Colonial Vibes- silver2005's VA/MD trip TR and Planning

[silver2005]

So I was torn about what kind of trip I want to do this summer.  I've been putting a Canadian trip on the back burner for some time now, but I've ultimately decided I want to see the ocean again, so I'm settling for a Virginia based trip.  The 3 parks I know for sure as of this post are Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Kings Dominion, and Six Flags America.  I want to include a 4th park, and its a complete coin flip between Carowinds and Hersheypark.  I'm leaning to HP as they have 2 new credits for me whereas Carowinds wouldn't add any, but Fury 325 and Afterburn are hard to pass up, especially because I can finally ride them at night.   For beach going, a day at Virginia Beach is likely in order. 

I won't pass up advice on the VA parks, but I am pretty comfortable kind of just winging it as I've been to Kings Dominion before back in 2004.  I've heard a lot of weird stuff about SFA so any prior knowledge of that park going in would be helpful.  I'd like to know what I'm getting into with that.   No advice needed for Carowinds or HP. 

Other than that, hopefully I get to KI more this year than the past 3 years, a CP trip is in the works (possibly with Waldameer), a KK day trip is a possibility, and a very big maybe is a HW day trip (if you consider a 3 hour drive past a time zone change a day trip and your name's not @malem).  

[KIghostguy]

My advice for Six Flags America is: don't eat there. I had the worst amusement park meal in my life at their Johnny Rocket's. And ESPECIALLY do not use the Johnny Rocket's bathrooms. 

On the flip side, one of the best amusement park meals I've ever had was at Kings Dominion. The prime rib at Outpost Cafe is incredible and reasonably priced. 

[johnjniehaus]

Last year I did an eastern trip hitting Lakemont Park, Knoebles, Six Flags Great Adventure (NJ), Hershey Park, and Busch Gardens Williamsburg. (Originally planned to go to Six Flags America but didn't work out). I'm wanting to get back to that side of the country and tack on Carowinds, Dorney, and SFA. 

The only park mentioned above that I can give advice on is Busch Gardens Williamsburg. First, if they are offering the rollercoaster insider tour when you are going (given you are into that sort of thing) you should definitely take advantage of it. I wasn't sure how "good" it would be but I had a great time and the cost was not bad (included the tour, parking, and 2 skip the line opportunities on all 4 coasters featured on the tour) My guides Dori and Ethan were very informative, took their time with the group, made sure to get to know everyone, and shared some very good information on the mechanics of the rides/history of the park and the attractions. I would definitely do it again if I had the opportunity. In my experience, the food offerings were good and themed to each area of the park. Other information to keep in mind is that Loch Ness Monster is often the first coaster to open in the morning while Verboten is usually the last to open so running straight to the back of the park probably isn't the best idea. Whenever I was there in Aug 2022, Loch Ness Monster closed an hour before the rest of the park (not sure if that's normal or was just that day type of deal but they should have a sign posted if a ride is closing early) Also, if you ride the Skyride, keep in mind that you must exit at the next station (there are 3) and you will have to wait in line again to proceed to the next stop (many guests seemed to be arguing with staff that they wanted to ride "roundtrip" because they had left family members, strollers, wheelchairs, etc at the station they came from) 

Hope you have a great time and make sure to give us all a full report on KICentral.  

[silver2005]

Anyone have any suggestions for lodging around Richmond or Williamsburg?  Also dining suggestions for Virginia Beach?

I may also hit downtown Williamsburg briefly as well.

[silver2005]

So I've been looking into the stuff going on with Six Flags parks and I'm seeing SFA being hit the hardest, so I'm opting out of SFA.  I will likely scratch the Carowinds possibility in favor of HP and Knoebels now.  

[silver2005]

In addition to the new PA portion, there's a slum chance I may even add DP now.

[silver2005]

The more I read about how bad SIX parks have gotten under the new management, the more I feel like I've dodged a bullet dropping SFA from my trip. 

And even though I'll be in the area, I'm not even considering SFGAdv either. 

[silver2005]

Just found HP is doing some sort of sale where they're knocking ~40% off ticket sales for the whole season including multiday passes.  Woot! Lasts until March 31st if anyone else is doing a HP venture this summer. 

Also looking up hotels, finding nice selections in my price range for Williamsburg and I'm going to stay close to where I stayed for my last PA trip near Allentown/Lehigh/Bethlehem, just not in the hotel I dubbed the Snyder Hotel which is by the airport due to many unneeded shenanigans (BUT there's an AWESOME diner close to where I stayed and other good choices for breakfast). 

The early itinerary looks like this-

Day 1- Travel to VA, explore downtown Williamsburg

Day 2- KD

Day 3- BGW

 Day 4- Virginia Beach

Day 5- Travel to PA early, DP

Day 6/7- HP and Knoebels

Day 8- Longwood Gardens near Philly thanks to tips from malem and pianoman 

This trip is likely happening mid-July in hopes Grizzly will be open at KD.  I'll also be doing a CP trip with Waldameer and possibly MIA added. Also expect to see a KK day trip shoehorned in here. 

Assuming everything will be open on my visits, I'll reach 150 coasters ridden, which will occur at HP so it'll be between RMC Wildcat and Candymonium.  

[Kenban]

It is a little out of your way, but there are several very nice sea side parks in New Jersey.  I would consider skipping Virginia Beach and instead heading to the Jersey Shore and checking out Morey's Piers and if you have the time Playland's Castaway Cove, if you do visit Playland walk over to Gillian's Wonderland, they don't have any coasters but its still worth walking through the park.  If you have never been to Morey's Piers I really recommend spending the time and making the trip since you would be so close.  They have the smoothest SLC I have ever ridden, a lot of the track was replaced a few years ago, and it is running the new Vekoma trains with the vest restraints, the only SLC I got back in line for over and over again, it really is that good.  Their CCI, Great White is fantastic.  Playland has the amazing GaleForce coaster from S&S, I always just wish the line moved faster.  You would still be visiting a beach and get access to the ocean just at a different location that also happens to have roller coasters.

That is not even all the seaside parks, I also recommend Casino Pier with Hydrus which is a Gerstlauer Euro Fighter, and I loved riding their Sky ride at night.  But I would start with Morey's and spend time in Wildwood where the park is located, then make your way up to Playland if you have the time, before you start trying to hit even more.

I assume your driving through central PA, there is a small town, Altoona, home of the Boyer candy company which makes Mallo Cups and has a factory outlet, but also home to Lakemont Park.  If you have the time it might be worth a diversion since that is where Leap the Dips is located, the oldest operating roller coaster in the world, the ride opened in 1902.

If you have a Sea World or Busch garden platinum pass stop off at Sesame Place to ride the coasters, Oscar's Wacky Taxi is worth the time and I really wish it would get cloned.  But it is not worth the admission cost for just the coaster.

[silver2005]

I'm already doing 5 parks on this trip (and will be doing 9 overall if you include KI), I think I'll have my fill with that.   I'm also pretty content sticking with what I'm planning.  

[silver2005]

So the PA/VA portion of my summer isn't as bad on the budget as I initially thought, so I am officially adding MIA and staying a night in Muskegon for the northern Ohio/Michigan/Waldameer trip.

[silver2005]

I have a few slight logistics questions- 

1. CP- better on a Tuesday or Thursday?

2. How's MIA on a Saturday?

3. BGW- Monday or Tuesday?

4. How's KD on a Sunday?

[silver2005]

So basically I'm waiting for my next paycheck to get in, then figuring out how to place the VA/PA trip so I get BGW and HP on optimal days, and then I book it.

[silver2005]

I think I have a day by day itinerary for both now.  The VA/PA was a little tough to come up with, but I think I got an optimal way planned. 

Trip 1- Saturday- Leave for Muskegon, possible MIA, visit Lake Michigan and certain spots in Muskegon, Sunday- MIA (if doing a 2nd day, do waterpark), Monday- Muskegon to Pt Clinton, relax on Lake Erie, Tuesday and Wednesday- CP, Thursday- Waldameer (possibly waterpark), come home Friday

Trip 2- Friday- Leave for Williamsburg, explore downtown, Saturday- Virginia Beach, Sunday- KD, Monday- BGW, Tuesday- Williamsburg to Allentown, blitz DP, Wed- HP, Thur- Knoebels, Fri- Longwood, come home Saturday

I will be using FLP both days I'm at CP and Quick Queue for BGW.  I don't think I'll need anything like that for KD, DP or MIA.  I have some contingencies ready in case weather is an issue for either trip.  

[silver2005]

Got everything booked finally.  Went with the hotels I stayed in last time for Muskegon and Port Clinton.   Taking a slight risk on supposedly a lesser rated hotel in Wiliamsburg, but its cheap, and staying near the bad hotel I went with in Allentown, but definitely not the same one (mainly because of GREAT breakfast options).  If any of you do a PA centered trip in the future, Allentown is a great central hub for the parks nearby. 

Unfortunately, BGW only does single day tickets that are date specific, so I'm waiting until right before that trip to get that so I can plan around weather.  Got a cheap HP ticket as they have a sale through March 31st where single day tickets are $50.  Got Platinum to cover CP, MIA, DP, and KD. 

And if you all are counting, this summer has me going to 10 parks, easily my most ambitious summer I've put together. 

Also planning on a KK day trip as well.  With the budget, I'm limiting myself to 3 FL visits to KI. 

Bring on summer!   

EDIT: Also also, upon further credit counting, assuming everything is open, I will make it up to 150 credits at HP with the way things are planned.   I will also get to my 100th steel credit at KD.  

[silver2005]

So there are 2 coasters I've been watching as part of my trip that seemed kind of iffy as to their opening.  First is KD's Grizzly's retrack.  It appears its gonna be open when I get there, but it looks close given the scale of the retrack.  The other is RMC Wildcat at HP.   That looks to have a ways to go including not even having the lift up yet, and HP has been hinting a late summer opening, so that seems more of a coin flip.  May give me an excuse to try and do Springtime at the Park next year.  

[silver2005]

I'm feeling pretty good about ditching Six Flags America and GAdv.  SIX looks like an absolute mess right now. 

[silver2005]

So I may be getting completely spoiled on the wood coasters I'm riding this summer that have had recent retracking-

Beast, Racer, Grizzly, Shivering Timbers, Wolverine Wildcat, Phoenix, Twister

If I somehow find that any of the GCI's or Ravine Flyer II got retracked, I may reach a state beyond spoiled. 

[silver2005]

I just looked at the hours of all the parks I'm going to, and I'm not getting a lot of night rides.  All but KI and CP close at 9 or earlier on weekdays and KD is the only other one I get night rides as I'm going on a Sunday.

[silver2005]

My first excursion to MIA, CP and Waldameer begins Saturday.  It's a hike from where I am staying in Port Clinton to Waldameer and back, but should be a nice easy trip.  Weather is looking good early.

[silver2005]

My upcoming personal milestones for these trips-

- First Zamperla Coaster- Wild Mouse @ CP

- 100th steel coaster likely at Kings Dominion (likely making it Dominator as it'll be the last of the relocated Geauga Lake credits I can still get)

- 4th giga coaster- I305

- 150th overall coaster (assuming the new Intamin and Premier credits I'm getting don't snafu)- likely RMC Wildcat

- Only new park for me will be Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Also, me seeing no Volcano at KD will likely be pain me as much as seeing no Vortex at Kings Island.  Volcano was sooooo good. 

[silver2005]

Leaving for Muskegon soon.  Looking like I have good weather for MIA, CP and Waldameer. 

[silver2005]

I may hate driving in Michigan.  70 mph on all highways including in cities, locals are crazy drivers, the double highways like the Business I96 make things confusing, and the lights are weird.

[silver2005]

You know when you realize MIA is neglected when the signs directing you there only refer to it as amusement park.

[silver2005]

Wolverine Wildcat is running pretty good actually.  The only rough bit is the double up and down.

Shivering Timbers only had its first 2 drops retracked and it does have a bit of a jackhammer through the first half, though some of it is at the tops of hills and actually adds to the air. The turnaround, return run and helix are mostly fine.

[silver2005]

So the crowds aren't bad, but it feels worse because all the coasters are running 1 train and Mad Mouse has the bad CF mouse ops.  Flats are a single cycle wait and the flume has a decent wait.

[silver2005]

So single train ops aren't conducive with marathons, even with FL.

[Tr0y]

On 2/15/2023 at 3:22 PM, silver2005 said:

Anyone have any suggestions for lodging around Richmond or Williamsburg?  Also dining suggestions for Virginia Beach?

I may also hit downtown Williamsburg briefly as well.

I know this is somewhat late but Repeal Bourbon & Burgers is really good, and you can never go wrong with bourbon. It’s within walking distance of the beach. Waterman’s surfside grille is directly on the beach I had flounder there and it was really good. The Sweet Spot is an ice cream parlor / mini donut shop that makes crazy milkshakes.

[silver2005]

So today was a mixed bag.  First, MIA is pretty spruced up since my visit in 2017.  The park looks great, the staff is great, and ops are pretty good for what the park is.  The maintenance department is where they can only maintain 1 train per coaster besides Mad Mouse (which I skipped).  The flats and water rides were running good.  Corkscrew and Thunderhawk ran decent, and Wolverine Wildcat has a mix of recent retracks to be running good. I feel it's a few patch jobs away from being really good.  Shivering Timbers has some need of a long term work as it's only retracked at the top of the 2nd hill.  It's running pretty hard and intense with some jackhammering, mostly in the first half but the return run needs some spots fixed up, too.  It'll be a while before I go back, I need to see significant more work done to Shivering Timbers first.

[Tr0y]

On 2/1/2023 at 5:04 PM, silver2005 said:

I won't pass up advice on the VA parks, but I am pretty comfortable kind of just winging it as I've been to Kings Dominion before back in 2004.  I've heard a lot of weird stuff about SFA so any prior knowledge of that park going in would be helpful.  I'd like to know what I'm getting into with that.   No advice needed for Carowinds or HP.  

My last visit to BGW was during the first week of June. The longest line I waited was Darkoaster with over an hour wait. I would definitely make that the first coaster to ride when you get the park, followed by Verbolten then Pantheon. It was a Sunday but I was able to ride every coaster. I probably could’ve got more re rides in if I rode Darkoaster first thing in the morning. As @johnjniehaus said the tours they offer are very good. I didn’t do the roller coaster insider tour but instead did the Railroad Steam Engine Tour. It was a very personal experience because I was the only one on the tour. More detail on my experience from the Railroad Steam Engine Tour here: