where to travel next year (help me out)?

BullGuy said:
Yeah, saw that. What *isn't* China building nowadays? RCDB has them getting a new B&M standup for 2011. Thrilled to see another one of these built.

Well, that's surprising. That's the first new stand-up built in this century. I've predicted for years that we've seen the last stand-up coaster.

Vater said:
My theory for at least the last year is that the Scorcher was the last stand-up. It's possible another may be built in the future, but I can't imagine why.

Well, I guess now I can: China doesn't have one. I don't see this as the beginning of a new trend, however.

I don't think China counts in the standup discussion. That's a whole 'nother animal from Western amusement parks.

2011 in China is kind of like 1995 in the US. They have a lot of catching up to do, but they are off to a fantastic start.

If you go to Branson for SDC, you can also hit Worlds of Fun on the way there.

If you are headed to Canada's Wonderland make sure you stop at Waldameer. It's a smaller park but very nice with a world class wooden coaster. Darien Lake, Martins Fantasy Island and Seabreeze are other parks to consider on shch a trip.

A good southern loop could include SFOG, Lake Winnie, Carowinds and Dollywood.

A Pennsylvania loop would be a good choice with Kennywood, Hershey, Knoebels and Waldameer plus some of the smaller parks.

Indiana has two nice parks, Holiday World and Indiana Beach and you could add Kings Island and Six Flags Great America to this trip.

Some examples of parks with good food include Silver Dollar City, Dollywood, Kennywood, and Knoebels. Holiday World is extremely friendly. If you are looking for parks without too much theming, consider the more traditional PA parks such as Knoebels and Waldameer.

BullGuy said:
What *isn't* China building nowadays?

Well, China is a pretty big place with a whole lot of people. That's like saying "What isn't Europe + the Americas building these days?"

^For one, we're not building any more stand-ups? ;)

LOL, Bill beat me to it.

P.S. Oh! And more Disney Parks.

Andy, I'm aware of that. Thats what I meant.

rollergator said:
^For one, we're not building any more stand-ups? ;)

Yes we are... There's one going up in New Jersey as we speak!

John ( technical) Knotts. ;)

Touche'.

Well, if we're getting technical, isn't that one a RE-build?

Nobody specified that it had to be *new* stand ups. :)

If you guys are supposed to be 'standup' comics, don't quit your day jobs... ;)

My prediction still holds true that the stand-up is dead, it seems:

http://airtimers.com/ocean-park-hong-kong-%E2%80%93-details-zur-erw...ks/006798/

4th pic down shows an artist's rendering of floorless trains.

Guess I'm back to hoping that Green Lantern at Great Adventure is successful beyond anyone's expectations and catches the attention of stateside parks.

Dollywood/Lake Winne/SFOG/ is a good run. I do have a tip for Dollywood. If you want a cheaper two days, the policy of the park is "come after 3(pm), the next day is free." The park does close earlier than any other one I've been to. Save on parking and ride one of the trollys in from Pigeon Forge. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are the slowest days. Check their web info to see when the parks special festvals are. The kids festival is very crowded on the rides. The fall festival draws in older crowds and shorter ride lines. The water park is an additional fee, but has some major slides.

My Mom and I did the free early entry the day before at Dollywood too. We also rode the "trolleys" (bus) from our hotel, which was a dollar or so for each of us, each way. The "trolley" drivers were exceptional. My Mom was in a wheelchair at the time, and they were very accommodating. Kudos to them.

It depends on how many is in your party as to weather or not you will save money on parking by riding the bus from your hotel.

We went during Festival of Nations, last Spring, and the shows and extra shopping carts were very nice. The park was busy, but the lines for the rides were very tolerable at about 5 or 10 minutes at the most each. Sometimes ride lines were nonexistent.

Pigeon Forge has so much more to do besides Dollywood. I can't wait to go spend another few days or a week there again to do everything that I have missed.

Well as of right now, we have narrowed the choices down to

Charlotte/Atlanta trip

Buffalo/Toronto trip

Are there any secrets about driving into Canada? I am sure you have to have a passport now. I know Tina told me never to say you are just going for amusement parks so what is the secret to getting through the boarder quickluy?

Thanks again everyone for your suggestions, it has been a tough decision on where to go.

Why can't you say you're going for amusement parks? They don't care.

As someone who lives near and travels to Canada often, the secret to getting through border security is to bring guns. Lots and lots of guns. Also, drugs.

But yeah, never say you're going to an amusement park. Canadians hate amusement.

;)