Timeshare Information

In Part 2 of our 3-Part series on the best roller coasters in the U.S., Arthur Levine, travel writer and passionate "theme park-aholic," gives suggestions on where to find the "most underrated" roller coasters in America. Plan a timeshare rental vacation where you and your family can enjoy one of these "best kept secrets" of the roller coaster world.

Levine explains, "These underrated roller coasters don't get any respect. Maybe they're overshadowed by bigger, flashier coasters on the midway. Or perhaps they are located at smaller parks that are generally under the radar of most ride fans. Whatever the reason, the following coasters offer wonderful ride experiences."

1. Rent a Myrtle Beach timeshare and enjoy one of the many resorts available in beautiful, South Carolina so you'll be ready to ride the Swamp Fox at Family Kingdom. This white-latticed 1966 figure-8 coaster reaches a height of 75 feet and a top speed of 50mph. It's a great "intermediate" roller coaster ride with "just enough out-of-control moments and airtime to deliver decent thrills," states Levine.


2. A Branson timeshare rental in family-friendly, MO, will get you on the Powder Keg at Branson's great Silver Dollar City amusement park. This roller coaster, hidden in the Ozarks, uses an explosives factory theme for its compressed air launch that accelerates you from 0 to 53 mph in 2.8 seconds. It's a wild start that "is not so wild that it would only appeal to diehard thrill seekers," Levine explains. "To keep its family-friendly status, Powder Keg also foregoes any inversions, although it does feature some highly banked turns. In short, this is one blast of a ride."


3. Scream! (see photo) is one of several roller coasters at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, CA. Rent any number of southern California timeshares, and head to this great Six Flags park that started it all with extreme roller coasters. Levine says that while there are other coasters here that get more notoriety and publicity, Scream! is "the best of its breed - a floorless coaster with some serious attitude."


4. Less than an hour from your Washington, D.C. area timeshare rental is Six Flags America in Mitchellville, MD, one of the smaller Six Flags parks. But here you'll find a thrilling classic wooden coaster, The Wild One, dating back to 1917. "Despite its vintage," says Levine, "this woodie remains surprisingly potent, even by modern thrill machine standards."

Top Roller Coaster Rides – Part 1 (Mild Rides)
Top Roller Coaster Rides – Part 3 (Extreme Rides)

Plan a timeshare rental vacation for the entire family in Missouri's entertainment mecca, Branson, and head to Silver Dollar City. This exciting theme park actually had its beginnings when the Herschend family leased Marvel Cave in 1950, modernized it with electricity and cement staircases, and began holding square dances in it.

In 1960 the Herschends looked for a way to bring more visitors to Marvel Cave. They opened Silver Dollar City, an authentically recreated Ozark frontier town of five shops and a church. It featured a log cabin with actors playing out the feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys.

In its first year Silver Dollar City drew more than 125,000 people, four times more visitors than the number that toured Marvel Cave. "We discovered we were in the theme park business," Pete Herschend said.

Today Silver Dollar City is called "The Friendliest Theme Park in the U.S.A." "The park's 1880s-themed experience," as Pete Herschend explains, "fits Branson's vision as a family-friendly vacation destination with down-home charm."

The "down home charm" claim might be a little deceiving as Silver Dollar City is a world-class caliber theme park with over 30 rides and attractions. Take the American Plunge which drops 50 feet at speeds up to 35mph. Or Fire in the Hole, an indoors in-the-dark roller coaster ride featuring strobe lights, water and other special effects. Lost River of the Ozarks will take you on a wild raft ride, some of it in the dark, with numerous twists, turns and sudden drops. And then there's Powder Keg (the name says it all), Thunderation, and the list goes on and on. In fact, in 2009 the American Coaster Enthusiasts organization (A.C.E.), held its national summer convention at Silver Dollar City.

And never fear, there is something for every member of the family. The little tykes will enjoy the Animal Barnyard petting zoo, getting wet in Geyser Gulch, and riding the Frisco Silver Dollar Line steam train. Silver Dollar City's operating season runs from mid-March until late-December. See all Branson timeshares.

Ever heard of Branson, Missouri? It's known as one of the top family destinations in the country. Staying in the area is budget-friendly when you can rent a timeshare at a great resort for as low as $75/night. Then you can head out and sample live musical shows in over 50 theaters! What a surprise tucked in the quiet Ozarks!

Nicely located in the central part of the United States, Branson is a vacation destination for all seasons. Recreational opportunities abound with the area's three lakes just minutes from downtown Branson, and include everything from scuba diving to fly fishing, from water-skiing to wakeboarding.

Fall
The Ozarks are spectacular in the fall with hills covered in crimson autumn colors. There are many popular ways for leaf-peepers to enjoy the scenery, including train and boat tours. If you want to do your own driving, the Branson visitor's center has drawn up several driving tours to help you find the best views.

Winter
The Christmas holiday season sparkles in Branson with the “Branson Area Festival of Lights Drive-Through”. For a full mile you'll drive past 175 dazzling holiday light displays that will tickle your Christmas fancy. Since 1948 the Adoration Parade has illuminated the "reason for the season" as it winds through Historic Downtown Branson.

In January attend the Annual Professional Ice Sculpting Competition and marvel as ice sculptors from all over the country transform 250-pound blocks of ice into astonishing creations. Or try your luck at the Masters Trout Championship held on Branson's Lake Taneycomo where anglers fly-fish for award winning rainbow and brown trout.

Spring
Plan a family spring-break trip to Branson when the hills are awash with brilliant spring colors. The blooming dogwood and wildflowers turn the Ozarks into an area of true enchantment. Train and boat and driving tours for viewing this spring beauty are available as they are in the fall.

Summer
Activities and fun explode at Branson during the summer, starting in June with the National Kids Fest and the banana split eating contests! Of course, the kids' favorite will be the thrill rides including the multi-looping "Wild Fire" and the corkscrews of "Thunderation."

Oh, and remember those fifty theaters? The dazzling "Strip" rivals Las Vegas but offers wholesome family entertainment. Here you'll see live performances by world famous entertainers. How about Dolly Parton and Andy Williams and the Osmonds and the Lennon Sisters and the Oak Ridge Boys? Or try the tribute shows: Jim Reeves, John Denver, Roy Rogers, and Red Skelton. See Branson timeshares.

(Photo shown is of the Branson Yacht Club)

Plan your next vacation at a timeshare resort near a water park for hours of family fun! There are many timeshares on or near a water park and many offer the use of the park to guests for free, or provide a discount on entry fees. Each resort and park is different, so, check with yours before you go. Water parks are a great way to entertain the whole family with: giant slides, wave pools, spray jets, kiddie pools, “surfing”, tube rapids, waterfalls and more! All water parks offer different amenities. See their Web sites for more details.

Here are a few top picks for your next water park vacation:

• Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont
  Have a wet and wild vacation in Vermont at the Smugglers’ Notch Water Park and experience the 8 pools and 4 waterslides available. With such attractions as Rum Runners' Hideaway and the Aqua Jump, this water park has more wet playgrounds than any other resort in New England.
  For accommodations, see Smugglers' Notch Timeshares for rent.


• Massanutten, Virginia
  With both an indoor and outdoor water park, you’ll never tire of the fun, wet, things to do at Massanutten Water Park in Virginia. The indoor portion is open year-round and is always 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Enjoy the Avalanche and Skyline Falls body slides, which start at 39 feet up! Feel the rush that keeps you coming back for more with over 250 feet of heart-pumping thrills with sudden drops and sharp turns. The outdoor portion features the Rockingham Racer. You’ll get your competitive juices flowing as you race side by side on this four lane headfirst downhill slide.
  For accommodations, see Massanutten Timeshares for rent.



• Branson, Missouri
  For 12 acres of tropical adventure, dive into Branson, Missouri's White Water park for the largest selection of water rides and attractions in the Ozarks. This outdoor water park offers water-blasters, super-soakers, speed water slides, and a wave pool. Featuring Kalani Towers, a 6-lane freefall and racing thrill slide, you can choose between two 75-foot freefall drop lanes or four mat racing lanes over 310-feet long.
  For accommodations, see Branson Timeshares for rent.

(Photo shown from Branson White Water Park - A Raging River Rapids Splash Landing.)