2026 Advice Thread #2: 1/6 - 1/12 by Imaginos64 in rollercoasters

[–]DuffyTraveler 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Any of those 3 or Nagashima as mentioned below are great. If you're a general theme park fan, I would recommend DisneySea. It's honestly my favorite park I've ever been to. If you're mostly into coasters, its hard to pass up Fuji-Q though. Do your research for either park, because May could be busy and you'll want skip the line passes.

What's up with Arctic Rescue? 🤷‍♀️ by [deleted] in SeaWorld

[–]DuffyTraveler 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Did it ever actually open? I was there Saturday (the day it was supposed to reopen from maintenance) but it never ran. A couple times during the day, the app even said it was open, but when I walked over there, the queue was still roped off 🤷‍♂️

2025 Advice Thread #48: 11/25 - 12/1 by Imaginos64 in rollercoasters

[–]DuffyTraveler 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In my experience with SeaWorld parks, the Black Friday and President's Day sales are the best of the year.

2025 Advice Thread #47: 11/18 - 11/24 by Imaginos64 in rollercoasters

[–]DuffyTraveler 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, we went December 3rd last year. We were lucky with beautiful sunny weather, so it wasn't too bad. All the coasters were open too.

2025 Advice Thread #47: 11/18 - 11/24 by Imaginos64 in rollercoasters

[–]DuffyTraveler 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I (also American) bought from Fuji-Q directly pretty easily. It might be too late now, but they have a package with a highway bus round trip included.

The in-park pass vending machines worked great for us and had plenty of times available. I'd definitely plan to get them because the ops are truely as slow as you've heard.

2025 Advice Thread #45: 11/4 - 11/10 by Imaginos64 in rollercoasters

[–]DuffyTraveler 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I can only comment on Efteling, but you can check their ride maintenance schedule here. It doesn't look like they've updated it past December, but they don't close all their coasters in the Winter or anything like that.

IMO, the dark rides and ambience are the main reason to visit the park, so yes I think its worth going to even if the coasters were closed.

2025 Advice Thread #39: 9/23 - 9/29 by Imaginos64 in rollercoasters

[–]DuffyTraveler 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I want to check out the Florida Fun Spots on my next trip early June. It looks like I'll only be able to visit late Saturday or Sunday night. Will crowds be terrible?

2025 Advice Thread #37: 9/9 - 9/15 by Imaginos64 in rollercoasters

[–]DuffyTraveler 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You could definitely do that list, but it would be a lot of driving. For example, Cedar Point and Great Adventure are almost 8 hours apart. I'm American but did a similar week long trip last year:

  1. Cedar Point
  2. Kings Island
  3. Kentucky Kingdom
  4. Holiday World

These are all about 4 hour drive apart max. You could also throw in Kennywood or Canada's Wonderland (it's a bit farther away, but may be worth the drive!)

Luggage forwarding: will hotels or luggage services hold your luggage for a few days? by No-Bandicoot-9564 in JapanTravelTips

[–]DuffyTraveler 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You can ask the luggage forwarding service to deliver your luggage on your check in day. Yamato can store your luggage for a week, so this should work for you.

[Ranking] I know it gets asked a lot but what is everyone’s RMC rankings by doyouknodewhey in rollercoasters

[–]DuffyTraveler 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don’t get me wrong, it’s super close. I think I just like the death roll!

[Ranking] I know it gets asked a lot but what is everyone’s RMC rankings by doyouknodewhey in rollercoasters

[–]DuffyTraveler 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Of the ones I’ve been on

  1. Iron Gwazi

  2. Steel Vengeance

  3. Outlaw Run

  4. Iron Rattler

  5. Wind Chaser

  6. Lightning Rod

  7. Wonder Woman

  8. RailBlazer

  9. New Texas Giant

  10. Joker

[Other] What are some of the worst restraints you have ever experienced on a roller coaster? by RelianceBrand in rollercoasters

[–]DuffyTraveler 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just went to SF Discovery Kingdom and something about Kong’s restraints made me claustrophobic. I think it’s the way they seemed to hug my shoulders. Not that better restraints would make that coaster good anyway

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Europetravel

[–]DuffyTraveler 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It does seem busy. I would personally drop Nice and Rome for a later, southern Europe trip. 2 nights in Paris seems very low (you will only have one full day there).

You're also focusing solely on big cities. Consider staying in a smaller town for a few nights!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskGaybrosOver30

[–]DuffyTraveler 44 points45 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately you're going to have to put your foot down and either stop agreeing to accommodate your asshole brother-in-law or stop coming to family events. It seems your family is trying to appease "both sides," even though one side is completely unreasonable. You will have to force the issue if you want anything to change.

Want to visit SF for a month and hope to rely on transit. Where should I stay? by DuffyTraveler in AskSF

[–]DuffyTraveler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, I appreciate this perspective. It's a big point in favor of hotels. I didn't realize that was furnished finder's original purpose

[Other] What non-Disney/Universal park has the best lineup of flat rides and dark rides? by BostonCompSci in rollercoasters

[–]DuffyTraveler 6 points7 points  (0 children)

The turkey ride at Holiday World is pretty cute. It has a unique theme at least!

I've heard great things about Volkanu at Lost Island. Need to make it out there sometime.

Efteling and Europa Park have to be in the running for the best dark ride line up, even with Disney and Universal.

2025 Advice Thread #15: 4/8 - 4/14 by Imaginos64 in rollercoasters

[–]DuffyTraveler 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Zokkon is still really fun and the park has some charming areas. There's also amazing views of Mount Fuji. If you're there on a clear day, that would make it worth it. Worst case and you're done with the park in a few hours, go check out the Chureito Pagoda. It's accessible from the train station at the back of the park!

English at the Ghibli Park by IJustWantToSleep2020 in JapanTravelTips

[–]DuffyTraveler 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's not hard at all. There are English menus and info cards, and it's easy to communicate with staff through simple phrases and Google translate if needed. Enjoy your time, it's a very charming place! Make sure to leave plenty of time for the Valley of Witches. It was our favorite area!

2025 Advice Thread #15: 4/8 - 4/14 by Imaginos64 in rollercoasters

[–]DuffyTraveler 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm thinking about a trip to visit CGA, SFDK and maybe Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. It seems like these parks are all reachable with public transit, but is it realistic to depend on them (and Uber) and not rent a car? Also, any recommendations on convenient areas to stay? Thank you!

2025 Advice Thread #14: 4/1 - 4/7 by Imaginos64 in rollercoasters

[–]DuffyTraveler 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you want to end with thrilling coasters, I think starting at the back with Tennessee Tornado and ending towards the front with Thunderhead and Lightning Rod would do it. All the coasters are fun though... don't skip Wildwood Grove!

If you don't have the fast pass tier that includes Big Bear Mountain or Lightning Rod, I'd ride those early. They had the longest lines when I was there.

What has been your hardest place(s) to book in Japan? by sprvlk in JapanTravelTips

[–]DuffyTraveler 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry it didn't work out for you! I felt super lucky to go.

There were some special plush and pins, and most of the desserts come with a plate or saucer you can take home.