There can be only one

In the past, I've rolled my eyes at topics like this, but now that I find myself in a similar situation I see the value in them.

We're going on a wedding/family seeing trip this August, driving from Chicago to Lancaster, PA, where we'll spend the weekend. From there we'll head to N.Y.C. for a night or two, then on to Maine and back to Chicago via the Niagara->Canada->Detroit route. Even though I grew up in Virginia, I've never been to ANY parks north of SFA (I've only been through the chocolate factory tour at Hershey), so obviously there's a long list of places I'd like to hit on this trip. Due to our packed timeline, though, I have to choose just 1. AArrgh!
What I like: Extensive theming or simple 'Old time Amusement Park' feel, Dark Rides, Rough Wood, Smooth Steel. I'm less concerned with packing my Track Record than with going to a place with great atmosphere and great rides. I'm dying to ride S:ROS at SFNE, but it doesn't seem like there's much else there. Ditto Lake Compounce. I'm aching to ride Boulder Dash, but if I have to choose just one stop it doesn't seem the best choice. SFGAdv has quite the assortment, and a few Dark rides to boot, but it seems like it'll have the typical 'Six Flags' feeling, which I don't love (growing up at BGW tends to spoil a person). Hersheypark is high on the list, and would probably be the most convenient. I've never ridden a GCI, though, and the reviews seem to be mixed (Twisted Sisters next Friday will be my first GCI experience). Kennywood seems like it has everything I'm looking for in spades, though, and would be a fun place to be with my non-coaster-loving wife.

So what's your opinion? Am I leaving anything out?
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Maihama, Maihama Desu

I'd say Kennywood is your perfect fit, although its a little out of your way. But it has exactly what you're looking for, and is especially friendly to groups with non-riders as the lines aren't usually long, so she won't be waiting too long for you. If it turns out to be too far away for you though, Hershey should be choice 2. My best friend and I who grew up at Kennywood just visited Hershey for the first time (well my 2nd, but his first) this past weekend. He came out with the same impression I did - Kennywood on steriods. It retains a lot of old-style traditional feel, just there's a lot more to the park than Kennywood. Again, there is a ton for non-riders to do, and the lines are relatively short, compared to most parks. I don't understand why people don't like GCIs cause the two at Hershey are two of my favorite coasters, and I'm the type that's all about the steel monsters.

Final verdict: Hershey if your crunched for time, Kennywood if you have enough time for the 4 1/2 hour drive from Lancaster to Pittsburgh (that's how long it took us in the rain with no stops this weekend)

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"You know we got a good thing goin and I don't wanna see it end" --Reel Big Fish
-- Brett

I think you've answered your own question already. If it comes down to overall experience (great atmosphere, great rides) Kennywood seems a pretty logical choice. Hersheypark would be an equally valid choice.

I've been to all the parks you mentioned and you pegged them pretty well. The only possible exception would be Lake Compounce. I can see how it'd be easy to spend less than a day there, but it's a really wonderful park. We ended up staying until closing when we went in with plans to cut it short, hit Quassy, and move on to the next park.

Edit - PittDesigner, of all the GCI's I've been on (a few) LR seems to be the exception, not the rule.

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www.coasterimage.com
Dorney Park Visits in 2003: 4

*** This post was edited by Lord Gonchar 5/19/2003 11:39:04 AM ***

Go to Kennywood, as it's got everything you're looking for. It's also charming enough that your wife will love it, as well.

p.s. Twisted Sisters is a CCI.
*** This post was edited by chris 5/19/2003 11:48:24 AM ***

Agrees with chris for the second time this month....argh!

....and don't judge CCIs by TS/TT....definitely the weakest of the lot by a considerable margin IMO...;)
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Contents sold by humor, not volume. Some settling of contents may occur during translation...

Keep in mind Twisted Sisters/Twins is CCI, not GCI. But don't hold that against the late Custom Coasters Inc.

I vote Kennywood as well.

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Is it the real yellow or the yellow that they had on the coaster cars??

Great Adventure only has one "dark ride" (Houdini's Great Escape, which is excellent by the way), and by most peoples standards it's not really a dark ride i.e. a ride where you get into a vehicle and travel around though different rooms. I don't count Skull Mountain as a dark ride either. If your standard is BGW, I think Kennywood will fall pretty flat as far as atmosphere goes. It does manage to cram a lot of rides into a small footprint though. Out of the three dark rides, I think Exterminator is the only one worth writing home about, and again, some might not consider it a traditional dark ride.
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If you have a problem with clones, the solution is real simple—Stop traveling.

Dude, Kennywood falling short of the traditional park atmosphere? What planet are you from?

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"You know we got a good thing goin and I don't wanna see it end" --Reel Big Fish
-- Brett

Atmosphere is the #1 reason Kennywood is my #1 park.

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Building of Millenium Force in 2000 = I go to Cedar Point for the first time.

TTD in 2003 = Whoo, I'm coming back again baby!

I definitely agree with everyone else here; Hersheypark and Kennywood are your best bets, considering your criteria. I have a special affection for Hershey since it was my second park, and I've been going there since '79, but my first (and only, so far) visit to Kennywood in 2001 was fantastic. Thunderbolt and Jack Rabbit are both in my top-10 wood.

You will have a great time at either park--the only problem is having to choose only one.

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-Vater
Have you ridden a Toboggan?

I would hit up Knoebels. Great haunted house and two top-notch woodies you can ride all day and not get sick of. Sure Kennywood has similiar charm but the small park family atmosphere of Knoebels rivals that of HW.

Best of luck. But I definitely would choose Kennywood or Knoebels over the tame Hershey rides ANY day.

Pittdesigner, the guy mentioned that he has a very high standard, that being BGW. Kennywood doesn't come anywhere close to being as nice as Busch IMO.
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If you have a problem with clones, the solution is real simple—Stop traveling.

Kennywood or Knoebels.

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"If there are any serious and non stupid people out there thank you. otherwise youre all morons."- Jesse Mer on May 20th, 2003

There are 5 ones ;)

Yeah, I'm a nerd.

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God bless Intamin, Company that I love. Stand beside her, and ride her, from the opening to the closing of the day.