Theme Advice Please

[Spank]

Hey all, im Jeff and im from Sydney Australia...

Im coming to the US for my honeymoon next month and the wife and me are keen as hell to go to some theme parks but dont really know what will be open.

I have to take the missus to Disneyland thats a given (i have been there before) and i think we are going to Six Flags Adventure Kingdom which i think is in San Francisco.

We will be visiting LA, San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas, New York... so any suggestions would be majorly appreciated

Thanks !

[disneyland123]

No, that's Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.

Try Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure, Knott's Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, and California's Great America. I believe that's it...

[Harpo]

In the San Francisco area, it does look like Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is open for weekends in November and December. Great America closes for the season on November 2. Gilroy Gardens is a small park that isn't too far from San Francisco. It is open weekends through November. It's a bit farther, but Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has some rides ("limited operation") open on the weekends in November.

In the San Diego area, you might want to look into Legoland and Sea World. You might also consider a quick stop at Belmont Park -- they have an enjoyable old wood coaster. I didn't look into if any of those parks are open in November.

Las Vegas has a variety of attractions. Personally, I really enjoy Star Trek: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton. Circus Circus has the Adventuredome indoor theme park. Stratosphere has a few rides at the top of their tower. Sahara and New York New York each have a roller coaster. If you are driving between the L.A. area and Las Vegas, you may also want to consider making a stop at Buffalo Bill's Casino, where there are a few rides, including a roller coaster.

I think all the parks near New York are likely to be closed in November.

Congratulations on your wedding! I hope you have a fabulous honeymoon!

[Westcot]

Las Vegas has a variety of attractions. Personally, I really enjoy Star Trek: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton. Circus Circus has the Adventuredome indoor theme park. Stratosphere has a few rides at the top of their tower. Sahara and New York New York each have a roller coaster. If you are driving between the L.A. area and Las Vegas, you may also want to consider making a stop at Buffalo Bill's Casino, where there are a few rides, including a roller coaster.

Closed and closed. :)

I actually went past SFDK last time I was in California, but I didn't get to stop. I've actually never been any California theme parks, but if you're a coaster junkie, you should hit Six Flags Magic Mountain. :up:

[Harpo]

Hmmm, I hadn't heard about Star Trek: The Experience closing. I did know that the attendance was falling off.

That's really too bad -- I enjoyed it!

As for Speed, all I can find from the Sahara's web site is that it is closed for the season. I'm a bit surprised there, as I know I've ridden it in December a few years ago. Meanwhile, RCDB indicates that it is a "past" roller coaster, closing in 2008. NASCAR Cafe's web site still provides operating hours for Speed.

Do you have any more information about it?

[Westcot]

http://www.screamscape.com/html/las_vegas.htm

I understand that Screamscape isn't always the best source, but if you click on the link to the future concept art, the coaster is nowhere to be found.

[Spank]

Thats a massive help thanks so much for your advice i will put it to good use ;)

Here in Sydney there are NO amusement or theme parks at all, no roller coasters... not even a merry go round, it sucks !!!!

[TheSkipper]

Speed is still open, So is Star Trek, the Experience, cripes, I live here.

On the Strip you have Canyon Blaster at Circus Circus, indoor, brief, but fun. Speed at The Sahara runs every day.

Down "strip", you have Manhattan Express at NY NY, awesome ride.
The Coaster at Primm is called Desperado, 215 foot first drop. Great ride.

[Spank]

I didn’t realise there were so many rides in Las Vegas whooo hooo... we staying at the Mandalay bay, hopefully it’s a nice place :)

Also I really only have enough time in San Fran for Discovery Kingdom OR California’s Great Adventure... which do you all recommend out of the 2 ??

[Squid2]

Skipper, you sure about both of those? Paramount even sent out a press release stating the ST:TE is closed. I've seen the Speed closed sign as well.

Squid2

[Westcot]

Wikipedia, Screamscape, and a few Vegas travel sites claim that ST:TE is closed. The official website for it doesn't exist anymore, either.

According to the Wikipedia article...

Star Trek: The Experience closed on September 1, 2008. As reported by TrekMovie.com[2], a decline in admissions along with diminished talks between Cedar Fair and the Las Vegas Hilton brought about the closure.
The closing ceremony was held on September 1, 2008. The public was invited to attend the ceremony, which was presented in the tradition of a naval decommissioning ceremony. Giving the keynote at the closing was Suzie Plakson, who introduced all the members of Star Trek: The Experience staff. April Hebert, who played the Vulcan T'pril, was introduced last as the longest serving cast member of Star Trek: The Experience and given the United Federation of Planets banner. Chase Masterson was also in attendance for the closing ceremony, and Garrett **** made a brief appearance at Quark's shortly before closing. Chad Boutte, Operations Manager of Star Trek: The Experience gave the final speech with the final words "live long and prosper".
Little is known as to what will happen to the physical sets, however, props and other authentic memorabilia will be returned to Paramount.[citation needed] According to a backstage tour guide, most of the physical sets will be destroyed after closure, because of the high cost of transporting them.

[-LiLDaReDeViL5-]

Star Trek is closed.
Speed: the Ride is closed.

Six Flags Magic Mountain? I'd try it.
That's on my list to visit.

[Spank]

hhhmmm interesting !

[Timberhawk]

Down "strip", you have Manhattan Express at NY NY, awesome ride.

I've heard different about Manhurtin' Express, or Roller Coaster as they call it now. Gotta love the originality, they're better than six flags.

[Cedar Point]

I've heard different about Manhurtin' Express, or Roller Coaster as they call it now. Gotta love the originality, they're better than six flags.
I like to call it '****'.

[HumanWreckage]

Manhatten Express does hurt if you don't keep your head pressed back. But like The Skip said, pain or no pain, it is an amazing ride, probably the best in Vegas and Primm(stateline). It's even better at night with all the lights on the strip. I'd highly suggest that.

[CedarPointer]

Speed is still open, So is Star Trek, the Experience, cripes, I live here.

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/4986/20080929speedclosedfortpw2.jpg
http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/3929/sahara20renderingzj2.jpg
(a rendering of the Sahara dethemed, note that Speed is not present)

:)

Skipper, you sure about both of those? Cedar Fair even sent out a press release stating the ST:TE is closed. I've seen the Speed closed sign as well.

Squid2

[Nethero]

Hey all, im Jeff and im from Sydney Australia...

Im coming to the US for my honeymoon next month and the wife and me are keen as hell to go to some theme parks but dont really know what will be open.

I have to take the missus to Disneyland thats a given (i have been there before) and i think we are going to Six Flags Adventure Kingdom which i think is in San Francisco.

We will be visiting LA, San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas, New York... so any suggestions would be majorly appreciated

Thanks !

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is in Concord, not San Francisco. If you do go there make sure to hit Roar first. Otherwise you'll be spending the rest of the day in an endless line. And don't end the day with Medusa, cause you'll get the same results.

[tycooner55]

Hmm, I'd suggest SFGAdv when you're in NY. It's a doable drive and from what I can see definitely worth the drive.

[Garfield 06]

Definitely take Discovery Kingdom over Great America. Much better rides (so I've heard) and neat animal shows!

G-06

[Spank]

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is in Concord, not San Francisco. If you do go there make sure to hit Roar first. Otherwise you'll be spending the rest of the day in an endless line. And don't end the day with Medusa, cause you'll get the same results.

Fair enough, how far is Concord from San Fran ?

I cant get my head around how big California is hahaha

Discovery Kingdom it is !

The one you mentioned in NY... will it be open ? I was under the impression that everything is closed due to the weather ?

[Nethero]

You'll want to get from here to here.

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/4843/mapfv3.jpg

BTW, I live in Orinda so when you pass by I'll wave. ;)

[Spank]

Wow that looks a fair distence, how long a drive is it you think ?? Im guessing around 40 minutes ??

hahaha when i drive past point me in the right direction hahaha

[Spank]

How about in San Diego ??