Choice of a few theme parks...

[Hobbesx2]

Basically, for my birthday this year I get to go to a theme park of my choosing eight hours or less away from Kansas City (driving). I've narrowed it down to two (maybe three) main choices and a few possibilities but I really don't know which one to go with. Can anyone help me figure out which one I should go to?

 

Main choices:

 

Six Flags Over Texas

Holiday World

Valleyfair!

 

Possibilities (but not very likely for us to go to)

 

Magic Springs & Crystal Falls

Adventureland

Frontier City

Silver Dollar City (but already been so not likely for us to go)

 

Thanks, Hobbesx2

[robbalvey]

Can anyone help me figure out which one I should go to?

I think it would help if you told us more about what YOU are into. Do you like wood or steel coasters better? Do you like big parks or small parks? Do you like parks with a lot of flat rides? Do you like going to water parks?

 

Etc, etc, etc....

[CreditCrazy]

I'd take away Valleyfair. It's still a good park, but nothing compared to the other two. Then, it really depends on what you want to ride. Holiday World is a great park, but not many coasters, even though they're all good. SFOT is also a good park, with a lot of coasters, some very good, but not as good as one at Holiday World

[holyblakbelt]

I'll admit Valleyfair is a great park, but until we get a B&M in 1-2 years, don't bother. I'd go to SFOT if I were you.

[sfmmrules!]

I'd deffinately go to SFOT. That Six Flags park is one of the best of the Six Flags chain.

[CD]

I've been to all three of these parks and I prefer SFOT over the other two (even though it's close between SF and HW).

 

I like SFOT because it has a great atmosphere and some amazing coasters, shows, and flat rides (I personally think it's the best park in the chain).

 

As for Holiday World, it also has a great atmosphere with a small park feel and some great rides and perks, like free soda. I haven't been to Holiday World since pre-voyage times but their coasters are good as well.

 

Valleyfair is a mediocre park that I really wouldn't go out of my way for. It has Renegade, which is a solid ride, and some good flats but that's about it. There's just not much to see or do and its pavement and trash can heaven lol.

 

That's my 2 cents

[Electerik]

Yeah, the choice between Holiday World and Six Flags Over Texas really is going to depend on what you're looking for. I personally think HW is a better park, but SFOT offers a much wider range of attractions.

 

It's been a long time since I've been to ValleyFair, but just based on my outdated experience, I would think it would be a fairly distant third choice (though I certainly don't dislike the park).

 

But, in an effort to maybe kind of be helpful, I will throw out a very general generalization: If you're fairly young and haven't been to lots and lots of parks, you'll probably prefer SFOT. If you're a bit more seasoned, HW will probably be more your bag.

[John Peck]

And If you make a trip all the way to Holiday World, whats adding an extra day to hit the very close SFKK which would break up the drive a little bit.

 

Holiday World to me is a more superior park, but SFoT has a lot of big rides.

[cycamps]

I haven't been to any of those parks, (other than Adventureland that you mentioned), but Holiday World seems like the nicest to me. The coasters that they have seem pretty neat, and the park seems to have a nice atmosphere. Too bad Cedar Point is out of your reach.

[robbalvey]

^ Did you really vote??? No offense dude, but I really don't think you should be giving someone advice as to what park they should visit if you haven't visted ANY of them.

 

That seems totally pointless to me.

 

--Robb "He's come here to ask our expert opinions, he could have thrown a dart himself." Alvey

[coastersrule85]

I haven't been to Holiday World, but it sounds terrific; I'm heading there this June and can not wait. SFOT is a blast though. I live in the Houston area, so I have to choose between Arlington or San Antonio for my amusement park fix. I make about 10 or more trips to SFOT during the summer (i'm a teacher) and have an amazing time every time I visit. Titan is a pretty intense coaster but is smooth as silk and a great re-ride. Shock Wave, Mr. Freeze, and Batman are all fun coasters too. They also have plenty of good flats for thrill seekers and families to enjoy as well. If you go during the week, the crowds are usually pretty manageable. Wherever you choose, you'll have an amazing time I'm sure. Good luck!

[Eagle Rider]

SFOT is my choice of the parks you've listed. Consider who you will be spending the day with and what type of day you want. HW is a fun park, but you will have time to do everything within a few hours and will then spend time revisiting what you've already done. This is great if you want to ride your brains out on some wood. Or will you also do the waterpark?

 

If you choose VF, try to add MOA to your trip.

 

SFOT has my vote because, well, it's my favorite of the parks you've mentioned for their variety of rides. Plus it's one of the SF gems and the original at that. You could easily spend two days there.

 

Another point to consider is what else you plan to do on this trip other than visit a park. Dallas and Minneapolis certainly have more to offer than Santa Claus, IN.

[Electerik]

Another point to consider is what else you plan to do on this trip other than visit a park. Dallas and Minneapolis certainly have more to offer than Santa Claus, IN.

 

More, yes. But Santa Claus certainly has its charms: The Santa Claus Museum, Santa's Candy Castle, Santa's Lodge, Frosty's Fun Center. If theming is your thing, Santa Claus, Indiana is way better than Minneapolis or Dallas.

 

Of course, if variety or night life is your thing...then nevermind.

[Wood Dragon 1988]

I've only been to SFOT.

 

I would choose Holiday World, simply because it has a few very high rated coasters. And as you can probably tell from my username, I like wooden coasters.

 

If you are into waterparks, then Holliday World definitely wins. SFOT does have a Hurricane Harbor right beside it though.

 

If you want to ride a lot of coasters and rides, SFOT should be your choice. The only reason I would pick Valleyfair is if you really like GCIs. I will admit Renegade looks sick.

[larrygator]

I'm not voting since I've never been to SFoT. I prefer HW over VF, but I'd pick Indiana Beach over either in a heartbeat. Is IB within 8 hours of KC.

[Hobbesx2]

Thanks for all the replies.

 

I guess I was really wondering if the great, small park atmosphere with a few great rides can outdo the fairly nice, large park atmosphere with lots of rides, some of which are great.

 

I've reviewed all your comments, and I think I've decided on SFOT (despite what the poll said.) Here are my reasons:

 

1. Everyone here said that SFOT is also good, even if they chose HW

2. We go on road trips a lot, and HW would be on the way to the East Coast, and we would probably never drive through Dallas on the way to anywhere but Dallas (or San Antonio etc.)

3. SFOT is open year round, which gives us lots of flexibility as we're driving, and HW opens in May.

4. Even though the HW rides are superior, almost everyone here seems to thinks SFOT's rides are also high-quality

5. I really enjoyed Six Flags St. Louis, and if the quality is like that it's got to be a winner.

 

Thanks for your opinions- even though I didn't follow the poll results you guys still helped me decide where to go for a great trip.

 

-hobbesx2

[coasterqueen13]

if you haven't been to Holiday World, definitely go there!

Voyage alone is worth the trip it truley is amazing.

Plus the park is really clean, well maintained, and who doesn't love free soft drinks!!

[sros1fan]

Holiday world is an awesome park with 3 world class woodies and soon to be open tallest water ride in the world (pilgrims plunge). The food in the park is also very good and its alot cheaper than the corperate parks.

[Satchboogie3]

I have only been to Holiday World pre-voyage and I would definitely rather visit HW than SFOT and VF. For me, its all about the coasters; quality and intense coasters. Holiday World has 3 of the best wooden coasters on the planet (I've heard Voyage is insane), the park has a great atmosphere, free soda, and great food. I should also note I am a big wooden coaster fan.

 

Another factor is, are you looking to ride NEW rides, or are you fine with clones/rides you have already been on? I for one could already scratch off Batman:TR, Flashback, and Titan to an extent (I've ridden Goliath at SFMM, which from what I've heard, is far more intense - helix from hell). The rest of the roller coasters are average to good - at best.

 

If you want a trio of the best wooden coasters on the planet, go to HW. If you want volume, go to SFOT. From a rating standpoint, HW has the #2 (Voyage), #14(Raven) , and #34(Legend) best wooden roller coasters in the world. SFOT top 4 coasters rank #56(B:TR), #79 (Texas Giant), #82(Titan), #92(MR. Freeze).

[coolhandluke]

Having never been to the parks, I won't vote, but can tell you which I would anticipate the most. I want to visit HW over the others, though SFOT is a close second. I'm very interested in the atmosphere and "feel" of HW, as I hear they have fantastic cleanliness and friendly employees (a connected water park and free Mountain Dew are pluses as well)

 

I for one could already scratch off Batman:TR, Flashback, and Titan to an extent (I've ridden Goliath at SFMM, which from what I've heard, is far more intense - helix from hell). The rest of the roller coasters are average to good - at best.

To clarify, Titan is the one touted as far more intense, with the bonus helix from hell.

...and Titan's helix from hell.

Right before the MCBR. No bonus helix...

 

Photos yanked from rcdb.com

[Satchboogie3]

Thanks for the clarification. I'd read somewhere that they decided to put in the extra helix so that the final helix would be less intense (train traveling slower). That and the fact that Goliath is generally ranked higher than Titan never made me question it.

[Electerik]

Thanks for the clarification. I'd read somewhere that they decided to put in the extra helix so that the final helix would be less intense (train traveling slower). That and the fact that Goliath is generally ranked higher than Titan never made me question it.

 

I don't think that's quite right. My understanding is that the extra helix is to bleed off excess speed before the MCBB, so that it wouldn't have to slow the train quite as much. (It's quite a dramitic slowdown on Goliath.)