PLEASE READ- BGW or HERSHY PARK
Ok... Hi everyone... I want everyone to respond to me sencerely... My family is planning a trip to the northeast (a D.C./ other stuff kind of trip...) and I have been trying to get my dad to take us to a theme park in the D.C. area (and preferably something NON Six flags, to hopefully get the old midway kind of flavor...)
Here's the deal... I have conducted preliminary research that suggests that BGW is about 2 and a half hours away from D.C. and hershypark is about 2 hours... I would be open to any one of the two (preferably BGW, coasterwise... besides, my sister is kind of squemish to going on very many woodies...) and either one seems possible right now... SOOOO....
which one of the two is all around a better deal for my family (an old dad that doesn't ride woodies, I MIGHT get him on the B&M's at BGW because of smoothness; a mom that doesn't ride them at all, a little sister that's too short for pretty much all coasters, and a teenage sister that loves them...) PLEASE take into the account of midways, scenery, cleanliness, stuff for little kids, pretty much stuff that is in the oppisite direction of a six flags park... Try to imagine if you had a family, ya know???
Any response is thankfulll...
Eric P.
> Ok... Hi everyone... I want everyone to
> respond to me sencerely... My family is
> planning a trip to the northeast (a D.C./
> other stuff kind of trip...) and I have been
> trying to get my dad to take us to a theme
> park in the D.C. area (and preferably
> something NON Six flags, to hopefully get
> the old midway kind of flavor...) Here's
> the deal... I have conducted preliminary
> research that suggests that BGW is about 2
> and a half hours away from D.C. and
> hershypark is about 2 hours... I would be
> open to any one of the two (preferably BGW,
> coasterwise... besides, my sister is kind of
> squemish to going on very many woodies...)
> and either one seems possible right now...
> SOOOO.... which one of the two is all
> around a better deal for my family (an old
> dad that doesn't ride woodies, I MIGHT get
> him on the B&M's at BGW because of
> smoothness; a mom that doesn't ride them at
> all, a little sister that's too short for
> pretty much all coasters, and a teenage
> sister that loves them...) PLEASE take into
> the account of midways, scenery,
> cleanliness, stuff for little kids, pretty
> much stuff that is in the oppisite direction
> of a six flags park... Try to imagine if you
> had a family, ya know??? Any response is
> thankfulll... Eric P.
Have you given any thought to Paramount's Kings Dominion? It's over an hour closer to DC then BGW and they have a nice arsenal of steel and wood coasters. Just a suggestion and possible other option for you. Of BGW and Hersheypark, if you want the old midway feel, you would have to go with Hersheypark. Here is a park that is definitely a themer, but has an old amusement park feel also (kinda-sorta). BGW is a BEAUTIFUL park with a nice arsenal of steelies, but no wood at all. If you're satisfied with no woodies at all, then definitely go to BGW, but for the overall amusement/theme park feel with steel and wood coasters and a nice selection of spin and spues and some nice water rides, go to Hersheypark! I like both, very much. Since I am in NJ, and closer to Hershey, I would always opt to go there first. Especially now with Lightning Racer going in! You can't go wrong with either, but my vote is for Hershey.
Jersey Joe
I'm with Jersey Joe on this one "Consider Parmounts Kings Dominion".
Start your dad off with Scooby Doo's Ghoster Coaster and work him up from there. Heck Sis might even be able to get on it:) Its also 30 minutes closer to DC.
Happy Coastering
...I would tend to lean toward Hershey Park. but I had a good time at all the parks mentioned. lightning racer should be great and the great bear is a nice smooth and short B&M invert
Brian
> Ok... Hi everyone... I want everyone to
> respond to me sencerely... My family is
> planning a trip to the northeast (a D.C./
> other stuff kind of trip...) and I have been
> trying to get my dad to take us to a theme
> park in the D.C. area (and preferably
> something NON Six flags, to hopefully get
> the old midway kind of flavor...) Here's
> the deal... I have conducted preliminary
> research that suggests that BGW is about 2
> and a half hours away from D.C. and
> hershypark is about 2 hours... I would be
> open to any one of the two (preferably BGW,
> coasterwise... besides, my sister is kind of
> squemish to going on very many woodies...)
> and either one seems possible right now...
> SOOOO.... which one of the two is all
> around a better deal for my family (an old
> dad that doesn't ride woodies, I MIGHT get
> him on the B&M's at BGW because of
> smoothness; a mom that doesn't ride them at
> all, a little sister that's too short for
> pretty much all coasters, and a teenage
> sister that loves them...) PLEASE take into
> the account of midways, scenery,
> cleanliness, stuff for little kids, pretty
> much stuff that is in the oppisite direction
> of a six flags park... Try to imagine if you
> had a family, ya know??? Any response is
> thankfulll... Eric P.
Based on your criteria, I would go to BGW. All of the coasters are smooth enough for Dad, they have good shows for Mom, and little sister will love Land of the Dragons. You won't get an old Midway feel at any of the parks in that area but BGW's theming is the best of the bunch. If you wanted wood and steel and could handle some roughness on the steelies, PKD would be the choice. All four of their woodies are very good to great. In addition, Avalanche and Volcano are stand-outs on the steel side. The Nickelodeon stuff will keep the little sister happy. If you wanted wood and steel but can't handle roughness on the steelies, go to Hershey. Except for Sidewinder, their steelies won't bang you up and their wood coasters are very good. The Comet is a fun, classic ride and if Lightning Racer turns out as good as it looks, they will have two great GCI coasters as well. Add to that the steel Great Bear, SDL, and Wild Mouse and you've got quite a good collection of rides to choose from. Mom can enjoy the Zoo while everyone rides. Last on my list in the area would be SFA. Although SROS looks promising, their coaster line-up is inferior to the other parks(Invertigo was closed when I was there so I can't comment on it). The only one there I give high marks to is the Wild One. Roar is fun but I get bored with it quickly and always find myself back on Wild One. Mind Eraser and Joker's Jinx will beat you up pretty good. The only other good rides there are the Typhoon Seacoaster and Tower of Doom. Chris.
> Ok... Hi everyone... I want everyone to
> respond to me sencerely... My family is
> planning a trip to the northeast (a D.C./
> other stuff kind of trip...) and I have been
> trying to get my dad to take us to a theme
> park in the D.C. area (and preferably
> something NON Six flags, to hopefully get
> the old midway kind of flavor...) Here's
> the deal... I have conducted preliminary
> research that suggests that BGW is about 2
> and a half hours away from D.C. and
> hershypark is about 2 hours... I would be
> open to any one of the two (preferably BGW,
> coasterwise... besides, my sister is kind of
> squemish to going on very many woodies...)
> and either one seems possible right now...
> SOOOO.... which one of the two is all
> around a better deal for my family (an old
> dad that doesn't ride woodies, I MIGHT get
> him on the B&M's at BGW because of
> smoothness; a mom that doesn't ride them at
> all, a little sister that's too short for
> pretty much all coasters, and a teenage
> sister that loves them...) PLEASE take into
> the account of midways, scenery,
> cleanliness, stuff for little kids, pretty
> much stuff that is in the oppisite direction
> of a six flags park... Try to imagine if you
> had a family, ya know??? Any response is
> thankfulll... Eric P.
*** It's good that you selected the 2 best parks in the D.C. area (within 2-3 hours of D.C.) to choose from. Hershey and BGW are among my favorite parks. I haven't been to Hershey for about 2 years, but they have some great new rides. I'm sure Lightning Racer will be a great ride, just like the Wildcat (my favorite woodie). If you like woodies, go to Hershey. If you like big steel coasters, I'd recommend BGW. Hershey is a little smaller (I think) but plenty big for a day. BGW is more spread out and requires more walking. BGW has better theming, but Hershey is still good with its theming. The old midway feel park would have to be Hershey. Overall, they are both great parks. (Hershey is currently nominated for the Applause award, which is a very prestigous amusement park award, and BGW was nominated a few years ago -this shows that they are great parks.) Either one you select you will be happy with. So, to decide, just flip a coin and you can't go wrong. Oh, I wouldn't advise going to PKD. It is ok, but all the rides are rather short (averaging under 3000 feet) and aren't that great (except Grizzly and OL:FOF). If you go to BGW, around 20 or 30 miles before Richmond on I-95, look to your left and you can see PKD for a few seconds from your car. Then proceed to BGW.
Zimm
> Ok... Hi everyone... I want everyone to
> respond to me sencerely... My family is
> planning a trip to the northeast (a D.C./
> other stuff kind of trip...) and I have been
> trying to get my dad to take us to a theme
> park in the D.C. area (and preferably
> something NON Six flags, to hopefully get
> the old midway kind of flavor...) Here's
> the deal... I have conducted preliminary
> research that suggests that BGW is about 2
> and a half hours away from D.C. and
> hershypark is about 2 hours... I would be
> open to any one of the two (preferably BGW,
> coasterwise... besides, my sister is kind of
> squemish to going on very many woodies...)
> and either one seems possible right now...
> SOOOO.... which one of the two is all
> around a better deal for my family (an old
> dad that doesn't ride woodies, I MIGHT get
> him on the B&M's at BGW because of
> smoothness; a mom that doesn't ride them at
> all, a little sister that's too short for
> pretty much all coasters, and a teenage
> sister that loves them...) PLEASE take into
> the account of midways, scenery,
> cleanliness, stuff for little kids, pretty
> much stuff that is in the oppisite direction
> of a six flags park... Try to imagine if you
> had a family, ya know??? Any response is
> thankfulll... Eric P.
Eric,
I have never, ever found a classic midway flavor at BGW. They have themed the park too much, imo, and it feels like you are in Europe and not at an amusement park. Other than that, it is a good park and could be enjoyed by the entire family. PKD is my favorite park, but from what you wrote it sounds like a trip to Hersheypark would be perfect for you. There are so many things to do for the non-coaster riders outside of the park. There is a zoo, a chocolate factory simulation ride, Hershey Gardens, Hershey Museum, and more. All that I mentioned except for the gardens are right at the park and you wouldn't have to go anywhere else. As for the park itself, it is has a beautiful, traditional feel for a corporate-owned park with a great selection of rides for the entire family. I hope you choose it, but if you don't then have a great time wherever you end up going.
- Coaster 3:16 hastd
> Ok... Hi everyone... I want everyone to
> respond to me sencerely... My family is
> planning a trip to the northeast (a D.C./
> other stuff kind of trip...) and I have been
> trying to get my dad to take us to a theme
> park in the D.C. area (and preferably
> something NON Six flags, to hopefully get
> the old midway kind of flavor...) Here's
> the deal... I have conducted preliminary
> research that suggests that BGW is about 2
> and a half hours away from D.C. and
> hershypark is about 2 hours... I would be
> open to any one of the two (preferably BGW,
> coasterwise... besides, my sister is kind of
> squemish to going on very many woodies...)
> and either one seems possible right now...
> SOOOO.... which one of the two is all
> around a better deal for my family (an old
> dad that doesn't ride woodies, I MIGHT get
> him on the B&M's at BGW because of
> smoothness; a mom that doesn't ride them at
> all, a little sister that's too short for
> pretty much all coasters, and a teenage
> sister that loves them...) PLEASE take into
> the account of midways, scenery,
> cleanliness, stuff for little kids, pretty
> much stuff that is in the oppisite direction
> of a six flags park... Try to imagine if you
> had a family, ya know??? Any response is
> thankfulll... Eric P.
I just couldn't let this thread go by without jumping in. Until December of 1999, I lived in Hershey, and now I live in Richmond, so I'm familiar with the area.... :-) Both Hersheypark and BGW are *great* family parks, so either one would be good. Hershey has some coasters that are good for serious coaster wimps - you can't get much gentler than the Trailblazer. Even little kids can ride it. The SooperDooperLooper is easy to ride, also. My daughter started riding it when she was 7. I think there is a good variety of coasters there. Lightning Racer definitely looks like a "must ride", and Wildcat is in my top 3. The kiddie rides at Hershey tend to be spread out all over the park, so there's something for everyone in almost every area. I might be imagining it, but it seems to me there are more rides at Hersheypark, and it has more of the old amusement park feel to me.
The themeing at BGW is spectacular. It's probably the most beautiful park I've been in - always spotless and beautifully landscaped. Land of the Dragons is a huge hit with my daughter (she's 10), and there's plenty for everyone to enjoy. Most of the coasters would probably be intimidating to new riders, but my kid rides them all. Apollo's Chariot might be my favorite steel (I have to give Volcano another ride....) I really like the new animal area of the park. Feeding the lorikeets is a blast, but watch your fingers - those things can bite pretty hard (and I have the scar to prove it).
So, bottom line - I don't think you can make a bad choice. Either park has it's good points. If your little sister is really anxious to get to ride a coaster, Hersheypark has very low heighth requirements on a couple of theirs, and it also has a very smooth B&M inverted to get Dad on. BGW has great food and lots of neat places to browse for the non-riders, but plenty to keep the coasternuts happy, too. Personally, I'd have a difficult time deciding between the two. Hey, why not try to get Dad to take you to both? 8-) Janis
