I'm goin on a coaster trip: CP or IOA/BGT?

Hey, I'm either gonna go to Cedar Point in Fall OR Islands of Adventure and Busch Gardens Tampa. Personally, I would rather go to coaster Enthusiast's home base, CP. I need some expert advice. If any people have been to both, please advise a young, new enthusiast (me) which park to go to.
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SROS at SFNE, the #1 steelie

If you're going to both ioa and bgt, then do that.
-3 awesome b&m inverts
-2 sitdown b&m ( one launched)
-Amazing duelling woodie( 2 rides)
-Spiderman
-Other great themed rides @ ioa
-2 other coasters at bgt
-2 of the best themed parks in the world

That's a TOUGH choice, both are excellent trips, but very different.

I would personally choose CP. Also, maybe you could work in PKI of SFWOA into a CP trip.

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- Peabody

IOA/BGT.

But here's the spin on it. You said the trip will be in the Fall. Go to CP, SFWoA, and PKI if you can get them to drive across the state and pay for the extra hotel days. Only problem is the crowds will be heavy in the fall, but you will get your MF ride.

Then in February of next year, come visit BGT/IOA because noone is down here and the parks are empty. Tell your parents you want that to be your Christmas present. And if it's too much money to bring the family, ask your dad if he will fly just you and him down here for the trip.

This way you get to ride all the coasters.

Add to scanz's list...
2 of the most fun water rides anywhere at IOA (Dudley-Do-Right and Popey & Bluto)

And if you do chose IOA/BGT and have the time and money for another park, you gotta go to Sea World (Practically IOA's neighbor) for Kraken (IMHO the best steel coaster in Fla) and Journey to Atlantis (IMHO the most fun water ride anywhere).




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I promise I won't go off on a rant about those @#$%^&*! Toboggan's again.

As someone who's been to both CP & IOA/BGT in the last 7 months, I would say go to IOA/BGT. I'll elaborate:

Supposing you've never been to either place IMO, CP has 5 really good coasters, Raptor, Mantis, Maggie, Millie and Gemini. Blue Streak is okay, Disaster Transport is quirky fun and WildCat is good for a cheap pop.

BGT/IOA on the other hand has 7 really good coasters Kumba, Montu, Gwazi (both sides) Fire, Ice and Hulk (though I dont think Hulk is *great* it is good).

So while CP has the *absolute* advantage in coaster count, I think the quality of the IOA/BGT combo is superior.

Also, as mentioned CP has nothing comparable to IOA's dark rides and water rides. And the Gwazis are great woodies (CP fails miserably in that department). You would also get to experience two totally immersive, jet differently executed theming patterns. IOA is an in your face juxtapositon of imagery. While BGT is a surreal look into a real environment. Oh and did I mention free beer? (hit your parents with that one ;))
lata,
jeremy
--who does note that there is something to be said about travelling 93MPH right off the ground...

Psssssttttt... CEDAR POINT!!!

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Taller please!

2Hostyl is absolutely correct!

That's a tough one. Both would be about equal in my eyes. I've been to all three of those parks in the last 10 months and like them all. Id go with whichever one was the farthest trip from where you live. If you live up north, take the chance to see some southern parks. If you live down south use the opportunity to see the best park on the planet, CP. :)

Hmmn...two very even choices. They're about even in coasters IMO and BGT and IOA don't have the lines CP always has. But CP has a stand-up, and the best at that. Tough decision but I'd go with BGT/IOA just because you'll get more variety (theming, water rides, animals, etc.).

BGT/IOA by and far! You will have a much better experience than any trip to CP. Prepare to be amazed.

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PKI-Wooden, Helix, and Kiddie Coaster Capital of the World!
The First and Only Gigabuzzer bigger than Millie, rising Faster than Maggie, and pulls more BS than MS ever will!!!

In terms of bang for the buck (i.e. world class coaster rides per dollar), I would choose CP/PKI/SFWOA over BGT/IOA. If you really want a vacation atmosphere, though (as opposed to pounding pavement and trying to max out your rides/day), choose Florida. The theming and nearby attractions are far better than anything Ohio can muster.

IOA/BGT

Mostly for all the reasons previously stated. I'd take Ice over Raptor and Hulk over Mantis. Nothing compares to the 'Force, but you also have Montu and Kumba. If you're really into B&Ms (and who isnt'??) go to IOA/BGT. The dark and water rides at IOA are amazing. BGT is always great fun. It's a tough choice, but... I'd go with two parks vs. just CP.

Now... if you can get CP/PKI/WoA, that's a different story ;).

BGT/IOA....EASILY. It's this simple, quality OVER quantity...quality OVER quantity... :)

You have best in class ride (Kumba, Montu, Fire, Ice, Ripsaw Falls, Popeye, Spiderman, and AWESOME atmosphere, great food, and unbelieveable theming!)

No doubt, IOA and BGT. I'm counting the days 'til I return to Florida, and Cedar Point, well, that isn't on the agenda this year. :)

-rob

I would have to go to Florida not Cedar Point but I feel this way since I live in Ohio and I go to both CP and SFWOA at least twice a year. And yet when I do go to Florida (usually for 6 weeks) I never seem to make it to the theme parks only Disney and once to Busch Gardens when it was over 102 degrees.

I see the verdict is BGT/IOA. So MF is worth passing up for a little ahwile to ride the FLA coasters?

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SROS at SFNE, the #1 steelie

They are al great parks!

I say flip a coin..Either way you,ll win!

This is a tough choice. Both senarios are about even. One thing you should think about is what time of the year are you going. If it's in the summer, Florida is unbearably hot. Don't get me wrong, Ohio can get hot, but between June - August in Florida is just plain nasty. We went to Florida last October and had perfect weather and no lines at the parks.

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Thank you for riding America's Roller Coast

That's a very tough choice. I've never been to BGT, but I was at IOA 4 months ago, and I go to CP pretty much every year (have since I was 7). If you've never been to any of them, I'd go to CP. Cedar Point is not themed at all, which IOA kicks the pants off anyone in. However, CP has that unmistakable Amusement Park atmosphere, which is truly awesome. CP has 5 absolutely outstanding coasters, and I like the rest, but they're not quite up to par with the biggies. (I even like Mean Streak!) I was able to do most everything at IOA in about 6 hours, which was cool, but at CP you'll be occupied for at LEAST two full days if you've never gone before. Like I said, this is not an easy choice...either would be awesome, but I'd go to CP first. The ride on MF is almost worth it alone!

Jman

I agree this is a tough choice but I would do IOA/BGT but not because of the ride quality or count. I just think the weather will be better in FL than OH in the fall. To much chance of getting rain or cold temps that would spoil the trip.

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"I'm going off the rails on a crazy train." - Ozzie Osbourne