Holiday World vs. Six Flags Great Adventure

[ajfelice]

I live in Erie Pennsylvania and I have only ONE weekend (May 4-6) for a multi-day trip before my summer is engulfed by work at Waldameer (which isn't a bad thing). I would like to conquer one of two parks I have never been to. Before anyone suggests, I went to KI last year so I do not have much interest this year. Same goes for Kennywood. Hersheypark is also out of the question because I have been there before, and Skyrush will not be open yet. Therefore I have narrowed it down to two parks I really want to go to, Holiday World and Six Flags Great Adventure.

 

Why I want to go to Holiday World: Ultimate trifecta of wooden coasters. For me, these coasters, particularly The Voyage, are must-MUST rides.

Why not: As for the rest of the park, it's probably going to be very nice, but not many "big" attractions.

 

Why I want to go to Six Flags Great Adventure: El Toro. Also, other highly regarded coasters such as Nitro and Kingda Ka. Also, There is a chance pending on my travel friend's Sunday schedule that I could also make a stop to Knoebels on our way home. However, I have been there before and absolutely love it, but it is nothing "new" to me.

Why Not: While the abundance of "big" attractions/coasters is there, many of them seem to fall in the good but not elite category in terms of favorability. Also, even though it is still May, I fear large crowds on a Saturday in a popular park like SFGAdv (can it be that bad in May?).

 

I am torn completely. That's why I am seeking outside opinions on which trip will have more value.

[larrygator]

Go to SFGAdv crowds aren't too bad in early May, even on a Saturday.

 

Wait until Holiday World gets their Timberliners on Voyage.

Edited March 26, 2012 by larrygator

[SharkTums]

Another vote for SFGAd.

[sspaz1000]

Throwing in the third vote for Great Adventure. Lots of coasters, and I agree crowds usually don't start hitting great adventure until Memorial Day weekend, and then mid June as soon as school is out.

[beatle11]

Definitely Great Adventure, especially if you have a chance to stop at Knoebels.

[coastercrazy 9]

Great Adventure, and I wouldn't worry too much about the lines. They may say long waits, but they have some great ride ops.

[Skycoastin Steve]

^You haven't been to many parks other than SFGAd, have you?

[larrygator]

^To be fair the crews on El Toro and Nitro are very good. Slow dispatchs generally only occur on these two coasters when guests don't follow. I've been there been of times when the checkers on El Toro are running back and forth across the station to check restraints. They might staple you, but they do it quickly.

[coastercrazy 9]

By the end of the last season at Great Adventure, they were basically sprinting through checks! Then came the hilarious stand by check. I understand that it is completely necessary, but I always got a kick out of it.

[RaptorBoyASU]

Another vote for Great Adventure.

 

While I thought Holiday World was a very nice park. I do not really see it as the perfect trifecta of wooden coasters. Raven is great, Voyage would be great if it weren't so painful. Legend has seen better days. It won't really be warm enough for the water park either, which is the other reason to go.

 

Great Adventure on the other hand has an amazing lineup of coasters. El Toro is my #1 wood by far, and Nitro, Green Lantern, Bizarro, Batman, and Kingda Ka make it a very solid park to hit. Go EAST!

 

Also, you can easily hit the coasters at Dorney park in a matter of 3 hours or so on that Sunday morning if you've never been. Since you said you've already been to Knoebel's. It's pretty much on your way.