Parks to Visit in 2016?

[Hoeter]

Received word last week that I will have one month of paid time off, not including sick time in 2016.

 

I'm currently looking at some parks to visit as I've expanded my horizons over the past couple of years.

 

​​2014

1. Dorney Park
2. Cedar Point
3. Six Flags America
4. Six Flags Great Adventure
5. Carowinds
6. Kings Dominion
7. Kings Island (obviously)
8. Stricker's Grove

2015

1. Carowinds
2. Cedar Point
3. Kings Island

 

Below are the parks I want to visit in 2016

 

1. Kings Island (obviously)
2. Cedar Point (definitely want to check out Valravn)
3. Dollywood (never have been here, definitely want to check out Lightning Rod)
4. Holiday World (have never been here, definitely want to check out Voyage and Thunderbird)
5. Kentucky Kingdom (if they are still open and *if* they will let me in)

 

Any suggestions on other parks to visit? Once again, I have a platinum pass for the upcoming season.

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

 

[homestar92]

I'll list a few of my favorites.

 

Six Flags Great America

Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Darien Lake

Kennywood

Kennywood

Kennywood

Did I mention Kennywood?

Waldameer Park

(If they are open) Conneaut Lake Park

Indiana Beach

Valleyfair!

 

And IF you were to do SFGAm and Valleyfair, stop by Little Amerricka on the way. It isn't really worth a trip on its own, but if you're passing through the area, it's worth a detour. I highly advise that you do NOT visit Mt. Olympus. It is the only park that I've visited where I did not feel safe on the coasters.

[Hoeter]

I've been wanting to check out Six Flags Great America. I would need to renew my Six Flags membership. I get into Valleyfair! with my platinum pass.

 

Always wanted to check out Hersheypark as well. I remember passing Kennywood on the way to Dorney Park last year.

[NoChickens]

  If your're going to drive to Dollywood, might as well drive a little farther and hit Six Flags over Georgia. Depending on your timing, maybe even Lake Winnie.

   Holiday World and KK could easily be done over a weekend, maybe add a day just cause. Now, when you decide to go to CP, take some time and tour east, Waldameer, Kennywood, Knoebels, Hershey, Dorney, NJFTP, BGW,... the list is nearly endless that direction. 

  As far as your Platinum pass, man, it gets rough from "our" relative location. KI & CP are our only "close" destinations. We do plan to try an adventure to WoF, mid-late summer, wich of course puts SFSL on the way. 

  I guess the long and short of it is, platinum is great, but to really enjoy it, a SIX pass is just as important. With that you could venture to SFSL, SFOG,NJFTP,SFGA,...while driving to (or nearby) other destinations. 

  This "hobby" is a money soak, much like any other, lol. 

[Hoeter]

I got my money's worth in 2014 when I went on that trip with you all Rick.

Platinum easily paid for itself. So did the Six Flags pass.

Again, money is the key word here

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

[electricsun]

I really enjoyed my visit to Hersheypark in June and would recommend it. Laff Trakk and Lightening Racer were favorites of mine. A neat aspect of their ticketing system is that you can get into the park for a few hours the night before your visit. It's a great way to get in some extra night rides. If you stay on property (including their campgrounds) you can get into the park an extra hour the night before and the morning of your visit.

I did the Dorney Park, Hersheypark, Kings Dominion, and Busch Gardens Williamsburg circuit. If you want to do something other than explore parks, BGW is a great option as Williamsburg has tons of options for historical experiences as well as more touristy type things. Check the Williamsburg visitor site for ticket packages as several include BGW. If you camp, the KOA is nice and they have discounted tickets too.

Edited to add - if you want something closer to home, you could visit Michigan's Adventure for a long weekend trip. While the park isn't the biggest, they have tons of flats (if you like that), a clever caraousel, and swan boats that depending on how quiet the park is, you can stay out on the water as long as you want. It is also close to Muskegon State Park (as well as several other state parks) - which during my quick stop my only regret was that I couldn't stay longer.

[NoChickens]

 I can't believe I left off Indiana Beach, (thanks Homestar). Not on either pass, of course, but relatively inexpensive. It would be on your way, if SFGAm is on your list. And only about an hour and 15 mins from a place to lay your head. :-)

[Hoeter]

I'd like to maybe plan some trips with you all this year. I know Dollywood was one that was brought up before, thinking March 20th for opening day?

[The Interpreter]

It's not on the way to anywhere.

There's not a huge assortment of rides.

Few people have even heard of it.

Years ago, a friend who was then a PR Director of one of the Nation's most prominent small parks heard I was considering a trip to Darien Lake.

To Sylvan Beach you must go he said.

And I did.

Quiet. Relaxing. Like going back in time.

It was awesome:

http://www.sylvanbeachamusementpark.com/

They don't open until Memorial Day. They do very little marketing.

The Galaxi is incredible:

http://rcdb.com/4680.htm

The place is a hidden gem.

******

Then there's Seabreeze near Rochester. A place that never fails to make me happy.

In 2014, I saw Trevor and his bike there after the Kings Island Cirque had gone dark. Totally unexpectedly.

Unique park food. Resort atmosphere. Beautiful lake. Unusual coasters. Nice people.

****

Both parks are in resort areas. Have lodging pre-planned. Or be somewhere else by sleepy-time.

And let me add--I love New York. It's so much more than just the City. The City is fascinating, but the state even more so. And some of the nicest people in the whole world live there.

Terp, native Northeasterner born and raised somewhere else.

[MDMC01]

Please visit Hersheypark; it is truly amazing! The park has a great collection of unique coasters + a waterpark and a mini-zoo (ZooAmerica); what more could you ask for? Also, don't miss the unique flats such as Flying Falcon and The Claw.

[marth555]

We should get a group together for lightning rods opening (Also Coaster Crew is doing an event that day) https://www.facebook.com/events/1553437898233554/

[Platinum Bass]

A couple of tips for those interesting in visiting Hersheypark:

 

You may want to look into purchasing your tickets at one of the many "Giant" supermarkets located throughout central and eastern PA (not to be confused with the Maryland based chain of the same name or Pittsburgh based Giant Eagle). Many seasons the ticket deals at "Giant" have the lowest prices you'll find and as a bonus they usually include free parking if redeemed by June 30.

 

If your travel route to Hershey takes you anywhere near the Altoona area, please consider visiting Lakemont Park and/or DelGrosso's Amusement Park. Both of these offer free parking and admission with inexpensive ride options of both all day wristbands and per ride tickets making them easy, affordable places to stop if even for a short time. These two parks have very different personalities from each other, but both are quite charming in their own ways. DelGrosso's is even better if you happen to be able to visit on a "Spaghetti Wednesday".

 

And a quick Dollywood tip:  Though obviously not practical for many, if you can by chance plan a visit on weekdays in the fall I highly recommend it. If you visit on a weekday in October for example, the month long Gospel festival may bring a moderate sized crowd into the park but few of those people will be queuing up for any of the rides. Yet the park does a great job of keeping everything (other than water attractions) running unless the weather is unusually bad. Be sure to check their operating calendar closely though, as while the park is open most days during that time of year they are closed some days.

[purdude86]

I'm planning to hit Six Flags Great America since I've never been, and recent additions inclduing next years Justice League ride seem like it's a worthwhile trip. As well as Cedar Point. Haven't been in awhile. Really want to go to Dollywood but probably have to push it back to 2017. Gotta  a trip down to Universal already planned for the fall to coincide with a friend's wedding down there so kind of wipe's my account for anymore trips. 

[LoraX]

I bought a Dollywood season pass for 2016. I am sure it will be worth it because I love that park. Dollywood is pretty magical at Christmas time.

I know someone mentioned Lakemont Park, I suggest going there. I enjoyed it. Hershey Park and Knoebles are wonderful. DelGrosso's we didn't go to unfortunately. I would love to go through out Pennsylvania and New York and hit the little parks throughout those two states. Seabreeze is one of the parks I really want to go to. Everything I have ever heard has been nothing but excellent.

Sent from my SM-G860P using Tapatalk