Trip to Missouri

[yankeeman311]

Hi guys. I posted in a previous topic on suggestions on where to go for my summer trip. I've decided to go to Missouri in order to see Kauffman and Busch Stadiums. I'm going with my dad from New Jersey and we're both big Yankee/baseball fans. I've been planning out an itinerary and I would appreciate it if I could get feedback on it. The dates for this would be Sat May 24-Wed May 28.

 

Day 1- Arrive in St. Louis at around 11 am local time and pick up the rent-a-car. Stop in City Museum then drive to Branson

Day 2- Silver Dollar City then drive to Kansas City

Day 3- Worlds of Fun then Royals game at 7

Day 4- Possibly visit Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Drive to St. Louis for Cardinals game

Day 5- Six Flags St. Louis then fly home for a 5:30 flight as of now

 

A couple of questions. Do you think the first 3 days of my itinerary would be too hectic for my dad? He's a 57 year old man not in terrible shape that's an early bird but does like to have time to rest/nap a little. If so I might cut out Worlds of Fun. Is it possible to do SFStl in 4 hours without a flashpass? With one? I might have to cut this out too but I'd only have 4 hours for this park if I can do it since the airport is an hour away and my planned flight is 5:30. Lastly any suggestions on when to book flights/hotels would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Woodie Warrior]

Here is my recommendation:

Day 1- Arrive in St. Louis, pick up rental car, explore downtown (I recommend the science center), go to Cardinals game at 7:15pm

Day 2- Visit Six Flags St. Louis, drive to Branson

Day 3- Visit Silver Dollar City

Day 4- Drive to Kansas City, go to Royals Game at 7:10

Day 5- Visit Worlds of Fun, drop off rental car, fly home

[yankeeman311]

Here is my recommendation:

Day 1- Arrive in St. Louis, pick up rental car, explore downtown (I recommend the science center), go to Cardinals game at 7:15pm

Day 2- Visit Six Flags St. Louis, drive to Branson

Day 3- Visit Silver Dollar City

Day 4- Drive to Kansas City, go to Royals Game at 7:10

Day 5- Visit Worlds of Fun, drop off rental car, fly home

 

I appreciate this suggestion but I can't change the Cardinals game. It's gotta be Monday or Tuesday because we're really going down there to see the Yankees. Plus the Royals aren't home until Monday so this leaves me little flexibility for the baseball games.

[Woodie Warrior]

In my opinion it sounds hectic to fly into St. Louis, drive to Branson and Kansas, drive back, and then fly back out of St. Louis.

[theymitbgi]

4 hours for SFSL is fine to hit all the coasters, but not much else.

 

I would look at flying into KC and out of SL or vice versa, save about a day's driving back and forth.

 

Question where you flying from?? A long flight will make that first day real rough on dad.

 

Edit: I am a moron, looks like you' re flying from Jersey area, so would definitely be a long day one.

[RCjunkie]

If you really are a big baseball fan then you will not want to miss the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

[piedude81]

4 hours for SFSL is fine to hit all the coasters, but not much else.

 

I would look at flying into KC and out of SL or vice versa, save about a day's driving back and forth.

 

Question where you flying from?? A long flight will make that first day real rough on dad.

 

Edit: I am a moron, looks like you' re flying from Jersey area, so would definitely be a long day one.

 

A long flight and 3 hrs at the City Museum is tough for anybody. You could definitely roll with your current itinerary, but you might miss a coaster @SFSTL without a Flashpass. I'd agree that day 1 sounds pretty tough with at least 7-8 hrs of travel time.

[theymitbgi]

Okay I know this sounds crazier, but I would switch SFSL with your city museum plans. SFSL is technically on the way to Branson and about an hour from the airport. You could then get more time at the park and dad can rest while you do the driving from SFSL to Branson. Stay downtown on the night after the Cardinals game and you'll be near the City Museum and should be able to squeeze in other downtown activities or Forest Park.

 

I know this makes day one really long, but eases up on the other days,

[Barge84]

^I agree with this.

[coasterbill]

^^ I agree with this also. It sounds like a much better plan.

[yankeeman311]

Okay I know this sounds crazier, but I would switch SFSL with your city museum plans. SFSL is technically on the way to Branson and about an hour from the airport. You could then get more time at the park and dad can rest while you do the driving from SFSL to Branson. Stay downtown on the night after the Cardinals game and you'll be near the City Museum and should be able to squeeze in other downtown activities or Forest Park.

 

I know this makes day one really long, but eases up on the other days,

 

I actually like this idea a lot and I might just do that. I was concerned about not being able to get there for opening which is why I hesitated on this for day 1 but my dad could rest at the park too since he isn't crazy about coasters.

 

Another option I'm considering is taking the advice of those above saying to fly into a different airport. I might fly into Springfield on day 1 instead to be closer to Branson but the only thing is this would make the rent-a-car cost an additional $300 when this is really a budget vacation.

 

But if I stick with St. Louis to fly into I think I'm definitely going to take the advice of swapping SFStl and City Museum so thank you for this suggestion.

[ThemeParkFan08]

Honestly you could probably do SFSTL in a few hours. Granted, you'll be there the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend so if you're concerned you could get a Q-Bot, but it's never really been very crowded when I've been there. I visited once with my friend (pre-Boomerang), and we got to the park with about three hours left in the day. We were able to do every coaster except Tony Hawk before the park closed with very little effort.

 

I might be more concerned about SDC on Sunday, judging by the Labor Day crowds I witnessed last year (very busy and one of the only times all year I saw real waits for the rides!), but if you start with Outlaw Run and then immediately head to Powder Keg you should be ok. Lots of people will be there for the shows anyway.

[TNT]

Deleted 

[Coaster19]

Some people have mentioned it, but city museum is a must add.

 

It will be crowed for Memorial Day, but just to add reassurance you will be able to ride every coaster in the day.

 

Finally take the other advise and explore downtown of STL.

 

There are many hidden gems (depending what you want). Forest park area is one of my favorite places.

 

I am a fan of our zoo, it is FREE! along with science center and other museums.

[yankeeman311]

Just an update. It's very unlikely I'll be doing WOF since my dad has made it clear he doesn't want to do 3 amusement parks.

 

Also I went back on SDC's website and noticed 2 things I didn't see before. The first is that SDC has a deal where if you show up after 3, you can go for free the next day too. I find it cool that they have a preview plan like Hershey especially since I would get to Branson around 3 the day before if I drove straight there. The other thing I noticed is the Trailblazer Pass.

 

I guess my questions are should I do an extra 3-4 hours at SDC on day 1 instead of SFStl? Is the Trailblazer Pass worth it the day before Memorial Day? Any advice would be appreciated as is all the advice so far .