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Well, if you are going for coasters, then Cedar Point is an obvious choice. My vote for best well rounded park with shows, rides and just a wonderful atmosphere, it would be Dollywood. That is the one park besides Kings Island where I have had a season pass before. I have probably visited Dollywood more than I have visited Cedar Point at this point. Don`t get me wrong, I love coasters, but Dollywood is just something special. Disney World is a must to, Having visited both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, if someone has visited neither, I would recommend going to WDW, as there is a lot more to do and experience there. Although everyone should visit Disneyland at some point to, so they can "walk where Walt walked."

(November 17, 2020 BLOG) In today’s blog post, Area Manager of Digital Marketing Don Helbig takes us through some of the offseason work being done on The Racer, with more than 500ft of track being replaced. BLOG: https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2020/november/more-than-500-feet-of-track-being-replaced-on-the-racer-roller-coaster

If you were going to advise a new enthusiast on what parks they should hit up first, which ones would you recommend and why? Let's assume travel expenses aren't an issue. Feel free to consider price of admission, food prices, merchandise prices, etc. in your recommendations, if you feel "bang for your buck" is an important factor. You can get as specific as you'd like. Heck, feel free to write out a whole itinerary if you want! I'll start. Admittedly, I'm leaning more towards the history side of things. In no particular order: Knoebels. It's the best operating glimpse into the history of amusement parks, in my opinion. It's also just incredibly fun and charming. From trying to get the brass ring on the carousel to the existence of Flying Turns to the Traver bumper cars, it's like getting a glimpse into the original heyday of the amusement park world before the 1930's. Also, everyone should ride Phoenix in 1-3 before they die. Disneyland. It's beautiful, and it revolutionized how amusement and theme parks were designed. From Main Street to Haunted Mansion to Pirates of the Caribbean to it's a small world, despite being 50+ years old, it still feels like an earnest attempt at something new and amazing, and you can't help but love it for that. No, Magic Kingdom in Florida is NOT the same thing. Disneyland, in my opinion, is THE quintessential theme park. Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Kings Island, or Six Flags over Texas. All three are charming and top-tier examples of how the Disneyland idea was propagated to seasonal parks, and each of them has managed to keep (or regain) a lot of their original charm despite several changes in management over the years. Each also has stand-out rides that every enthusiast should try.

Found this old video about something KIC used to do years ago called KIC Survivor. Anyone here remember it? I'm interested in that.

On my lone visit to the park a few weeks ago I though both sides were smooth

I'm adding Hersheypark. Very much a traditional amusement park, but it blends its past being apart of the initial history of parks with modern touches and ride collection. It doesn't commit to having a kids section, but rather sprinkles a mix of larger and smaller rides throughout. The Hershey influence (aka, the candy stuffs) isn't overdone but adds its own charm. Its a very clean and beautiful park, the food is excellent. They keep all their wooden coasters in tip top shape (Comet runs like its new).

I would buy some. Don't judge me. I am still salty over missing out on Vortex slice. Twice.

We put this info into its own thread so we can keep up with updates during the off season and discuss its progress. It is exciting to see additional work done on The Racer! Here is a pic on IG we reposted by KI. https://www.instagram.com/p/CHwOq2ohj4a/?igshid=553y8xe2gvzm

I can use the wood to build another Racer....

Have to disagree on the RMC part. RMC introduced a host of new elements and continues to do so. For example only Storm Chaser and Twisted Timbers have the inverting drop, Goliath has it's great stall out of a half loop and Outlaw run has a double corkscrew that is unique to RMC. While certain elements are repeated I think they have done an excellent job of differentiating their rides.

I agree that the kids area could use a refresher and a couple new rides. The Camp Snoopy area at Carowinds has a very nice feel to it. Cedar Fair has done a decent job upgrading the look and feel of Coney Mall, Riveertown, and International Street. Planet Snoopy hasn`t really received any tlc or aesthetic updates to the entire land since really 2006 (prior to the Peanuts gang moving in). Yes, we saw the addition of two new kiddy rides in 2015, but the area could use something added to it. There just seems to be a lot of open, unused space in kiddy land right now.

Wait so you want a B&M floorless in the kids area? Lol name it Steelstock Express

I definitely think that would be cool for something different and maybe add a smoother experience, but I feel like the arrow swinging trains give The Bat part of its unique charm.

It depends what I am in the mood for. If I want airtime I had to Diamondback. Raw power and speed I go to Orion. Both do what they do well. They are different rides and have different objectives in my mind. Can't compare them.