Any parks on the east coast similar to Universal?

[GoldmanTrust]

Hey guys,

Sorry if this is a stupid question. I am going on a short trip to Boston next week (flying in from Europe).

We have already booked our Universal family vacation in September. I have already checked out domestic flights over the weekend of 11/12 of may to get to Florida (I NEED MY UNIVERSAL FIX).

It is not looking likely that I will make it down south to the sunshine state. So are there any alternatives? I have been searching on google and found Hershey park. Has anyone tried it?

We will be based in Boston but we are VERY mobile.

If someone could lead me in the right direction i would be so thankful!

 

[nkereina]

I did Hershey Park several years ago and we enjoyed it. We stayed onsite.

If you have passports or enhanced driver's licenses, we also enjoy Canada's Wonderland. It's just north of Toronto, but makes for a fun long weekend in the city. The Toronto Zoo and African Lion Safari are in close proximity as well for a mini trip. The zoo is massive.

Another one that comes to mind is Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH. They also have onsite hotels. Tons of people I know here in Buffalo visit Cedar Point annually.

 

[bchbetha]

If you're super mobile, I agree with the Cedar Point suggestion but mostly if you're a thrill rider (especially coasters!). We like to stay onsite and get the extra hour in the AM. This will be my first year springing for their equivalent of an Express Pass- we've always done ok without it by being strategic with ride order.

Six Flags?

 

[GoldmanTrust]

Ohio is probably a little far out. Are the six flags parks all right?

 

[bchbetha]

Six Flags are fine. https://www.sixflags.com/newengland/attractions/ride-list

 

[Keeblerelf928]

I'm a season pass holder to Hershey Park and absolutely love it. I don't know if I would drive over 6 hours each way to go there though, but that's just me. It has a lot of roller coasters and thrill rides and is usually super quiet in May when it comes to crowds. There is also chocolate world there where you can buy Hershey's chocolate and do a chocolate tour ride which is pretty cool. It is only open on Weekends throughout most of May. If you decided to do Hershey, I would recommend the Hershey Lodge as where to stay. It has a small indoor water play area that is a lot of fun for kids/adults and a nice break from the parks. The rooms are also very comfortable. I did some googling and in addition to Six Flags there is also this place: https://www.lakecompounce.com that is only like 2 hours outside Boston.

 

[Koz]

Hey guys,

Sorry if this is a stupid question. I am going on a short trip to Boston next week (flying in from Europe).

We have already booked our Universal family vacation in September. I have already checked out domestic flights over the weekend of 11/12 of may to get to Florida (I NEED MY UNIVERSAL FIX).

It is not looking likely that I will make it down south to the sunshine state. So are there any alternatives? I have been searching on google and found Hershey park. Has anyone tried it?

We will be based in Boston but we are VERY mobile.

If someone could lead me in the right direction i would be so thankful!

Goldman. We are season pass holders at Six Flags New England. It's a beautiful park, offers dry rides and a water park and has a nice crowd of people. From Boston it's less than a 90 minute drive, approx you will love it.

 

[atricks]

The closest things are Six Flags New England, New Jersey, Dorney Park or Hershey Park. (in order of nearest to furthest). However, be warned, they are not in the same class of park as Universal. But as close as you'll get. I've been to all of them except SFNE, Hershey is probably the nicest of them, but these are more a classic regional amusement park with light themeing rather than a true world-class theme park like Disney or Universal.

There are smaller parks also, like Storyland, Santa's Village, Canobie lake Park, Edaville Railroad/Park all in MA/NH. Or Knoebels in N. Central Pennsylvania or York's Wild Kingdom in southern Maine. Of those, I've only been to Knoebels (which is a pretty nice small park). But these are even further away from the likes of Universal.

 

[larissawbb]

Six Flags in New Jersey has an off-road safari.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Six Flags has worthwhile rides, and low low crowds in May. It does not, however, have any "theme" to speak of, or 3D rides, or anything of that sort. Straightforward rides and such. Their coasters are on par w/ Universal's. Water park doesn't open til 5/19, but their water rides are good - water coaster is essentially the same as Krakatau at Volcano Bay. Get tix online if you go, they're much cheaper.

Canobie Lake is also worthwhile if it is open when you're there. It is in lower New Hampshire, and probably even closer to Boston than Six Flags. It has a few cool coasters and rides, smaller than Six Flags. Also low crowds in May.

 

[GoldmanTrust]

Thanks so much guys! This helps A LOT!

 

[Koz]

Back to what everyone else said, if you want a park "theme" similar to WDW, your best best is Bush Gardens, but they are nowhere near where you are going to be.
That being said, you do head up to Six Flags Mass- do NOT go on the Joker ride. It is absolutely the worst ride I have ever been on in my life. I've been in race cars, gone sky diving, and will ride any coaster you throw me on. The Joker qualifies as the most uncomfortable ride I've ever experienced. Your neck and back will never forgive you. It sucks, plain and simple.

 

[klo1335]

I am from Pennsylvania and if I had to pick between Hershey Park, Dorney Park, or Six Flags, I would 100% go with Hershey. Dorney is ok but not worth it IMO. Unfortunately, there isn't anything similar to Universal in the Northeast. But Hershey would be my choice.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Aw, the Joker isn't so bad. It is a different ride each time as the flips vary. I find the seats fine. It is extra fun going primarily backwards (sit in the seats that look like they are facing forward, they will be the mostly backwards ones once you get to the top of the lift) when you score a really flippy ride.

 

[Koz]

I am from Pennsylvania and if I had to pick between Hershey Park, Dorney Park, or Six Flags, I would 100% go with Hershey. Dorney is ok but not worth it IMO. Unfortunately, there isn't anything similar to Universal in the Northeast. But Hershey would be my choice.

I agree, but they are staying in Massachusetts. Hershey is way too far for a day trip.

 

[GoldmanTrust]

Actually we might have to take a trip to Philly on friday the 11th. How are crowd levels at Hershey on Saturdays?

 

[Koz]

Actually we might have to take a trip to Philly on friday the 11th. How are crowd levels at Hershey on Saturdays?

We were there on a Saturday and it's crowded. They do offer a "Track Pass" which gives you priority entrance on select rides. Might be a good investment if you're only there for one day. If doing Philly in less than a day I would highly recommend the Hop On/Hop Off bus. It's the only way to see the city. If you are in Philly on a week day do not miss the United States Mint!

 

[GoldmanTrust]

Thanks a lot!
Appreciate the help!

 

[alan68]

Does anybody know if Six Flags New England has Justice League Battle for Metropolis? We have that at our Six Flags and it is awesome! It's one of the best shooting game rides I've ever been on, right up there with Toy Story at Disney. Having not yet visited Universal, I can't compare it to MIB, but I have a feeling this could be as close as you can get to a US-type experience.

 

[Koz]

Does anybody know if Six Flags New England has Justice League Battle for Metropolis? We have that at our Six Flags and it is awesome! It's one of the best shooting game rides I've ever been on, right up there with Toy Story at Disney. Having not yet visited Universal, I can't compare it to MIB, but I have a feeling this could be as close as you can get to a US-type experience.

We were there last year and didn't see it. Check the website to make sure.