STR8FXXXINEDGE Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 So I'm setting out on another adventure and I could use some tips and advice, as I have never been to any of these parks, or states for that matter (Except for PA). I'm taking the best travel partner ever. My Mom! We are going to be traveling from June 19th to the 28th. My plan as of right now which is not yet set in stone is... June 19th - Leave MI very early, stop at Camden Park, WV June 20th - Carowinds, NC June 21st - Drive and site see (Possibly Ghost Town In The Sky, NC. If Cliff Hanger is up and running) June 22nd - Busch Gardens Europe, VA June 23rd - Probably Busch Gardens Europe, VA again. I really wanna soak everything in and enjoy it, and I know my Mom will really like it there. June 24th - Kings Dominion, VA June 25th - Six Flags America, MD June 26th - Possibly one or two of the smaller PA parks that I've never been to (i.e. Conneaut Lake Park, Idlewild, or Lakemont Park). June 27th - Drive Home June 28th - Rest before I head back to work the next day. BOOO! I have a Cedar Fair Platinum Pass, and I am also a member of ACE (Be nice! ) I know that at one of the Cedar Fair parks I can get a cheap ticket for my Mom using my ACE membership card. Please share any tips, tricks, discounts, suggestions, favorite hotels, cheapest hotels, or whatever you may have. Please share your thoughts! All are welcomed. Thanks in advance, Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adeuce02 Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Have fun carowinds i havent gone in a couple years. At bge make sure if u wanna sit down and eat there is a excellent italian place right when you cross the bridge into italy. Oh for a hotel i wouldnt stay in williamsburg maybe get a pkace around hampton roads Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
netdvn Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 I posted some of my BGW advice here.... http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=50614&start=10 1. Crowds at BGW can really vary... I've gone there on July 4th and the park was practically dead for much of the day, while I went on a Friday last season, and all the rides had extremely long wait times... 2. If you're spending the day there, I highly recommend hitting everything as early as possible just in case the lines pick up later in the day. LNM is almost always a walk on every time I visit... Make sure you sit in the back for a better ride. The ride itself isn't as intense as the other coasters in the park. BBW's lines shouldn't be that bad either. This is my number 1 Arrow so I highly recommend riding it. Alpengeist doesn't get very long lines either, unless you're waiting for the front seat... IMO this is the best coaster in the park. Every time I ride AC, the line ranges from 10-30 minutes. I totally recommend riding it in the back seat. Griffon's line averages at around 30-45 minutes, but the line can be as short as five minutes (allow extra time if you want to wait in the front) to two hours (at the busiest possible time). I've been able to hit all five coasters in under an hour on a Saturday (it really wasn't that busy). I hope you have a great time. Busch is an amazing park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 It's a bit of a haul from Carowinds to Ghost Town in the Sky (three to four hours, I think). The drive from the Smokies to Williamsburg is a bit over eight hours (I've made it many times). It's about six hours from Carowinds to Williamsburg. You might want to factor those driving times into any sightseeing plans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 1 - At Camden Park, ride the Whip. It is one of the two only Whips I have been on that runs at its intended speed, creating a lot of forces. Seriously, I kid you not. 2 - When driving between Kings Dominion and SFA take Route 301 to avoid Northern Virginia/DC traffic. At worst you won't save any time, at best you will save an hour of aggravation. 3 - We really need a comprehensive PTR for Camden Park for the Park Index. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wood Dragon 1988 Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 I've been to all those parks, so I guess I'll try to help. Carowinds is the only park you're doing on a weekend, so it will probably be the hardest park to get all the credits. I know it was a ghost town when I went last year on a week-day. Anyway, the longest line was for Borg (whatever it's called now). The boomerang is low capacity and new, so I might try that one first or second. The only flat ride tips I have there, is they are supposed to have great flyers, which IMO I didn't "get" but they're supposed to be great. Busch is great, but they took out the free beer sampling this year. You used to be able to do it twice per visit. I don't think I could spend consecutive days there, but if you've never been, perhaps you can. The rides are definitely worth trying out different seats and stuff, and there's a lot of shows. I find the back of Loch Ness and the front of Alpie make the rides much better. Kings Dominion has supposedly retracked Grizzly this year, so make sure to ride it! At SFA, Batwing usually has the longest lines, despite its location due to horrible maintenance. If you want that credit, I suggest going there first. As for the PA parks, I would DEFINITELY recommend Idlewild. Its one of my favorite parks, despite its size. I think many people on from the Behemoth trip last year would agree with me. I like Lakemont to, and riding the oldest coaster in the world has some appeal. However, I've been hearing bad reports that all the rides aren't operating consistently this year. You could easily do both of these parks in one day though. Hope something helped Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STR8FXXXINEDGE Posted May 20, 2009 Author Share Posted May 20, 2009 It's a bit of a haul from Carowinds to Ghost Town in the Sky (three to four hours, I think). The drive from the Smokies to Williamsburg is a bit over eight hours (I've made it many times). It's about six hours from Carowinds to Williamsburg. You might want to factor those driving times into any sightseeing plans. We actually don't have any site seeing plans. By site seeing, I meant driving all day and looking at sites out the car windows, haha. Also, I'm not sure if Ghost Town In The Sky will even be happening. Thanks for the tips! Does everything else sound do-able to you? 1 - At Camden Park, ride the Whip. It is one of the two only Whips I have been on that runs at its intended speed, creating a lot of forces. Seriously, I kid you not.2 - When driving between Kings Dominion and SFA take Route 301 to avoid Northern Virginia/DC traffic. At worst you won't save any time, at best you will save an hour of aggravation. 3 - We really need a comprehensive Photo TR for Camden Park for the Park Index. Noted! Thanks for the tips, and I'll do my best to get you a good photo TR of Camden. Anything in particular that you need, or would like to see? As for the PA parks, I would DEFINITELY recommend Idlewild. Its one of my favorite parks, despite its size. I think many people on from the Behemoth trip last year would agree with me. I like Lakemont to, and riding the oldest coaster in the world has some appeal. However, I've been hearing bad reports that all the rides aren't operating consistently this year. You could easily do both of these parks in one day though. These are most likely going to be the 2 PA parks that I hit. Thanks for the advice! Everyone else, please don't hold anything back! I'll take whatever I can get. Thanks again everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 If you skip Ghost Town in the Sky, then the plan seems fine. If you're planning to take a day to drive from Carowinds to Williamsburg, which makes sense, you could check out Chapel Hill, NC on the way--it's a fun, funky college town. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoaringOwl Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 ...make sure if u wanna sit down and eat there is a excellent italian place right when you cross the bridge into italy... I recommend not eating in the park at all. The prices are outrageous! (On second thought, you MUST get a funnel cake! ) But if you must, there is a Panda Express next to Runaway Reptar. MMMMM good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 ^The quote refers to BGW, not Carowinds (although you're probably right about not eating at Carowinds)--and food is fairly expensive at BGW, as it is at most parks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoaringOwl Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 D'oh! I suppose I misread that as a typo or something... Yea they really sock it to your wallet when it comes to consumables in parks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 Thanks for the tips, and I'll do my best to get you a good photo TR of Camden.Anything in particular that you need, or would like to see? Below are the flat rides currently in the database, but fresh pictures are always welcome. I haven't been to the park in years. The only flat rides I remember that we need pictures of are the Tilt-a-Whirl and the infamous Hot Cat (Caterpiller without a canopy) Bullseye Flying Scooters Haunted House Kite Flyer Log Flume Skydiver Whip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STR8FXXXINEDGE Posted May 20, 2009 Author Share Posted May 20, 2009 I'm pretty good at drinking free water and starving myself all day. Plus, I usually travel with all kinds of crackers and snacks to fill up on to help save money. I'm sure we'll eat at BG no matter what, as we just want to soak in the atmosphere. I love Italian food, so we will most likely check out the Italian restaurant that was mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wood Dragon 1988 Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 Lots of BGE locals love Trappers Smokehouse (Barbeque) too. I think it's in the French section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 I think it's about $16-$18 for a full meal at Trapper's or Ristorante Della Piazza. I think that still includes a fabulous dessert. I can vouch for Trapper's BBQ or the Canneloni served at the Italian place. Not sure if the following food stand is still in the park. For a quick snack BGE used to have someone cooking up shrimp on a hot stone in a mixture of seasoning, beer and garlic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adeuce02 Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 yeah sorry i mistyped that food quote. Yes its at bge it right over the bridge in to italy. Its right by the big stadium the show is pretty good also if u wanna soak it all in at bge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHILLERLC1 Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 Eat outside of the park. Don't get a headache during the day. I also suggest Cedar Point on the way back home. You'll probably be passing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 Not sure if the following food stand is still in the park. For a quick snack BGE used to have someone cooking up shrimp on a hot stone in a mixture of seasoning, beer and garlic. They're still cooking the shrimp, Larry--at least InBev hasn't screwed that up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STR8FXXXINEDGE Posted May 20, 2009 Author Share Posted May 20, 2009 I love me some BBQ as well, so I'll hopefully be able to check out both of the aforementioned restaurants! Maybe one the first day, and the other the next. I also suggest Cedar Point on the way back home. You'll probably be passing it. I go to Cedar Point about 20 times a year. I think I'll pass it up on this trip, haha. Thanks though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homeboy23 Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 At KD you might as well bring a bag lunch and eat at the car to save money. There isn't anything in the park thats a must have to eat there. Probably the same at SFA but I have never tried to eat there so I wouldn't know. Nothing grabbed my eye walking by though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 ^Agreed--KD's grub is overpriced and not very good, for the most part. (If you're stuck, the burgers and milkshakes at the Juke Box Diner by Hurler are OK, as is the pizza.) Pierce's Pitt on East Rochambeau near Williamsburg is worth checking out if you're into pulled-pork sandwiches--very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STR8FXXXINEDGE Posted May 24, 2009 Author Share Posted May 24, 2009 The plans are finalized! Now all I have to do is book hotels. The plans look like this... June 19th - Leave MI very early and stop at Camden Park, WV for a few hours June 20th - Carowinds, NC June 21st - Drive to Williamsburg, VA June 22nd - Busch Gardens Europe, VA June 23rd - Busch Gardens Europe, VA again June 24th - Kings Dominion, VA June 25th - Six Flags America, MD June 26th - Lakemont & Idlewild in PA June 27th - Finish the drive home June 28th - Rest before I head back to work the next day. BOOO! Any tips for Hotels? (i.e. cheapest, best, favorites) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philrad71 Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 If you get to hit Conneaut Lake Park, you may also want to head up I-79 to Erie and hit up Waldameer...it is only about 20-30 minute drive. Well worth it to ride a great woodie! Have fun! ^Edit - Just saw the finalized plans above....ooops! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STR8FXXXINEDGE Posted May 24, 2009 Author Share Posted May 24, 2009 ^ Haha, it's all good! I appreciate any and all tips. I would definitely plan on Conneaut Lake Park if Blue Streak was up and running. I technically have an extra day, so if it is up and running by then, I may just add it on. I hit up Waldameer last summer. Ravine Flyer II was amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philrad71 Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 I am thinking about doing both Waldameer and CLP today. Not sure if Mother Nature will have anything to say about it though - looks like some showers and t-storms moving into the area. I am very curious to see how CLP looks after seeing what a depressed state it was in this time last year. I am soooo glad to hear that they have re-opened the park, although I also wish that I could get a ride on Blue Streak! Maybe next year though... Waldameer is open till 10:00 tonight with fireworks which would be nice...but my main goal is to ride RF2 at night! Have fun on your trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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