Summer Coaster trip help needed

I want to do a 9 day trip with my family to the mid-west, north-east. My plan right now is: Holiday World, PKI, CP(1 1/2 days), Hersheypark (1 1/2 days), Sesame Place (my wife insists!), and Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Any opinions on what parks may be better overall that I should visit? I have a 7 year old and a 2 year old. I'm trying to stay with parks that have something for everyone and that have plenty of 48" height requirements on the coasters. I will be riding a few 54" coasters by myself but don't want to take too much time away from coasters I can ride with my 7 year old.

If you're going to Hershey you gotta hit SFA, it might have slow ride ops but its good.

Great Adventure would be good for the kids. They have two kids areas and the Wild Safari is fun. They also have lots of flat rides and gorgeous scenery.

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Six Flags Great Adventure rules.....well... on weekdays that is

If it is not too far out of you're way I would suggest SFGAm. For the kids they have the viper an awesome wooden twister American Eagle a decent out and back woody, Demon a small Arrow Looper,the Whizzer a fun speed racer, a kiddie coaster, and Bugs Bunny World. For you they have B:TR, Raging Bull, Iron Wolf, an Arrow Mega looper(sucks) And this year are getting a Super Invertigo and a S:UE clone. Not sure of height restrictions on S:UE and the Invertigo.

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#1: Millennium Force
#2: Raging Bull
#3: Tie B:TR/Raptor
#4: Viper (SFGAm)
#5: Goliath/Magnum *** This post was edited by geicu on 12/16/2000. ***

If your in the Hershey area drive the hour and fifteen minutes up I-81 to Knoebels. They have lots of small kiddie rides including a kiddie whip, bumper cars, handcars, helicopters,to name a few. About 15 to 20 kiddie rides total average price between 40 & 60 cents a ride. Then they have all a few of the best flat rides of their kind Lusse Bumper Cars, Flying Scooters, and haunted Mansion. At Knoebels you can ride all 4 coasters with you 7 year old I believe the minimunm for all are 48". Knoebels has the same friendly atmosphere as Holiday World with the feel of Kennywood or Idlewild. You can also pay per ride or get a handstamp depending on how long or how much you want to spend. IMO you couldn't go wrong by going to Knoebels.

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2000 stats: 135 coasters in 26 parks
Not Too Shabby For A Summer

AOL & MSN IM Name: coasterpunk

BGW is fabulous for all ages. If you're going that way, and you have time, I'd suggest a stop at Six Flags America outside of DC and Paramount's Kings Dominion outside of Richmond (Hypersonic!).

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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

- Baltimore is a two hour drive(I-83) from Harrisburg, from there follow the SFA directions to the park (40 min.) . 301/207 will put you out to I-95 above PKD.
- Great Adventure has two kiddie lands, two log flumes and a Raging Rapids. We do have a Perilous Plunge type ride, but this year it was open occasionaly. Ask Buzzers for hotel suggestions. I f you were to do SFNJ, and then SFM, I would suggest you consider staying in Mt. Laural NJ [18 min. from Philly, re.Sesame Place]on route 73, just by the entrances of the NJ Turnpike, and I-295. It is 45 min. to SFNJ, and 3 hours to SFM. SFNJ has an accomadation brochure, but you get it in the park :). Write to them!
-4 hours between CP & Kennywood. 2 hours, 47 minutes between Kennywood and SFO. 1 hour 51 minutes between SFO & CP. Kennywood to Hershey is 4 to 5 hours.
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"Jesus Freak"
"First we're gonna puke, then we're gonna die !" The Grinch to Max,on the turbo sled


*** This post was edited by daisybean on 12/16/2000. *** *** This post was edited by daisybean on 12/20/2000. ***

IDLEWILD and Kennywood. Both great parks, very family oriented! Both have free parking and lots of shade. For more info visit their websites.

I gotta start hyping Knoebel's again ... what a park. Beautiful, tranquil setting, great (inexpensive) food, unique rides, wonderful, friendly employees, the best (IMHO) woodie in the world in Phoenix, easily the best value around. For us, it's a must-visit every year, and we live in Canada.

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Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill.

If you can, stop by and ride the Blue Streak at Conneaut Lake Park.

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Say no, to lap bar nazis!

Six Flags Ohio(Flying Dutchman)
Six Flags Kentucky(Twisted Sisters)
Dorney(Talon)
Kennywood(Phantoms Revenge)
Paramount Kings Dominion (Hypersonic)
Six Flags America (Flying Dutchman???)
Six Flags Great Adventure (Nitro)

Judging by the path that you are taking these are all parks that will be getting new coasters next year, and are not that far away from the parks you have on your list. plus it could iliminate much of the cost if you visit more six flags parks with a season pass.

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#1 Steel-Incredible Hulk
#1 Wood--Timber Wolf

Spewey ,at least two of us know the true magic of Knoebels. :)

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2000 stats: 135 coasters in 26 parks
Not Too Shabby For A Summer

AOL & MSN IM Name: coasterpunk

Thanks for the help. I may opt for knoebel's instead of BGW because of the drive time and the fact that I have been there. I'll definitely keep an eye out on all the trip reports as I am going in August and you guys will be all over these places all summer. Also, maybe someone will open up an impressive looking coaster. Let's see what happens. Thanks.

Some of the rides at BGW will be hard for the kids...but they are fun. However, there is a lot of walking, and kids get heavy when you carry them.

BUT
If you go to BGW, then definitely hit Kings Dominion

Or you can just stay in Pennsylvania and hit Knoebles, Idlewild, hershey, dorney, delgrasso's, kennywood, lakemont, etc

I agree with John Peck. Just stay in PA. It has just about everything you'd want for the total amusement park experience.

I would recommend Kennywood, CP, PKD, BGW, hershey, PKI

I have to agree with John Peck. Idlewild and Kennywood are great for kids. I'm planning on taking my two year old to both this summer.

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Thank you for riding America's Roller Coast

Kennywood can't be missed. It has some great, classic flat rides the 7 year old would love. And you haven't lived until you ride the back seat on the Jack Rabbit's double dip. This thing is the definition of "ejector air".

Or the front, or the middle, or... ;)

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How dare you vanquish the Steel Phantom without his consent? Fear the Phantom's Revenge.

At Idlewild you can even ride the trolley into Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, well the Land of Make Believe! :)

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2000 stats: 135 coasters in 26 parks
Not Too Shabby For A Summer

AOL & MSN IM Name: coasterpunk