skierman
Posts: 2328
Registered: 4/8/2004
Rank: Snow Rider
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 12/24/2005 9:48:10 PM
Hello. Well, my mom won a free trip to FL, but we cant go to that, so we are looking into trading it in for PA instead. I was just wondering how far away parks are. I want to go to Knoebels, Dorney, Hershey and Kennywood. Is that possible in a week?
Also, are there any random smaller parks nearby those areas? We're looking for a place to stay now...
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adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
Rank: Site Moderator
Skooter Junkie
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12/25/2005 12:08:23 AM
I'll leave the advice on this one to Cyclonic, Funland or such - the former is who I consider to be the resident PA parks authority.
However, in all I don't think it would be a stretch to make it to all of the parks you mention within a week. Sounds like a great trip to me...
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RCGenius
Posts: 1180
Registered: 12/23/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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12/25/2005 6:01:55 AM
Skierman, I'll help you out since I'm a resident from PA & know the majority of the PA parks by heart. I've been to all of the four parks you mentioned, so I know their distance. Lets say that if you plan on staying at a hotel in Harrisburg, my home city, traveling to Hersheypark will only take about 20 mins. if you know the shortcut, or unless you plan on traveling around the highway, about 35 mins. Going to Dorney Park (in Allentown) and Knoebels (in Elysburg) will take about an hour and a half. Knoebels is set at a very difficult location in a valley, so make sure that you print off a map from MapQuest or so'em b/f you go there. Finally, traveling to Kennywood (in West Mifflin, near Pittsburgh) from Harrisburg's about a three and a half hour drive.
You might be able to get to all of the major parks in a week, but you better make sure that you bring the mucho dinero for gas brother.
Some smaller parks in PA include Williams Grove (in Mechanicsburg), Dutch Wonderland (in Lancaster), Sesame Place (in Langhorne near Philadelphia), Lakemont Park (in Altoona), & Idlewild Park (in Ligonier).
I hope that this info. has helped you out a lot. Pennsylvania's the place w/amusement parks that has some traditional & historical backgrounds & their coasters are great. The best coaster in PA to me's Phantom's Revenge in Kennywood. Lightning Racer's my favorite Hersheypark coaster, Talon: the Grip of Fear's my favorite coaster at Dorney Park, & Phoenix's my favorite Knoebels coaster.
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larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
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12/25/2005 12:53:26 PM
It is certainly manageable in 7-8 days to do the 4 major parks and a couple of smaller ones.
A lot of the smaller parks in PA have strange operating schedules so make sure you consult their 2006 operating calendars when they get posted.
I think you need a whole day for both HersheyPark and Kennywood. If you take it slow Knoebels and Dorney can also be all day parks, especially if you do Whitewater Kingdom at Dorney.
Many of the smaller parks can be paried together and done in the same day. Lake Waldameer and Conneaut Lake are about a hour away from each other. Lakemont and DelGrosso's are 15 mintues away from each other. Williams Grove and Dutch Wonderland can be done in the same day
I've done Idlewild at night after Kennywood but that was rough and I couldn't fully absorb Idlewild.
There are two major routes across Pennsylvania, Interstate 80 runs across the north of the state and and in the southern part of the state Interstate 78 turns into I-81 turns into I-76. So it is pretty easy to make a U-shaped drive around the state.
Here is an exapmle of what you could do.
Saturday - Knoebels
Sunday - Waldameer Park/Conneaut Lake
Monday - Kennywood
Tuesday - Lakemont/DelGrossos
Wednesday - Dutch Wonderland/Williams Grove (if open)
Thursday - HersheyPark
Friday - Dorney
Yes it is possible but you might have to sacrifice staying at some parks until they close in order to get on the road to a hotel near the next park on time. Personally, I'd rather drive a couple of hours at night and be closer to the next park than drive in the AM.
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skierman
Posts: 2328
Registered: 4/8/2004
Rank: Snow Rider
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12/25/2005 3:26:43 PM
Wow, seems like it is possible. If this does happen, it will be sometime next spring/summer, so I have a while to plan. I plan on staying at one hotel the whole time though, so I don't think I will be able to hit all of them, but a good majority would be possible. I also cant drive which dosent help.
Thanks for all your help.
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RCGenius
Posts: 1180
Registered: 12/23/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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12/26/2005 6:56:23 AM
No problem Skierman. I hope that your trip to PA will be a memorable one.
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hrrytraver
Posts: 1270
Registered: 7/16/2005
Rank: Platinum Critic
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12/26/2005 11:57:10 AM
^skierman-
it is exciting to think that this is your first trip to PA. this state is the crucible for the amusement ride industry. it has serious coaster history oozing out of it. aside from having so many operating classic coasters and ancient parks, it was also home to PTC during it's peak years of coaster design, and also was a home to traver engineering during his peak years. lakemont park runs the oldest operating roller coaster in the world i think.
and this is not to mention the current home CGII. soon knoebels will unveil their modern take on the wood flying turns...
PA is a must for all coaster fans the world over. i am so glad to be in such close access to the awesome PA parks. sadly, i've never been to dorney though.
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coaster count-----
steel- one million
wood- one billion
plastic- 11 and a half
glass- negative twenty
Message updated 12/26/2005 12:04:17 PM by hrrytraver
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adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
Rank: Site Moderator
Skooter Junkie
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12/26/2005 1:29:39 PM
All hail Pennsylvania!!!
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Cyclonic
Posts: 2636
Registered: 7/19/2002
Rank: Experiment 626
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12/26/2005 6:26:08 PM
Yup 
You can hit every park in the atate in a week, no problem, really. OK, here is what I would do:
Day 1:
Head out to Erie and do Waldameer in the morning (the waterpark opens before the ride park, you can do the whole ride park in under two hours) and finish the night at Conneaut Lake (you can stay in the hotel there.
Day 2:
Head down to Pittsburgh, do Idlewild, which can be done in just a few hours, and head to Kennywood for the afternoon and night (they are usually open pretty late, but crowds may be heavy, but you should still have no problem getting in everything)
Day 3:
This could be a four park day, but I would go easy and juwst do two. Head to Altoona and hit up Lakemont and Delgrosso's. Be sure to get to DelGrosso's for lunch, and on Wed. they have Italian Day with an all you can eat Spaggetti lunch. The food is excellent.
Day 4:
Head for the Harrisburg area, go to Lakemont (and the world's scariest coaster) in the afternoon, and then ride over to Hershey (only 30 minutes) and get your admission for the next day, and they let you in for the rest of the night for free. Or, go to Dutch Wonderland for the evening, well worth the visit.
Day 5:
Hersheypark, all day.
Day 6:
Start the morning in Allentown at Dorney. When you go at opening, head right for the back of the park and work your way forward, you can do the whole thing in two hours with many rerides while all of the locals are in the waterpark. Mid afternoon head on up to Knoebels, and stay the night. Or, if it is open, Head to Bushkill park and then up to Weona (though it may only be open on the weekends, not sure), and just go to Knoebels the following day.
Day 7:
Knoebels, you won't want to leave.
All in all, if you do everything, you will get in a ton of coasters, four carousels with ring catches, two Lusse Skooters, a kick-butt flying skooter, and lots of memories and great scenery.
Of course, they do claim that there are other things to do in Pennsylvania, but why when we are graced with so many wonderful parks. One site that will be very helpful to you is PA Thrills. It is the official visitors site that lists all of the parks in the Commonwealth.
Also, when you plan your visit, don't forget to give a shout out to us locals, we are usually happy to meet up.
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My Track Record
Penncoasters.com
 
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adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
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Skooter Junkie
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12/26/2005 9:26:29 PM
I knew you'd come through... all hail Cyclonic.
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larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
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12/27/2005 12:18:59 AM
FYI - I know what Cyclonic meant, when he said this
Day 4:
Head for the Harrisburg area, go to Lakemont (and the world's scariest coaster)
He really meant to say:
Day 4:
Head for the Harrisburg area, go to Williams Grove (and the world's scariest coaster)
I agree that you have to try to make DelGrosso's for the Wednesday meal (I only had the pizza on a Monday and it was great). I did buy 4 jars of pasts sauce and it is great.
Cyclonic - I seem to remember when I tried to plan my trip last year that Waldameer was generally not open Mondays and CLP was closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, does that sound about right.
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Mom always said, "Don't play ball in the house".
Message updated 12/27/2005 12:23:22 AM by larrygator
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RCGenius
Posts: 1180
Registered: 12/23/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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12/27/2005 12:57:58 PM
Quote: Adriahna said, "I knew you'd come through...all hail Cyclonic."
Wow! Thanks for the support Adriahna.  I answered Skierman's questions b/f he did.
Message updated 12/27/2005 12:58:19 PM by RCGenius
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bumprnugit
Posts: 282
Registered: 10/7/2003
Rank: Silver Critic
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1/1/2006 3:59:56 AM
A bit off topic, but I have told my superior that I would relocate to PA if a position opened up (Colorado a close 2nd, only because I love mountains); but PA has so much coaster history in it's soul...I am drawn to it's mountains , and I can taste the anthracite in my teeth....has anyone ever driven though Centralia (or what there is of it) after going to Knoebel's? This is a great American Tragedy. To drive through what was once a proud town now abandoned due to a mine fire horribly mis-managed is depressing yet somewhat fascinating at the same time.
Message updated 1/1/2006 4:07:52 AM by bumprnugit
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larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
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1/1/2006 1:02:15 PM
A guy I used to work with from Reading used to drive through Centralia all the time on the way to Knoebels and said it is really strange. I have thought about doing it, but I worry about many irrational things, like the road beneath my car collapsing and my car disappearing into a fiery pit.
Message updated 1/12/2006 12:15:04 PM by larrygator
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RCGenius
Posts: 1180
Registered: 12/23/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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1/1/2006 8:24:19 PM
What's Cebtralia exactly?
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adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
Rank: Site Moderator
Skooter Junkie
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1/1/2006 9:13:17 PM
Quote:
RCGenius said:
Quote: Adriahna said, "I knew you'd come through...all hail Cyclonic."
Wow! Thanks for the support Adriahna. I answered Skierman's questions b/f he did. |
Sheesh... get over yerself. So I overlooked your post - big deal. But if you really need to hear it, here goes:
I'm Sorry.
Now, on to bigger and better things, o Pennsylvania guru...
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"Coney Island is the most human thing that God ever made... or permitted the devil to make." - Richard LeGallienne
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hrrytraver
Posts: 1270
Registered: 7/16/2005
Rank: Platinum Critic
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1/2/2006 1:06:17 AM
o man-
i sure have heard about centralia...i had no idea it was close to knoebels.
what does one find there presently, bumpr, when one goes there? a giant hole?
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hrrytraver
Posts: 1270
Registered: 7/16/2005
Rank: Platinum Critic
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1/2/2006 1:07:52 AM
double post, beg pardons.
Message updated 1/2/2006 1:08:24 AM by hrrytraver
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RCGenius
Posts: 1180
Registered: 12/23/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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1/2/2006 5:35:39 AM
Adriahna, I was playing around with you. Don't take it so seriously. Why do you think that I had up there? You don't need to apologize to me. It's not that big of a deal.
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adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
Rank: Site Moderator
Skooter Junkie
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1/2/2006 10:43:03 AM
I know, RC - I wasn't offended. Thus the big grinning smilie. Believe me, I'm not one to take things seriously. Misunderstanding - the innate bane of the Internet message board. No hard feelings.
Harry, if we're ever at Knoebels at the same time, we'll have to check out Centralia - it sounds like something out of a science fiction script...
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hrrytraver
Posts: 1270
Registered: 7/16/2005
Rank: Platinum Critic
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1/2/2006 11:00:09 AM
^no doubt. centralia, PA is now part part of my ride itinerary at knoebels.
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larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
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1/2/2006 12:31:21 PM
Centralia Photo Site
Someone working on the media placements for Knoebels is on the ball as I even saw a Knoebels web banner ad on this site.
Message updated 1/2/2006 12:35:10 PM by larrygator
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skierman
Posts: 2328
Registered: 4/8/2004
Rank: Snow Rider
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1/3/2006 7:30:13 PM
Thanks for all the help guys.
BUT, we have found a way to trade in our hotel that we won in Florida to another date, so now im going to Florida in May.. I would rather do that though because we would be able to go to BGT, which I heard was the best park in FL. PA is also fairly close to my house, so we could go there another time.
But thanks for your help, and Centralia looks pretty intresting.
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The Lado
Posts: 178
Registered: 5/24/2004
Rank: Bronze Critic
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 1/5/2006 2:38:55 AM
Yeah, Centrailia is only 15 minutes from the park. I also recommend the Ashland Coal Mine tour, which is on the bottom of the mountain of Centrailia. Basically, you can take a guided tour 1800 ft. into a drift mine and lasts about 35 minutes.
http://www.pioneertunnel.com/home.shtml
From Knoebels: Rt. 487 to Elysburg, 54E until Rt. 61S, you will go through both Centrailia and Ashland.
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The Lado
Posts: 178
Registered: 5/24/2004
Rank: Bronze Critic
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1/5/2006 2:39:59 AM
Quote:
skierman said:
Thanks for all the help guys.
BUT, we have found a way to trade in our hotel that we won in Florida to another date, so now im going to Florida in May.. I would rather do that though because we would be able to go to BGT, which I heard was the best park in FL. PA is also fairly close to my house, so we could go there another time.
But thanks for your help, and Centralia looks pretty intresting. |
Well, I dint see that until I posted. Ha.
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adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
Rank: Site Moderator
Skooter Junkie
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1/5/2006 9:33:52 AM
Thanks for posting anyhow, Lado - I've been sort of curious about Centralia for a while now, and will make a point of visiting when the park season starts. Lordy, how I miss Knoebels...
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Animan1
Posts: 5394
Registered: 5/14/2003
Rank: Platinum Critic
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1/8/2006 9:25:50 AM
A bit off topic, but I'm going to two PA parks this summer (I know, only two  ). After consulting with my family, who will be with me, and showing them all the different coasters, it was essentially unanimous that we go to Hershey and Kennywood.
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Swimace
Posts: 5916
Registered: 8/28/2003
Rank: Platinum Critic
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1/8/2006 10:14:47 AM
Hershey is awsome, good pic Storm Runner is incredible and the rest of their coaster collection isn't that bad either .
Never been to Kennywood though, I'll get there someday.
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Animan1
Posts: 5394
Registered: 5/14/2003
Rank: Platinum Critic
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1/8/2006 12:51:56 PM
We wanted to try and experience a classic American amusement park, especially after our good experience at a classic English amusement park (Blackpool Pleasure Beach), along with a more modern American park. Both look awesome, and Hershey looks really unique with how packed together some of their coasters are.
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Swimace
Posts: 5916
Registered: 8/28/2003
Rank: Platinum Critic
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1/10/2006 10:14:55 PM
Yeah, when you first into the park and see Comet Hollow you'll be amazed. Great Bear is flying overhead, Superdooperlooper as twisting around in random places, and then you have a flume and a skyride running through the opennings that the coasters leave. It is quit a sight! Midway America is more spread out, although I think Midway America needs some more shade to give it a better atmosphere.
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