Looking for great parks -- old, new, large, and small. What's your favorite and why?

Universal - stay on-site for front of line passes - its an all around experience!!!

Six Flags in Atlanta was awesome when my children were growing up. We lived in Georgia then and we would purchase annual passes and go every chance we could. Great rides, great memories.
I have to say, though, no matter how high-tech the roller coasters become, they will never replace the memories I have riding the wooden roller coaster in Santa Cruz, California.

Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA. Fun rides in a very pretty setting. Runners up are, Animal Kingdom in WDW and Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, CA (the oldest and small one of the 3).

Oh, Beach Boardwalk is the setting of egret's wood roller coaster!

Another vote for Universal, Orlando and separate line access for guests of on-site hotels. Most enjoyable and efficient way to experience a park: no waits.

Park attractions are imaginative and highly entertaining. Some, e.g. Men in Black, are interactive.

My vote for best coaster is the drop coaster (SheiKra) at Busch Gardens, Tampa. Ninety degree drop two hundred feet, after dangling over the edge, into a hole in the ground, followed by another ninety degree drop of 138 feet.

It depends on what you're looking for. Do you want theming, or great coasters, or things for small children, etc???
I LOVE Islands of Adventure at Universal. Great theming, wonderful restaurants, fun rides, AND the all day express access you get by staying on site can't be beat.

Islands of Adventure at Universal.

Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio

I enjoyed taking the kids to smaller parks - Busch Gardens in Florida and Dollywood in TN. Not as overwhelming, diverse attractions and Dollywood is a LOT cooler in the summer (than the Florida parks).

I go to see the Shamu show at Sea World every time I'm in Orlando.

I'd have to second Cedar Point in Sandusky! Especially if what you're looking for is roller coasters. The best.

Cedar Point, America's Roller Coast!

I'm going to throw in yet another vote for Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. It just doesn't get any better for thrill ride seekers.

Disneyland!

For rollercoasters and thrill rides it's Cedar Point.

The Boardwalk in Santa Cruz gets my vote

Great suggestions! I would have never have thought of Dollywood...that sounds like a hoot.

Cedar Point sure gets the votes; what is the best time of year for visiting that park?

What is the on-site lodging at Universal and how are the prices?

I also loved the wooden coaster in Santa Cruz; what a classic. Has anyone been to Great America in San Jose?

What about some of the older, historic parks, such as Kennywood in Pennsylvania?
Has anyone visited some of those?

Portofino Bay and Hard Rock Cafe are my favorite Universal Hotels. PB is my favorite - a recreation of a Portofino Italy's waterfront - and you can take a water taxi to the park. Wonderful hotel - but can be pricey.

The kids loved Dollywood when they were little. A very nice park with rides, shows, good food - better maintained than most parks - and ALWAYS significantly cooler than our other summer options - due to the altitude.

Located on the shores of Lake Erie, Cedar Point is a summer destination.

http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/vis...dule/index.cfm

Kennywood is a lot of fun too and still a lot of nostalgia.

We've been going to Great America since it was Marriot's Great America or just plain ol' "Marriots" It has been about 5 years since I have gone even though I live about 15 minutes from there. IMO, it is an OK theme park and if I had kids, we would probably go once in awhile, but there isn't really anything magical about it - something that you can't really quantify that makes people love a place. It is fun and had some great rides though.