Choice of parks in PA

Just trying to plan a trip in early June. Were going to hit two parks in PA. Just would like some advice on which parks. Keep in mind I live in Virginia I don't want to go to the two parks that are the most distance from each other. Thanks for everyone help on this.

Are you planning to go to any specific area of Pennsylvania in particular?

I would highly recommend Knoebel's, Idlewild, and Kennywood. All of the parks in Pennsyvalia are excellent but there is something that sets those 3 apart from everything else. You will not likely be disappointed with any parks you choose to go to in Pennsylvania (at least the ones I have been too.)

Were not settled on where were staying yet. Just going to pick a hotel near the parks. It will be the first or second week of June. I have never been to any of the parks up there. I'm more looking for the best coasters but I love doing everything in the entire park.

I have had the experience of Dorney, Hershey, and Knobels, all of which I'd reccomend. You'd do well to hit Dorney and Hersheypark since they aren't too far apart if you are looking for the most thrill rides. Dorney is nice and the lines aren't bad. Talon, Steel Force, and Her...er Lazer are all good coasters and they have some nice flats. Hershey Park is also very nice, Storm Runner will be a definite addition (hopefully I'll get there this summer), Great Bear is phat, the woodies rock, and S.D.L. is a nice old ride. If you can hit Knobels, do, but Hershey and Dorney are better. I've never been to Kennywood so I don't want to comment on that, although its a WAYS from the two I mentioned.

Depending which way you're going, it wouldn't be too difficult to hit Knoebels from Hershey. I've been to all of the "big" parks except Kennywood, and would recommend Hershey & Knoebels. Quality and quantity over, well, um, nevermind. Dorney's a good park, but I prefer the other two.

Do not pass Knoebel's. Go directly to Phoenix. Collect 200 gazillion dollars worth of amazement that a ride with so much hype and legendary status can actually exceed your expectations.

Phoenix. It's literally that good.

Later,
EV

I'd say if you plan a PA trip I'd decide on either an Eastern or Western PA trip. Like everyone mentioned Dorney, Knoebels, and Hershey thats is a good 3 day trip, drive time is only an hour and a half between the parks. If you want to whore up the coaster count you could also hit Williams Grove fairly easy before going to Hershey since they are about a half hour apart depending on Harrisburg traffic.

If you do a Western PA trip DelGrosso's, and Lakemont would make for one nice day They are only about a half hour apart. Depending on when you plan your trip you could check out a Baseball game after Lakemont Park. For RAD passes at both parks it should be around $25. The following day you could hit Kennywood about 2 hours away.

It's a tough call due to the great choices of coasters at all the parks. I'd say your best bet will be to do some research at www.rcdb.com and figure out what coasters look cooler to ride. Either trip should be an awsome trip.

I vote for Knoebels and Hershey, as that's what I'll be hitting this summer. Never been to any of the eastern PA parks, but of the three that are all close together, those two look like the best bet in my opinion. Of course I have an awesome invert just 20 minutes away (Raptor), so Talon wouldn't be as much of a priority for me as a great woodie (Pheonix), since that is definitely the area where my home park is lacking. Now if you were going in 2005 with the new terrain floorless, it might be a different story.

Dorney and Hershey!!

First off, Dorney is great b/c there is hardly ever lines. I go 3+ times a year, and i've never had to wait more than like 2o min. for any ride in teh park. Just plan well. If you want to hit the water park, go in the morning because it gets real crowded in the afternoons, especially in June and July.

Hershey is my all time #1 favorite park! And with the addition of Storm Runner, its going to be unbeatable.

I've never been to Knoebels, which really is a shame, so i cant help you out there.

Also, if your going to be up this way for the coasters, SFGADV isnt too far (hourish)

I hope you have an awesome time in teh cgreat state of Pennsylvania!! haha.

If driving isn't a problem, then I would tell you to go to the two most popular parks in the State. It is arguable, but I have found that they are Kennywood, and Hershey. I am from Central PA, so maybe my opinion has something to do with that.

When I tell people that I'm going to go to Dorney, they say, "Really. Where's that?" If you like waterslides, Dorney's great though.

I respectfully do not understand all of this Knoebels love. I don't hate the place, but there is definitely better nearby.

Lakemont and DelGrosso's are both very small and more of a local attraction. They are both great for those who have already been to the big parks.

Idlewild is fantastic-for little kids. I am planning to take my 3 and 6 y/o nephues there this summer.

Hershey is the biggest and best in PA. Please don't pass it up. You may find durring your visit that by mid-afternoon there is still much more to do.

Kennywood Park is unique and special. I prefer it over any SF park. I think Kennywood is cute (maybe I should marry it).

Hey-Why not SFGAdv? It's close to Hershey and is HUGE.

Any PA parks not mentioned here I have not been to. Maybe someday soon. I'm just afraid they will be less appealing than Knoebels.

This is, obviously, only MY opinion. Mix it in with the rest and see what it tastes like.

Thanks for the help all the info is great. Driving is not a big problem for me, but my boyfriend doesn't like to much driving that's why I settled on two parks. Were planning on moving in a few months so money is an issue. We are trying to plan a nice trip but on a budget were pertty much set on Hersery. Just now trying to see where we go from there. We have been dating for a year now, and he just got into riding coasters last year so 3-4 parks will be to much for him.

Did you consider camping instead of hotels? If you camp you can stay at Knoebels a few feet from Twister their one wooden coaster, and just walk to the park from your campsite. The good thing is you can come and go as you please without driving anywhere. Hershey has a campground but it's several miles from the park. I'm pretty sure they have a shuttle service but not positive.

DEXTER you said SFGadv is close to Hershey. How close time wise. And is three days in Hershey Park to much. My wife likes the parks but gets burnt out on them and I would like to hit either SFGRAdv or Kennywood on the way home.

I'm not positive, but I think that it's around two or three hours. Why not check www.mapquest.com?

Great Adventure has it's good and bad points. The best thing about the park is it's large collection of rides. At one time, the park had the most rides of any, but they couldn't staff them all so they closed/relocated a few. They used to call themselves the only "Superpark".

HersheyPark is a great choice. You really may enjoy Hershey enough to be able to spend 3 days there. You can get the whole park done in a day but I always feel at the end of the day that I could easily spend another. That may be why the park is so popular; they always leave you wanting more.

There is a lot to do there besides the park as well. I would only spend 2 days there if I never visited, but that's just me. I do not have an interest in the flower garden or museum in Hershey. You may really enjoy extra stuff like that.

Have fun.

Too bad Pittsburgh is far away from Hershey because Kennywood + Hershey=Perfect Combination. I enjoyed Dorney, but its hard to shake off the "mini-CP" feeling about the place. Since driving is an issue for you though this is park 2 I suggest going to Dorney but go there first because you want to save the best for last and Hershey is definatly the best, spend at least 2 days there.

What a rough decision! Most have classic woodies.

Some have great steel and none of them named Batman! If you are looking for atmosphere Knobels

wins hands down followed Kennywood. Both of these

parks feature a great blend of old and new(If your into that like I am!) They are about 6hrs apart max.

5hrs across I-80 1hr south onI-79. Don't worry about the long commute time Kennywood opens at 11am.

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N-troble said:
Thanks for the help all the info is great. Driving is not a big problem for me, but my boyfriend doesn't like to much driving that's why I settled on two parks. Were planning on moving in a few months so money is an issue. We are trying to plan a nice trip but on a budget were pertty much set on Hersery. Just now trying to see where we go from there. We have been dating for a year now, and he just got into riding coasters last year so 3-4 parks will be to much for him.

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Well if Hershey is definitely in your plans and your boyfriend is not into driving a lot nor really into coasters like you are...then Knoebels is a great place. The atmosphere at the park is just so laid back I think he would just enjoy wandering the park.

Definitely Hershey........high quality rides, high quality operations, high quality atmosphere, clean, more reasonable pricing, LOTS to do (leave 2 days for it if you can, there is enough to fill 2 days).....

Hershey is amazing! Don't miss that park. Dorney is a concrete jungle but a fun park! Go to Hershey and Dorney or Knoebles! Do all 3!

#1 park to hit in PA is definitly Kennywood Park!

There's something there for everybody, and alot of rides that you will find at Kennywood you won't find anywhere else;)

In my opinion Hershey is a lame park...but everbody has there different opinions:)

Myself I would like to hit up Knobles this summer sometime...whenever I can get the chance.

Best amusement park to work at
KENNYWOOD KENNYWOOD!