[Chris]

I haven't even begun to figure out where I'm going. In fact, the only thing I have determined is I am purchasing a Cedar Fair Platinum Pass. Aside from the Orlando parks and a Six Flags park 20 years ago, Carowinds is the only amusement park I have ever been to.

I'm thinking I start driving north, and hit KD first? I want at least one day at Cedar Point. I am considering purchasing the VIP pass at Cedar Point to jump to the front of the lines all day. Is it worth it if you are planning to go during a weekday in May?

[cwgator]

In addition to Kings Dominion and Cedar Point, you should also include Kings Island on the return trip if you have time since you are getting the Platinum Pass. That's what I would do anyways. Now I hadn't been to Cedar Point, but just from the quantity of rides and coasters, you may want more than 1 day.

[Jonathan]

In before the JamminJ.

[Chris]

In addition to Kings Dominion and Cedar Point, you should also include Kings Island on the return trip if you have time since you are getting the Platinum Pass. That's what I would do anyways. Now I hadn't been to Cedar Point, but just from the quantity of rides and coasters, you may want more than 1 day.

I plan on hitting KI, too. I'm thinking with the VIP pass at Cedar Point, one day might be enough?

http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/admission/vip.cfm

[Jonathan]

If you go to Kings Island, then you've GOT to go to Holiday World. It's like 2 hours away.

[Jay]

In before the JamminJ.

[swampfox43]

If you go to Kings Island, then you've GOT to go to Holiday World. It's like 2 hours away.

and if you go to Holiday World......you must experience the charm of Beech Bend Park (and their top notch woodie) another 2 hours south.

[Chris]

If you go to Kings Island, then you've GOT to go to Holiday World. It's like 2 hours away.

and if you go to Holiday World......you must experience the charm of Beech Bend Park (and their top notch woodie) another 2 hours south.

This is what I'm after... a marathon of "must ride before you die" coasters. I'm thinking of spending a day or two in Pennsylvania. Don't they have a whole lot of classic, old woodies?

[swampfox43]

PA was my first state to marathon when I did my very first coaster trip in the late 80's. Yes, it's probably the best state to experience the classic woodies. Try Lakemont Park, Knoebels, Dorney Park, Hersheypark, Kennywood & Idlewild. Unfortunately, Williams Grove is out of the picture but you could always drive there and walk through the grounds to see the old Cyclone before it's torn down. Maybe Conneaut Lake will have the classic Blue Streak up and running too. So many parks in PA have closed recently you should never assume they will be there next year. Do them while you can.

[Chris]

This is extremely tentative. but here's what I got so far...


http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Greensboro,+NC&daddr=1+Busch+Gardens+Blvd,+Williamsburg,+VA+23185+(Busch+Gardens+Williamsburg)+to:Paramount%27s+Kings+Dominion+to:Allentown,+Pennsylvania+to:Hershey,+Pennsylvania+to:E+Chestnut+Ave+to:West+Mifflin,+Allegheny,+Pennsylvania+to:Cedar+Point,+OH+to:6300+Kings+Island+Dr+45040+to:1020+Dollywood+Lane+37863+to:Greensboro,+NC&geocode=FbtsJgIdmXg--yl5e8c4PxlTiDHIEr54lMS5kw%3BFcUtOAIduIFu-ynR2kk0CoiwiTHDwPxeHwPjgg%3BFYBkQQIdeEhi-yHOMfQIVFTT3A%3BFa6iawIdeRyA-ynh3EqfkjnEiTGhJGgkS9_56g%3BFeS2ZgId-Whu-ylvAHuQELHIiTFWXqbIMP9ndA%3BFdZdagIdpNVT-w%3BFYvlZwIdu1U9-ym7hB7O8O80iDESBhln1d1Wtg%3BFXLveAId3V0S-ymZDMRdRUQ6iDH3AyRu9vDT6A%3BFfVaWAIdUCn6-imBcm44-ldAiDFs_k9kq6yJlQ%3BFZQuIgIdx1kF-ymfOTnH8f5biDH_peLPZWImUg%3BFbtsJgIdmXg--yl5e8c4PxlTiDHIEr54lMS5kw&hl=en&mra=ls&via=5&sll=39.403755,-80.77972&sspn=9.68974,23.269043&ie=UTF8&ll=39.816975,-80.397949&spn=4.817672,11.634521&z=7


The trip, so far, consists of...

Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Kings Dominion, Virginia
Dorney Park
Hershey Park
NOT LISTED Pit-stop to ride Leap The Dips, the oldest coaster in the world.
Kennywood
Cedar Point
Kings Island
Dollywood

[Jay]

I would skip Dorney for Knoebels, and maybe even Kings Island for a Holiday World/Beech Bend tandem. I understand you are trying to get the most out of your pass but all 3 parks are insanely cheap. Could maybe squeeze in a quick trip to Six Flags America, but it probably wouldn't be worth it if you had to pay full price. I also feel compelled to mention Great Adventure since El Toro and Nitro are two of my favorite coasters, but good luck going on a day that isn't crowded.

[Chris]

I would skip Dorney for Knoebels, and maybe even Kings Island for a Holiday World/Beech Bend tandem. I understand you are trying to get the most out of your pass but all 3 parks are insanely cheap. Could maybe squeeze in a quick trip to Six Flags America, but it probably wouldn't be worth it if you had to pay full price. I also feel compelled to mention Great Adventure since El Toro and Nitro are two of my favorite coasters, but good luck going on a day that isn't crowded.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm thinking of a two week trip, which means I might be able to fit Great Adventure and Holiday World in with these.

How many days will I need in Pennsylvania (include Great Adventure in this estimate)? I'm not trying to spend a full day at some of these parks. For instance, I plan to ride Leap-The-Dips a few times, get one ride on any other coaster in the park for the credits and move on to the next park.

[Chris]

Also, how much is it to become a member of ACE? Which parks offer discounts for members? Will the discounts I receive on this two week trip basically cover the cost of the ACE membership?

[cgreene]

ACE is a good club if you go to the events but the only two parks i know for sure that offer discounts for ACE any day of the week are carowinds and holiday world. And to answer your question about one day at cedar point: you may be able to get all coasters in, in one day but i learned there coasters tend to break down more frequently because they have so many. for instance i was there in july for one and a half days and some coasters that were colsed the first day were open the second and vise versa. i was constantly going the entire time i was there and still barey got all of them in.

[coasterbruh]

Do parks even bother verifying if you are a member of ACE anymore?