TombRaiderFTW Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 As far as I'm concerned, it was worth every cent last year when I went for the first of (what I hope will be) many times. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
electricsun Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 I can't handle this kind of pressure. I will say I'm leaning more towards the BGW and KD now after reading all of the things that seem to be happening with BGW. I want to go before it is completely destroyed. Those ticket prices are horrible though. Do you have AAA? I was able to get tickets through them for BGT. If I'm remembering right, they were two day passes (could visit a second time in the calender year for free), with one meal included, for $10 less than the one day ticket. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magenta Lizard Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 I guess you're just going to have to figure out a way to go to all four since it's a tie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 At this point, I'd split the difference and hit BGW and SFGAd if at all possible were I APE. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDMC01 Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 I voted BGW/KD because those are the first two (of three) stops on my Edge of the Millennium Tour this year. Also, although I hear that NJFTP is awesome (and looks cool on Roller Coaster Tycoon 2), the biggest pulls for me to go there would really only be Nitro (since it's a retro B&M hyper) and Batman (because the one at SFGAM was awesome). Also, Hershey has Lightning Racers and Storm Runner, so those would really be my pulls for me to go there. The choice is ultimately up to you, and whatever you choose, you have to be happy with your decision. Hope this helps. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 At NJFTP, don't overlook Bizarro, Runaway Mine Train, Skull Mountain, Dark Knight, The Green Lantern, Kingda Ka and Houdini. The SkyScreamer is also awesome. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APE Posted February 27, 2015 Author Share Posted February 27, 2015 Everyone has helped. I really wish I could hit all four in one trip but alas I need to plan something I can do in one weekend. While doing BGW and Great Adventure would be awesome I don't want to spend that much time driving. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTD-120-420 Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 ...IF it is. Given the massive layoffs and cost cutting, there can be no assurance that the 2015 guest experience will be on a par with years past. In fact, it almost certainly won't be. Especially now that a certain intern won't be returning. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APE Posted March 1, 2015 Author Share Posted March 1, 2015 Well we started talking more about the KD/BGW today. Any hotel recommendations or anything if we do BGW on Saturday then travel somewhat close to KD to stay for the night? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TombRaiderFTW Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 I stayed in the Best Western in Kings Dominion's parking lot last summer. It doesn't have great reviews online, but I thought it was stayable. It was clean and comfortable enough, but it wasn't a Ritz-Carlton by any means (and it doesn't pretend to be.) Depending on when you go, it can be a decent deal or ridiculously expensive. I will consider it an option next time I stay in the area. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 Remember that Kings Dominion typically doesn't open until 10:30 and that even that is a staged opening. Because of that, I typically stayed in Richmond, often by the airport, when I was making that circuit and didn't live (relatively) nearby. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APE Posted March 1, 2015 Author Share Posted March 1, 2015 I'm starting to wonder and will look into it if I can find a decent price place close to the water somewhere for the night. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APE Posted March 1, 2015 Author Share Posted March 1, 2015 Is this typical for the area or is there a big event going on of some sort? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homestar92 Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 For my forthcoming KD/BGW trip, I did something many here probably don't like doing. I went with a Motel 6 in Richmond (well, a suburb of Richmond technically). There was a time not long ago that I would avoid that chain like the plague. However, several years back, they started renovating a lot of their hotels. If you look on their website, you'll see that some of their locations are marked as having "Modern rooms". This is a guarantee that within the last several years, the hotel has received a complete renovation (I think the first such location was converted in 2008). The ones with the modern rooms all feature hard flooring, which is a huge plus, because they are far easier to keep clean. I've stayed in the "Modern" Motel 6 locations in Coraopolis, PA for a Kennywood trip and in Palatine, IL for a SFGAm trip and I had no qualms whatsoever with either. I can't personally speak for the one in Richmond (though, I will be able to in one month's time) but I've had good luck so far, provided it is one of the locations with the modern rooms. They never have the best amenities, but I'm the sort who needs nothing more than a clean room with a clean bed that has a roof over it and a hot shower. One member of my group is former military and as such, can get a discount, so we're paying less than $50 a night and splitting it four ways. When/if they ever disappoint, I may reevaluate my stance, but so far, if you want a place on the cheap, I can at least recommend that you consider it as an option and check out the reviews. You can also cancel a reservation up to 5:00 PM the day of the stay, so if you were planning a trip in June, you could, conceivably ask me what my thoughts were after I've stayed there in early April and then cancel if it turns out to not be what you're looking for. Now, Super 8, I still avoid like the plague. I've stayed in decent ones, but I've also stayed in dreadful ones, and there doesn't seem to be any consistent gauge that I can use to judge a particular location's suitability before I drop my money. I'm not going to outright recommend you stay at a specific hotel that I haven't personally stayed at yet, but if you aren't one who cares much about the amenities, don't dismiss it immediately. I'm sure a hotel review will be part of the inevitable trip report. - homestar92, lowering his lodging standards and doing the potential dirty work - so you don't have to! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcgoble3 Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 Now, Super 8, I still avoid like the plague. I've stayed in decent ones, but I've also stayed in dreadful ones, and there doesn't seem to be any consistent gauge that I can use to judge a particular location's suitability before I drop my money. I've stayed in a couple of Super 8 motels. I've spent four nights in the one in Forsyth, Georgia, on my way to and from Florida, and I've always had a clean room, everything in working order, no issues whatsoever there. I've also stayed at the one near KI once, and while it wasn't as great of an experience, it was still fine by my standards (which are similar to yours), and I may very well stay there again for CoasterStock since I have some Wyndham Rewards points I have to use before they expire this fall. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homestar92 Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 I've stayed at decent ones too like I said. I suppose "avoid like the plague" isn't entirely accurate. If reviews are good or if I've had a pleasant stay at that location before, I'll give it a shot. Right now though, I'm all for the Motel 6s until one of the newly renovated ones fails to deliver. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APE Posted March 2, 2015 Author Share Posted March 2, 2015 I think I may have found a good one to stay in just north of Richmond. Actually I've been pricing things and the KD/BGW is easily the cheapest trip. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zacc1993 Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 At this moment in time the only one I have visited on the list is Hersheypark so I will only comment on it (even though I think your decision is made). The ride lineup is interesting. You've got Intamin, B&M, Vekoma, GCI, Schwarzkopf, Arrow, and Mack all in one park. The Intamins in the park are great and definitely are worth the trip. Skyrush is a little painful but the ride is super intense. The GCI woodies are fun. The Great Bear is a very unique invert. Not My favorite invert I've been on but its a must at Hershey. Sidewinder is super smooth for a Boomerang coaster. Don't overlook Comet. It's a fantastic coaster. If it's hot, Coal Cracker is one of my favorite flumes. Food didn't really stand out to me when I was there but it wasn't bad either. Operations were slow at Hershey but nowhere near as bad as my home park (SFGAm). Park had shaded areas and had lots of character. All in all Hershey was a fun day. I definitely want to go back but it's not high on the return list at the moment. I'll be visiting the other three parks in April and will be able to give you some more info on them. Good luck on your decision! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APE Posted March 5, 2015 Author Share Posted March 5, 2015 Hotel is booked and trip is planned. We are going to Busch Gardens Williamsburg and then to Kings Dominion the next day. I can't wait. Does anyone have any suggestions or tips for the two parks like times to avoid certain rides or special food items I wouldn't be able to get elsewhere? 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DontWantToWait42mar0 Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 I liked Hershey Park more than Cedar Point. Less bugs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Bugs is at NJFTP! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APE Posted March 5, 2015 Author Share Posted March 5, 2015 Well that was helpful 😜 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tr0y Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Hotel is booked and trip is planned. We are going to Busch Gardens Williamsburg and then to Kings Dominion the next day. I can't wait. Does anyone have any suggestions or tips for the two parks like times to avoid certain rides or special food items I wouldn't be able to get elsewhere? avoid Intimidator 305, you might catch Intaminitis. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APE Posted March 5, 2015 Author Share Posted March 5, 2015 Already got it! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Just be sure to restrain yourself! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APE Posted March 7, 2015 Author Share Posted March 7, 2015 The vote is still close. I'm officially in obsessed mode I can't stop looking up videos of the parks. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustbucket Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Impossible choice for me. I grew up going to Hershey and Kings Dominion. SFGAd: El Toro, Batman, and Nitro Hershey: Skyrush, Stormrunner and Lightning Racer Kings Dominion: Volcano, Intimidator and Grizzly BGE: Apollo's Chariot, Apengeist, and Griffon Take a long break and visit them all! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Don't forget Bizarro at SFGAd. (Rolling Thunder....sigh) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustbucket Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 Don't forget Bizarro at SFGAd. (Rolling Thunder....sigh) I was limiting myself to 3, but ............. SFGAd add Bizarro Hershey add Great Bear Kings Dominion add Dominator BGE add Verbolten It is impossible! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustbucket Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 I usually stay near Short Pump or just north of I-295 and I-95. KD has ERT with Volcano and some times I-305 at 10 am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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