Going to a few new parks in a month.. Anybody have some suggestions on them?

I am on my way back across the country from Oregon to New Jersey and will be stopping at several parks on the trip across. The boldest ones are the ones I have never been to. If anyone has any suggestions on them (such as best seats on rides, best places to eat inside, etc... let me know)

• Lagoon
• Worlds of Fun
• Six Flags Great America
• Six Flags Saint Louis
• Kings Island
• Valleyfair (I'm not sure if this place is even worth stopping at)

I haven't been to Kings Island since 2010 or Six Flags St Louis since 2008 so if things have changed there also let me know. :)

Valleyfair has Renegade, which is pretty good. The rest of the park is kinda meh and the place kinda feels neglected. Nonetheless, we spent a day there last summer and enjoyed it, so it was not a waste of time or money to go. But considering all the other stops you are planning, you could probably save your energy for other parks.

I like Valleyfair. It's very Dorney-like, which in turn is mini-CP-like. It's worth it to go just for the cheese curds. Renegade shouldn't be missed, but I like Wild Thing and Arrow's mouse rides as well.

decil76 said:

Valleyfair has Renegade, which is pretty good. The rest of the park is kinda meh and the place kinda feels neglected. Nonetheless, we spent a day there last summer and enjoyed it, so it was not a waste of time or money to go. But considering all the other stops you are planning, you could probably save your energy for other parks.

I'd agree with this. Renegade is a great ride (in my top 10 wood) but there's nothing else there that I'm anxious to get back to. It's certainly not a park that I'd go out of my way for unless you really want the credits.

Just a couple of things about Worlds of Fun. I'm not sure if you have a Platinum Pass but if you do then you get in the park 15 minutes early. The rides themselves don't open until 10 but at least you can queue up for any ride you choose. I'd strongly suggest riding Spinning Dragons first if it's on your to-do list. If you have a chance to get Prowler night rides make sure you do it. Cyclone Sam's is an interesting flat ride and certainly worth a spin.

The best food in Kansas City is definitely outside the park. The best barbecue joint in town is Oklahoma Joe's (at the corner of 47th and Mission on the Kansas side of KC) so I'd strongly recommend a stop there. The brisket and the fries are standouts among a selection of already wonderful menu items. If you're running on limited time call your order in and take it to go, because the lines there now can be quite long (45 minutes or more depending on the day and time you're visiting). Just around the corner from Oklahoma Joe's is Velvet Creme Popcorn. Their white chocolate almond popcorn is fantastic as are their honey cinnamon almonds.

Lagoon - do NOT miss the flats (two dark rides, Top Scan, flying skooters, historic carousel, etc.). Do all the coasters, obviously, but you'll want some re-rides on Wicked and Colossus. The place is beautiful at night. Temple Square has some delicious food options while you're in SLC.

WoF - Cyclone Sam's as mentioned, I believe they now have their refurbed carousel up (Geauga's, right?). Spinning Dragons is very cool, and Patriot has a fun and unique layout. Prowler is the best GCII I've ridden (out of all their US rides). Night rides are *amazing*...

SFGAm - Viper and Whizzer, rinse and repeat. Lots of good flats, but remember to ride Calypso and Lobster...very powerful rides! The pendulum (Revolution?) used to run VERY hard, not sure if it still operates like that. Amercian Eagle was running really well last season, and Dipper is an absolute classic.

ValleyFair! - another classic carousel, Renegade, Impulse, and maybe still in possession of a Chaos. The mouse, as mentioned, is a very cool model. Excalibur is just crazed, a Frankenstein coaster if ever there was one.

Honestly, all of these parks really shine at night....make sure you get some after-dark time if at all possible.

I have never been to Lagoon and if you've been to KI you can probably save it for another trip. SF St Louis is an underrated park, but again, if you've already been there. . .

In order of highest to lowest IMO:

1) SF Great Am Chicago

2) WOF (Best BBQ is Arthur Bryant's on Brooklyn Ave, exit 4C off of I-70)

3) Valley Fair

I second Gator's Prowler recommendation

Not much has changed at Kings Island since 2010 besides for the new Soak City which I heard is very nice.

Soak City at Kings Island will be opening in a few days. It's pretty exciting.

rollergator said:
Lots of good flats, but remember to ride Calypso and Lobster...very powerful rides! .

East River Crawler(Lobster) is down for 2012 for an overhaul, it should be back next season.

Valleyfair is my home park so I can speak to that. I would not drive all the way north from Missouri to do VF, but if you're in the Twin Cities, it's worth a stop. There is also Nic's Universe at MoA which can be done in just a couple of hours. Renegade is a fun woodie. Wild Thing is OK but nothing special. The Extreme Swing seems more intense than others of that kind. The park is very clean. I've never been to WoF so I cannot compare them. I would say Dorney would be a fair comparison. I haven't been to VF yet this year, but may go this weekend, if the weather cooperates.

Well. I have come to the consensus that I will stop at Valleyfair another time. I always seem to forget that WOF even exists so I am excited to give its rides a try. I tend to prefer Six Flags parks over Cedar Fair parks, so I'm most excited for Great America. We'll see what happens and I'll be sure to post detailed trip reports.