Originally Posted By Darkbeer OK, now that the wedding is over, time to work on the Honeymoon. The dates I am working with... Coastermania at Cedar Point on June 4th and 5th My Mother in Law's BD on June 14th (In Mississippi near the Tennessee border) American Coaster Enthusiasts Coaster Con XXXIII which is from June 20th through the 26th. The rough first look at dates and travel. Arrive in Cleveland on the 2nd (Southwest, currently about $350 per person round trip with no baggage fees). Get a rental car, about $750 for a full sized car without insurance, which we have through our own car insurance. About 2,000 miles of driving, so gas will be around $500. Drive to Sandusky, OH that day and check in to a hotel (Cedar Point hasn't posted their rates for on-property hotels, but that would be out first choice, but might opt for an off-property hotel is they want an arm AND a leg). Since we have the Platinum Pass, we get Early Entry anyways, plus the Coastermania ERT's (15 hours worth!). Check out on the 7th and drive to Kings Island in Mason, Oh. Enjoy Kings Island on the 8th. Get up early and drive to SF Kentucky Kingdom and enjoy the day, then keep going to Santa Claus, IN that night. (It is a small park, so we will just hit the Roller Coasters and maybe a few other things, heck, its free with out Six Flags SP). Heck, so far, free admission with our SoCal Passes The 10th and 11th will be for Holiday World, I have never been there, and would like to take it slowly, and enjoy it. Heck, with free parking, free sodas and free sunscreen, it can't be too bad More than likely will try and find a package deal (not out yet) but otherwise will do it in parts. Check out on the 12th, and head to Hernando, Mississippi for my Mother in Law's BD (she can't travel by plane anymore due to health reasons, so she missed the wedding). Leave on the 15th to Pigeon Forge, TN Spend the 16th at Dollywood On the 17th, drive to the Charleston area and get a room for a night The 18th is the second half of the drive, arriving in Pittsburgh. The 19th will be a day off, maybe some time at Kennywood. The 20th is the start of Coaster Con XXXIII, with the first stop at Kennywood. Coaster Con has 4 parks, and goes through Saturday, June 26th. Alas, due to work issues, we will board a return flight to John Wayne Airport on Saturday the 26th from Cleveland. So depending on the schedule and our flight time, we might drive to Cleveland on Friday the 25th, and get a room for one night, maybe near Geagua Lake and check out the water-park, and see what has happened to the park since the last time I went, when it was Six Flags, and they had just built the water park addition, and was still operating the "SeaWorld" side. Otherwise, drive to Cleveland on the 26th if we have a late flight. Alas, the full Coaster Con schedule has not been released yet. So any hints on Hotel rooms, we are looking to be on the low side, so places like Motel 6 are fine (though we might also use Hotwire.com). WiFi is a MUST. Also hints as to places to eat, see, etc.... Thanks in advance for any help....
Originally Posted By dshyates OK, I have one suggestion. Instead of going all the way to Charleston, WV between Pigeon Forge, TN and Pittsburgh. I suggest that you take US Route 19 from the North Beckley exit up to I-79. That will cut off over an hour of drive time and take you through some of the most beautiful parts of the area. Rt. 19 is all 4 lane highway, but not an interstate. And that route will take you over the crown jewel of West Virginia. The New River Gorge Bridge (one big a$$ bridge). <a href="http://image.dek-d.com/21/2100558/102008566" target="_blank">http://image.dek-d.com/21/2100...02008566</a> Here is the route: <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Pigeon+Forge,+TN&daddr=38.298559,-80.823669+toittsburgh,+PA&geocode=FYgWIgId4w8F-ynLveanDf9biDFOgCiOcMBwFw%3B%3BFTETaQIdElw7-ykDhQZIb_E0iDE0G6JaoRX5jQ&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=9&via=1&sll=38.363195,-81.013184&sspn=1.455801,2.458191&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=9" target="_blank">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=...&t=h&z=9</a>
Originally Posted By brotherdave Darkbeer, just letting you know that the W PA ACE region is planning a day at Lakemont/DelGrosso's (near Altoona, PA) on Saturday June 19th. Also, it's about a 9-10 drive from Pigeon Forge to Pittsburgh. Definitely doable in a day's drive. I would agree to take the route dshyates told you (you'll save about 2 hours drive time!) Just be careful of some of the small towns on Rt 19 (speed traps) near the New River Gorge Bridge. Of course, if you got to Charleston, Camden Park is less than 1 hour away west in Huntingdon, WV. If you have no interest in Camden, then avoid Charleston and drive straight through to Pittsburgh. Stay east of Pittsburgh (Monroeville area) and drive to Altoona for the pre-con event. Not often you can ride the world's oldest coaster (Leap the Dips at Lakemont) plus ride another classic woodie along the outfield wall of a baseball stadium! Unless you want to be really depressed, stay away from Geauga Lake. The water park is just 'ok'. I'd rather have Geauga Lake's amusement area and Sea World back! Heck, enjoy Waldameer for another day (Ravine Flyer II is awesome!) until it's time to get your flight in Cleveland, about 90 minutes - 2hours away.
Originally Posted By brotherdave Sorry, that's 9-10 hour drive from Pigeon Forge to Pittsburgh. I know some who can make it in 8 with no stops. Mostly interstate, except for 4 lane highway through central WV. It's gorgeous scenery there, too!
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Thanks for the hints so far.... If we have an early flight on Saturday the 26th, I was think of the Geagua Lake area, as it is very close to the Cleveland Airport, and wouldn't take much time to see (and free with our Cedar Fair Platinum Pass). I am not going to make a special trip to see it, just a stop along the way if it matcheds with our schedule, but then do I want to do a "depressing" park as my last stop on the trip? And looks like I know what I am doing on Saturday the 19th.... By chance, are you attending any of the Costermania/Coseter Con events BrotherDave? And I was really bummed to find out that Cedar Point and Holiday World are doing their Coaster Club events on the same weekend. (June 4th and 5th).
Originally Posted By brotherdave I'll be definitely doing Coaster Con (I live in Pittsburgh) and depending on my schedule and time, hoping to do Coastermania. Just thought I'd suggest Lakemont/Del Grosso's. Both are fun smaller traditional parks.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <The 10th and 11th will be for Holiday World, I have never been there, and would like to take it slowly, and enjoy it. Heck, with free parking, free sodas and free sunscreen, it can't be too bad More than likely will try and find a package deal (not out yet) but otherwise will do it in parts.> Holiday World rocks. The Voyage is, IMO, the best woodie in the country right now, unless you insist on smoothness. This is a relentless boneshaker! I suspect you'll spend more time than you suspected in the waterpark section. It's an excellent waterpark and they're adding a new water coaster this year that sounds fantastic. Of course, most water rides don't have high throughput, so you'll find some of the big ones can have long waits. But June may be slower than when I've been there in July or August. The theme park section has 3 world-class woodies, but only a few other rides that are sort of "non-standard." Not that they're not still fun (though their space shot tower is too short), but you know what I'm saying. You'll probably concentrate on the coasters and the waterpark, would be my guess. One nice thing is that Pilgrim's Plunge, their big plunge ride (taller than Perilous Plunge, though not as steep) can be accessed from either the waterpark or the theme park, so you can wear your swim suits and not walk around drenched all day. Tip for eats there: the restaurant in the Thanksgiving section. It's all the way to the back of the park away from most everything else, so even when I was there in the height of the summer on a Saturday last year, it was not crowded. And decent food too. Enjoy your trip!
Originally Posted By Darkbeer First off, SF Kentucky Kingdom has decided to close, since they couldn't come to an agreement with the Fairgrounds regarding their lease. But that was crammed into the schedule anyways, so sightseeing instead.... Here is the Coaster Con schedule and pricing.... <a href="http://www.aceonline.org/fliers/CoasterCon2010.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.aceonline.org/flier...2010.pdf</a> And the basics for Coastermania at Cedar Point... <a href="http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/news/coastermania/index.cfm" target="_blank">http://www.cedarpoint.com/publ...ndex.cfm</a> Since we are Platnium SP holders, the event itself is free.... still waiting for the Hotel prices though.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 If you're not going to KK, you might consider Mammoth Cave in KY and/or Lincoln's birthplace. Both well worth a look. If you've never seen a real-life (as opposed to Disney) big cave, it's impressive. They're a little out of the way going between Cincy and Santa Claus, but not horribly so.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I've never been to Lincoln's birthplace, but I would second the recomendation to go to Mamoth Cave. It's probably not a full day experience (I'd say 3 hours tops), but it's quite a sight to behold.
Originally Posted By dshyates Mammoth is a national treasure right up there with the grand canyon in my opinion.
Originally Posted By brotherdave Darkbeer, if you are thinking of going to Mammoth, Beech Bend amusement park is not too far away. Kentucky Rumbler is worth checking out!
