6 Flags St. Louis or Kings Island Cincinnati?

[FINFAN]

Hi...been having an unusually hectic summer and trying to get away for 4 days at the end of the month. Finances tend to be a bit tight so we need to drive and we are 5-6 hours away from either of these places. Which would you do and why? Both have a water park area besides the themepark, and we would like to spend 2 days on other area activities. DS is 51" so will miss out on some bigger coasters and DD is a daredevil. Ages 9 and 14. TIA for any helpful suggestions on the parks a/o hotels!!!!!



Hi Catsrule....Mrsmom and I'm gonna be 4o! if y'all read this! Hopefully I will be able to be back on the boards a bit more in a month or so!


Pam

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Hi back at cha', Fin Fan. I have not been to St Louis so perhaps I'm biased, but from what I'm hearing, the new water park at King's Island is awesome. We have not been yet. Nothing like a ride on Son of Beast to get your juices flowing. Can point you in the right direction for a couple of those black and tans we talked about on a thread back in March. Let us know what you decide.

 

[bobcat]

Also haven't been to St. Louis but Kings Island gets my vote. They are also running a special right now where you get two days for around $42. Didn't know they redid the water park. It was always pretty nice and included in the admission price which was even better.

 

[Jungle Skipper]

I for one enjoy Six Flags St Louis...its fun, if memory serves, the height restrictions at St. Louis arent as bad as KI...dont quote me on that though....and I for one just love the St. Louis area. You could always catch a Cards game too!

Jungle Josh

 

[Goofymum]

I've never been to the water park part of 6 Flags STL before. My sister and BIL had season passes last year and loved it though. I have been there many times and with exception to the last trip, it was a lot of fun. Those trips were all made before I had been to Disney though lol. I think the major attraction to 6 Flags STL is mainly the thrill rides. They do have some shows and different attractions to see. There are 3 water rides in the main park that are a lot of fun...Tidal Wave - like going down the last hill of Splash Mountain, the Log Flume, & Thunder River - like the River Rapids in AK.

If you do a search for hotels in the area, search for hotels in Eureka, Mo. That is the actual part of STL it's in. There is a hotel located right across the parking lot from Six Flags. I think it may be a Day's Inn. There is also a Holiday Inn and a few other's in the area.

 

[Beth76]

Definitely Kings Island---and that's from a St. Louisan. KI has MUCH better roller coasters. Six Flags has only 2 good "big" roller coasters, IMO. The two wooden rcs are way too jerky, even the new one. And I'm a coaster fanatic. Although, I loved the Beast at KI and was the only one from my group who didn't think it was too jerky, go figure. I haven't been to the water park at either place.

If you do choose Six Flags, the on-site hotel is now a Holiday Inn (used to be Ramada).

 

[FINFAN]

Thanks everyone...we are still up in the air, but I gotta admit, the KI site w/virtual rides is swaying me! The water park is larger there too, but for the aspect of the other 2 days, the Arch looks fun and the zoo and Grant's park, Union Station. Maybe we should shoot for 2 long weekends...one to KI for the themepark, and then a ST. Louis trip for the tourist-type stuff. Of course, then I start adding up time, $, mileage on the van, gas, hotels, point out to DH that w are 1/2 way to a WDW trip sigh.....alas it is not to be for another year
I did see that KI has special bands/music on the Friday nights in July...I am thinking to avoid going then as there wil be larger crowds? Has anyone been there during one of these special nights? Also the kids think the new Nickelodeon parade at KI looks fun....I bet we'd choose that if DH wasn't "slightly" bitter at a job possibility that went sour in Cincinnati. He's afraid we'll like it there too much and re-live sad memories of the job not working out.
We better decide soon tho....only 2 weeks off!


Pam

 

[The Mystery Machine]

From a St. Louis Six Flags season pass holder go to Kings Island. Our park is not that bad but it is small. I STILL haven't been to the water park but I hear it is so overcrowded.

Forest Park is neat. I have been exploring it all summer. Go rent the paddle boats at the Boathouse. There is also a Ferris Wheel in the Park to commerate the 1904 World's Fair Anniversary.
Zoo is free, museums are free. Science Center is free. You can bike around Forest Park (bring your bike).

http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/parks/forestpark/

If you are bicyclists there is the Katy Trail which runs along an area of wineries. We have been doing this as well.

http://www.mostateparks.com/katytrail/index.html

I have been sticking close to home this year for financial reasons & been having a blast.

 

[Dee & Greg]

We went to King's Island a few years ago (3?) and I must say that the park was filthy. In fact, as we were waiting in a staircase up to one of the roller coasters, the over-flowing trash can (overflowing at 10am?!) was filled with roaches. Disgusting! Half of the water rides were closed because they didn't have enough life guards. Son of Beast was not operating both days we were there. That's the reason we came!
This is only our opinion.

If you are close to Southern Indiana, my suggestion would be Holiday World www.holidayworld.com This is a great small park with nice rides for all ages. It does not have the mega-coasters like KI, but they have two wooden coasters that are terrific. It is family owned and all soft drinks are free! They also have a great water park.

Just a free ad for an Indiana park!

We actually love this park, and we're adults with no kids!

 

[catsrule]

Hi Pam. I've only been to KI. Just don't go on the weekend, it is packed. I haven't been there in a few years, but I really liked the waterpark. Also the Beach waterpark is right across the street from it, and it is very nice also.

 

[tkd lisa]

It has been probably 20 years since I've been to King's Island, so I have no idea what it's like now. I just wanted to add that Cincinnati is a nice town to poke around in. They have a very nice zoo. And you could see the Reds play. Louisville is right across the river for one of those off days.

Good luck!

 

[dizneegirl]

I'd vote Kings Island.

Haven't been to the waterpark since they've redone it, but I've heard good things.

Weekends will be crowded... but that's just the nature of a seasonal theme park.

If you're looking for other things to do while you're in the area, the Cincinnati Zoo is a lot of fun, and there's the Newport Aquarium just across the river in Newport, Kentucky. You're also very close to a few riverboats, if you'd like to try your hand at some gambling! Or, Dayton is only about an hour away... the Air Force Museum is interesting, too. Easy to get to & see in a day. http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/index.htm

You might also want to look around http://www.cincinnati.com/visitorsguide/

 

[angel's momma]

Originally posted by Jungle Skipper
if memory serves, the height restrictions at St. Louis arent as bad as KI

You're right, we just went in June & height restrictions are lower at St. Louis.

Dee & Greg - We went to King's Island a few years ago (3?) and I must say that the park was filthy. In fact, as we were waiting in a staircase up to one of the roller coasters, the over-flowing trash can (overflowing at 10am?!) was filled with roaches. Disgusting!

We haven't been to KI in 7 years, but their cleanliness was one of the things we enjoyed, we went every year for 5 years before DD was born. We plan to return next year, and I hope we won't be disappointed.


We went to Six Flags St Louis for the first time this summer & we enjoyed it, but I would pick Kings Island.