[Tawny71]

My husband and daughter are going on a camping trip for a weekend in May, so I want to take advantage of that time to go ride coasters! I want to go somewhere that isn't hard to get to from Charlotte (don't mind driving up to 5 hours, don't mind flying if there are cheap fares…) that has fun coasters that I don't already have as credits. My goal for the year is to credit whore as much as possible.
I'll have a Six Flags Season Pass, so a Six Flags park would be the least expensive option for park admission.

Here are the places that I've thought of:

Wild Adventures, Valdosta, GA (would fly to Tallahassee, relatively inexpensive flights) 7 credits possible
Multiple parks, Orlando, FL (super cheap flights on Allegiant, could stay at a friend's house for free) # credits possible depends on which one(s) I choose…I've been to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Sea World, IOA, and one of the Fun Spot parks. Would prob do Universal Studios for 4 credits and the other Fun Spot for 3 credits
Six Flags America Baltimore, MD (cheap flights to DC) 9 credits possible
Six Flags New England Agawam, MA (cheap flights to PVD, even cheaper but bigger PITA to fly into BOS) 10 credits possible, and could possibly see my big brother
Multiple Parks, Myrtle Beach (super easy drive) 6 credits possible
Non-parks, Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge (super easy drive) 3 credits possible on the alpine coasters if the one at Ober Gatlinburg has opened by then

Any thoughts on some of those options? Also, are there any easy credits to get nearby one of those locations that I didn't think of?

[Jarsh]

Since they aren't listed, I'm assuming that you have the BGW/KC combo, right? Otherwise, those make for a nice weekend trip of sorts. You might could look into Kentucky Kingdom/Holiday World if you flew into Lousiville and then drove over to HW.

[Tawny71]

I knew I was forgetting to list one of the options! Yes, I've never done any of the Virginia parks, so that could easily be an option!

I hadn't thought about Holiday World/Kentucky Kingdom! I'll have to look at airfare and see how that looks. Thanks for the suggestions!

[coasterbruh]

Its a no brainer...the va parks! Almost 20 credits within an hour or so drive from each other...

[Jonathan]

FYI Holiwood Nights is the last weekend in May if that turns out to be the weekend: http://www.holidayworld.com/shows-event ... er-content

Wild Adventures, Valdosta, GA (would fly to Tallahassee, relatively inexpensive flights) 7 credits possible [highlight=#ffff80] - This place does not seem worth flying for[/highlight]
Multiple parks, Orlando, FL (super cheap flights on Allegiant, could stay at a friend's house for free) # credits possible depends on which one(s) I choose…I've been to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Sea World, IOA, and one of the Fun Spot parks. Would prob do Universal Studios for 4 credits and the other Fun Spot for 3 credits [highlight=#ffff80] - Seems like a nice option though how busy is it there in May?[/highlight]
Six Flags America Baltimore, MD (cheap flights to DC) 9 credits possible [highlight=#ffff80] - Another park not to waste a flight on[/highlight]
Six Flags New England Agawam, MA (cheap flights to PVD, even cheaper but bigger PITA to fly into BOS) 10 credits possible, and could possibly see my big brother [highlight=#ffff80] - You could also do Lake Compounce and Quassy which are a short drive away. Keep an eye out to be sure Wicked Cyclone will be open in time, though.[/highlight]
Multiple Parks, Myrtle Beach (super easy drive) 6 credits possible
Non-parks, Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge (super easy drive) 3 credits possible on the alpine coasters if the one at Ober Gatlinburg has opened by then

Any thoughts on some of those options? Also, are there any easy credits to get nearby one of those locations that I didn't think of?

[Tawny71]

I would love to go to Holiwood nights, but it's not the same weekend. I think I'll be in Houston the weekend of Holiwood nights. (But hopefully I'll make it down to Galveston and get a couple of credits on that trip, too!)

As for the Valdosta park, it may not be worth flying for, but I'd get 2 days on the beach and one day in a park, which adds to the value of flying.

[Edwardo]

Here's my suggestion. I've done this trip before and it's super easy.

Why not drive up to SFA the first day? It's jst over 5 hrs drive time. That park doesn't get really busy on the dry side and has several good coasters. It'll look busier than it is as the water park stays full.

Then drive down to BGW. They're getting a new coaster this year, and it's an overall beautiful park with great food and entertainment.

Then drive back to KD. Lots of credits. Some really good ones. A good drop tower. And not usually busy on weekdays if you can swing it.

Doing that trio in that order would put you driving the most to your first stop at just over 5 hours, and driving back from KD, the closest park.

You could leave early enough one morning and make it to SFA by 11 or noon and have plenty of time at the park. Then leave that nite and drive to the KD area, Hotwire a room (it's a 90 min drive) and stay there that nite. Drive the hour to BGW the next day, and trust me you'll want a full day there, then drive back to your hotel near KD. Do KD the third day, you'll be staying right near there, then leave in the evening and drive back. Or if you have the time and money, stay the nite and drive home the next morning.

This would minimize drive and maximize credits. That's why is suggest this if you're trying to go for the credits.

[Tawny71]

My GPS says a little over 6 hours to SFA, but I guess that wouldn't be too bad. That would make for a good credit-racking-up weekend!

[arby]

I second Edwardo. The big Virginia parks are nice so I'd focus on those first.

[Tawny71]

So...if I did the itinerary Edwardo suggested (and Arby seconded...), how many hours each day should I plan on being at each of the parks?

[Jonathan]

I think Edwardo's suggestion is pretty good. You'll want a full day open to close at both Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion, but Six Flags America can be done in an afternoon.

[shane235]

I've never been to KD, but BGW is much more impressive then I thought. It may only have 5 coaster (6 soon), but they are awesome ones! There is not a single ride there that I would complain about! It's truly a great park!

Also, I am planning to go up to Ohio this summer... do you think it is possible to get everything done at KI and CP in 2 days? I figured that would be challenging, but just checking...

[Jarsh]

Heck no. You'll need at least two days at each park, lol.

[Edwardo]

What Jarsh said.

[Homey G.]

Six Flags New England Agawam, MA (cheap flights to PVD, even cheaper but bigger PITA to fly into BOS) 10 credits possible, and could possibly see my big brother

I'd really consider this option heavily. As Jonathan said, Quassy has a wonderful little woodie Wooden Warrior and Lake Compounce has many peoples #1 wooden coaster in Boulderdash. The new version of Wicked Cyclone should be nuts and a chance to ride mine and many others number 1 steel coaster at SFNE in Bizarro (she'll always be Superman to me) and you've got quite the credit rack up and some realllly really quality ones to boot.

Also consider flying into Hartford. I always prefer that (airport code BDL) to any other. It's centrally located and a very quick airport to get in and out of also!

Just my opinion,but it's a good one! If you don't believe it, just ask me.