks.

 

I've already booked a room at Santa's Lodge for Holiwood Nights, but it looks like we might not be going. I might try and hit a bunch of the new PA credits the following weekend instead.

[Loopy]

^ Sure, if you want to be close to the park, Santa's lodge is the only place. Personally, for Holiwood Nights last year, we spent all of about 2 hours in the park during normal operating hours, so the drive was not a big deal.

If you're not a water park fan, there is not a heck of a lot to do.

[Guest]

We got a really awesome rate at The Baymont Inn and its about 6 miles from the park for Holiwood Nights. We will be hitting up Kings Island on Sunday.

 

I thought Beech Bend was ok, but I wouldn't really stay for anything. To me, Rumbler was good but not omg great. I would hit the credits I wanted and rides and head out of there.

 

But, that's just me. Best bet is to fly either out of Louisville or Dayton to get the best airfare.

[spaceace12]

Forget the hotel, I camp. My site last year was right at the walking entrance to HW's parking lot. If anyone going wants to try to split the cost of a rental rv, let me know, I would be willing if they are still available. Cost would be 60 dollars for two nights.

[ginzo]

If you're not a water park fan, there is not a heck of a lot to do.

 

Very, very true. That's why I like IB more. They have more of a balance. HW has a really nice water park, but it's always insanely crowded.