Notes from the road: Pennsylvania coaster tour

[BarryH]

Well, I'm on the road in PA on a coaster tour. My Internet access is limited since I left my computer at home (my desktop would not fit into the suitcase ). I will check in from time to time when I can access a computer.

 

Here's where I've been so far:

 

7/16 -- Williams Grove and Dorney Park

 

Williams Grove

I've been curious about Williams Grove and riding the Cyclone. How bad could it be? Well, it was pretty bad. Williams Grove kind of reminded me of Knoebel's because they are both amusement parks in the forest. That's where the similarities end. If Knoebel's is the Disneyland of amusement parks in forests, then Williams Grove is the Six Flags. It was a "ghetto Knoebel's." There was a group of flat rides bunched up and hen a few rides in the middle of the field. Most of the employees seemed spaced out. The Dante's Inferno ride sqeaked so much that it sounded like it was dying. The flat rides were a notch below in shape from a carny ride.

 

I didn't get to ride the Cyclone because the train was stuck on the lift the entire time I was there. Still, I got my Wildcat credit. The park left a ghetto impression me that I don't want to visit again, even if the Cyclone is open. I didn't get any ticks on me though. Even though I had the coaster credits at Knobel's I wish I had driven 3 hours north instead of visiting Williams Grove.

 

Dorney Park

I left Williams Grove after 75 minutes and went to Dorney. Dorney Park didn't leave a good impression on me when I visited a few years ago. I wanted to visit to ride Hydra and the Woodstock Express (I didn't get this credit last time).

 

I thought Hydra was a pretty good ride overall. The cobra roll was the funkiest looking one I've ever seen. Usually the cobra rolls that I've seen is in the shape of an H. This one was V shaped. If you want forces on Hydra, sit in the back or the front. I sat in row 4 and I felt no forces! Th jojo roll was interesting. The Woodstock Express was in a class on its own. I had a hard time fitting into the seat, so I put the lap bar between my legs. Suffice to say, my family jewels were quite bruised! The things I do for a credit.

 

I rode Talon (forceless everywhere except the back), Thunderhawk (it was so fast in the rain!), and Steel Force (eh, another Morgan coaster). Laser was interesting because during the helix, my body tilted over so far that I hit my head against the seat next to me! I don't know, if I had brain damage, but how can you tell?

 

I stayed at Dorney for about 5 hours even with some videotaping. I could have entired at 5 pm and done a Starlight admission instead of entering at 3. Oh well... There were hardly any lines. Every coaster was a walk-on. I waited 5 minutes for Steel Force and Dominator once.

 

Next up:

 

Today: Bowcraft, Clementon, Blue Diamond (if there's time)

7/17: PKD

7/18: BGW

7/19-7/20: SFGAdv

[Bob O]

Does anyone know how long of a drive it is from the area of Hershey Park to Dorney Park or from the Philadelphia area to Dorney Park???

[Reon]

Hmm...a Pennsylvania trip eh? Tell me if its worth it, cuz that one of the roadtrip ideas Im tossing around for next year...My alternate idea is to do a CF roadtrip...Also, have fun (duh)

[Meteornotes]

^^It would probably take you about an hour and a half to go from Hershey to Dorney, and about an hour to go from Philadelphia to Dorney, depending on traffic.

 

dt

[ECZenith]

Dorney to Hershey is nice and close, and all you have to do is stay on 78 for the most most part. An hour and a half is pretty accurate.