[rctdcifreak]

Ok so I need some help. Me and four of my friends are wanting to plan a road trip this summer. Most likely it would happen in the latter part of July. I know kinda where we want to go/do already: Cedar Point, Kings Dominion, Kings Island, Holiday World, sky-diving are all for sure things that we def want to do. I am not sure of whether to add in Busch Gardens Europe, Dorney Park, Hershey Park, Six Flags Great Adventure, Dollywood, or Knobels. Before I try to add anything else I am trying to calculate the cost, time needed, ect.

So here is my question: What is a reasonable amount of time to allocate to a roller coaster road trip (round trip)? How can you make the most out of your time while still allowing time to rest and recoup from being at a park or two? What and where is the best place to lodge for a cheap/reasonable price?

I am a total newbie to this whole road trip thing. Advise please...

[Jonathan]

Well, for starters, you need to pick parks that are geographically related to each other. Holiday World, Kings Island, and Cedar Point seems logical, but Kings Dominion isn't even in the same direction. You basically have two different trips there in the parks you listed.

Cedar Point
Kings Island
Holiday World
Dollywood

Those would make a logical trip, and then these would:

Kings Dominion
Busch Gardens
Dorney Park
Hershey Park
Great Adventure
Knoebels

The time you allocate depends on how far you have to drive between parks, how much time you want at each park, etc. I think you can do all of the parks you listed in one day, except for maybe Cedar Point and Great Adventure. They are really big.

Hotwire and Priceline (bid your own, see http://betterbidding.com) are the way to go for hotels.

Basically you need to come up with a trip plan of some sort, and then people on here can tell you if it's sane or not.

[Jarsh]

I'm doing a 10 day trip in June that's kinda along those lines... Here is my itinerary:


Day 1 (Friday, June 4): Drive to Richmond with a stop at Ghettowinds on the way up for pass processing and a quick ride on Intimidator. Stay in Richmond.

Day 2 (Saturday, June 5): Kings Dominion in the morning, Busch Gardens in the afternoon & night. Drive back to Richmond to spend the night.

Day 3 (Sunday, June 6): Drive to Dorney. Hit Dorney that night gettiing a few credits iif all goes well. Stay at Dorney.

Day 4 (Monday, June 7): Dorney in the morning, then Knoebels in the afternoon and night. Drive to Hershey. Stay in Hershey.

Day 5 (Tuesday, June : Hersheypark. Might get a head start on driving to Kennywood if I get the credits done early and want to leave. Stay at Kennywood or some place close to there.

Day 6 (Wednesday, June 9): Kennywood, then drive to Waldameer. Stay at Waldameer or some place close to there.

Day 7 (Thursday, June 10): Waldameer, then drive to Cedar Point. Stay at Cedar Point.

Day 8 (Friday, June 11): Cedar Point, then drive to King's Island. Stay at King's Island.

Day 9 (Saturday, June 12): Kings Island that morning for Platinum Passholder ERT on Diamondback and The Beast. Hit Stunt Coaster when the park opens and then leave for Holiday World. Hit Holiday World that afternoon and then drive to Franklin, KY for the night.

Day 10 (Sunday, June 13): Finish the drive home!


Excluding the food for this trip, I've budgeted $2000 for it. I figure I'll add in another $500 or so for food so... $2500.