From NZ to CP ... but how?

Can anyone help me?

For my Summer vacation, my Brother and I, who have been Orlando regulars since 99, have finally to decided to make the pilgrammage to CP for TTD this year.

Coming from New Zealand to the US via LAX is the easy part. Any suggestions how we should travel to CP from here?

LAX to Cleveland, Detriot? Somewhere closer? Rental Car, Bus, Taxi or Shuttle from Airport? Accomodation?

Any assistance welcomed and appreciated.

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If Lifes a Rollercoaster, I want a Flawless

I'd fly into Cleveland, and from there its only 1/2 hour to an hour getting to Cedar Point.

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The only difference between stupidity and genius is genius has limitations.

LAX to Cleveland is your best bet. From there I'd suggest renting a car. The park is just under an hour from the airport.

While you're here, you might be interested to visit the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame and Science Center, Six Flags Worlds of Adventure, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, etc.

If you can afford to stay on-property at Cedar Point, it is most convenient.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
"The world rotates to The Ultra-Heavy Beat!" - KMFDM

If you can afford it stay at a CP resort, not only will you get free transportation to and from the park you will also get ERT every morning an hour before the park opens on some of the marquis coasters (last year MF, Raptor and WT)

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I don't care what anyone says, Magnum is better then Millenium Force.

Cleveland is the closest major international airport to both CP and SFWoA. Most major carriers fly there. Southwest Airlines would probably be one of the cheapest although getting a direct flight on Southwest would be difficult. You can check Hotwire, Orbitz, Expedia, Travelocity, Cheap Tickets, or Smarter Living for airfare deals on other airlines.

Once in Cleveland I'd suggest renting a car. There are a ton of hotels near CP. Many of the website I provided above will be helpful for a car and hotels, and check CP's website for accomodations as well. Breaker's Express is one I'd highly recommend.

In addition to CP there are other parks in the area within a day's drive that I'd recommend such as SFWoA, PKI, and especially Kennywood.

Have fun!

Moosh

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Humor Ingredients: all natural flavors, some artificial additives. Sold by weight, not volume. 100% satisfaction not guaranteed. Void in Texas and Puerto Rico.

*** This post was edited by Mamoosh 2/18/2003 2:02:19 PM ***

Cleveland is a hub for Continental, if direct flights are a concern. I second the recommendation for Kennywood.

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http://www.eecs.umich.edu/~bnoble/

*** This post was edited by Brian Noble 2/18/2003 3:18:41 PM ***

Well the guy wants to go to Cedar Point so he probably doesn't care about other parks within a days drive. I would try to fly to Cleveland which would be the closest. If your ok with a drive Louisville is about 7 hours way, but usually has cheap fares. Auckland to Lousville Round Trip is $1952 with two stops. Auckland to Cleveland Round Trip is $1953 with 2 stops. That is the lowest I found, there are others that are much more expensive. Just giving you a little info I know.

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Joe Barnett
Forum Moderator/Editorial Writer
www.pkiunlimited.com

While you may be right, Ninja, it seems like an awful waste of money to come all the way to CP from New Zealand and *not* visit other parks in the area. I see no harm in mentioning a few worth visiting, especially if our friend is not aware of them.

Moosh

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Humor Ingredients: all natural flavors, some artificial additives. Sold by weight, not volume. 100% satisfaction not guaranteed. Void in Texas and Puerto Rico.

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needless quotation removed

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Thanks for all the information so far. Its really helps. Looks like we'll fly into Cleveland and drive to CP.

I welcome any information about any area/state attractions or parks within a days driving distance. CP and SFWoA are a given.

Orlando and LA are like second homes to me but I havent ventured much outside of those cities (except SF and Boston for business).

We're looking to do a week in the CP/SFWoA area and a week in WDW/IOA (have to make use of those Annual Passes before they expire!).

So 2 maybe 3 days for CP. 1 day for SFWoA? Kennywood, wheres that? Theres a Paramount Park in Ohio also, isnt there? I am open to all suggestions because we'd (Brother and I) loves to maxmise our Park and tourist experiences while in the US. Plus we love DDR so any pointers to good DDR locations during this trip would also be appreciated.

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If Lifes a Rollercoaster, I want a Flawless
*** This post was edited by Jeff 2/18/2003 6:21:53 PM ***

PKI is near Cincinnati and about 4 hours from CP. Also SFKK is a couple hours from PKI in Louisville. Then you have HolidayWorld not too much farther from Kentucky Kingdom.

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CBCon Quote "We didn't even get wet"......30 seconds later you hear plop, then splash!!!!

Kennywood is just outside of Pittsburgh. They have 3 great woodies, The Thunderbolt, Jack Rabbit, and a menubious (sp?) coaster called the Racer. They also have a world class hyper called the Phantom's Revenge and a well themed spinning wild mouse called the Exterminator. There is a great selection of flats and one of the last Noah's Arks in existance.

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My mind works in strange ways. Yeah with a chain driven lift hill and gravity.

Kennywood's juts outside of Pittsburg. I'd give you a time estimate, but my brain just froze. Can anyone help us out, here? Anyway, it would definetly be worth your time. As it's to the east, and King's Island is to the west, though, you might have to choose between them.

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I hear America screaming...

OK. So maybe we fly into Pittsburgh? Go Kennywood (1 day?), Go SFWoA (1 day?) then on to CP (2/3 days) then Cleveland to Orlando?

Or Cleveland, Kennywood (1day?), SFWoA(1day), PKI (1day), CP (2days) then Cleveland to Orlando?

Sounds like Kennywood is a must as is CP. If SFWoA is no better than SFMM then we can give it a miss. Is PKI worth a day trip?

Thanks in advance and all advise appreciated.

BTW: CP Resorts get ERT? Any recommendations?

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If Lifes a Rollercoaster, I want a Flawless

If you fly into Pittsburgh, its basically a straight shot down the parkway to you see the exit for Kennywood. When you leave Kennywood if you get on the parkway and heads toward Monroeville, you can get the turnpike and that will take you to the Ohio boarder.

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My mind works in strange ways. Yeah with a chain driven lift hill and gravity.

Everyone has pretty much agreed that Kennywood would be a great park to visit. Despite your reservations about SFWoA being "too much like SFMM" I'd still recommend a day there, too. Their wood is certainly much better than the Mountain.

As for other parks I'd suggest going to www.rcdb.com and searching for Cedar Point and Kennywood. You will then find a list of "parks nearby." Do some research and find out what looks good. Be careful since rcdb also lists defunct parks.

If I were making the itinerary I'd do [in this order] CP, Kennywood, Idlewild, Lakemont, Del Grosso's Park, Waldameer, Conneaut Lake, SFWoA. That brings you full circle back to Cleveland. Idlewild, Lakemont, and Del Grosso can be done in a single day without rushing around and little driving. Same with Waldammer and Conneaut.

Have fun!

Moosh

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Humor Ingredients: all natural flavors, some artificial additives. Sold by weight, not volume. 100% satisfaction not guaranteed. Void in Texas and Puerto Rico.

*** This post was edited by Mamoosh 2/18/2003 7:06:21 PM ***

If you can do Kennywood, you won't be disappointed. One day is good for Kennywood. If you want to do all SFWoA has to offer, you almost need two days but if you just want to ride the rides and forget the rest, one day is sufficient. One day for PKI and you'll definately want 2 days for Cedar Point.

You have to remember PKI is in the SW part of Ohio. CP is in the Middle North part, SFWOA is NE and Kennywood is in SW PA.

Kennywood to SFWoA is about 2.5 hours.

Kennywood to CP is about 3.5 hours.

Kennywood to PKI is 5 hours.

PKI is about 3.5 hours to CP.

OK.

Im flying in and out of Cleveland.

Heading to Kennywood first. Stay overnight.
To Aurora for SFWoA. Another overnight.
Down to PKI for the Beasts and Hypersonic with another overnight here.
Finally for the icing on the cake, its off to CP for 2 days returning to Cleveland for the flight to Orlando.

My question is: Is PKI worth the effort? I could the time to spend on extra day at CP or SFWoA or even Kennywood.
Plus the Cleveland-Kennywood-Aurora-Sandusky-Cleveland loop sure sounds like an easier trip.

Your opinions please. All replies appreciated.

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If Lifes a Rollercoaster, I want a Flawless

Er, I believe you've made a slight (and understandable) error: HypersonicXLC is at King's Dominion, not King's Island. King's Dominion is in Virginia, and a heck of a lot further out of your way than King's Island. Even still, I've heard very good things about King's Island, so think before knocking it off your list just because of that.

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I hear America screaming...

If you are flying into Cleveland, a better loop would be SFWoA (since you are already in the area), Kennywood, PKI, and then CP. Yes, PKI is worth it.

I would keep PKI in the agenda. It's a great park, and the Beast is still the longest wooden coaster in the world, The Son Of Beast is still the only looping wooden coaster, and Adventure Express and Top Gun are really good rides. As a matter of fact, I live around 4 hours away and bought a season pass this year for the first time.

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Goccvp1

I sure do miss the Idora Wiildcat & Jackrabbit.