Advice on OH and PA

Hey gang, I was just wondering if you all can help me. We are planning a trip at the end of May or the first of June. I know we are going to CP but we are trying to see what would be best to do after. We are thining about six flags or PKI. But PKI is a long drive from there and were from VA so it's kind of out of the way. Or we are thinking about just packing up and heading to PA for Dorney Park and Hereshey Park. I have been to PKI and it's alot like PKD my home park so I think I could miss that and be ok, but what do you all think. It Dorney and Hershey worth the drive over or should I just stay in Ohio and what about six flags how is that. Thanks

Some spacing in your post might help a little. *** Edited 12/30/2003 8:13:13 PM UTC by SFGAdv lover***

six flags is worth it if youve never gone.

If you're going in that direction, Go to CP, Six Flags, and maybe even Kennywood if you have time. Kenny is closer to OH than Hershey or Dorney. It depends on how long you're on vacation.

I didn't even think about Kennywood. Thanks. Were planning to be gone for atleast a week.

Major PA parks worth visiting that should be on or near your driving route to CP: Hersheypark, Dorney Park, Knoebels, Kennywood. Passing any of those without a visit would be a bad decision, IMHO.

mOOSH

My only suggestion is late May and early June can mean anything as far as weather goes esp for CP and if your going to SFWOA.

I'm just thinking the parks wont be as crowed then. I went last year at the end of may and it was cold at CP but the lines weren't bad. Plus I notice coaster con is in June I was thinking about going then, but how are the crowds and lines?

Idora360,

By your screen name, I take it you're from Youngstown?

I live a short drive from youngstown.

If your going to Ohio you might want to hit all 3 parks why you are out there. Then when u want in the summer make a trip up to PA since its alot closer than Ohio.

I'd go to PA earlier in the summer, because when I went to Kennywood around mid-summer, the heat was awful. It's a lot cooler in Ohio by Lake Erie.

What Mamoosh said.

Do NOT miss Hersheypark. I rate it up there with CP and PKI. Their is so much to do there, plus the new coaster that is being built looks incredible. It is WELL worth the drive.

Dorney is pretty good, but I wouldn't go unless the waterpark is open. The ride side of the park can be done and finished within a matter of a few hours. I like Dorney, but would easily skip it for another park, imho.

Kennywood is very unique. I prefer to take my time there and enjoy it at a slower pace than other parks. Rides like Noah's Ark and Exterminator make this park a stand out. Plus they make the BEST french fries I have ever had.

I really don't know why people rave and rave about kenobles park. They have the scariest darkride I've ever been on, a few good coasters, and lots of gravel. Not a full day of fun, but why not go there and Dorney in one day?

Six Flags Island-err I mean Worlds of Adventure is nice if you have never been. But that is an overdescused topic if you ask me.

Why not go to them ALLLLLLL!

EDIT-fogot a comma. *** Edited 12/31/2003 4:21:40 AM UTC by dexter***

I just drove from VA to Cincinnati. It is an easy drive. If you are planning on going to PKI, you may want to take I-64 to US-35 to I-71 to goto PKI first. PKD season pass is good at PKI as well (although $9.00 parking is rather high.)

If LeSourdsville Lake is open next year (I hope), you can do both on same day. If you have more time, then HW is only 3 hours from Cinncinati and SFKK is 90 minutes. You get get to Cedar Point in 3 hours from Cincinnati. Then back track toward Cleveland to SFWoA and Kennywood in Pittsburgh. You can goto Hershey Park and Knoebel and head back to south on I-83 unless you want to visit Dorney in Allentown.

BTW, PKD and PKI are similar in flat rides but quite different experiences in roller coasters. The Beast, Son of Beast, Adventure Express, Face off, and Top Gun are quite different from The Grizzly, Hypersonic, Volcano, Hurler, and Ricochet.

I might be planning a very similar trip originating from Central NJ during the same time frame. I would say KW is a must do. Their wood is good (not my favorite, but I know some people who live and die by Thunderbolt), but PR is just amazing. It's consistantly high/improving position in Mitch's poll really shows how underrated it has been.

Knoebel's is also great. Atmosphere, two astoundingly good woodies, phlyers...What more could you want?

When you go to CP, go on a Sunday. Saturdays are crowded, and sometimes Mondays are also crowded because everyone thinks it will be empty; therefore, lots of people go.

Go to Knoebel's, whatever you do. Phoenix alone is worth the trip, the airtime is non stop with plenty of ejectors. Twister is a great woodie also, not as much air as Phoenix but plenty of lats. The food there is the best park food I have ever eaten, and it is very cheap, so you don't have to worry about paying 6-7 bucks for 2 slices of pizza.
I could go on and on about telling you why you should go, It is my home park, and definately one of my favorite parks.

Basically what you have to do is get a map, mark all the parks you'd like to visit and go from there, figure out approx travel times and so on.