Lions vs Buffalo vs Crocodiles...

The National Geographic cable channel aired the Battle At Kruger last night. It's an absolutely incredible look at nature at its most wild!

If you missed it, check out the YouTube video the show was based on. Don't let the length scare you away - this is one of the most amazing videos of nature I've ever seen.

And after watching it, try to catch "Caught On Safari: Battle At Kruger" when it's rerun.

Other recommended amusement parks...

If you’re going on a long road trip this summer and run across one of these parks, it’s definitely worth stopping...

CANOBIE LAKE
Location: Salem, NH
Distance: 7.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: Fantasy Island. They've got a Frisbee, one of my absolute favorite rides right now. And even better, they run it well! In addition to that, there's a bunch of other great rides and three arcades, one which features about 30 pinball machines. I highly recommend this park!


LAKE COMPOUNCE
Location: Bristol, CT
Distance: 6.5 hours
Opening date: May 10th
Similar to: Darien Lake.


SIX FLAGS NEW ENGLAND
Location: Agawam, MA
Distance: 6 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: Darien Lake. While I love Darien Lake’s Ride Of Steel, this park’s version is different and is considered one of the best steel roller coasters in the country (and I agree). The new indoor roller coaster planned for 2008 has been cancelled. Nothing has been announced to replace it.


MOREY’S PIERS
Location: Wildwood, NJ
Distance: 8 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2008: New Freedom Flight seats for the inverted Great Nor'Easter roller coaster, giving you an even better view of the ocean as you ride! Cygnus X-1 (a newly themed Gravitron spin ride) and Magic Bikes (a family ride) also debut this year.
Similar to: The park itself reminds me of a gigantic Crystal Beach, except it’s all on three large piers overlooking the ocean. The boardwalk is super long and has all sorts of crazy shops.


KING’S DOMINION
Location: Doswell, VA
Distance: 9 hours
Opening Date: Now open
New for 2008: Dominator, the longest floorless coaster in the world. It was moved from Geauga Lake.
Similar to: Canada’s Wonderland


BUSCH GARDENS: EUROPE
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Distance: 10 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: It's Canada’s Wonderland w/ more extreme roller coasters, fewer rides, and a lot more shops & restaurants.


HARD ROCK PARK
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
Distance: 14 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2008: The entire park! Five roller coasters and six other music themed rides are planned to be up and running by the end of the year.
Similar to: Universal's Islands Of Adventure but all music themed.



BEECH BEND
Location: Bowling Green, KY
Distance: 10.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: Fantasy Island.


HOLIDAY WORLD
Location: Santa Claus, IN
Distance: 10 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2008: Kima Bay, a monkey-themed water area with seven slides. Also new this year is the Star Spangled Carousel & Reindeer Games (a kiddie bounce ride).
Similar to: Darien Lake, but geared more to young kids.


DOLLYWOOD
Location: Pigeon Forge, TN
Distance: 11 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2008: River Battle, a water raft ride where you shoot water at targets along the way (including observer and other riders)! I couldn't find a picture of it, but here's an illustration from the website.
Similar to: Unique. Stores and restaurants outnumber rides here, but the rides are all good.


INDIANA BEACH
Location: Monticello, IN
Distance: 8.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2008: Steel Hawg, the park's 6th roller coaster.
Similar to: What Crystal Beach used to be.


MT. OLYMPUS
Location: Wisconsin Dells, WI
Distance: 12 hours
Opening date: Indoor park open now, outdoor park will probably open late May (exact date hasn't been announced yet).
New in 2008: The River Troy, being billed as a mythical themed journey on the world's fastest river ride.
Similar to: Unique. It’s an amusement park made up of nine long wooden go-cart tracks, seven roller coasters, and a gigantic indoor and outdoor waterpark. The entire town of Wisconsin Dells is a giant version of Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls. Nearby, the Timber Falls Adventure Park has an amazing wooden roller coaster called Avalanche. There’s also a puzzle-like adventure down the road called Wizard’s Quest which is definitely worth checking out.

Other New York Amusement Parks...

SYLVAN BEACH AMUSEMENT PARK
Location: Sylvan Beach, NY
Distance: 3 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: A smaller version of what Crystal Beach was. They've got Rock-O-Planes (my number one reason for wanting to visit the park this year).


THE GREAT ESCAPE
Location: Lake George, NY
Distance: 5 hours
Opening date: May 10th
New for 2008: Wiggles World, a Wiggles themed kiddie area featuring three new rides. Also, Mega Wedgie, a giant bowl-shaped waterslide.
Similar to: Fantasy Island. This is where the Crystal Beach Comet now is. It’s been modified a little, but it’s still a good ride.


MAGIC FOREST
Location: Lake George, NY
Distance: 5 hours
Opening date: May 17th
Similar to: Fantasy Island with all kiddie rides.


NORTH POLE / SANTA’S WORKSHOP
Location: North Pole, NY (near Lake Placid)
Distance: 6.5 hours
Opening date: June 28th
Similar to: Unique. An amusement park for young kids themed to Santa Claus & his reindeer.


ASTROLAND
Location: Coney Island, NY
Distance: 7 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: Unique and given another year!


DENO’S WONDER WHEEL AMUSEMENT PARK
Location: Coney Island, NY
Distance: 7 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: A smaller Fantasy Island. It’s within walking distance of Astroland and has the world famous Wonder Wheel, a giant ferris wheel with some cars that travel on tracks and swing into and out of the wheel structure!


LONG ISLAND’S ADVENTURELAND
Location: East Farmingdale, NY
Distance: 7.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: Fantasy Island

Ohio Amusement Parks...

Cedar Fair owns all the major amusement parks in Ohio. There used to be three giant parks, but they decided to close Geauga Lake (my favorite of the three) last year. So here's the info on Cedar Point and King's Island...

CEDAR POINT
Location: Sandusky, OH
Distance: 4 hours
Opening date: May 10th
New for 2008: Skyscraper (previously at Valleyfair and Dorney Parks) - this will be featured in the Challenge Park section of the park as an upcharge attraction. Also, Planet Snoopy, a new kiddie area with seven rides (all from Geauga Lake).
Similar to: Unique with 17 roller coasters. That’s more than any other amusement park in the world!


KING’S ISLAND
Location: King's Island, OH
Distance: 6.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: Canada’s Wonderland with bigger roller coasters.

Pennsylvania Amusement Parks...

Pennsylvania is home to a bunch of old fashioned, family owned amusement parks.

KNOEBELS
Location: Elysburg, PA
Distance: 4.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2008: Wipeout, a disorienting spin ride pictured to the right. Also, the Flying Turns wooden bobsled roller coaster now holds the distinction of being the most anticipated new ride of 2006, 2007 & 2008! The track on this prototype ride is mostly finished - the trains are what's being worked on now. The park is hopeful this one-of-a-kind ride will open this season.
Similar to: Unique and highly recommended for all ages! Free parking, free admission, very reasonable prices, some of the best wooden roller coasters in the country, and a gigantic variety of rides for kiddies & adults!


WALDAMEER PARK
Location: Erie, PA
Distance: 2 hours
Opening date: May 10th
New for 2008: Ravine Flyer II, another highly anticipated wooden roller coaster. It'll feature three giant drops, six tunnels, and ten cross-overs. Check out that 90-degree banked turn - this is going to be an amazing ride! Go on the virtual ride here. And ride the real thing starting May 17th! And then on May 24th, check out this exclusive ride session you could sign up for through WNYCC.
Similar to: A smaller Fantasy Island


KENNYWOOD
Location: West Mifflin, PA
Distance: 4 hours
Opening date: May 3rd
New for 2008: Ghostwood Estate, an eight-room haunted ride. There will be over 200 laser targets to aim at throughout the ride. And it'll be completely trackless and guided by a computer system.
Similar to: Canada’s Wonderland


DELGROSSO’S PARK
Location: Tipton, PA
Distance: 4 hours
Opening date: May 4th
Similar to: A small Fantasy Island


LAKEMONT PARK
Location: Altoona, PA
Distance: 4.5 hours
Opening date: May 17th
Similar to: Fantasy Island. Remember Roseland is Canandaigua? This is where the Roseland Skyliner wooden roller coaster now is. This is also the home of the world's oldest roller coaster, Leap-The-Dips (pictured).


IDLEWILD PARK
Location: Ligonier, PA
Distance: 4.5 hours
Opening date: May 22nd
New for 2008: Bigfoot's Mudslide - a three story tall, ninety foot long, three lane slide (which won't really be muddy).
Similar to: Fantasy Island. A unique feature of this park - it features Mister Rogers' Neighborhood of Make Believe, a life-size trolley ride through Mr. Rogers' world.


HERSHEYPARK
Location: Hershey, PA
Distance: 5.5 hours
Opening date: May 2nd
New for 2008: Fahrenheit, the park's 11th roller coaster, which features a 97-degree drop (the steepest in the US). Take a simulated ride here.
Similar to: Canada’s Wonderland


DORNEY PARK
Location: Allentown, PA
Distance: 5.5 hours
Opening date: May 3rd
New for 2008: Voodoo, an inverted shuttle coaster. It's kind of U-shaped with twisted track on one end. It was formerly Steel Venom at Geauga Lake.
Similar to: Darien Lake


SESAME PLACE
Location: Langhorne, PA
Distance: 6.5 hours
Opening date: May 3rd
New for 2008: Sunny Day Carousel.
Similar to: Unique. It’s an entire amusement park for kids based on Sesame Street!


CONNEAUT LAKE PARK
Location: Conneaut Lake, PA
Distance: 2.5 hours
Opening date: Things keep getting worse & worse for this park. In addition to the massive debt the park owes, an arsonist destroyed the park's historic Dreamland Ballroom recently and the abandoned Ultimate Trip ride building collapsed in on itself a few weeks ago. It'll be a miracle if Conneaut Lake Park manages to open this year. But the website is still being updated and there is some money coming in (a movie is filming at the park). So keep your fingers crossed - there's still hope.
Similar to: A smaller version of what Crystal Beach used to be.