DRB42
Posts: 2
Registered: 4/1/2008
Rank: Aspiring Critic
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 4/1/2008 3:10:50 PM
Hi all, just found this message board whilst Googling... looks like the sort of place that could really help me. Hope this is the right place to post this, if not please point me in the right direction!
I live in the UK and have never been to the USA before, I'm heading over in June for three weeks for a friends wedding in Michigan. Approx one week will be taken up with the wedding stuff, but after that I'll be hiring a car and driving from Michigan back to New York from where I fly home. I'm hoping to take in as many theme parks as possible in those two weeks, what I'd like is suggestions on where would be the best places to visit, and ideally some tips on scheduling.
In return, I'd be happy to come back here afterwards and give a comprehensive review / report on my trip for you all (once I've got over the jetlag!)
In general I prefer thrill rides, although the really high ones like Kingda Ka may be a little too much for me! Also would be interested in waterparks with plenty of slides etc.
I don't really know the area at all so I'd appreciate any links to parks' websites where I can check out directions and so on. Also, if anyone has any tips for days that are likely to be less busy at various parks, any special events that I might be able to take in, basically anything that might be interesting, I'd be very grateful.
Many thanks to anyone who replies.
Phil
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Timberman
Posts: 845
Registered: 9/21/2004
Rank: Gold Critic
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 4/3/2008 10:16:04 PM
Hey Phil. Several worthwhile parks are located within easy driving distance of New York City. First and foremost, of course, is Brooklyn, New York's own Coney Island, home of the incomparable Cyclone. Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey is another sure bet, as it offers one of the largest and most comprehensive selection of roller coasters anywhere. The can't miss ride there is El Toro. South Jersey's boardwalks, including those at Seaside Heights and Wildwood, are also a lot of fun, and although I've never been there personally, Clementon Park is within easy reach and boasts a well-regarded wooden coaster. Other nearby options include Rye Playland in New York and Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania. To the north you have Six Flags New England and its outstanding Superman: Ride of Steel, as well as Boulderdash at Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut. Finally, don't forget Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, home to a large and varied collection of steel coasters, which will be on your way as you travel east from Michigan to New York. Almost all of these parks also have highly-rated waterparks as well.
Roller Coaster Database @ www.rcdb.com contains a complete, state-by-state breakdown of U.S. roller coasters (as well as a worldwide census divided by region and country). It also has links to each park's own website. That, plus a good atlas or GPS, will be all you'll need to let the good times roll.
Message updated 4/3/2008 10:32:41 PM by Timberman
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PhantomNik
Posts: 515
Registered: 6/6/2002
Rank: Gold Critic
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4/4/2008 11:56:28 AM
Hey there Phil! Happy to see new people join the site, and I would be glad to provide some suggestions for your 2 weeks of theme park fun over in the US. That's really awesome that you're able to make a trip over here, and I know at some point I would love to travel to Europe and see some of the parks over there, especially in England, Spain, and Germany. Anyway, this would be my suggested itinerary for your 2 weeks, leaving from Michigan and ending up in NY. I think and hope that this would cover many of the must-hit parks in that stretch:
Day 1 - Leave Michigan, drive to Indiana Beach in Monticello, Indiana. Possibly spend evening at IB.
Day 2 - Indiana Beach (unique beach park with several coasters and great flats. Coaster highlights would include Cornball Express, Hoosier Hurricane, and the new Steel Hawg) then drive south to Santa Claus, Indiana.
Day 3 - Holiday World (amazing old-fashioned park with probably the best wooden trio you will find anywhere - Legend, Raven, and the phenomenal Voyage). Leave around 6-7 and drive to Kings Mills, Ohio (just outside of Cincinnati).
Day 4 - Kings Island (very large amusement park with many rides and coasters. The Beast would be a coaster highlight here. Delirium, one of their flats, is also rumored to be quite outstanding.) You would need the full day here.
Day 5 - Use this as a travel and rest day. Travel up to Sandusky, Ohio. For this next park and what's ahead, you will need the rest, trust me.
Days 6 & 7 - Cedar Point (if you're coming to the US, this stop is a must I think. The place is huge and you will need 2 days to fully enjoy it. They are home to countless rides and 17 roller coasters. Can't miss coasters here are Maverick, Millennium Force, Raptor, Top Thrill Dragster, Magnum XL-200, and Wicked Twister.) If this could be a stop for 2 weekdays, that would be ideal, as weekends are a lot busier here. Rest up, and get ready for an aggressive week 2! 
Day 8 - Drive from Sandusky, Ohio to Erie, Pennsylvania. Swing into Waldameer Park for several hours, and try out their brand new wooden gem, Ravine Flyer II (especially if you enjoyed Voyage from earlier in the trip, as this one is made by the same designers). Then drive that evening to West Mifflin, PA (near Pittsburgh).
Day 9 - Kennywood (awesome park with a tremendous mix of rides from old classics to new ones. 5 great coasters, including 3 classic woodies and an amazing hypercoaster named Phantom's Revenge!) Stay here until around 6, then make the drive to Hershey, PA.
Day 10 - Hersheypark (another great park that is a must. 11 roller coasters, including the new Fahrenheit. Other great coasters there include Storm Runner, Lightning Racer, and Great Bear. Nice ride selection as well.) Use the full day here.
Day 11 - Rise and shine! Drive from Hershey to Elysburg, PA. Enjoy a classic park there called Knoebels. Knoebels boasts amazing and classic rides (don't miss the Flyer and Skooters) along with 2 classic wooden gems (Twister and the mighty Phoenix. With any luck, you could check out their 3rd wooden coaster, the Flying Turns, which is a recreation of the older versions of this ride). Leave there and drive to Allentown, PA that evening.
Day 12 - Tired yet??  Dorney Park today, home to a good mix of rides and coasters (coaster highlights here are Talon, Hydra: The Revenge, Steel Force, and the new for 2008 VooDoo). Leave here between 8-9 and drive to Jackson, New Jersey.
Day 13 - Six Flags Great Adventure (this park is probably one of the gems of the chain, especially from a coaster standpoint. Kingda Ka is here, but even better coasters reside here, like Nitro, Medusa, and the unbelievable world-class El Toro. El Toro is an absolute MUST, plain and simple. It would be a nice coaster to cap off your trip).
Day 14 - Head back to NYC to fly home. If time permits, swing by Astroland at
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Timberman
Posts: 845
Registered: 9/21/2004
Rank: Gold Critic
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4/4/2008 10:27:24 PM
If you're up for it, PhantomNik's itinerary is a well-conceived tour de force of some of America's best amusement parks and roller coasters. The only point on which I disagree is his suggestion that you stop by Astroland if "time permits." To go on an East Coast roller coaster expedition and skip the Cyclone would be like flying into London for a soccer junket and skipping an Arsenal home game. Coney Island is not the most flashy or expansive tourist destination in the world, but it has grit and soul, and what many consider the world's best operational roller coaster.
Have fun, and be sure to fill us in on your rambles.
Message updated 4/4/2008 10:29:43 PM by Timberman
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DRB42
Posts: 2
Registered: 4/1/2008
Rank: Aspiring Critic
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4/6/2008 4:27:46 PM
Wow! Thanks so much both of you and especially PhantomNik for putting so much effort into compiling that for me! I'm not sure I'll manage to catch everywhere that you've listed (not self-disciplined enough, and I also want to take in a few US bars while I'm there and wow the ladies with my English accent ) I didn't know there were that many parks around there! The only ones I'd previously heard of were Cedar Point and Six Flags Great Adventure, but I'll certainly be Googling the rest of those shortly.
I've not been to many parks in Europe but in England I'd certainly recommend Alton Towers - by miles our best known and most popular park. Nemesis, Air, Oblivion (the worlds first vertical drop coaster) and Rita-Queen of Speed are all excellent coasters. Thorpe Park near London also has a number of great rides such as X:\No Way Out, Stealth, Nemesis Inferno and the ten-inversion Colossus.
My favourite though is Drayton Manor Park near Birmingham, it's not a huge park but has plenty of top-notch rides including Shockwave (Europe's only stand-up rollercoaster), G-Force and Apocalypse, which is billed as "the worlds first stand-up tower drop" and has been named Britain's scariest ride. This park is not so well known so is generally fairly quiet but it shouldn't be as it's a cracker.
Hope that's useful to anyone heading to the UK anytime soon!
Many thanks again to Timberman and PhantomNik, and I will certainly keep an eye on the board and post my experiences when I'm back!
(Oh, and Timberman, as a massive Tottenham fan I'd recommend skipping Arsenal home games, come to White Hart Lane instead! Far better atmosphere!)
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erinys
Posts: 230
Registered: 9/28/2005
Rank: Bronze Critic
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4/15/2008 1:34:55 AM
I concur with Timberman that Coney Island's Astroland is a must, but am awed by PhantomNik's itinerary. Where are you starting in Michigan and what airport are you leaving from in NY? Depending on your starting point, it might fit your schedule better to go straight to Cedar Point, but it's coaster blasphemy to say so.
It will save you time if plan on starting parks early when crowds are low, and then driving in the evening. Buy tickets when possible in advance over the net so you don't have to stand in ticket window lines. Wear cargo pants with pockets to bring in your essentials and avoid the hassle of bag checks. Wear comfortable shoes! Your accent will probably do more for you before you get to NY, so spend your time in the "flyover states" and just spend the two nights before your flight in NYC, the first in preparation for Coney's Astroland and the second in preparation for your flight out.
Just for a visual, here's the itinerary map with a randomly selected central Michigan start point:
Darn it, can't seem to get it in.
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee111/erinysssss/Long-1.jpg
Seems like it will save you some time if you cut out either Kennywood and Hershey Park or Knoebel's and Dorney - I'd cut the first two since Knoebel's is so unique. Good luck!
Message updated 4/15/2008 1:59:09 AM by erinys
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Canobie Coaster
Posts: 2694
Registered: 7/26/2005
Rank: Platinum Critic
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4/24/2008 11:11:14 AM
Along with PhantomNik's suggestions, maybe you could try and hit Michigan's Adventure, as I have heard great things about Shivering Timbers.
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