Getting to Stricker's is always a good thing...

Oooh, they're open for my birthday this year, which is the same day KI is having nighttime ERT on Beast. I think I'm going to treat myself with a combo trip to both parks to celebrate my 40th Morning and lunch at KI, drive to Stricker's Grove for a few hours on their coasters, etc, then back for dinner and the ERT at KI. I haven't made it to Stricker's yet, although I've been wanting to ever since I first heard of it.

I like how this birthday is shaping up.

It varies, but it's never very much.

$3-$5?

EDIT: You HAD asked the parking price when it's not included...

Information on public days: http://strickersgrove.com/#services (I notice that they have greatly overhauled their website since the last time I looked.)

 

Parking is $5 on July 4, and free on all other public days.

I will be attending on August 14th, or October 9th, or possibly both.

It's well worth it. A lot of classic rides, plus two roller coasters (Teddy Bear and Tornado)

 

I visited for the first time in 2014 and I highly recommend it. 

Sorry Terp, and thanks I looked at the page again after asking and saw they actually did note parking prices for each of their public days (and it's free on my birthday). I just missed it the first time I looked.

Also note that the park hours on that page are off by 4 hours. The park always opens an hour before rides and closes at the same time the rides do.

 

I will definitely try to get up there during the fair this year. That's also the week before my big vacation so theoretically if I cram a KI trip in there somewhere I can hit 4 parks in a week's time

Also note that the park hours on that page are off by 4 hours. The park always opens an hour before rides and closes at the same time the rides do.

 

Indeed. Looks like the system defaulted to UTC because someone failed to properly set the time zone.

I had no idea the two parks were so close together.... I may end up doing the same as Magenta Lizard, and hitting both on July 14th!

They're not entirely close - about a 30-mile trip between the two - but close enough that you can do both in one day easily.

I may hit Stricker's up again on July 14th.

 

Looks like the shortest route from KI to Stricker's is to take I-71 south to I-275 and head west to Colerain Avenue, exit 33. Then north on US 27 to State Route 128, then west from there a couple of miles. In total...29.8 miles from the park.

That's how I always go.

Except when I detour to Putz's Creamy Whip!

Honestly, I went for the first time last season. On July 4th. Great park! It would have been even better if it were less crowded  

I enjoyed it though!

It's actually only about a ten minute difference in driving time if I go "directly" to Stricker's versus going by way of KI, from where I live. It will be nice to split the drive into half-hour chunks, too. Since I feel KI is close to me at only a half hour away, I'd have to agree Stricker's is "close" to KI also.

That's how I always go.

Except when I detour to Putz's Creamy Whip!

 

Speaking of which, they open for the season tomorrow. I need to hit them up either tomorrow or Tuesday (I'm off on Tuesday), especially given that they're literally less than 15 minutes from my house.

30 miles IS close, not close-ish, not sorta-close..... 30 miles is close.  I live 150 miles.... or as a time equation 2.5 hours... away from the park, and I regularly drive 85 to 100 miles each way from my home to Indy and back regularly.  To hop from KI, to Strickers, and back is laughable, and actually a perfect time/excuse to go get lower priced/better quality and service food on the way.  

That's how I always go.

Except when I detour to Putz's Creamy Whip!

 

Well you can always cut over to Colerain since Putz's is over off the Montana Avenue exit on I-74 and head up from there!

 

I-74 west to Miamitown exit is a straight shot to Stricker's also!

actually a perfect time/excuse to go get lower priced/better quality and service food

 

...which is indeed something Stricker's has. They don't have a lot of choices, but what they do have is excellent and low priced. After all, they allow you to bring in your own food, so they have to compete with packed lunches.

Oooh, they're open for my birthday this year, which is the same day KI is having nighttime ERT on Beast. I think I'm going to treat myself with a combo trip to both parks to celebrate my 40th Morning and lunch at KI, drive to Stricker's Grove for a few hours on their coasters, etc, then back for dinner and the ERT at KI. I haven't made it to Stricker's yet, although I've been wanting to ever since I first heard of it.

I like how this birthday is shaping up.

I would make it a point to eat at Stricker's Grove while you're there.  The prices are inexpensive and the food is really good...freshly grilled right there at the pavilion where you order it!

 

Hopefully it will be less crowded on your birthday than when I was there on their Customer Appreciation Day in October.  I have never seen it so packed!!

Strickers?

It's great no question about it

Strickers?

I swear I have never seen it that busy.  I only rode Tornado twice, and both times it was lined up back to the Teddy Bear (which was closed by the way).  I also did the train, which was lined up all the way around to the Ferris Wheel exit.  Other than that I just ate.

 

The weather was beautiful and warm, so I'm sure that had something to do with it. 

I'm hoping that since my birthday is on a Thursday, and they're open to the public Wednesday through Saturday that week, it won't be terribly busy when I go.

I'm hoping that since my birthday is on a Thursday, and they're open to the public Wednesday through Saturday that week, it won't be terribly busy when I go.

Since that makes it fair week...you should be fine.  I've heard the crowds aren't bad during the fair.

 

...but one hears many things...

I think they had some sort of company picnic paired up with the customer appreciation day in October last year.  The place was crazy busy!  I too have never seen it that busy before.  Good to see them attracting that many people!

That explains a lot and me too, but jeez it was busy.  I'm not used to waiting an hour for Tornado while across town The Beast is a walk-on. 

I'll say it.

Customer Appreciation?

Watch what they DO, not what they SAY.

Imagine being that company...

Thought I'd add that I'm working the Teddy Bear this year. If anyone here rides, say hello. It's probably me.

Also, with the shot of the dog on Tornado, it wasn't painted. When was Tornado not  red and white?

...when it was first built, if memory serves.

It looks MUCH better painted.