Visting a new park

I have been going to CP for decades. Our family has discussed going to different parks and I must say that I have been disappointed when I have visited Darien Lake, Canada's Wonderland and even Disneyland. Recently we have talked about going to Koebels and Hershey Park, but we always visit CP first and then I am afraid to be disappointed and keep returning to CP despite the 270+ miles. How can I get by the high standards that CP has given me? I guess I am a CP junkie, just ask my friends at work who I have turned on to CP. Any suggestions on what parks to visit that I might not be disappointed with?

I, personally, just try to take parks for what they're worth. I always get upset over comparisons of Park X to CP, because CP will most likely always come up on top, and you'll be left with a bad taste in your mouth.

If you're going to go to Knoebel's, don't be upset when you don't see a Millennium Force, Raptor, or Power Tower. You should try to take in all the little things that make that park what it is. It's a small, family park with great little rides, so try to judge it against other parks like it, ie Kennywood, or don't even judge at all! Just, like I say, take it for what it's worth.

If you're a coaster enthusiast, which you probably are, try to compensate rides for atmosphere to have a little better time. In my opinion, Six Flags Ohio isn't too spectacular as a park, but Villain and Superman: Ultimate Escape made up for that. Michigan's Adventure also sticks out in this category. The park is somewhat barren, almost like a carnival. But then, you hop on Shivering Timbers... and almost forget completely where you even are.

Bottom line: You're at an amusement park riding coasters! Just have fun!

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How dare you vanquish the Steel Phantom without his consent? Fear the Phantom's Revenge.

I've been to many a park and they are all dog meat compared to Cedar Point. If you live close to Cedar Point (like me) you are defininily spoiled. If you are not a coaster Fanatic though than CP may not be the place. If you want scenery than go to Busch gardens (both have some great rides too) If you want the old city trolley park (with metal detectors included!!) Kennywood is a great place with some good coasters and I recomend a visit. (I dont know how good the new one will be though). Six Fags ohio has good rides, but it is the worst becuase they have unsupervised 2 year olds operating the rides along with the free dirt and garbage on the midway. I've never been out west though so I dont know about those parks. Bottom line is Cedar Point is the the one of the cleanest and the safest and adding the coasters makes it the best.

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Joe E

The Millennium Force Makes Me High

It depends entirely on what you're looking for. I love Kennywood, but I wouldn't want to go when it's crowded. You won't spend several days there, maybe just eight hours, but you'll enjoy it as a coaster nut.

Darien Lake was fun for me as well, but I didn't expect to spend a day there (though I did, riding Superman).

If you're looking for the overall experience for the whole family, Busch Gardens Williamsburgh will do it. Mind you, it's a lot of hiking, but it's a fantastic park. If I wasn't a native Clevelander, BGW would be my favorite park on the planet.

Overall, it just depends on your expectations, and managing them is key.

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Jeff
Webmaster/Guide to The Point
Millennium Force laps: 50

I agree with Jeff, Six Flags Great America is another great park that has an awesome overall experience, it surprised me a lot and passed my expectations after going to Cedar Point all summer...

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Whats life if you don't get to the point?
http://people.mw.mediaone.net/mckinnie

"I love Kennywood, but I wouldn't want to go when it's crowded. You won't spend several days there..."

That's the thing about Cedar Point -- you can/should spend several days there. I can't think of too many parks that actually are large enough with enough things to do to warrant a 2+ days stay. CP, Disneyworld... Florida.

(Note: Yep. Kennywood is definately a bad place to be on a busy day. Definately.)

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How dare you vanquish the Steel Phantom without his consent? Fear the Phantom's Revenge.

the one thing nice about the smaller parks is how some very nice rides have no line,and everyone thats been to them alot is commenting on how long the lines are,shivering timbers had maybe 200 people in line and ive heard that comment the day i went to michigan adventure.
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am i tall enough to ride?
icq#14421339

I went to MIA on a weekday in August, and I never waited more than 4 trains (with two train operation) to get on.

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How dare you vanquish the Steel Phantom without his consent? Fear the Phantom's Revenge.

I went to Kennywood on what could have been the slowest day of the Year. I wanted to ride the thunderbolt so that was the first thing we went on. We sat in the front of the train for at least 20 minutes till there was enough people to send us off. I wanted to jump down the first drop since it was right their. I never thought an uncrowded park could force a long wait. I guess they under estimated the crowed becuase later in the day they only had 1 train operations on all of the rides and it became packed. I rode all of the coasters at least 3 times and a half a day was plenty.

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Joe E

The Millennium Force Makes Me High

I think one thing Cedar Point could do to become everyones favorite park, would be to add scenery, landscaping, and perhaps dare I say theming. This seems to be the only thing that Cedar Point doesn't have. Look at the some of the close runner-up parks, Islands of Adventure and Busch Gardens. I think this would add a lot to the park. Yes the park looks nice, just natural with the lake, but I think adding more landscaping and perhaps remodeling the 70's stuff by Disaster Transport, might help. Some year Cedar Point should go around and just remodell like all the games and food places so they look and are up-to-date.

I loved Kennywood, and eagerly looking forward to KennyKon next year. PKI, we had a great time there (hey...we got in for free...lol). I'm looking forward to going to Dorney Park, Michigans Adventure, SFO and Holiday world next year.

Going to other parks is great, the rides at CP don't get boring then, and you get to experience new coasters and new rides.

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If she weighs as much as a duck, she's made of wood, and therefore a witch.

"I went to Kennywood on what could have been the slowest day of the year... I guess they under estimated the crowed becuase later in the day they only had 1 train operations on all of the rides and it became packed."

At 1:ish, weekday or weekend, like clockwork, the park explodes with people, simply explodes. If you want to get rides on all the coasters first an foremost, get there at 11:00 and make a quick jaunt around the park, Exterminator first. All five can be down by 12:00 -- and then the people pour in.

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How dare you vanquish the Steel Phantom without his consent? Fear the Phantom's Revenge.

Lynch, I take it all in too. When I went to PKI, I couldn't get how people put it down so bad. Heck it's an amusement park and a lot better than my average day.

Yes, CP is the best amusement park in the world, but there are others that are very enjoyable and even hard to compare to CP because of what they offer. IOA and BGW are not only beautiful parks, but the rides they both have are elite. They may not have as many as CP, but the quality is there gang. SIx Flags Magic Mountain is strictly a ride park, but they have some killer rides too. On a ride level, it is very close to CP.

It's a matter of lowering your standards and enjoying the park for what it is. I went to Hershey Park this summer. You can't spend a whole day there, but I had a great time. It has some of the best wooden coasters I have ever been on and a cool inverted caoster.

But Busch Gardens Williamsburg, SFMM and Islands of Adventure are musts.

I don't know if removing ALL the 60's and 70's stuff is that great of a idea. They should leave some of it so that there is a reminded of Cedar Point from then, but some updates would be nice there.
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Intrested in Cedar Point History?
Visit Cedar Point-on-Lake Erie http://cedarpoint.virtualave.net

Sorry to disagree with you net, but it does take a whole day to do Hersheypark and that's when it's not even busy. Next to CP, HP is not only the second biggest, but the best amusement park I've ever been to. Their coasters (8) rank with the best, their water rides which have super clean water, are unmatched, and their entertainment is worth the admission price by itself. These are just a few reasons that prompt me to buy a season pass every year and also cause organizations like ACE to hold events there all the time, including one coming up in June. And hey! They sure didn't win the applause award for nothing. *** This post was edited by Superstew on 11/28/2000. ***

I have a feeling me and a couple buddies of mine will be visiting a few of these parks mentioned soon ;)

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http://www.msu.edu/~armbrus9/cp.html
mf laps = 100! No More No Less!!

HHHEEEYYYY Jeffery Spartan welcome back to GTTP!

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daniel j. haverlock
Magnum Count: 1266
MF Count: 117
spiritofthepoint.com

I never left...just had virtual laryngitis!! :)

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http://www.msu.edu/~armbrus9/cp.html
mf laps = 100! No More No Less!!