East Coast Rollercoaster Tour

[stdragon03]

Hey Guys just bought my airline tickets to NYC to embark on a Month long coaster tour.My plans to travel to Ohio to do Kings island,CedarPoint and Sixflags Ohio.Then head towards to Williamsburg to do BuschGardens and Kings Dominion.That will be the first part After that i will be joining up with other enthusiasts to do a East Coast Trek including Sixflags America,Great Adventure and New England.Dorney Park,Knoebels and finishing at Hersheys. Still not sure whether to hire a car or bus it around to Save costs.

[Richard]

Sounds like a very nice trip you've got planned. I was planning a similar trip for the middle of this year, but funds are a bit low after my recent voyage, so I'm putting that off and I'm going to do a world Disney trip probably the year after. That'll give me the extra time I need to save for business class, since I recently vowed never to return to economy (domestic is fine, but international flights are way too much in those cramped seats). Greyhounds are pretty awful. If you can, take Amtrak over buses, otherwise I'd probably go for a car, because it's a lot quicker (it'll be 3/4 or even 2/3 of the amount of time to go by car over bus) and there aren't any "questionable" people around you the whole time.

[joz]

See I'm the opposite of you (and probably everyone else) Richard; the 3 domestic flights (no longer then 4 hours compared to the 13.75 hour international flights) we had on out last holiday were easily the worst on the whole trip. Maybe its the lack of in-flight entertainment? Nice plans for the trip stdragon03, sure you'll have heaps of fun! Although I do notice no Orlando parks on the list?

[stdragon03]

The reason i am not going to orlando is that i have a Daughter who i promised to take her their and i wouldn't go without her.We went to Disneyland a few years ago and we had an awesome time and she loves Goofy and i wont go to disneytheme parks without her. On another note i would like to see a group of Australian coaster enthusiasts to maybe organise coaster tours around the world sometime down the track if possible.

[thunder001]

To answer your last statment dragon, it is in the pricing stage at the moment and look for a trip to the west coast to be anounced sometime towards the middle of this year.

[stdragon03]

Sounds like a very nice trip you've got planned. I was planning a similar trip for the middle of this year, but funds are a bit low after my recent voyage, so I'm putting that off and I'm going to do a world Disney trip probably the year after. That'll give me the extra time I need to save for business class, since I recently vowed never to return to economy (domestic is fine, but international flights are way too much in those cramped seats).   Greyhounds are pretty awful. If you can, take Amtrak over buses, otherwise I'd probably go for a car, because it's a lot quicker (it'll be 3/4 or even 2/3 of the amount of time to go by car over bus) and there aren't any "questionable" people around you the whole time.

I am like you Richard i cant stand long flights.I am flying with Japan Airlines as they have stopovers in Tokyo and the flight is only 9 Hours and about 6 to Los angeles. On the way over Jal pay for one nights Accomodation and transfers to and from the Airport in Tokyo but not on the return journey.i will be flying back from New york via Tokyo on my return Journey anyway.

[Ian]

when I went last year I went with JAL and got the one night free at the airport hotel. The next day we were really lucky because the LA flight is one of the last to leave unlike the europe and other american desternation which leave early in the day. So my flight was 6pm which aloud me to check out the Narita temples and local shopping mall that day.

[Richard]

I flew Air Pacific to LA, which was three hours to Nadi in Fiji, six hour layover in Fiji which was spent sleeping and hacky sacking in the terminal (at first it was just the two of us - but later we were joined by a Yank who was heading back home and a Kiwi couple, which occupied the remaining hours until our plain boarded). The next flight to LA (eleven hours I think) was barely half full, so we got a row of four seats for the two of us. It still didn't do much to help me get any sleep (on the flight home, direct LA to Auckland even sleeping pills I picked up in a roadhouse in the middle of nowhere in Arizona didn't do much to help, and I had used them before and managed to sleep right through a day in Texas ).

[Slick]

We went to Disneyland not so long ago with Quantas by economy and it was actually quite nice, but flying economy is something that takes alot of flights to get used to....

[Richard]

I flew ten times on that trip, all economy, and there's no getting used to it, for me, anyway. I'll gladly fly anywhere under three hours or so in economy, but I'll gladly cough up the extra money in future for business class. Did I also mention that the current plan also has me staying at the Grand Californian at Disneyland, Fort Wilderness at Walt Disney World and within both the Paris and Toyko resorts? Let's watch the luxury of this trip go down over the next 18 months as reality sets in.

[stdragon03]

My Actual airfare is to LA via Tokyo Make my own way to NYC and fly home Via Tokyo. I will probaly spend about a week on the westcoast before Flying on to cleveland.i hope to spend a couple of days in SanFrancisco and hopefully this time i will get to see Alcatraz and on to las vegas to see Grand Canyon which i missed out on the last time i was over their.Only theme park on the westcoast will probaly be SFMM only to ride the X Coaster which was in the testing stage when i was their last. PS If anyone wants meet up while im over their very much welcome to do so.Just Email us

[Richard]

I've been meaning to get back to this thread for quite a while. Better late than never, aye? I think that's a great call doing a bit on the west coast before heading east. I do think it's not as nice as east, but what you've mentioned there - San Francisco and Vegas are definitely two of the big standouts. As I'm sure you probably know, Los Angeles is really not the nicest place to be, what with pollution and the sheer size of the city. San Fran is such a fun city. It's safe enough to be walking around, anywhere at any time, but unlike most American cities that are this "tourist-friendly", it's easy to escape the tourist traps (and most of them are really good anyway). It's really one of the nicest places I've ever been - I really would have loved to spend heaps more time there. As for Las Vegas, certainly a different experience, and almost the exact opposite of San Fran. We only got to spend a single day actually seeing the strip because of the Grand Canyon trip (an exhausting trip but well worth it), but it doesn't take long at all to walk (or take their new monorail) from casino to casino, doing the rides and seeing some of the bizarre stuff that's in the casinos. The Grand Canyon trip is nice. It's some beautiful countryside all the way up. I just wish I could have appreciated it more, but it was about -13ºC up there, and I was hardly dressed for the occasion (jeans and a fairly light jacket). When's your trip happening? Obviously mid-year so you can catch all of the seasonal parks and this year I'm guessing, unless you're so organised that you've booked flights 18 months in advance (which to me would be a super-human effort).

[screammachine]

I'l be goin over to the US of A mid next year. I'm goin to be doin Camp America all summer long. Then as soon as school starts again i'v got 4 weeks travel time in the US. (plus medical Insurance. Aparently its hella expensive ova there) So i'm hoping to do allot of Park Trottin. I'm hopin to be on the east coast.. Florida baby!!! Screammachine

[Daniel]

Ahh the old band camp ploy hey scream? I know your type old son

[screammachine]

Hahahaha. Band Camp. Hopefully Not!! I hope they place me in a good camp; Eg. Watersports, Sports... And hopefully not some run down camp where I have to live with freaks in the middle of nowhere for 3 months... Screammachine

[Daniel]

Haven't you heard about the kinky goings-on at band camp old mate?

[stdragon03]

I Leave Sydney on 20th may to LA via Tokyo I fly out From Newyork to Tokyo on the 27th june Spend a few days in Japan which i love as a country (people very friendly and honest) before i return to Sydney 1st Of july.I originally attended to do a tour of the west Coast Particularly San Fran which i really enjoyed last time.Especially the music scene their was great.I always wanted to do a Camping tour of the GrandCanyon.TrekAmerica had a Camping tour which was looking at doing and included a Visit to Sanfrancisco. However i Planned to be in Cinncinatti on 29th of may.So the tour didnt fit in those plans So instead im flying on the 22nd of May to Baltimore and going to spend alot more time and on East Coast.Maybe get in a Few more themeparks than i originally planned to do.I didn't want to Rush the Trip just take my time.The only set plans i have is a hotel i booked at CedarPoint on 31st of May to 3rd of June.Also Coaster Tour with other enthusiasts starting on 13th june Starting in Philadelphia. I will be ok moneywise i have been planning this for at least 6months and the most expensive thing i had to pay is my Airfare $2089.00 Plus taxes.Accomodation is Quite Cheap if your prepared to stay in Budget motels or Hostels which i will be doing.

[rappa]

Sounds like a really cool trip you have planned! Look forward to hearing all about it, I hope to get over and do the big East Coast thing next year. Will also have to try and get up to San Fran one of these days I guess Richard.

[DJKostya]

I was really lloking forward to doing an internship with Cedar point in 2007 but they ONLY take uni students. That is you must be currently studying and I wanna do it the year after I finish. So i'm off to Alton Towers instead then i'm going to do an American coaster tour from east to west (since i'd be coming from London). I plan to do Cedar Point (like duh), SFGAmerica, Busch Gardens, Dorney, PKI, PGA, IOA, Universal Studios, Disneyland, SFMM, Knotts, Vegas and whatever else takes my fancy by then.

[Ian]

Have fun stdragon03 I will be doing a East Coast Tour next year so would like some feedback when you get back if thats cool. Also djrappa if you are intrested Myself and a few mates are doing a 8 week tour of the East Coast, then Florida, Vegas and Anaheim next june july 05 so if you or anyone else is intrested in joining us drop me a line.

[rappa]

Sounds interesting Ian. Not too sure exactly what the plans are as yet and what dates I'm looking at but will certainly have a think about it. Be in touch...

[stdragon03]

I would actually like to see an organised tour of Aussie Coaster enthusiasts go across down the track it would make things alot easy in terms of costs in accomodation,transportation and maybe more chance of Exclusive ride time. As i am planning this their is alot more Parks that i didnt even know about that really be worth getting to Lake Compounce,Great Escape Lake George,Holiday world. So you need to spend alot of time to do alot of the East/Midwest USA and when i will get back their will be more i still have missed.

[Ian]

yeah we are doing 8 weeks and still wont get all parks done. the 6, 7 and 8 week will will get all of Orlando, Vegas and Anaheim done. but the first 5 weeks which will be the road trip part will have 15 parks plus Niagara falls , NYC and DC.

[stdragon03]

One week to i Fly out.Looking forward to the trip. However I am not happy with SROS at SFNE,SFA being shut down and little chance opening by the 16th June but thats out of my control. Anyway before i fly out i want to buy a digital camera for the trip any ideas let us know that would be helpful.

[Ian]

as a photographer by trade I would say Nikon the Canon as they are the best 2 brands out there and at least 4mega pixels. also storm runner looks like a blast Ive done xcellerator and dude wait for the front row of the rocket coaster its worth it.