Summer 2012 plans Help please!

The best part of the RTCP trip at CP was TGI Friday´s. The only really good coaster that stand out at CP is Maverick. I think MF is sort of tame for it´s size... Good choice by going to LA instead

[robbalveySite Admin]

I'm sorry that I didn't chime in on this sooner. I'm sure you'll have fun in LA, but it wouldn't have been the choice I would recommend.

Personally, I think the coaster selection on SoCal is one of the most mediocre in the country. There are really no "GREAT" coasters to speak of. Some people may argue that X2 is GREAT, but I personally think it's rough as hell. Xcelerator is a really good Intamin launched, and it is probably the best coaster in all of SoCal. Most of the SoCal coasters, IMO, are "average at best."

For the locals in SoCal who don't travel, they have a good "local" coaster selection, but the parks do not offer any, what I would consider, "stand out" wood or steel coasters. The best wood you'll get is Terminator at SFMM and the best steel would be X2 and Xcelerator, and I'm not even a fan of X2.

I would have suggested a multi-park trip doing something like Knoebel's, Hershey, Kennywood, Cedar Point. Cedar Point may also lack a stand out woodie, and often gets mixed reviews on their steel coasters, but I feel the selection at Cedar Point is better than anything California offers, and the "resort" is actually much nicer, too.

Another thing to keep in mind, Los Angeles is a PAIN IN THE A$$ to get around. It could take you 60 minutes to get from SFMM to Knott's, it could take you 2 1/2 hours. Other than maybe Disneyland, there isn't really a good "base camp" for any of the parks that doesn't involve a lot of driving. On a map, some of the parks look close, like SFMM to Unviersal, but I've had it even take me 90 minutes to get to Universal from SFMM. At least at Cedar Point, you can get a room at Hotel Breakers, stay on property, and have a place to go back and relax during the busier times of the park.

IMO, Cedar Point's coaster line-up is also "kinda average", but I feel it's at least better than the SoCal offerings. And if you've never been to Cedar Point before, the combo of Raptor, Top Thrill Dragster, Maverick, Millennium Force, Wicked Twister, Blue Streak, MaxAir, Windseeker, Magnum, Power Tower, Sky Hawk, Shoot the Rapids is going to be on par, if not slightly better, than anything you'll find in SoCal. And it's all in one place, unlike SoCal which is very spread out and frustrating to get around.

IMO, California is a GREAT place to go coastering...after you've done most of the rest of the USA.

In summary....

Is the coaster line up in Cedar Point and general atmosphere superior to the three parks I listed above? What do you guys think?

"Superior", probably not... "Better" .... I think "yes."

--Robb "Sorry I missed this thread..." Alvey

[Sir ClinksalotBitch Please!]

As somebody who was born/raised/still lives in SoCal ... I'm going to echo what Robb said.

I thought SoCal was "The Place" to be for Coasters ... until I started traveling.

I can't personally comment on CP, but having done coaster trips to TX, PA, GA I can say I'd take pretty much any of those parks over what we have in SoCal (except Disneyland).

[RossoI Guess Donkeys Are Okay]

Man I wish I saw this before I booked my trip. I’ll stand by my choice since the original reason I wanted to southern California was the Indy car race at the auto club. I was thinking of going to formula one race in Austin Texas, but I didn’t really see any park worth going to in that area. Unless someone can tell me that Six Flags San Antonio, bush gardens and six flags over Texas is superior to southern California parks. Then I noticed everything was within hour drive in southern California so it got me thinking. We are going to be staying in near Universal studios Hollywood. For us it seemed to make the most strategic place we could stay.
Traffic is a concern for me, but I live in Boston MA…. The traffic can’t be that much worse? What is the best time to hit the road in LA to get to the SFMM and Knotts. Most of the stuff we want to do will be in Hollywood, like different movie studio tours.
I have better question is the Knoebel's, Hershey, Kennywood, Cedar Point. Cedar Point route rob spoke off the best path for someone who’s new to coasters? I only have been to SFNE, Canobie Lake Park, Hershey, and Island of Adventure. It would help me plan 2013 better if I had some pointers on were to get the maximum fun per $$$.

[dylanreichLost My Veganity on the New Hotness trip.]

Not to take away from Robb's point about Cedar Point being the better choice (and I would agree based on what I know without having been there), but I'm surprised Robb didn't mention Tatsu. Also, being a SoCal local, I've had *many* rides on X2. I've had my fair share of rough rides, but I wouldn't call that the norm. But Tatsu.
You'll still have a blast!

[robbalveySite Admin]

^ Eh, Tatsu is ok....it's just another B&M flyer. A good one...but the genre of roller coaster doesn't really excite me that much. I think my top flyer, which is either Tatsu or Manta (I honestly don't even remember) probably doesn't top much higher than #50 on my list.

And to Rosso, I think you WILL have a good time at the SoCal parks, as they are enjoyable, they just usually aren't what I would recommend as a "first choice."

Then again, if you're still a bit new to the whole thing, look at it this way.... parks will only get better to you!

--Robb