Chadster's Vacation Adventures: Final Edition!

[ChrisradJason X versus the Robot Space Donkey!]

The cock haus fully approves of the rooster festival.

[simon8899I wish they would make Street Fighter Donkey.]

These reports always soothe me a little: What you've in superior parks we've in superior carnivals...

[MooseWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

I figured there would be more cock at a rooster festival.

[chadsterThe Pony Express can't find my teepee]

^I was too but apparently they can't bring roosters into the city like they used do, ironic eh? Another thing of note, they were selling turkey legs, but I don't recall any chicken being served except for one BBQ vendor.

The cock haus fully approves of the rooster festival.

[chadsterThe Pony Express can't find my teepee]

^I was too but apparently they can't bring roosters into the city like they used do, ironic eh? Another thing of note, they were selling turkey legs, but I don't recall any chicken being served except for one BBQ vendor.

The cock haus fully approves of the rooster festival.

These reports always soothe me a little: What you've in superior parks we've in superior carnivals...

Which is exactly why I coming to Germany within they next two years!

[giscoStarbucks Enthusiast]

I like seeing fairs, festivals and carnivals from around the country. Fun to see how some things are way different but others are exactly the same.

[chadsterThe Pony Express can't find my teepee]

So this Memorial Day weekend I thought it would be nice to not only remember those service men and women who have paid the ultimate price or who active or veterans, but to also list my 10 most favorite parks thus far.

I'm not going to rank them as I don't really rank parks, but I do have parks that I like for various reasons and today I share those with you. So in no particular order, here goes!


1. Morey's Piers - Of all the seaside amusement parks I've been to, Morey's is #1 on my list. Spread out over multiple Piers they have a cheesy carnival atmosphere with a wide degree of varying rides that's just plain fun. Reasonable pricing, tons of food options on the boardwalk, it's a great place to spend a day and night, or couple with the beach for full weekend of mid week break from the rat race.

A great family friendly place.

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Rides for everyone. The coasters may not be the greatest but they are fun, even their SLC isn't all that bad!

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2. Busch Gardens Williamsburg - Here is a park than combines culture, a few animals, great rides, and kick A$$ operations for the ultimate experience. I have found the staff friendly, good food and plenty to keep you busy for the day. Superb landscaping and friendly folks have me wanting to go back to try out their newest attractions. If you plan a visit, be sure to addon the Coaster Tour, it's well worth the $

Missed my Photo Trip Report on this park? Clicky

View from atop Griffon looking at Ness

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Two stellar B&M's.

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3. Wonderland Amusement Park - Wonderland reminds me of my childhood park, Bell's, and for that it makes my favorite park list. The park features several old school attractions with a laid back atmosphere and a Bill Tracey dark ride knock off. They also have one of the few remaining original Himalaya's in the country

Missed my Photo Trip Report on this park? Clicky

YouTube Videolink

1970's small town amusement park feel.

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Biggest reason Wonderland is on my favorite park list.

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4. Six Flags over Georgia - Probably the best overall Six Flags park in the chain and certainly the friendliest folks. The park is well maintained and listens to their customers. SFOG features a decent coaster collection of various sizes and variety not to mention they have more than a few flat rides!

Miss my Deep South Bash report? Clicky

Wheelie - Best. Enterprise Wheel. Evar.

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They have actual ride themeing!

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Love.

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At least it looks good! Actually with the hand me down trains it's not bad!

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5. Dollywood - What's not to like about Dollywood? Excellent food, the best arrow anywhere, a kick butt GCI, and now Wild Eagle! Don't forget about their reasonably priced virtual queue system!

Want to see my Trip Report on Dollywood? Clicky

Love.

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Wet.

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6. Kings Dominion - I can't put my finger on why I like this park, I just do. My last visit, however, found the queue's full of trash and a general feeling of maybe not being safe, but that's just one time of many so I brush it off. Decent ride collection, plenty of flats, and a water park included make this a great destination while in the D.C. area.

They put on awesome fireworks shows.

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Dominating Dominating Dominating

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7. Knotts Berry Farm - Simply the best park in the Cedar Fair Chain. The folks are friendly, nice selection of flat rides, history, and save for pointless express, coasters. If you have not been, you are not an enthusiast.

Want to relive West Coast Bash 2012 at Knotts? Clicky!

Blows all CF parks out of the water. Why? They give a damn.

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Monty - best shuttle loop around.

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8. Busch Gardens Tampa - If you could combine the operations of BGW with BGT you would have the ultimate park. Animals, exhibits, good food, good rides, and a very scenic park make this a top destination in the country.

Relive Busch Gardens Bash Here!

Well kept grounds and tours that take you out in to the wild.

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My #1 B&M Invert.

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9. Silverwood - A very well rounded park with two great woodies, good flats, neat water park and one of the few places that have been able to keep a GIB running!

Check out my Silverwood Photo Trip Report! Clicky

Excellent Wood

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It looks innocent, but it will kill you.

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10. Lakeside - If I had to rank parks, this would be in the top 3. I absolutely love the Art Deco all throughout the park, the nostalgia really takes you back. Is it a little trashy? Yes and no, the park is clean but it's old, and that give it character. The lighting worked on all of their rides which was a huge bonus as not many of the large parks really pay attention to that detail. On my visit a storm was rolling in which added to the atmosphere of riding the coaster, seeing the park lit up and lightning off in the distance. It was pure love. On my next visit to Denver this year I will be by passing Elitch and heading straight to Lakeside.

Want to see more Lakeside? Clicky

Surprisingly some really good wood!

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Awesome art deco park!


I hope you enjoyed this look back at my 10 favorite parks. Chadster's Vacation Adventures is going on hiatus for the next good bit. A return to air date has not yet been determined but will be packed full of rarely seen parks. For those that want to follow me as I travel this summer I will introduce a special Facebook page in the next few days so be sure to come back for the link!

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[Jerrykoala2112Jo My Oh!]

Out of the parks I've been to on your list, I have to agree that they are one of the best. Dollywood, Busch Gardens Europe and Africa, along with Six Flags Over Georgia. SFOG is definitely not my favorite SF park in the chain, but it does have positional, I could have visited on a bad day. And it's weird, but I have to agree with you about Kings Dominion. On my visit, the park seemed kinda trashy, but I still had fun. Most of the rides had a full queue, but I waited through them, and all the rides were just fun!

PS - I hope to make it to Morey's Piers sometime soon!

[MayTheGForceBeWithYouStar Wars is gay.]

Happy to see my home park (sort of, 60+ miles away) on the list. It truly is a great little place a lot of people tend to overlook.

Sigh, if only Elitch Gardens never moved...