Where do I go in central Pa?

I will be traveling to Pensylvania the first week or so of August. I plan to take a short trip (drive am, go to park, stay overnight, drive back next day) to central Pa to meet a friend and ride a coaster or two. Where should we go? (Note: I live near Kenywood & will be doing that earlier on the trip, so don't vote for the 'Wood. I can taste the fries now . . . ) We've discussed Hershey (where we've both been) or Knoebel's (where neither of us has been). We're leaning towards Knoebel's. Is there someplace else we should consider? (Note: one park only, please! My friend is NOT a fanatic like I am! OK, two parks -- I can stop at the second the day I drive back, I suppose.) Suggestions as to hotel would be welcome, also.

Ok, since you live close to Pittsburgh, and have already put Knoebels on your list of possibilities, then I suggest going to Knoebels for the overnight trip, and stopping at Lakemont and/or DelGrosso's on the way home, as both those parks are LITERALLY on the way home (depending on the route you drive).

And Lakemont and DelGrosso's are small enough that you can do both in an afternoon and still be home in time for a late dinner. Trust me on this, I just did it ;)



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--Greg

http://www.pobox.com/~gregleg/

I completely agree with GregLeg. I jsut came back from 3 days in PA and did DelGrosso's, Lakemont, and Hershey one day, Hershey and Dorney the next, and Knoebel's the third. Not to mention scouting out a couple of abandoned parks near Zanesville OH on the way home.

You will absolutely love Leap the Dips and the Phoenix!!! They are both in my top 10. Watch the cops on I-80 though! I made it through ok but the word is to take your time! HAVE FUN!
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Scale model coasters and rides.....
www.angelfire.com/oh4/tk173

My vote is for Knoebels. Since you were never there the best way I can describe it is a really big Idlewild. Check out some trip reports about Knoebels. So far I never read one negative thing about Knoebels.

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Hello, My name is Dan and I'm a coasterholic.

Go to Knoebels. The experience alone is worth the trip, let alone the two fantastic coasters.

What about Dorney Park

Definitely go to Knoebels! You will *not* be disappointed by any means! Heck, I'd pay the RAD fee just to ride the Phoenix.

Dorney is more like Eastern PA, but a park to consider visiting as well. Knoebels is a good park.

All depends what you are looking for.

If you want 3 great wood coasters, one steel invert, one wild mouse, one boomerang, and a fair selection of flat rides, take Hershey (though for a single day, it could be a frantic pace... especially if you wan rerides).

If you want 1 great wood coaster, and 1 even GREATER wood coaster, a great haunted house, plus some good flat rides, and a nice laid back and slow pace, take Knoebels.

Depending on your travel directions, as someone said above, you may want to make a slight detour to Lakemont Park in Altoona (or since you live near Pittsburgh it is an easy day trip). A small but fun wooden coaster (Skyliner) with wild airtime on its first drop, and the FUN Leap-the-Dips.

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"I wasn't always this cynical, but then I started kindergarden..."

Thanks everybody! Knoebels and Lakemont it is!!!