Lake Winnie or Beech Bend?

[sirspud]

I may have an opportunity to visit Beech Bend or Lake Winnie on Sunday July 19th. Now the catch is that my wife and I will be at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga in the morning and likely eating lunch. I don't want to rush her because this is her thing on our day of the vacation. With Beech Bend closing at 7 (central) that day I'd have at most 3 hours if I am lucky, but potentially even less. Since the drive from Lake Winnie to our hotel would be about 4 hours, I'd probably have most of the afternoon there and not have to worry about ditching too early since Holiday World doesn't open till 10 central, basically 11 for me since I'm coming from Eastern Time.

 

It's obvious that Lake Winnie is much more of a full park while Beech Bend is pretty much Kentucky Rambler. The Rambler seems better than the Cannonball, though I would give the latter bonus points for history, but is the Rambler good enough that I should ignore Lake Winnie and a less stressful trip timewise to do it?

[larrygator]

Your assessment of the two parks is spot on.

 

If you are a fan of unique rides hit Lake Winnie for the Boat Chute and the Fly o Plane. Although Beech Bend has SCAT II.

[cfc]

Beech Bend also has an amusing Haunted House ride.

[coreysaysyo]

Beech Bend definitely. Gotta ride the rumbler.

[SFOG1991]

Lake Winnie

 

This seems like the better choice by far in my opinion, but the fact that you would have more time at this park also helps seal the deal.

 

Lake Winnie has an amazing classic small park atmosphere. I have been to many small parks and if you like that kind of setting, you will love Lake Winnie. Beech Bend seems like more of a fair that never leaves, while Lake Winnie feels like a very permanent (and historic) park. The lake is small but nice. The Boat Chute is a homemade (by the original owner) chute ride that was built in the 1920s and dumps you off the tracks right into the lake. Cannonball is a great classic woodie. Their wild mouse is aggressive and terrifying in my opinion. Fly-o-Plane is a one of a kind classic that is one of the most intense flats I have ever experienced. The water park is small but extremely nice. They have a solid collection of other flats. I am probably forgetting a notable things.

 

Beech Bend has a really nice entry road and the area is nice, but the park is more like a fair. Don't get me wrong, I really liked the park, but it doesn't compare to Lake Winnie (a park that I drive 2.5 hours to visit 2 or 3 times a year). Kentucky Rumbler is a good GCI, but not nearly as good as White Lightning, Thunderhead, American Thunder, or Goldstriker (if you have experienced those). The only other things that Beech Bend can compete with is Scat II, the dark ride, and the air race (all of these are very good but by no means make the place a destination). I would rank Kentucky Rumbler and Cannonball as both very good coasters that are very different. Cannonball is a great out and back classic with some good airtime.

 

Really the only way I would even consider Beech Bend over Lake Winnie is if you have never been on a GCI, even then, your experience at Lake Winnie would be much better overall.

[Floydsheating]

The rumbler is my favorite wooden coaster of all time, if you have never rode it you are in for a treat. The Air Race is a really cool ride too, and there is also Michael Jackson's SeaDragon from Neverland Ranch and a bunch of other cool flat rides. Honestly I have never been to Lake Winnie but I am sure that you would have a great time at Beech Bend. As long as you are not coming for the water park, 3 hours is plenty to be able to ride all 3 coasters and ride any of the flat rides that you wanted and even have time for rerides!

[jynx242]

Although Rumbler is the superior ride (by far) for both parks, I'd still say Lake Winnie for an overall park experience. Beech Bend is fun, but Lake Winnie feels like an old, established, family owned park. It is just charming and has some classic flats that you don't see around very often any more.