Next year I want to take a trip to one of these parks, but I don't know which one I should go to. They are both about the same distance from my house, however they are in opposite directions. CP and PKI are already in the plans for next year, but I want to hit either KW or HW next year, and I can't decide which.
This is my view of the two parks, having been to neither one:
KW-one great steel coaster, many great classic smaller wooden coasters, a decent collection of flat rides. Great atmosphere and friendly staff.
HW-2 killer wooden coasters, but not much after that except for a great atmosphere and friendly staff.
If these opinions are wrong, please tell me. Honestly both parks sound great and if I could go to both I would.
I would just like to ask everyone, especially those who have been to both parks, which park they would recommend.
I'd recommend Holiday World.
I had a great time at Kennywood, yes. But Holiday World was even better for me!
personally if i had the choice i would go to kennywood. they have phantoms revenge. looks sick. plus i so want to ride jack rabbit. no lap bars. that would be so fun.
it all depends on what you like. if your a woodie fan you would defonately want to go to HW. they have two top 5 woodies. how much better then that can a park get.
if you like steel you would want to go to KW. like i said PR looks wicked.
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1.Fire Dragon, 2.Ice Dragon, 3.Raptor, 4.Kraken, 5.Batman Knight Flight
No complaints with Holiday World ! Haven't been to Kennywood. If you go to HW, you could also go to SF:KK for your steel fix on Chang - the best B&M standup that I've ridden. Also, don't rule out SFGAm. Fly into Chicago and start there, then drive the "loop" to the other parks and fly home out of Chicago.
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Current favorite coasters:
Wooden: 1) Beast 2) Raven 3) Son of Beast 4) The Boss 5) The Legend
Steel: 1) Raging Bull 2) Millennium Force 3) V2 4) Wild Thing 5) Mr. Freeze
I would recoment Kennywood.
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Live to have FUN!
Go Shamrocks!
Go Wolverines!
I have only been to Kennywood. I went there for KennyKon for the past 2 years. Phantom's Revenge is an incredible coaster. The Morgan transformation went great. The coaster still has that first swooping drop and the 225 foot monster second drop. The lapbars provide amazing airtime especially during the little double dip. The ride is also fast. Kennywood has the Exterminator, which is a spinning mouse that has many turns, spins, and a few small drops, and it is all in the dark. The Thunderbolt is a great classic woodie with many lateral g's because there is no seat divider. The Jackrabbit has no lap bar and there is an amazing amount of airtime on the double dip. WOW!! The Racer is also a fun woodie that is one of only three continuous track racers left in the world. Kennywood has great potato patch fries, very friendly park staff, and a lot of cool flat rides. Kennywood has the only Kangaroo ride left in the world. It is a lot of fun. They also have the Turtle, which is fun too. Kennywood offers a lot of history about and beyond the park. I have never been to Holiday World, so I can't compare, but hopefully I will be there for the next Stark Raven Mad.
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Dave
Judging by everyone's replies, you are probably best to simply flip a coin.
Good luck!
I suggest Kennywood. I've been to both, and I enjoyed KW much more than HW.
HW is a nice park, but it is very small and doesn't have as much to offer as KW. Legend is one of my top woodies, and at risk of being flamed from here to eternity, Raven is IMO, a good-but-not-great coaster (I just don't see what all the fuss is about). They have a decent collection of flat rides, and a waterpark that looks OK (I don't do waterparks). And the free Pepsi and parking, along with the great staff make it a fun place to visit.
KW however, is a blast. They mix the old (Thunderbolt, Jack Rabbit, Racer) with the new (Phantom's Revenge, Exterminator) beautifully. KW's collection of flat/vertical rides is extensive, and also mixes old (Turtle, Whip, Roll-O-Plane) with new (Aero 360, Pitt Fall, Skycoaster) very well. Add some Potato Patch fries, and you have a fun-filled day.
If you do decide to go to HW, I would second Joe Carroll's advice above and go to SFKK as well. It is only about 2 hours away, and will complement your HW "wood-only" coaster diet very well.
Wherever you go, have fun!!!
Jon
I'll be going to Holiday World next week. Can I get back to you? ;)
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Matt Lynch
Co-Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com
Man! I just went through the same dilemma. I chose Kennywood for its history and plethora of unique non-coaster rides. Also, I'd wanted to go for about 15 years. Let me just say that although I am now a bonafide CCI freak, Kennywood was the right choice. I'll go to HW in a couple years on my next (CCI) trek. Phantom's Revenge is awesome! This is after riding Millenium Force.
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Yeeee Haaawwww!
I'm going to give the opposite post of Jon B. and say Hoilday World.
I just came back from two days (that's right TWO DAYS) at Holiday World. They dont have a TON of rides, but there *is* a lot to be said about atmosphere.
Now at the risk of being flamed, I only thought that PR was a thrilling ride @ KW (granted, T-bolt was not working). Neither Exterminator nor Jack Rabbit did anything for me. And that's saying alot especially for Exterminator since I really love dark rides.
Raven is an excellent coaster in the back of the train and The Legend is one of the most physically demanding coasters in existence. The round up there runs a carnival-esque program, the rapids (I hear) is really drenching, the scrambler runs like a state fair scrambler. Not to mention they (apparently) have one of the better waterparks around.
Either way, I think both parks are geared more to youngsta's, but I *of course* lean to HW because they are so dang nice (almost to a fault) and it's home to my favorite coaster The Legend.
BTW: SFKK is only 1hr 35 min tops from HW. (Mapquest says 1hr 50min, I made it in 1hr THREE min:))
email me scrunch17@yahoo.com for more specific info.
jeremy
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"I propose that a smart death ray be designed to smite any who attempt to smoke in a line queue. " - Figaro
Nice post 2Hostyl, it is quite a difficult decision. As always, to each his/her own when it comes to favorite parks/rides.
And yes, it does take less than 2 hours to get from HW to SFKK. I just gave that as a ballpark figure for people who don't drive as if they're in a NASCAR race, like I do :) I have also almost broken the 1 hour mark from one to the other.
Jon