Making plans for a 2010 trip

[coastered]

I still have to wait for this years holiday to start (Florida trip), but I am allready making plans for my 2010 holiday.

The only thing I really want is this trip to fit into 10 days. Less is OK, but more isn't, because it will be to expensive.

 

Here are my plans:

After a flight from Europe, I wanted to start this trip in Atlanta (Georgia) and wanted to visit some themeparks while driving to Washington DC.

 

I think I will do this trip in September 2010, because I really want to ride all the new rollercoasters planned for 2010.

 

Day 1 - Flight to Atlanta.

Day 2 - Visit Six Flags Over Georgia + Drive to Dollywood

Day 3 - Visit Dollywood + Drive to Carowinds

Day 4 - Visit Carowinds + Drive to Freestyle Music Park

Day 5 - Visit Freestyle Music Park + Drive to Busch Gardens Europe

Day 6 - Visit Busch Gardens Europe + Drive to Kings Dominion

Day 7 - Visit Kings Dominion + Drive to Washington DC

Day 8 - Sightseeing Washington DC

Day 9 + 10 - Flight back to Europe

 

Do you think this is possible in just 10 days.

I think about the very long days, driving 200 to 350 miles after a themepark visit.

And how much do you think this trip will cost??

Including: Themeparks, hotels, car etc

[coasterbilly]

I'm honestly thinking about doing something similar next year, but obviously not flying from Europe . For me, spending time at parks and enjoying them is imperative because it gives you a better experience. Going to SFoG in a day then driving to Dollywood and then doing Dollywood and then driving again, you're just going to feel too rushed and especially at SFoG, you probably couldn't get on EVERYTHING in just a few hours.

 

Another thing is, night rides are my favorite part of visiting a park. You spend all day there and anticipate the night atmosphere where everything is lit up and whatever ride you get on at night just caps the great day you had somewhere. So, as far as costs goes, it's going to be up there definitely although I can't give you a number. I would take Freestyle Park out because you see the rep it is getting and it's honestly 2-3 hours away from Carowinds I think, so it's just extra, wasted gas (but it isn't if all you want is credits). So, with some modifications this is a good trip, but try to even it out a little better, even if you need to take a park out.

[SharkTums]

Just make sure you check operating schedules carefully as several parks go to weekends only in September.

[coastered]

I would take Freestyle Park out because you see the rep it is getting and it's honestly 2-3 hours away from Carowinds I think, so it's just extra, wasted gas (but it isn't if all you want is credits). So, with some modifications this is a good trip, but try to even it out a little better, even if you need to take a park out.

I know Freestyle Music Park is not the most interesting park.

And the only credit I'm interested in is Time Machine. The other coasters are not that great.

And yes I was allready thinking about taking the park out of my plans.

But that still leaves a long drive from Carowinds to Busch Gardens.

 

Just make sure you check operating schedules carefully as several parks go to weekends only in September.

Ok i forgot about that. Then I think I have to move the trip into july or August.

But that won't be a big problem.

[coasterbilly]

Yeah it leaves a drive from Carowinds to BGE, but it's one less place to worry about which leaves you that time for the drive ya know?

[The Bebes]

I would suggest you ADD Six Flags America right outside of Washington, DC (since you'll be right there) and skip Freestyle Music Park (simply for drive time and distance).

 

As far as the driving after each park goes, It's really dependent on how YOU can handle it. In 2006 we took a trip where we were driving every night, and some days you really regret it. Our most recent trip (from Pittsburgh to Virginia Beach) was great and we handled the nightly drives just fine.

 

DRIVE TIMES:

SFOG to Dollywood = ~3.5hrs

Dollywood to Carowinds = 3.5hrs

Carowinds to BGE = ~ 5hrs

BGE to KD = ~1hr

KD to SFA = ~1.5hr

 

Also, remember that WEEKENDS (esp Saturdays) are going to be exceptionally crowded at the parks. I would suggest this itinerary to maximize parks on weekdays:

 

DAY 1 (Sun) - Fly from AMS to ATL

DAY 2 (Mon) - SFoG

DAY 3 (Tues)- Dollywood

DAY 4 (Wed)- Carowinds

DAY 5 (Thu) - Busch Gardens Europe

DAY 6 (Fri) - King's Dominion

DAY 7 (Sat) - Sightseeing in D.C.

DAY 8 (Sun) - Six Flags America

DAY 9 (Mon) - FREE TIME UNTIL FLIGHT (7pm, 9pm)

DAY 10 (Tue)-ARRIVE AMS early P.M. (1pm, 3pm)

 

TRANSPO:

If you are going to rent a car one way, try Budget first (and look for coupons online). We scored a nice rental for 12 days for under $500 total. Anyone else wanted over $1500. Mousesavers.com lists a promo code W810011 valid for anyone who shops at Walmart (anyone really) and your total would be $1032 after taxes and fees (using Jul 19,2010-Jul 29,2010 as reference).

 

GAS: gas prices right now are around $2.50/gallon. (roughly $150for the trip)

 

LODGING:

If you stay at economy places (Days Inn, Travelodge, Howard Johnson, etc), you should be able to get rooms around $70/night (some places less, some more). $750 ish.

 

ADMISSIONS:

roughly $300

 

FOOD & SOUVENIRS:

How much do you eat??? How much do you buy???? +$500 or more

 

AIRFARE:

A sample search on Expedia.com resulted in airfaire around $800/per person

 

TRIP COST:

~$3500 USD for ONE person

~$2700 USD per person for 2

 

Hope this helps!!!!

-Mr. Bebe

[nitrofan]

If you decide to add SFA, get a Six Flags season pass. It should be $50 at SFOG, you get the coupon books, and save roughly $20-$30 on Six Flags admission. If you are going to SFA on a weekend, I would get the Flash Pass since it is only $15 ($3 per ride), which is hard to beat. You will pay over $50 for line-skipping at other parks.

[coastered]

@The Bebes, thanks for your quick help.

Speaking about driving...... I want to do this trip with a small group of people and multiple drivers. I'll try to have a group of at least 4 people.

So driving 3 to 5 hours would be no problem.

 

And adding Six Flags America instead of Freestyle Music Park is a great option.

 

TRIP COST:

~$3500 USD for ONE person

~$2700 USD per person for 2

Thanks for making some quick calulations for the trip costs.

Do you think this trip will cost less then $2000 USD per person if we are with 4 people?

[alpengeist04]

^ Based on The Bebes calculations, I would think 4 people would cut the price down to around $2000/$2100. While you can save even more on a rental car, hotel, and gas, you still have your plane ticket, park admission, and food to pay for even with 4 people.

 

Also, don't overlook the important advice Elissa gave you about the park's operating hours in September. ...Most of those parks go to a weekend schedule, basically consisting of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. IMO, late August would be a safer time to go, but it will also be busier.

[coastered]

Also, don't overlook the important advice Elissa gave you about the park's operating hours in September. ...Most of those parks go to a weekend schedule, basically consisting of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. IMO, late August would be a safer time to go, but it will also be busier.

Yes I know, But I have to do this trip during summer and I know it will be busier.

But I have no other choice, because I want to ride to new rollercoasters that are planned for some of the parks in 2010. So I don't want to make this trip during May or June.

[The Bebes]

Do you think this trip will cost less then $2000 USD per person if we are with 4 people?

 

Yeah,

 

If you were frugal enough with your food & souvenirs, you should be able to come in under $2000ea for the trip.

Of course, if you can score a deal somewhere along the way on Rental car, air-fare, etc, you can trim even more. BUT, if you let opportunities pass, maybe you'll get stuck paying even more.

AND, we're talking $2000 US Dollars. In Euro, it would only be like $1400EU.

 

-Mr. Bebe