At GADV, get a Q-Bot.....so worth it.
I've only been to Lake Compounce once, so I cant really help to much there.
-Nate
--Madison
-Nate
Must Do's at Knoebel's: The Coasters (I guess if you had to skip one, you could skip Whirlwind), Haunted Mansion,The Brass-Ring Carosell,The Alamo
Must Do's at Hershey: The Coasters, Giant Wheel, Flying Falcons, one of the shows, Choclate World
There are several parks in the Sfgradv, Dorney, and Hershey areas. You'd pass by Sesame Place and Clementon on your'e way from Dorney to Sfgradv (or Vise-Visa). Going toward Hershey you'd pass by Dutch Wonderland and, of course, Knoebel's. William's Grove isn't too far from Hershey.
Anyways, also at Knoebel's, don't miss the Skooters or the Flyers, two of the best of the respective versions anywhere. Take your time it the park, it is not laid out in any formal fashion, so you could miss something if you are not careful.
Try to take time for the smaller parks if you can. Pennsylvania has many small, family owned parks.
Williams Grove is a qurky little park not half an hour from Hershey that has one of the scariest coasters you will ever ride. Really, I mean it :) this park is closed on Mondays. Also in the area, Twin Pines park may be open this year. They are supposed to have a restored Traver circle swing. They were hoping to open last year, but it didn't pan out.
Less then two hours from Hershey will get you to Altoona, where you will find Lakemont, and not far off, DelGrosso's. Lakemont, of course, has Leap the Dips, worlds oldest roller coaster, as well as the Skyliner, a relocated John Allen ride with a brutal back seat. DelGrosso's is a nice, clean park with some nice flats. They are also adding a spinning mouse this year, which are always fun. Altoona also has several attractions for railfans, including the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum and the Horseshoe Curve, a great train watching spot.
If you are going to Dorney, I would suggest also checking out Bushkill Park. It is not far away, and though it has no coaster, it has one of the few classic walk through funhouses left. It features a massive rotating wooden barrel, as well as a two floor wooden slide. The park also has a fantastic antique carousel that also has a brass ring catch. Last year they started renovation on their circa 1930's darkride, which may open again sometime this season.
Unless you have small children, skip Sesame Place, it is not worth the $40 to get in. What I would not skip is Clementon Park and their new wooden coaster. Even though Clementon is very small, this is a park you want to visit on a weekday, the weekends are insane there. Also, they are closed on Mondays.
Alot of these little parks can make surprising little side trips, and a cost and time effective. Crowds tend to be lighter at them, which makes them good weekend stops, for the most part.
Line lengths: depending on when you're going, anywhere from 5 minutes to about 40 for the larger coasters in the heaviest part of the day. Of course the general rules tend to apply -- avoid weekends, holidays, etc., and since it's Florida, I'd generally avoid from mid-June until the end of August if you're able, due to the heat and humidity. Otherwise, be prepared for a possible afternoon thunderstorm, which would last from sixty to ninety minutes between 4pm and 6pm (trust me, you can set your watch by these things).
I'd recommend the Days Inn right next to Busch Gardens -- it's a nice hotel, cheap rates, and only about a 15 minute walk away (all along the side of the park across the street), so you're not shelling out for the parking and fighting the traffic to do so.
Have a great trip!
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