Looking for help in planning Penn. park trip.

[bert425]

Thanks Bull.

 

we will absolutely take your input into consideration when planning!

[bert425]

I am hoping for a late may or early june trip so that may just work out. Talked to my partner and he seems to like the idea of meeting up too.

 

Ha! I mentioned this to my Fuddy-Duddy, and he said -- oooo, that sounds like fun, if we can manage to be in the same park on the same day, he'd love to meet up!

 

 

let's see if we can work something out as we start to plan in earnest.

[Philrad71]

As others have mentioned, Idlewild, Kennywood, Knoebels, Waldameer, Conneaut Lake, DelGrosso's and Lakemont are all cool little parks featuring a lot of great older flat rides that you might not see at other bigger theme parks. My partner is also older although he will still go on the bigger coasters and steer clear from any fast spinning rides.

 

Actually, Dorney also has a great selection of flats, so I think this is one trip your fuddy duddy will really love regardless if you can't get to visit them all!

 

Congratulations and have a great time you two!

[bert425]

ok. . starting to put plans into place.

 

It's looking like we are going to move OUT of May . . due to medical appointments in the last week in May, but this might work in our favor, as once the seasons start, we likely have more options at the parks for weekday attendance.

 

so maybe 2nd week in June now.

 

Here's what I'm thinking. . opinion please?

 

Fly into Philadelphia and rent car.

 

1st stop: Dorney Park (find place to stay local). 2 days, maybe visit Allentown on late 2nd day?

 

2nd stop: Knoebels (find place to stay night before (after leaving Dorney/Allentown?), and spend full day at Knobel's

 

3rd stop: Hershey Park. 2 days (full day at least for park + prior evening for park, next day either park, or just chocolate tour stuff).

 

4th stop: Kennywood. Stay in Pittsburgh, get room, go to Kennywood for at least 1 full day, maybe go back next day.

 

if we have time, maybe drive to Idlewild in there somewhere. . . . but that's iffy, as we might make detour to DC possibly too.

 

Fly out of Pittsburgh.

 

so that would mean we are talking about an 8 day trip including parks, driving, etc.

 

what do you think?

 

bad plan? something I should do different?

 

please do let me know. . wanna make sure I'm not missing something (ie: not giving enough time for a park, or just plain making a bad decision in order that I have mapped out for hitting these particular parks).

 

Thanks!

 

(and yeah, I'm going to go back thru and re-read suggestions thus far. . but as we are actually getting closer to planning, it's becoming more "real").

 

[bert425]

^^ no opinions on above itinerary?

[coasterbill]

2 Days at Dorney? That seems like way too long.

 

Out of curiosity have you been to Great Adventure? I'd be tempted to spend one day at Dorney and one day at Great Adventure... or even 3 hours at Dorney and a day and a half at Great Adventure (unless you absolutely love waterparks in which case 2 days at Dorney might still be too much but it's more understandable.

 

Everything else sounds good to me... especially the fact that you're going to spend a full day at Knoebels. That's going to be the highlight of your trip for sure.

[bert425]

2 Days at Dorney? That seems like way too long.

 

Out of curiosity have you been to Great Adventure? I'd be tempted to spend one day at Dorney and one day at Great Adventure... or even 3 hours at Dorney and a day and a half at Great Adventure (unless you absolutely love waterparks in which case 2 days at Dorney might still be too much but it's more understandable.

 

Everything else sounds good to me... especially the fact that you're going to spend a full day at Knoebels. That's going to be the highlight of your trip for sure.

 

we've never been, and looking at the layout of the park, that's why I planned (tentatively) for 2 days.

 

we have no desire to do the waterpark, so won't be messing with that at all, but do remember that we like riding "everything" not just the big coasters. So we're not on a credit hunt for this trip -- I expect we'll ride just as many teacups, tilt-a-whirl's, paratroopers, etc, as we do coasters

 

so that's why trying to make sure we have enough time at each stop.

 

knowing this, is 2 days for Dorney still too long? (and really only a day + if we wanted to go back, as I put in a free afternoon for sightseeing in Allentown)

 

(as for Great Adventure. . hmmmmm. . .how far a drive is that from the Penn. parks?).

[coasterbill]

I'm like that too... I definitely like to ride everything and not just the coasters (did I mention that you're going to love Knoebels? lol).

 

That being said, yes... one day at Dorney is enough to ride everything multiple times and still have a very relaxing day. Dorney is always dead, regardless of the day of the week or time of year there won't be lines for anything. The flat rides might have a one cycle wait but every coaster will be a walk on.

 

Great Adventure is only an hour and 30 minutes from Dorney and they have El Toro. This is a much better use of that second day than another day at Dorney would be.

 

PS: I like Allentown but there's nothing to do there. Don't feel like you missed out on any sightseeing if you go to Great Adventure... not that you'll care anyway when you're riding the best wood coaster in the world instead.

[bert425]

^^ cool.

 

thanks so much for the input!

[djcoastermark]

Sadly we had to move our trip up to the first week of April, due to a family thing. That only leaves us with Kings Dominion, which we are definitely doing and maybe BGW, unless anyone knows if there are any other parks open up there at that time of the year? Still trying to get up in that area later in the summer.

[bert425]

ok. .looks like our "locked" plan is going to be:

 

-- flying out on 6/9, from Austin to Philadelphia.

-- Renting a car at Philadelphia airport, and keeping it for the trip. Hotel in Philadelphia overnight (6/9) so we can sight-see a little bit.

-- Getting up next morning, 6/10, and drive to Allentown, and going to Dorney Park (6/10) staying in hotel overnight

-- Getting up next morning 6/11, and drive to Elysberg to spend two days at Knoebel’s (staying in hotel 6/11 & 6/12)

-- Getting up morning of 6/13, and driving to Hershey and spending two days at Hershey Park and surrounding city (staying in hotel on site? 6/13-6/14)

-- Getting up morning of 6/15 (Sunday), and headed towards Pittsburgh (free day driving/sightseeing/deciding if we want to side-trip to Idlewild).

-- Check into Pittsburgh hotel on afternoon of 6/15 and stay two night (6/15, 6/16). We’ll spend 6/16 at Kennywood.

-- Get up 6/17 and go to Pittsburgh airport to fly back on Tuesday 6/17.

 

that gives us an 9 day, 8 night trip, with I THINK enough time to do everything

[bert425]

I don't love the idea of being at Hershey park on Friday/Saturday. . but I guess we'll do the main park on Friday, and do all the "chocolate" stuff on Saturday, so we won't worry about rides too much

[A.J.]

I'm not sure that you need an entire day for Chocolate World. Heck, I wouldn't even spend several hours there unless you're participating in the Chocolate Tasting Experience or the Create Your Own Candy Bar thing. Maybe you could spend some time in the city of Hershey itself?

 

As for where to stay, the Hershey resorts (Lodge, Hotel, Campground) are a little more expensive but you get some sweet (heh) perks like one hour early park entry and cheaper park tickets.

[bert425]

I'm not sure that you need an entire day for Chocolate World. Heck, I wouldn't even spend several hours there unless you're participating in the Chocolate Tasting Experience or the Create Your Own Candy Bar thing. Maybe you could spend some time in the city of Hershey itself?

 

As for where to stay, the Hershey resorts (Lodge, Hotel, Campground) are a little more expensive but you get some sweet (heh) perks like one hour early park entry and cheaper park tickets.

 

we're both huge (in size and sweet tooth ) chocolate fans, so planning on doing the tasting experience, and any other fun "chocolatey" thing offered. But definitely want to spend Friday doing rides (even if he wont' do most of them with me).

 

and if we get tired of the park itself? yeah, exploring the city is gonna happen too!

 

thanks for the hotel suggestions, I asked my Travel agent about booking the flights/hotels and car for us, so I'll see what option he comes back with for Hershey

[eddie200330]

I'm not sure that you need an entire day for Chocolate World. Heck, I wouldn't even spend several hours there unless you're participating in the Chocolate Tasting Experience or the Create Your Own Candy Bar thing. Maybe you could spend some time in the city of Hershey itself?

 

As for where to stay, the Hershey resorts (Lodge, Hotel, Campground) are a little more expensive but you get some sweet (heh) perks like one hour early park entry and cheaper park tickets.

 

we're both huge (in size and sweet tooth ) chocolate fans, so planning on doing the tasting experience, and any other fun "chocolatey" thing offered. But definitely want to spend Friday doing rides (even if he wont' do most of them with me).

 

and if we get tired of the park itself? yeah, exploring the city is gonna happen too!

 

thanks for the hotel suggestions, I asked my Travel agent about booking the flights/hotels and car for us, so I'll see what option he comes back with for Hershey

 

The Trolley tour they offer is a pretty neat and informative experience. Plus they handed out different products every so often!!!

[Philrad71]

^ I agree, although I have only been on the trolley tour during the Christmas event...it was quite fun and the grandkids loved it. Good way to check out the town.

 

In regards to Chocolate World, I agree with AJ...it's not very big and something that you could do in a couple of hours - even if you are a big chocolate lover.

 

Not sure what your other interests are, but if you like beer, Troegs brewery is right down the street from HP and is a nice place to grab a snack and some really good beer.

[bert425]

^ I agree, although I have only been on the trolley tour during the Christmas event...it was quite fun and the grandkids loved it. Good way to check out the town.

 

In regards to Chocolate World, I agree with AJ...it's not very big and something that you could do in a couple of hours - even if you are a big chocolate lover.

 

Not sure what your other interests are, but if you like beer, Troegs brewery is right down the street from HP and is a nice place to grab a snack and some really good beer.

 

we have to stay away from beer/bars, unfortunately, as my Partner is NOT allowed to drink (it's a major trigger for a re-occurance of the type of cancer he is currently beating). We know he's an alcoholic, so after going cold-turkey during the radiation/chemo, we just stay away from drinking type things to simply avoid the temptation.

 

(hence me going to C2E2 in Chicago and Dragon*con in Atlanta by myself -- that way I don't drink around him and tempt him).

[bert425]

sorry to bump again. . but another question/opinion needed.

 

 

The intention (as I posted) was to fly into Philly, rent car, and then return/fly back out of Pittsburgh.

 

my Travel guy is telling me the 1-way car rental is going to be ~$700 vs ~$340 if we rent and return in Philly.

 

that leaves us really three options for the trip:

 

1) fly into Philly, rent car, then spend ~5 hours driving to Pittsburgh. Check into Hotel and start next day at Kennywood, and just work my itinerary backwards, ending up back at Philly for car return/flight back.

 

PRO: it's cheaper.

CON: It's 5 hours of driving after we spent the morning flying. . so it results in a whole day of JUST traveling).

 

 

2) keep plan as is, and just accept the cost of 1 way rental. (we can afford it).

 

PRO: It means we fly in, check into Hotel in Philly, and have whole day to explore the city, not getting up and gong to Dorney until the next morning.

CON: It's more expensive to rent the car 1-way.

 

or:

 

3) Flip the itinerary, and fly into Pittsburgh, and spend that evening + next day at Kennywood as the first park, and end the trip in Philadelphia, giving us the full day of exploring I had planned for Pittsburgh, to Philly, tho adding 1 day to the trip.

 

PRO: It would put us at Hershey mid-week instead of weekend (weekend would be Knoebel's then), and there is more to do as a tourist in Philly than Pittsburgh (at least I believe there is).

CON: The cost is higher, as it's still expensive to rent the care 1-way, and by doing it this way, we're really adding an extra night hotel (in Philly tho) to the trip.

 

Honestly?. . I'm leaning heavily towards #3 right now. . . .as I said, we can afford the trip, it's a 10th Anniversary trip, so I'm not worried about cost.

 

but what do y'all think?

[gisco]

Do you save anything by flying in and out of Philly?

[bert425]

Do you save anything by flying in and out of Philly?

 

nope, the airfare (reasonable) is the same if we do round trip from Philly, or 1-way into Philly out of Pittsburgh.

 

the only savings is in Car Rental.

[DJeXeL]

Made that trip before and rental car companies will rape you if you return the car anywhere other than location rented.

[coasterbill]

I'd go with #3. You're on vacation so it's okay to splurge a little if you can afford it. It sounds like you're going to have a great time... then again it's impossible to go on any trip that involves Knoebels and not have a great time.

[eddie200330]

How much of a difference in rental car price if you have to factor in tolls and gas for the round trip instead of the 1 way venture?

[bert425]

How much of a difference in rental car price if you have to factor in tolls and gas for the round trip instead of the 1 way venture?

 

ah. . that I don't know (didn't even consider that Penn likely has toll roads!).

 

as noted the difference is about $350, so really. . typing it out helps me think. . and I think we likely will go w/ #3.

 

still doing 1 way car rental, and just paying the cost, but starting in Pittsburgh (with evening and next day at Kennywood), and then hitting: Hersheypark/Hershey (2days), Knoebel's (1 1/2 days), Dorney (1 day) and Philly (2 days).

[bert425]

I'd go with #3. You're on vacation so it's okay to splurge a little if you can afford it. It sounds like you're going to have a great time... then again it's impossible to go on any trip that involves Knoebels and not have a great time.

 

yep. . after talking it over this evening, this is the direction we're sending to our travel agent (he's booking Plane tix and car for us, and will help with Hotel reservations once we lock in the Flight/Car rental)

 

not sure how much the extra day is gonna cost us (and it kills me to over pay that much for one-way car rental). .but it IS a 10th anniversary vacation, so we're gonna splurge and do what sounds like the fun thing

 

Mon. 6/9 -- flying out on 6/9, from Austin to Pittsburgh. (Early-Mid morning flight if possible . 8-10am-ish?)

Rent car at Pittsburgh airport and keeping it for the trip.

Check into Pittsburgh hotel for two nights (6/9 & 6/10).

(we’ll go to Kennywood park on evening of 6/9 and go back for full day on 6/10).

 

Wed. 6/11 – Check out of Pittsburgh Hotel, and drive to Hershey Penn.

Check into Hotel in Hershey (on Hersheypark property?) for two nights (6/11 & 6/12)

(we’ll sightsee in Hershey on afternoon of 6/11, and go to Hersheypark that evening, since I’ll buy tix for 6/12, and we get in prior evening a few hours free if we have tix for next day. Full day 6/12 at Hersheypark).

 

Fri. 6/13 – Check out of Hershey Hotel, and drive to Elysburg area.

Check into Hotel for 2 nights (6/13 & 6/14) (need to find what’s close to Knoebel’s)

(we’ll rest at hotel, and go to Knoebel’s for evening on 6/13, since free admission, and the park is known for great food. Then go back for full day on 6/14).

 

Sun. 6/15 – Check out of Elysburg area hotel, and drive to Philadelphia.

Check into Hotel for 3 nights (6/15, 6/16, & 6/17).

(we’ll relax on 6/15 and do some sightseeing in Philly. 6/16, we’ll drive the hour to Allentown and spend the day at Dorney Park. 6/17, we’ll spend sightseeing in Philly (Liberty Bell, Rocky Steps, etc. . ).

 

Wed. 6/18 – check out of Philly Hotel.

Return Car to Philly Airport.

Flight back 6/18 from Philadelphia to Austin (Late Morning-early afternoon flight if possible)