EnClair
Posts: 1
Registered: 6/5/2008
Rank: Aspiring Critic
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 6/5/2008 5:25:20 PM
Hi
We are a couple who would like to visit a themepark while in the USA. We have visited Disney in many countries and also Knotts Berry Farm but not many others. My wife are not into extreme rides, but we like roller coasters and "3D-cinemas". We are not into waterparks and will only spend one day in a park. It will be in July, so we expect crowds, but would prefer a place with as short lines as possible. It would be nice, if the parks has some atmosphere - nice to walk around in.
We are passing the following parks:
- Busch Gardens, Williamsburg
- Kings Dominion
- Hershey Park
- Six Flags over Georgia
What would you recommend?
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coaster05
Posts: 6207
Registered: 2/29/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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6/5/2008 6:43:45 PM
Any of them other then Kings dominion are great. Busch and Hershey are my two favorite non disney parks in the US. Either one will offer a fantastic day.
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Timberman
Posts: 845
Registered: 9/21/2004
Rank: Gold Critic
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6/5/2008 7:59:52 PM
I second the recommendation for Busch Gardens Williamsburg. The lines can get long, but operations are efficient, and the atmosphere is great, especially for those into the "total experience" and not just the thrill rides. I also concur that Kings Dominion does not sound like what you seek; it's a ride-oriented park, and the atmosphere is nothing special, to put it kindly.
Message updated 6/6/2008 11:59:24 PM by Timberman
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larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
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6/6/2008 1:02:40 PM
While I prefer Hershey slightly more than Busch, based on "your" preference for 3D experiences and a nice place to walk around you should select Busch Gardens Williamsburg. However, lines will be long on weekends in July, but a full day at the park should allow time for everything
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fergusonat
Posts: 813
Registered: 5/2/2005
Rank: Gold Critic
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6/6/2008 2:18:26 PM
Busch Gardens is my all-time favorite park, so definitely make a stop there. It will be well-worth it.
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RCGenius
Posts: 1180
Registered: 12/23/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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6/6/2008 9:35:45 PM
Out of the parks you've listed, I can only talk about Hersheypark since that's my home park & my job. Anyway, you can't go wrong with Hershey as there are so many things to do that can take up to 2 days to complete. For one, Hershey has 11 roller coasters, including the newly acquired coaster called Fahrenheit, the coaster with the steepest drop in the US. Aside from their brilliant coaster collection (B&M invert, Intamin rocket & Fahrenheit, Schwarzkopf looper, Vekoma boomerang, Wild Mouse, GCI wooden twister & dueling/racing wooden coaster, a water coaster, mine train, & Schmeck out-and-back woody), there are numerous flat rides spread throughout the park. Also, there's a waterpark called the Boardwalk. I know you don't care for them, but there are other water rides like Tidal Force, Canyon River Rapids & Coal Cracker. Numerous attractions are affiliated with Hershey like ZooAmerica where you can get in for free & observe North American animals & Chocolate World where you can ride on cars & look at the history of Hershey's chocolate, as well as a 3D show. The lightest days to go would be Tuesday through Thursday.
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Canobie Coaster
Posts: 2694
Registered: 7/26/2005
Rank: Platinum Critic
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6/10/2008 11:36:16 AM
I've been to 3 of the parks you listed and based on what you listed, Hersheypark or Busch Gardens would be the best two to choose from. Busch is far more beautiful and has some very unique and fun rides like Apollo's Chariot (a huge B&M hyper that's one of the best coasters out there), Curse of DarKastle (a 3-D dark ride), Corkscrew Hill (a 4-D movie), Alpengeist (a huge invert), Escape From Pompeii (a water ride with fire effects), the Loch Ness and Big Bad Wolf (two fun Arrows), and some more rides.
Hersheypark has more rides than Busch, but the atmosphere, while good, isn't as great. Storm Runner, Fahrenheit, Great Bear, Lightning Racer, and Wildcat are all very good coasters and alone are worth visiting. Hershey also has some decent flats and some unique attractions as well like Hershey's Chocolate World (3-D movie & dark ride), Reese's Xtreme Cup Challenge (shooting dark ride), and ZooAmerica (a zoo included with admission!).
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m311ton
Posts: 1981
Registered: 8/8/2002
Rank: Buffalo Solider
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6/11/2008 2:21:30 PM
Busch Gardens is the number one park for what you're looking for. Although, in the summer, it can get very hot and the lines can get very long. (Next time) you should try and get there before June ... lines usually aren't longer than 15-20 minutes.
While you're in Williamsburg, don't forget to check out Water Country USA!
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