Advice on family oriented parks

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Good Grief said:

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Would they know what to do with the airtime though? (in reference to El Toro)

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Tell me! Tell me!

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El Toro has some of the most extreme airtime ever built into a Intamin coaster. In fact, ET is the only ride I've ever seen that has warnings on the back of the seats warning about 'Strong upward lift.' The jump overtop of Rolling Thunder's first drop is absolutely insane.

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After all the tips I'm vacillating between a Kennywood/Hershey trip or Universal.

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Addendum to info: the boys aren't into water parks (go figure), but we love flumes that don't drench you. And I hate spinning flats that require massive doses of anti-emetics.

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Both KW and HP have log flumes that aren't too bad. As for flats, KW has the more diverse and intense selection.

I've never been to Universal, but I've done the Disney and back trip with my parents twice when I was a teenager (I live in Baltimore). I don't know exactly where you live, but if you frequent CP, I would count on two full days of driving back and forth, unless you can hack almost 17 hrs of driving (according to MapQuest) in one day. And that's based on CP to Universal park-to-park.

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If you could get your one son to agree to flying south to Orlando I think at their ages they would really get into Islands Of Adventure. Outside of Suess Landing everything is pretty age appropriate. The resorts have a lot to offer that teens would love, (beachfront-looking pool areas, lots of areas to lounge/hang-out). Universal would be very cool for the whole family IMO. Most everything there could be enjoyed as a family.

If they like waterparks, Universal has a working relationship w/ Wet N' Wild, (and to some extent with Sea World, who will also open their own waterpark in '08), and you can usually add them on to your stay for a little extra per person. Check their website to make sure of that though.

Plus, even if they're not interested in "the mouse", Disney still has two truly amazing water parks. You don't have to go to the theme parks to visit the water parks. :)

If your sons are fans of good flumes, and you do the Hershey/Kennywood trip, you might want to consider adding Dorney, they have some nice rides and a really nice flume. This decision would be made all the easier if you also plan on buying the Platinum CF passes as well...

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Good Grief said:

Addendum to info: the boys aren't into water parks (go figure?), but we love flumes that don't drench you.

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Before going off on another tangent, folks should re-read this comment.

Oops. :)

Thanks to all for the tips guys. I've written it down & will refer to it when we plan the trip next summer. Ya'll are very helpful & I appreciate your advice. As I'm not very coaster savy beyond the Point, I'll head back to PointBuzz until I have some input for this forum & deserve that ACE shirt! :)

Pennsylvania has the best mix of parks that fits your interests. A loop around the state hitting Kennywood, Hersheypark, Dorney, Knoebels and Waldameer would be great for you. Indiana Beach and Holiday World in the Hoosier State would also be good.

I wonder why Ohio can't have parks like this. Other than the two megaparks, all there are as far as I know are the Columbus zoo (which lacks big thrill rides), Strickers Grove (which is very small and only open to the general public two or three days a year -- they specialize in private picnics), and Coney Island (in Cincinnati) which no longer has the major thrills. Certainly Geauga Lake, LeSourdsville, Idora, and the original Coney Island are sorely missed.