Jump to content
  TPR Home | Parks | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram 

Knoebels Discussion Thread


Recommended Posts

  • 2 weeks later...

Finally got out to Knoebels with the kids for the first time this year. Daughter also decided to try out Flying Turns for the first time and loved it, so that totally makes the trip worth it. Also finally tried their Gator bites.... that.. not so impressed with, I really don't get why people thought they were so good.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As someone who worked at Knoebels from 90-95, and one last season in 99 as I was looking to pay down student loans on the quick... The park has really changed. I remember when you could drive through the park. the Whirlwind was still operating, hell even the Jet Star was still around in my early seasons.

 

One thing about Knoebels is ride maintenance. John Fetterman and Jim Sheckles headed up the Maintenance department, and one thing that always received top priority was the Phoenix, the 2nd was the Flyer. Knoebels always knew these were the main attractions, and the phoenix always received re-track work on the 2nd turnaround ever year. If you ride front seat and look at the guide trough you'll notice where the train wears into the turn as it approaches the drop before the double up. This was a significant area of wear and tear so each November the trains were removed, and track work would begin. Trains also refurbished each year with new assemblies for running gear. When it came to pouring money into a coaster, Phoenix received it duly respected share.

 

I last went to Knoebels in 2016 to Ride impulse. After years of working at the park, and spending the last 2 season (94-95) working on the phoenix during single train operation, I would probably say i have rode that ride over 1000 times and it never fails to impress. In the 99 season I was assign to twister and then resume my old faithful spot (Cosmotron). Cosomotron was always my favorite ride simply for the music. Being a former DJ, helped with that placement, and I was the only employee allowed to provide my own music because I, like the park was the only one to own a Sony Mini Disc, ad I could provide the hit songs faster as being a Dj I had subscriptions to a lot of music services. If the park had to wait on the provider it could be months before a new disc would show up.

 

But I will say my last season was my greatest as that was the introduction of Twister, since I commuted from Allentown to the park to work weekends and some off days from my 2-3-2 job at the time I would show up early to help with maintenance, which led to many a free ride time. I'll never forget one August Saturday morning getting to the park at 7am and riding for 4 hours straight with a stop watch to time the ride based on Liquid helium additions to the running gear for the trains. they were trying to lock it in at 2:10, but the closest we got was 2:04, and it was running fast that day. (FYI it's fastest run time was 2:01)

 

Subsequent visits in 2002, 2006, and 2009 twister fell out of favor with me due to how rough the ride was becoming It sure wasn't getting the love Phoenix was getting, but still a great ride if you did the front of the train. Back of the train required a Chiropractic visit the following week.

 

When it comes to the Phoenix, the 3rd seat section in car one of any train is the place to ride. All of the air time seems almost calculated to that position. So If you haven't sat there I highly recommend it.

 

The Phoenix will forever be my favorite Knoebels coaster, but ranks #2 behind my all time favorite, Boulder Dash, but from what i have been hearing lately Boulder Dash is needing some serious work.

 

All in all, I have sent people from as far away as NC to Knoebels, and when they returned praised the park and wished they had something like it in their state. Knoebels is a rarity in Amusement parks. If you want to thank someone for that Thank the knoebels family as they have always been committed to keeping the park the same old fashioned family fun park it has always been.

 

=O)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Had a great time Tuesday evening at the park. At 5pm I waited to the bottom of the stairs leading into the station for Flying Turns (5 minutes) and was the only one in line for a moment. Took two rides in 15 minutes before they had to take off a train because they were running out of people to fill the trains.

 

All the other rides were either a one train/cycle wait or walk-ons.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm taking my family and my 3 & 5 year olds to Knoebels next Friday. We went last year on a weekday and tried to get a handstamp about 15 minutes before the park opened and the line was LONG so we ended up doing the tickets.

 

Does anyone have strategies for this line? Do we need to get there an hour before the park opens? I figure it must get long early with all the campers getting there first.

 

Does the handstamp line move pretty quickly (we didn't stick around to watch it last time)?

 

Thanks for the help!

David

Link to comment
Share on other sites

At Knoebels today. The Skyway is not operating. Generic sign in front says "temporarily out of service."

 

Hope this isn't what I think it is.

 

Flyers are down today too. But I'm already one order of pierogis deep so today is a good day.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I went to Knoebels for the first time since 2015, and the park was just as amazing as I remembered.

 

I also had my first attempt at snapping on the Flyers. I had a pretty good run going before I messed up the timing. I allegedly had a better run at Lake Compounce.

 

Side note, what is Impulse doing there?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

At Knoebels today. The Skyway is not operating. Generic sign in front says "temporarily out of service."

 

Hope this isn't what I think it is.

 

It's most likely nothing but it will be slightly concerning whenever that ride goes down for the foreseeable future. It's very rare for a simple, slow moving fixed grip ski lift to go down for a mechanical reason.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm taking my family and my 3 & 5 year olds to Knoebels next Friday. We went last year on a weekday and tried to get a handstamp about 15 minutes before the park opened and the line was LONG so we ended up doing the tickets.

 

Does anyone have strategies for this line? Do we need to get there an hour before the park opens? I figure it must get long early with all the campers getting there first.

 

Does the handstamp line move pretty quickly (we didn't stick around to watch it last time)?

 

Thanks for the help!

David

 

The food court serves great breakfast items. If you have two adults, arrive an hour before the tickets open and eat a leisurely breakfast, well except for the one adult that should get to the ticket booth right after eating. Then the rest of the clan can join him as the booths open. The whole party needs to be at the window to apply wristbands.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The food court serves great breakfast items. If you have two adults, arrive an hour before the tickets open and eat a leisurely breakfast, well except for the one adult that should get to the ticket booth right after eating. Then the rest of the clan can join him as the booths open. The whole party needs to be at the window to apply wristbands.

 

Shoot! I booked a hotel with a breakfast so we didn't have to worry about it. Sounds like you think 30-45 mins before the park opens is the way to go (1 hour minus eating time). Kids could use that time walking around the park with one adult while another waits.

 

Do these lines tend to move pretty quickly? I've been in some wristband lines that take forever. Since my kids are little and going to do mainly kiddie rides, I'm thinking I might just do the Weis discount tickets.

 

Thanks for your help!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Heard it straight from the park owner during the Pennsylvania Amusement Park Association event today that Scenic Skyway is safe. He pointed out how the land below was modified for access in the event an evacuation is necessary.

 

On a side note, there seems to be unexpected mechanical issues when rider weight is added to the new Over the Top ride. There wasn't much of an answer as to when it will be open.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I still need to try their sky ride sometime. I always get distracted by the Skooters, Impulse, or food before I make it there.

 

Heard it straight from the park owner during the Pennsylvania Amusement Park Association event today that Scenic Skyway is safe. He pointed out how the land below was modified for access in the event an evacuation is necessary.

 

On a side note, there seems to be unexpected mechanical issues when rider weight is added to the new Over the Top ride. There wasn't much of an answer as to when it will be open.

 

I also wonder if the accident as the Island will cause a delay since the report seems to indicate it wasn't rider misconduct.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was at Knoebels on Monday. Had a great visit, with manageable crowds -- Flying Turns was 20-30 minutes, flats were a cycle or two, Phoenix and Twister were running only one train each (meh) with 2-4 cycle waits.

 

Was gonna post my whole scorecard from the day but I'll just cut to the important stuff:

* Pierogis (from the good place)

* Pork chop on a stick (with three different seasonings)

* Ice cream waffle sandwich (with neapolitan ice cream)

* Mac and cheese bites

* Tri-taters

* Cesari's pizza

 

A short photo set, mainly from Impulse (because it's new since my last visit) and Skloosh (because it's fun to photograph).

20170717_0165.thumb.jpg.cf9371bdb20b929be4720e3530fbd5a3.jpg

First chance to ride Impulse!

20170717_0167.thumb.jpg.8155c85d0abbc24d0305c696ebffa31f.jpg

I really liked it, a little more than I had anticipated.

20170717_0194.thumb.jpg.b994d6262b8d80e4e6cc48eba9d46ee1.jpg

The drop has some bonkers airtime, and is one of the best parts of the ride.

20170717_0221.jpg.dc533d40b1ed19446b79bd2022f8f5a0.jpg

The cobra roll is pretty intense -- it's smooth, but it does a nice job of pushing the restraints down a little tighter.

20170717_0223.thumb.jpg.0028f5d017c2ab5dd35dbdad5673c99c.jpg

That was actually my biggest complaint about the ride -- the restraints, when tightened over the course of the coaster, were pretty uncomfortable to my hip bones.

20170717_0225.thumb.jpg.98fbc8522bc305d51075959bf686c67d.jpg

Nonetheless, the ride was quite smooth -- no shaking or wobbling like other similar coasters I've been on.

20170717_0227.thumb.jpg.b0e534ddf232d1dec74072e6ee583e5f.jpg

Hangtime!

20170717_0231.thumb.jpg.ecd15fb3186d719c6c54accc050d3238.jpg

Coaster nerd shot.

20170717_0233.thumb.jpg.95699d448f11c7ef84826e35cea4e4d1.jpg

The moment at the top.

20170717_0235.thumb.jpg.57cc2145db7419fc6ed1d0d507c45007.jpg

Full speed at the bottom of the drop.

20170717_0237.thumb.jpg.6196ee2f92527e40321395913fa2b247.jpg

Impulse's bright colors really liven up the front of the park.

20170717_0239.thumb.jpg.9415d6d2c2437c046227b1d3c3df3eb7.jpg

Admittedly it's still a little strange to see a standard-looking steel coaster plot of land at Knoebels, but it's worth it.

20170717_0242.thumb.jpg.b4de727e4ad298d306f0642cd1c1edff.jpg

Gone vertical!

20170717_0261.thumb.jpg.3a5b453a77d27433a7a81e7c5a5b93d7.jpg

The sky ride, as mentioned, was not operating (plastic over the operator's console, too). Looks like this will just be some temporary downtime.

20170717_0263.thumb.jpg.fe45d531ac3602c0c125570948fe758a.jpg

Twister is looking patriotic.

20170717_0271.thumb.jpg.ac337dd79d0bee6fff4b0bd6a57d247c.jpg

Phoenix, riding as fantastic as ever!

20170717_0273.jpg.d66c930a349e3635dcf687cceb806502.jpg

I wish they were running two trains, because it did slow the line down, and there was never a chance to get on and off and on again really quickly.

20170717_226.thumb.jpg.6222e3bec33f3718073e513576ee7f1a.jpg

Impulse flies through the sky.

20170717_0275.jpg.fd1e6cdd61e7749c08f687b5501b6268.jpg

My favorite ride on Phoenix was in 1-3 (row 3). The airtime is just as crazy as advertised.

20170717_0279.thumb.jpg.d2aedb517b943a599b37df2da2b3434d.jpg

A pleasant view of the giant wheel.

20170717_0281.jpg.6f8d640339d16e25987feb7207f2851a.jpg

Squirrels were eating corn.

20170717_0283.thumb.jpg.4ff21f72bc2277c6493717798717774d.jpg

Passing the other Pioneer Train.

20170717_0285.thumb.jpg.33559a52e4cf0fe493540d299dd683d3.jpg

Hattie and Henry.

20170717_0332.thumb.jpg.01c66fc125c55333c9ce7ac169ebb7a4.jpg

How about some Skloosh? The wave is coming.

20170717_0335.thumb.jpg.d8e4d23eb06b0597f824ecc4452ad48b.jpg

The wave has arrived.

20170717_0337.thumb.jpg.bdc8f415c1ac992c7cd912a5ca87e905.jpg

Now you regret your decision.

20170717_0341.thumb.jpg.9af71a834a895d6d028d01925ab7d6f7.jpg

A wall of water.

20170717_0343.thumb.jpg.9e7be3b2f65d678dea2073cb39c9b1f0.jpg

Ripples in the wave.

20170717_0345.thumb.jpg.f7d6f108f506deb65b93c4b15602a022.jpg

I sacrificed my own dryness to get this shot. You're welcome.

20170717_0574.thumb.jpg.a0586ef1e3321481cc9c26f5155ee448.jpg

For a short drop, Skloosh packs a huge punch.

20170717_0599.thumb.jpg.24ed2c155d59609a7111dc28b1a492e1.jpg

Like sailing headlong into a storm.

20170717_0601.thumb.jpg.80aacb359a84527955153daeaf0f0351.jpg

The mist after the splash.

20170717_0603.thumb.jpg.92e8952bc3eab3d4846b0639a6a88c65.jpg

Splashing at the bottom of the drop.

20170717_0605.thumb.jpg.d5ea43b3aea4c3092f89a41f4ef83a75.jpg

Drops hang in the air.

20170717_0609.thumb.jpg.d036af94f6e00de0ee63f167c15b6fd8.jpg

Fear and excitement.

20170717_0611.thumb.jpg.c55f78e5f811b80a757e413320191c39.jpg

Almost like I'm riding alongside!

20170717_0612.thumb.jpg.93379ed42c13c0e28e45820ce0861a4a.jpg

Not a dry inch anywhere.

20170717_0640.thumb.jpg.845714abc6236e24b1ea44317e1409e0.jpg

The aftermath.

20170717_0654.thumb.jpg.2dbdb714da94c47edd75b8583d23526c.jpg

The elusive "moment of impact" shot. Took a few tries to get this!

20170717_0705.thumb.jpg.d8a153a6b77284dd9e0e61e66658e184.jpg

Storms grew around the park on Monday, but I'd like to thank Knoebels for putting up their force field to keep the bad weather away!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oops, a few more I forgot were on my phone.

20170717_152150.jpg.c4aeaab550b86aee12ef80f8aee2d576.jpg

The mini golf course was a lot of fun -- it appears quite simple but it's deceptively tricky. This device, for example, is one of the most evil contraptions I've ever run into on a mini golf course. It's virtually impossible to get through it without completely borking your shot somehow.

20170717_164540.jpg.fa0ffac8dc03ec17df52d904d908a019.jpg

How about this? I won Fascination on the middle line...

20170717_164647.jpg.96d8423ad8b8c356df91bd5ebb56088c.jpg

...then I won again, on the next game, on the same line. Strange.

20170717_170826.jpg.60a023a1663f1bbe0436dbc352eea910.jpg

For my efforts, I won a whole 8 tickets!

20170717_171016.thumb.jpg.637a7e2ae01f3d32c9874ab4c879d539.jpg

That's a long way from getting me a crock pot, but if you've ever wondered if anyone actually plays enough Fascination to win a crock pot, your questions have been answered.

20170717_180002.jpg.a36916790f04690f115e40baff35e77a.jpg

Over the Top looks like it's fully installed, but not yet operational.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great photos! I can never get enough Knoebels photos.

 

Over the Top looks great and I hope it opens soon. It really fits nicely in that area back there. One train ops are never fun but at the rate they send trains out it's like 2 trains anywhere else.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not quite a crock pot, but I saved up tickets over seven years and got a toaster oven from Fascination! Judging from the amount of dust the attendant cleaned off the box before handing it to us, it was probably the same one sitting there all those seven years.

 

It's great, though. Now I can claim anything I cook in it is Knoebels food, in a way. Sort of.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Nonetheless, the ride was quite smooth -- no shaking or wobbling like other similar coasters I've been on."

 

I haven't ridden Impulse myself but if by similar coasters you mean eurofighters, yeah I'd like to see more of these Zierer tower coasters around since they offer similiar experiences to eurofighters but with no gerst-ache

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use https://themeparkreview.com/forum/topic/116-terms-of-service-please-read/