rollercoasterpics004 Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 I am going to Dickinson College for a couple of weeks during the summer. As any sane coaster enthusiast would, I am trying to fit at least one theme park into my trip. I am already aware of HersheyPark, Kennywood, and Knoebels, and would like to know if there is any other parks I do not know about. Any insight to which parks I should go to and travel arrangements is welcome. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DorneyKid14 Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 There is always Dorney Park in the Lehigh Valley. But everyone on here always says how there are no lines and all coasters are walk ons. So dont go here. Ill show you how to win some games Im a supervisor for games at the park Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 I am already aware of Knoebels Oh... well I guess you don't need my suggestion. Cool, I'm gonna go have a beer. Enjoy your trip to Knoebels! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolfBobs Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Plenty of parks to hit. The "do not miss" parks for me personally would be Kennywood and Knoebels. After that I would do Hershey then Dorney. With time Waldemeer in Erie is always worth a visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bert425 Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 (edited) I am already aware of Knoebels Oh... well I guess you don't need my suggestion. Cool, I'm gonna go have a beer. Enjoy your trip to Knoebels! yep. . Knoebel's a few rides on Twister, a few rides on Phoenix, the chair lift, a spin on Impulse (the newest steel coaster there), Flying Turns, the Carousel, an hour or two playing fascination, and a spin on Black Diamond , and the Haunted house? Along the way stop for Pizza, Cheeze on a Stick (from the rocket in kiddie section), and a sundae from the old Mill. Perfect day at Knoebel's (yeah, I'm not a bumper car fan, or a flyers fan, but I've heard they are very good there. . .we skipped em ) Edited February 10, 2016 by bert425 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Peabody Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 If you like more traditional parks with older and unique rides, you should check out Idlewild (closer to Kennywood) and Dutch Wonderland (closer to Hersheypark). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 ^^I'm not a Bumper Cars or Flyers fan either but I swear by the Knoebels Bumper Cars and Knoebels flyers. The Knoebels bumper cars are so good that they've ruined all other Bumper Car rides for me. If you go to Knoebels and don't ride these rides you're doing it wrong. Don't skip the bumper cars, yes... They'll have a long line but there's a reason for that. All of your suggestions are great though, just throw in Black Diamond, Flume and tons of flats. All of their flats seem to run better cycles than their counterparts so they're all worth a spin. Downdraft is amaze-balls. So is all the food. Oh and don't pass up StratosFEAR. It looks mediocre but it's one of the best drop towers in the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnlloyd Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 I would suggest visiting Dorney Park as it's not too far away from where you'll be staying. It's a nice park with a great collection of coasters. I had visited it for the first time last June and it was definitely worth the two day visit. I had a great time despite what many say about the park! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boldikus Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 My only suggestion since you're right near Hershey is to do Hershey. I have not been to Knoebels but from what I can tell its magical, but Hershey is hands down my favorite park and the line-up of coasters is near perfect. Kennywood is fun too. Also I know its a bit of a hike (2.5-3 hour drive from where you'll be) but if you haven't been to Great Adventure make a day trip if you can. Not the best park but great well rounded line-up and worth the trip just for El Toro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bert425 Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 ^^I'm not a Bumper Cars or Flyers fan either but I swear by the Knoebels Bumper Cars and Knoebels flyers. The Knoebels bumper cars are so good that they've ruined all other Bumper Car rides for me. If you go to Knoebels and don't ride these rides you're doing it wrong. Don't skip the bumper cars, yes... They'll have a long line but there's a reason for that. All of your suggestions are great though, just throw in Black Diamond, Flume and tons of flats. All of their flats seem to run better cycles than their counterparts so they're all worth a spin. Downdraft is amaze-balls. So is all the food. Oh and don't pass up StratosFEAR. It looks mediocre but it's one of the best drop towers in the world. fixed it. . I meant Black Diamond, and called it "old mill" we did enjoy the flume (and bought a picture!).. but honestly, it was a bit short. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jodon Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 I just did a huge Pennsylvania road trip last summer and had a great time. I think you have the right 3 at the top of your list with Kennywood, Hershey, and Knoebels. I will say that my day at Knoebels was probably the highlight of the trip. It is such a different experience than the other parks and you just have a gigantic smile on every ride! Kennywood is a good park with a good mix of old and new, but some of their policies were odd/frustrating to me. Hersheypark is worth a visit for their Intamins alone. If you can do all three, you won't regret it. If you can only do one, I would probably chose Knoebels over the rest of them. With all that said, if you want to ride a bunch of decent to average coasters with hardly any wait, you might want to consider Dorney, but the other three parks are sooooooo much better and much more worth your time, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savetheclocktower Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 If you are mainly interested in roller coasters, my recommendation would be Hersheypark. To me, this is the most solid collection of coasters in the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Hersheypark is overall a very family-friendly and pleasant experience. There are also a lot of other things to do not only in town, but also on Hersheypark property itself (Chocolate World). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFOG1991 Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 I would say do Knoebels and Hershey. They are both MUST DO parks if at all possible. As someone who did an entire tour of every park (that has at least one coaster) in PA, it's hard for me to not just say "do them all!" ...best trip I've ever taken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Physical Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Echoing what everybody has already said. Hershey and Knoebels are absolute musts. Dorney I would consider optional, Kennywood is worth it as well if you're willing to drive half way across the state. Be sure to check out Knoebels Wipeout. It's by far the most intense and crazy wipeout I've ridden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Be sure to check out Knoebels (insert any of their flat rides here). It's by far the most intense and crazy (insert any of their flat rides here) I've ridden. I just figured I'd expand on that point a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle Coleman Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 If you really wanted to knoebels and dorney could be done in a day. Dorney is at most about a three hour day if you just want to grab the credits. Knoebels however is the perfect park and needs at least a full day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strz Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 I am already aware of Knoebels Oh... well I guess you don't need my suggestion. Cool, I'm gonna go have a beer. Enjoy your trip to Knoebels! Line of the month!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mordecai-75 Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 I'm going to Pennsylvania myself in early June, already have my schedule down, 4 days at Hershey and 2 at Knoebels. I inquired with fellow TPR'ers about the other in area parks and came to the decision that this is how my family will do our first Pennsylvania trip. Although i am worried that after all the hype, 2 days may not be enough for Knoebels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Don't worry, that'll be fine. There's no such thing as "enough time at Knoebels". It'll always leave you wanting more because it's a great park but you'll be able to experience everything (in many cases multiple times) in 2 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor Finn Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Yeah, just gonna come here and echo the other folks; Knoebels, for at least a full day! Flyers are a must; I lost my hat in a tree like 30 feet up on that ride (though it did eventually fall down and either an employee or guest put it on the white fence that encircles the ride). Another example of the great people there. Hershey shouldn't really need 4 days, I guess you could spend 4 days at any park if you *wanted* to, but even with a waterpark, I would grow a bit weary of that. We never spent more than 2, 2.5 days at any of Disney World's parks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bert425 Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 I'm going to Pennsylvania myself in early June, already have my schedule down, 4 days at Hershey and 2 at Knoebels. I inquired with fellow TPR'ers about the other in area parks and came to the decision that this is how my family will do our first Pennsylvania trip. Although i am worried that after all the hype, 2 days may not be enough for Knoebels. be sure to do the 3 museums. .they are very interesting (Miner's museum/Park History are together next to Black Diamond), and the Carousel museum (near the shirt gift shop). The Bald Eagles are very interesting too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFOG1991 Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 I'm going to Pennsylvania myself in early June, already have my schedule down, 4 days at Hershey and 2 at Knoebels. I inquired with fellow TPR'ers about the other in area parks and came to the decision that this is how my family will do our first Pennsylvania trip. Although i am worried that after all the hype, 2 days may not be enough for Knoebels. That sounds like a great trip. If you want it to be extremely relaxed, that is probably the way to do it. However, I think 4 days at Hershey may end up being too much. It's a great park and there is a lot to do but I feel like 2 days is the usual, 3 is probably good for a family that wants to experience everything. In terms of rides only, I've done the entire park in 1 day, but wishing I had a second day. 4 days is fine and it is a great park to be at so I wouldn't complain being there for 4 days, but if you have small children, Dutch Wonderland is a great nearby option, or if they are interested in riding more coasters, Dorney isn't too far away and is a great 1 day park. It just depends on what you are looking for in a trip. 2 days at Knoebels should be plenty of time. That is enough time to enjoy everything and do your favorite things again. It is the kind of park you won't want to leave though! Just some thoughts. Your trip sounds wonderful regardless! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 I'm going to Pennsylvania myself in early June, already have my schedule down, 4 days at Hershey and 2 at Knoebels. I inquired with fellow TPR'ers about the other in area parks and came to the decision that this is how my family will do our first Pennsylvania trip. Although i am worried that after all the hype, 2 days may not be enough for Knoebels. be sure to do the 3 museums. .they are very interesting (Miner's museum/Park History are together next to Black Diamond), and the Carousel museum (near the shirt gift shop). The Bald Eagles are very interesting too! Agreed, and the museums are free because Knoebels. Great for your second day or a passing shower / storm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jconsolmagno Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 I live in Pittsburgh and would recommend Waldameer and Kennywood. Waldameer has a great charm and Ravine Flyer 2 can't be missed. I would skip Idlewild and Conneaut Lake. Haven't been to Idlewild in a decade or more, there just isn't anything really there and half the stuff is closed on a weekday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollercoasterpics004 Posted February 12, 2016 Author Share Posted February 12, 2016 As of now, this is my current route. If anyone has any tips on how to take the parks, as well as good food, must-rides, travel info, and hotels nearby, they would be very welcome! Thanks to everybody for helping me with this! Current route: Knoebels and Hershey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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