Yet another trip planning thread..

Alright, well, this trip won't be taken until next year, but since I'm a stickler for doing things like this well in advance, I'd like YOUR input, because you guys probably know more than me. ;)

Okay, well, Holiday World is a must hit. So is Kennywood. I'd also like to hit Knoebel's, but that's basically assuming that I'll love it after this first trip I take to it this summer.

We're coming north, from Toronto - likely will cross the border into Michigan.

What parks should we hit on our trip? It would likely be about a week long - so keep that in mind.

What are "can't miss" parks around, on the way, or slightly-out-of-the-way of Holiday World and Kennywood [but no further south]? I don't care what kind of parks they are - as long as there is one great/stand-out/classic coaster to be ridden, it's eligible to be attended!

Let me know! Thanks.

Head from Toronto, making the following long loop: CP, Geauga Lake, PKI, KK, Holiday World, back to Kentucky, cross over to Dollyworld, head North to Pennsylvania, hit Lakemont, Idlewild, then Kennywood, and Conneaut, finally heading home. *whew*

From a track whore trip perspective, this is practically nirvana. From a countrywide viewing perspective, this is practically nirvana. From a tiring, long ass trip perspective, it's practically hell, and I'd do it in a second. :) *** Edited 7/20/2005 6:15:48 AM UTC by nasai***

I'd definately hit Indiana Beach if I were you.

If you hit Knobels, Hershey is not far away.

You've only got a week... don't be greedy.

While nasai's trip makes sense geographically... I wouldn't attempt something like that in anything less than 12 days (14-16 would probably be the best)

You had mentioned Holiday World, Kennywood and Knoebels.

Each of those parks I would conisder taking one day to do... with a few hours of driving before and/or after possible... so there is 3 out of your 7 days. It's about an 11 hour drive just to get from Toronto to Santa Claus IN so that is day 4 right there. Elysburg to Toronto is another 7 hours... so that pretty much takes up day 5. Now you only have two days left, so if you don't mind having no days to recharge, that gives you two more parks along your route of travel.

Those could include two of the following: Michigan's Adventure, Indiana Beach, Beech Bend (new wood in 2006), SF Kentucky Kingdom, Geauga Lake, Idlewild/Lakemont/Delgrossos, Hersheypark - OR - two days at one of the following... Cedar Point or Kings Island.

nasai's plan is absolutely nuts :P Cedar Point, Geauga Lake, and PKI are out of the question, however, as we've been to them multiple times and likely can't afford trips next year [CP], or just didn't like them enough for a return visit [GL, PKI]. We're also going to Hershey for two days this year - if it's good enough, we MIGHT think about squeezing in the extra $$$ for a return - but we're already TIGHT on money.

We made hasty plans to go to MIA on August 4th [since we have CF season's passes this year, but won't be getting them next year], and it's a bit out of the way of our trip next year [it was the original "leadoff park" for next year].

We've also already hit MFI this year, and don't want to go back, so that's out. However, a trip to Conneaut isn't out of the question [but we likely would do that this year, after our September CP trip].

What we were thinking was.. drive to Indiana Beach on day one, IB day two and drive to near Holiday World. HW day three. Drive to Kennywood day four. Kennywood day five. Drive to Knoebel's/do as much as Knoebel's as possible day six. Hit Knoebel's for a couple of hours on day seven, and then drive the rest of the way home.

More suggestions on parks are welcome - SFKK and Dollywood intrigue me [but we likely would have to add a few days and a LOT of $$$ for them], but still, the more the merrier.

That Makes sense...

That's about 31 hours and 1800 miles (2900 km). I've learned over the last few years that, while 7 hours in a car combined with a park visit is possible in one day, it sure isn't fun. 1) You are tired from the drive and 2) you are too worried about your schedule and keeping on schedule to really enjoy the park.

There comes a point where a more relaxing time is more important than visiting more parks... quality over quanity. Giving basically a day for each drive of 7+ hours is a smart move.

Doesn't anyone own an atlas anymore? That's how I plan all my trips ;)

Yeah... I own an atlas, along with having a sheet map of the US with all parks marked. Use that for the main plan, then use Map Quest or what ever for rough estimates of time.

I'm just a "road trip geek" when someone asks for directions.

I just don't get threads like this. You know what you like, and if you're any kind of coaster enthusiast, you know which parks have what, and you certainly should be able to tell which parks you want to go to more than others.

So just decide which parks you want to go to, and go. Following interstates on an atlas is the easiest thing in the world.

Has anyone actually ever based a trip on what someone has said in an internet forum? It's not like you're going to get any kind of consensus anyway.

Exactly, Den!

And with rcdb its easy to tell what each park has coaster-wise, not to mention there are direct links to park websites and, in some cases, even trip reports.

The most important feature for trip planning on RCDB?

The 'parks nearby' links.

With RCDB's info and a map (any kind - atlas, online, mapping program), you should be able to put together the outline for a trip of any size (including parks you never heard of) in no time at all.

From there it's just details.

Between Kennywood and Knoebels (or Knoebels and Kennywood) you can hit Idlewild, Lakemont and DelGrosso's without going too far out of your way. I'm planning a western PA park tour myself next month (all first time visits) and that seems like a logical way to go.

The only thing not I'm not sure of when planning visits to new parks is how much time to budget for each. It's pretty easy to sit at the computer and say "I'll go here and here and there and it should take x hours." It's a different story when you're out on the road doing the driving, or maybe at a park you find you like so much you stay much longer than you planned. That's where the input from this group helps more than just calculating mileage between parks.

I have an Atlas, and I know how to use it! Ditto for RCDB and the great 'Parks near by' feature (too bad it doesn't work outside most of N. America).

Clint, still planning on Dollywood 2morrow (yay me), B.

Well, my trip might be nuts, but I guarantee you there are those that WOULD do it, and enjoy the hell out of it. ;)

Just cut out half, and there you go. :)

BTW, I just flew to Chicago to buy a car, hit 2 parks on the way home, and drove 2500 miles in 2.5 days..... it's all in the eyes of the beholder.