HUGE Road Trip - Any advice is appreciated!

[Vffreak07]

Hey everyone. I'm going on a huge road trip with my dad this summer to 7 different amusement parks (and one small park). This trip is taking place from Saturday the 26th, through around August 10-13th. Here's the schedule:

Valleyfair is hosting Coaster Craze July 25th, (Friday) and then the next day, we're leaving for Chicago. We're staying with our relatives in Chicago all of Sunday, and then on Monday we're going to SFGAM. All day there, getting the gold flash pass, and then returning to our relatives house for the night. That Tuesday morning, we're leaving early, and traveling to Sandusky, checking into either Breaker's or Breaker's Express at around 4, and then spending a half day at CP. The next day, (Wednesday) is an all CP day. Sleeping in Breaker's/Breaker's Express (we don't know yet) that night, spending a half day at CP, and then traveling the 3-4 hours to KI. We'll check in, maybe swim in the hotel pool, sleep and then on that Friday, go to Kings Island.

Spend all day there, and then sleep in the hotel that night, and drive all Saturday to Hershey PA. On Sunday, spend all day at Hershey, stay over night, drive to Manassas to stay with my Dad's Friends for the day/night, and then that Tuesday, visit my grandpa in Maryland.

That Wednesday, drive out to KD early, spend all day there, after KD closes, drive to Williamsburg, and check in/stay the night there. Thursday morning, drive the whole 1 mile to BGE. Spend all day there, go back to the hotel, and then the next day, possibly do some site seeing. After that, drive all the way back to around the Michigan area, go to MIA on some day yet to be determined, and then drive back to Minnesota, and on the way visit Timber Falls to get my Avalanche credit.

 

So here's a better/easier to understand list:

 

Friday July 25th - Coaster Craze @ VF

 

Saturday July 26th - Drive to Chicago

 

Sunday July 27th - Chill out with relatives in Chicago

 

Monday July 28th - SFGAM for the day

 

Tuesday July 29th - Travel to Sandusky/Half day at CP

 

Wednesday July 30th - Full day at CP

 

Thursday July 31st - Half day at CP, travel to Kings Island Ohio

 

Friday August 1st - Full day at KI

 

Saturday August 2nd - Full day of travel to Hershey Pennsylvania

 

Sunday August 3rd - Full day at Hershey Park

 

Monday August 4th - Spend the day/night at friend's house

 

Tuesday August 5th - Visit Relative

 

Wednesday August 6th - Full day at KD

 

Thursday August 7th - Full day at BGE

 

Friday August 8th - Site seeing/travel day.

 

After that visit MIA sometime.

 

We already got most of our hotels & stuff figured out, so now I need your guys' help. What are some tips, and things to remember on the road trip, and how can I visit every park, and see it with full advantage. Thanks a lot!

[mcjaco]

Well, for one, every interstate in and around Chicago is under construction. Be prepared for long travel times in the area. Going on a Monday is a good day though.

 

Two, make sure to hit Demon, and Ragin Cajun first at SFGAm, as they don't use Flash Passes.

[larrygator]

I assume you you have the Cedar Fair Pass. If so why not drive from Chicago to King's Island and get KI out of the way before CP? That might save you a little time in not having to back track.

 

The benefit is that you might be able to get to HP a couple of hours earlier on August 2nd and you can then take advantage of their preview special. If you buy your tickets on August 2nd you can enter the park 2 hours before it closes. Also, if you do the preview plan save your parking receipt because paying for preview special parking is also good for that next full day.

[PKI Jizzman]

Thursdays and Fridays shouldn't be too bad. I should be able to meet up and help ya get around the park!

 

-JZ

[Airtime&Gravity]

Two, make sure to hit Demon, and Ragin Cajun first at SFGAm, as they don't use Flash Passes.

 

Neither does Viper, so hit that up early too. Also, get a q-bot if there are large crowds, but since you are going on a Monday, you probably might not need one. If you like water parks, make sure you stop at Hurricane Harbor as it is an excellent water park with many great slides. Also, don't eat in the park as it is expensive and not that good. If you have time, try to hit up Golden Corral for a meal as it is an awesome (and reasonably priced) buffet.

[mcjaco]

^ Thanks. I knew I was forgetting one of the rides.

[Vffreak07]

Thanks for all the advice! I know I'm going but the thing is I gotta get my grade up to a 3.0 before the end of the year, but considering that we don't have any more tests or anything (just finals) I might not get to go.

But I will no matter what go next year if I don't go this year. But yeah I do have a platinum pass.

[Hercules]

Kiss up to the teachers. Tell them you have a trip to go on and then clap some erasers and do some filing for them.

[Vffreak07]

Well I am going now! Can't wait. Question though, I heard CP is least busy on wednesdays, and I know it's August, so will I be fine? Or will I still have to endure the 3 hour lines?

[timberskara]

Sounds like you have most of it planned out pretty well, so good luck with that and take lots of photos !

 

One thing I just wanted to mention-- the Lake Express ferry that runs from Muskegon, MI (about 15 mins from where MIA is) across the lake to Milwaukee. Sounds like you're going to be doing a lot of driving, and I know from experience the drive from West MI to the Dells to the Twin Cities is pretty crappy. You can do the ferry one-way and bring your vehicle on it. It's quick, helps you avoid the Chicago mess and is an overall fun experience. Definitely not a must, but something you may want to look into if interested.

 

If you are driving from West MI to the Dells, I'd recommend a stop at Little Amerricka. It's in Marshall, MN and only 10 minutes (if that) off of the route. Crazy traditional park with a few fun rides and an experience of a lifetime.

 

See you at coaster craze!

[mcjaco]

Crazy traditional park with a few fun rides and an experience of a lifetime.

 

That would be an understatement!