Easiest weekend-trip Park

Hey guys, I'm in Florida and need your experience on this topic.

I want to get away once more before the end of summer, and basically need to know:

What are some of the easiest weekend-trip parks in the country, in regards to closeness to major airport and of course, worthy collection of coasters.

(outside of FL, I've only been to CP and Dorney, and would most like to visit SFMM, SFGADv, or BGW)

Thanks.

GAdv. is about 1 hr. from Newark. It's got a worthy collection of coasters, though Nitro is a big hit for some and a big snore for others. There are a couple of other good stops in the area though (wildwood, coney island) so that might help you plan your weekend. I have no idea about lodging, since I live right close. The park is also insanely crowded on weekends, and the ops are generally okay at best.

An hour? Damn.

For sure check out the travel tips thread pinned in the General Buzz forum. This will help with arrangements.
New York is a great place if you are not old enough to rent a car, because public transit there rocks. I'm not sure about getting to SFGAdv, but there has to be some sort of shuttle or bus you can take. Coney is a quick train ride away, and one of the best coaster experiences out there you'll find. Plus, who wouldn't want to spend a weekend in that city? Too much fun.
Maybe Vegas would work for you too, depending on your preferences. Not too many coasters, but they are all easy to get to, and travel arrangements for Vegas are E A S Y.
-Scott *** Edited 7/2/2004 10:06:51 PM UTC by Zingo!***

Vegas would probably be doable, but that's more time in the air from Florida, which will cut down on activity time. It's certainly true that getting around in Vegas is simple.

Travel time is something to keep in mind when planning weekend trips, though -- from Pittsburgh, for instance, I'm not nearly as likely to do a weekend trip to LA as I am to NYC. That's not to say I won't do it if the price is right, though; I once did a DAYtrip from Pittsburgh to LA (and the return flight wasn't even direct, I had to connect in Philahellphia on my return)...

SFA is 30 minutes or so from both BWI and Regan. It offers a nice selection including of course SROS.

For the ultimate in closeness SFKK is practically next door to the Louisville airport, and Holiday World is less than 90 minutes from Louisville.

PKI is less than an hour from Cincinnati's airport. Of course, Cedar Point isn't too far from Cleveland's airport.

SFoG is about 20 minutes from ATL.

There is public transportation from NY to GAdv., though I've never used it.

I'd recommend San Antonio, and visit SFFT and SWT. San Antonio isn't "big", so everything is mostly close by.

Edit: now that I think of it, Dallas and SFOT might be easier, since DFW is a hub, saving you a short-haul flight each way. But, I've not been to SFOT, so can't recommend it directly.

*** Edited 7/3/2004 1:52:01 PM UTC by Brian Noble***

SFGAm is doable from O'Hare (asuming you dont have too much traffic). In Texas, SFFT is superior to SFOT but I think you could do both from their respective airports. I have never been there but I bet there are airports close to either SFMM, KBF, DL, or USH.

On another note, driving to SFOG shouldnt be too difficult for you (depending where you live). BGW is not near any airport that I can remember unfortunatly. I suggest takeing some time off to spend 3-4 days in Williamsburg anyway and do Water Country and Colonial Williamsburg as well as BGW (they have a joint pass).