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[tropicsgoddess]

Islands of Adventure - Orlando, FL : There's TONS of awesome roller coaster rides there and then some. The most notable are the Dueling Dragon, Dr. Doom and The Incredible Hulk.

Busch Gardens - Tampa FL: same as above, but notably the Sheikra and the Montu

[AdminAssistant]

I've not been to too many parks - although I used to go to the MidSouth Fair all the time, which used to be at LibertyLand (home of the Zippin' Pippin', Elvis's favorite roller coaster! ). But it's closed now. I've been to Six Flags-St. Louis and was NOT impressed. There were some fun rides in the main park (The Beast - big wooden coaster), but the water park was just nasty. And I got really bad blisters on my feet. Bleh.

[monolayth]

I have been to six flags st louis, it was intresting, had some fun but was mostly pissed the entire time due to step family. there was a lot of commercialazation. way too many souvener places.


Kansas city has a fun amusement park called worlds of fun. http://www.worldsoffun.com/

and the plus of the worlds of fun is that you could come see us at omaha.....we have burlesque girls and a zoo! http://www.omahazoo.com/

ok done with the shameless plugging of omaha. lol.

[jashme]

Being from Missouri, and having been to Worlds of Fun countless times, I have to say I like it the best, the Timberwolf is still my favorite(wooden roller coaster) and of course if you go on a really hot day, the water park(Oceans of Fun) is just over the bridge.

[AdminAssistant]

You know...I lived in KC for two years and never went to Worlds of Fun. I'm still close enough, maybe this summer? I'd plug where I live now, but there's not much in the way of vacation-y activities unless you're into sports.

[Peppergirl]

Kings Island, just north of Cincinnati, is a good one.

I'll give you the tour if you choose that one, just keep me posted.

[PentUpRage]

Raps, are you a member of the European Coaster Club by chance? They do organized tours that can be brutal but it's a heck of a way to get your coaster riding in. I did their Japan tour in 05, something like 78 coasters in 10 days (plus travel time).

You have to do Cedar Point, hands down. There is a little park in Michigan called Michigans Adventure that has one coaster that is worth the trip called Shivering Timbers. One of the best woodies I've ever been on. I may be a bit prejudiced though, during Timbers Fest my fiance convinced management to stop the coaster at the top of the first hill where he proposed to me.

Seriously though...still an awesome ride.

Someone mentioned checking the calendars, this will also provide information on planned downtime for maintenance. Nothing worse than traveling a couple of thousand miles only to not be able to ride due to something goofy like that.

Have fun!!!!

[draftermatt]

http://www.kennywood.com/

Kennywood in Pittsburgh, PA.

Never been there myself, but my wife and my cousin have and rave about how great of a park it is for Roller Coasters.

[sms001]

Coast to coast coaster junkie here Raps, thirding (fourthing?) Cedar Point. It's not just their great rides, but the park's attitude toward making rides. They really appreciate coaster aficionados and it shows.

[Aethian]

You have to do Cedar Point, hands down. There is a little park in Michigan called Michigans Adventure that has one coaster that is worth the trip called Shivering Timbers. One of the best woodies I've ever been on.

YESSS That one rocks! How could I forget the very one in my home state?

[PentUpRage]

YESSS That one rocks! How could I forget the very one in my home state?

We've nicknamed it air timbers. Fabulous amount of air time on that thing.

[Mr Slugger]

I like the old wooden coasters the best...80+ miles an hour and 230 feet high is just not quite my idea of fun.

I was just talking about this the other day. I love the old wooden coasters. I like the yankee canonball at cannibee lake in NH. Also used to like the coaster at Paragon park when I was a kid, they moved it somewhere

Anyway the new coaster secure you in six ways to sunday. Sure you're going fast and all, but there's nothing like sitting in a wooden coaster with the only thing holding you in is a metal pole with a six inch gap between you and that pole. It's so much more fun.

That or the mousetrap coasters, which they tore down the only one I know of at cannibee. I like the idea of swearing you were going to get your head knocked off at every turn. (Maybe that's why they tore it down?)

[Kogarashi]

I'll always have a soft spot for the Great Escape in New York (it's the only park I've been to more than twice). It's got an 80-year-old coaster, among other things. Not really a coaster park, though, for all it's owned by Six Flags.

The in-laws recommend Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington, TX), the original Six Flags, as a great coaster park. Haven't been there myself yet.

If you go to Disneyland, I know they had those "line-buster" tickets the last time I was there, where you pick up the ticket two hours before you're actually supposed to get in line, and you can get in the MUCH shorter line with that. Plan out your rides, and you don't waste much time wandering around.

[Reyneth]

Cedar Point, Cedar Point!

I do wish Geauga Lake (didn't compare in coasters to CP but did well compared to other parks) was still open - had quite the nostalgia feel.

King's Island in Cincinnati is nice, and I have a soft spot for Busch Gardens Williamsburg. My first upside-down coaster there when I was 7. Still love Nessie!

Oh, and I talked to someone at work on Friday who when I asked if he was from the area (answered the phone as "Cedar Point" but gave me a mailing address 6+ states away) said "No, I own it." While I'm certain he's not THE owner, I bet he has a big share in it from everything else in that conversation! No, no tickets. Even my sup was joking I should have cut him a deal, but that could've gotten me fired. Still cool though!

ETA - just started investigating. Dude is a VP in CedarPoint Trucking. BAH! lol That shows that NE Ohioans just think all "Cedar Points" are THE Cedar Point! lol

[digilight]

Six Flags Magic Mountain (southern California) while it has some great coasters, also has some seadier visitors. It tends to get a shit load of gang activity (Chavs and worse for you brits, I think LOL).

Disney Land is a lot of fun, but they don't really have any great thrill rides. The thing to bypass the lines is called Fast Pass, and it is available on about 12 of the different rides.