Which to choose...Virginia or Ohio...

I'm planning a short trip for the summer. One trip consists of BGW, PKD, and PC. The other possibility is CP, PKI, SFWoA. I know enough about the parks to decide, but I want to go to the place that isn't likely to get something big in 05, because I won't be going back for a couple of years. It seems pretty likely that PKI and CP are planning something big for 05, so I'm leaning towards the Virginia trip. Any input?

Go Ohio. While BGW is one of my favorite parks, PKD was a major disappointment (probably because I compared the park to PKI), and I have never been to PC.

CP and PKI in the same trip and you will not walk away feeling that something was missing.

I will go with an Ohio trip for quality of the coasters at CP and PKI.

I think all 3 Ohio parks run the risk of adding something in '05. Don't forget SFWoA's possible hyper.

You cant go wrong either way. If you want to wait out for the next round of the Ohio coaster wars then by all means head to VA.

If you do go to VA spend some quality time (at least 4 days) in Williamsburg, especially if you are a history buff. They have a multi pass called "Revolutionary Fun" that lets you in to BGW, Water Country, Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown for free unlimited times during your length of pass (just like a Disney park hopper). Its really nice to spend a morning @ BGW, afternoon @ CW and close both WC and BGW.

While I think Ohio has the best trio I think BGW is my favorite out of the 6. I know though how agonizing it is to be a coaster fan and never to have gone to Ohio though (allthough I rectifed that one a long time ago), if you can bear it for one more year go to VA you will enjoy yourself.

Carowinds is adding BORG Assimilator (relocated PGA Stealth) this year, so a coaster for next year is highly unlikely. PKD *might* get something, as they're adding a Scooby dark ride this year and their last big coaster was Hypersonic. The rumors before this season were that Paramount has been talking to B&M, and I wouldn't be surprised to see both PKI and PKD get something from them at the same time. BGW is getting some sort of indoor attraction, probably some sort of simulator ride. So the only new coaster at any of those three parks may go in at PKD, and it may very well be the same or very similar to what PKI gets.

I make this particular trip every year, since my homepark is Carowinds and it's about a 6-hour drive to BGW and PKD - and I get into PKD with my PC pass. BGW is my favorite park overall, PKD has several good rides and so does Carowinds.

I made the CP / PKI trip last year, and was thoroughly dissapointed with PKI. I enjoyed the coaster selections better at PKD, PC, and even BGW that only has 4 coasters far more than those at PKI. Honestly, the only ride there that really has me wanting more is Beast - and that only if they turned down the brakes. SOB was good for a novelty, Top Gun was pretty good but too short, everything else seemed to be either a clone of something at PC and / or PKD, or something done better at those parks.

CP was another matter - it wasn't as good as I was expecting either, but to me far better than PKI. Raptor almost beat out PC's Top Gun for my favorite invert, Wicked Twister was far better than I expected, as was Mantis. MF was good, with a great drop - but lacked the airtime I like on BGW's Apollo's Chariot or SFA's Superman. Magnum did nothing for me, nor did Gemini. Blue Streak was good, but not as good as PC's Hurler or PKD's Grizzly to me - and Mean Streak was slow, rough and pointless. TTD was broke when I went, but I figure I'd like that about as well as Hypersonic - neat ride to say you've done, and an interesting experience - but not something I'd wait too long for again. I liked the Intamin drop towers at PKD and PC better than Power Tower.

I'd say you'll probably find a similar number of rides that you'll like at either set of parks. To me, the VA/NC park combo has the better hyper (Apollo), the slightly better B&M invert (Top Gun), better drop ride(Drop Zones), better Arrow suspended (Big Bad Wolf) and better wood than the Ohio combination.

Everyone's tastes are different, of course - and I'm not saying that PKI is a bad park at all. I also have no idea about SFWOA as I didn't get to go on that trip, but they look to have some good rides. Also consider that I'm far closer to the other parks and have more visits to them than the Ohio parks.

With the consideration of which set is more likely to add a coaster in 2005 - I'd definitely say do the VA/NC trip, maybe also hitting SFA which is a few hours away from PKD - that has some good wood and another great airtime hyper in Superman. I'd guess that at least one if not all three of the Ohio parks will have a new coaster in 2005, so that'd be a good candidate for a trip then. PKD might get a coaster in 2005, but I'd be very surprised to see BGW or PC get one.

I'd go with Ohio, but I'd try to hit KW also.

Go with the VA/NC trip because you'll get a nicely themed experience at BGW...along with some great coasters (BBW) & PKD's selection is not too far from top notch as well.

You've got Grizzly(the best woodie in the park) along with DZ,Ricochet(not bad for a mouse coaster) & HS:XLC as well,sure CP's got some major stuff but PKD's still one of the best locations in the mid atlantic region along with BGW & if you're feeling up to it t ry to squeeze in a side trip to SFA as well.

S:ROS is a good ride by day but an awesome ride by night so it's worth a trip there just for this coaster alone.

It sounds to me like you already made up your mind, but your looking for others to justify your decision.

I think it's logical - if you only can do one trip a year and would rather hit new rides too, the Ohio in 2005 makes sense.

I'd also back up the suggestion to slip SFA into the mix. If 4 parks isn't reasonable, I'd suggest switching Carowinds with SFA. However, I'm assuming you chose Carowinds because of the relocated coaster. If you just want to hit a flyer, SFA has Batwing. The only coaster I'd feel like I was "missing" at Carwoinds is Top Gun. SFA has a very solid coaster line-up included some of the most underrated wood around. Plus, BGW/PKD/SFA would be less driving. If you can do 4 parks - throw SFA in the mix. If you can only do 3, consider SFA unless the allure of BORG:Ass is just too strong.

If you know you can get to Ohio next year, why not wait and see? The worst that happens is none of those parks gets a new coaster and you get to have the same experience that you would've had this year.

CP will (hopefully) have a smooth running TTD, which is just as good as a new ride compared to last year, atleast for people who traveled a long way just to wait 6 hours for it.

Screw 'em both, and go to Indiana.

1) Holiday World
2) Indiana Beach
3) Funspot! ;)

Rob - just funnin'

Having done both, I'd choose PKD over PKI any day. On the other hand, that's solely due to Hypersonic!
-R

Thanks for all of your input guys, I guess I should have mentioned that I've been to PKD and SFA before, and I enjoy them both very much. My main draw to PC aside from the credits is Top Gun, how does it compare to Great Bear, Talon, and BTR?

Rob, that sig is hilarious in such a stupid way.

I think you should just go to CP anyways. It's like the best park and TTD will deffinetly (from what i've been hearing) be up an running this year all year round.....but what ever you decide is what you want...either way you'll enjoy it

Have Fun :)

Apart from the coasters, you must go to CP for the atmosphere alone. Just being on the lake is awesome in itself.

I don't know if some of the people didn't fully read the original post or if they just wrote about their experiences in spite of it.

I think if you can only go to one, you should go to Virginia because I am almost certain that CP will be getting a new coaster in 2005. Perhaps PKI and SFWOA too...