SigilX

Looks like work has already begun with Impulse. The Bumper Boats and Boat Tag have now been removed as construction picks up.

This is based on my experience at Flying Turns at Knoebels: Don't judge a ride by its line. I hear so many people whine about coasters being "not worth it" because it just happened to be a busy day at the park. You're going to get lines especially at new or popular rides. Deal with it. Don't pig out and then go on a thrill ride or coaster. This is a recipe for disaster. If you have a crying or tantrum throwing child, parents please remove them from the line until they calm down. The last thing we want to hear is the kid screaming bloody murder. Do place any tickets and electronic devices in sandwich bags especially on water rides. Do get a park map and study it before hitting the rides to get a sense of the best ways to travel. Do not stop in front of cars and turn and stare at them like a deer in the headlights.

Hello all! I went to Knoebels yesterday and like always it was fun! The park was pretty crowded yesterday, so I wasn't able to get on everything I wanted, but I'm pleased at what I did ride. So let me start this little trip report by talking about a little coaster we all heard about: Flying Turns. I got in line at 10:30 and when the rides opened at 11:00 the line moved very fast. I think after opening the line took 15 minutes. Many people I saw passing by were discouraged by the sign at the entrance to the ride that said "45 minutes from this point" which is a shame as that is just an approximate time. Also that time didn't apply as being that the ride wasn't opened yet people assumed there was a longer line going through the ride while there wasn't. Now part off the ride does take time due to only being three people per car and the weighing, but having very good "flight attendants" as they are called and having three trains running kept the lines moving. The ride itself was very smooth and while not the fastest or most extreme it was a nice family coaster with the element of loss of control as there is no track. It is a little strange having two lift hills (three if you consider the one taking you back to the boarding area). Perhaps it would more thrilling if they had only one lift hill making it a continuous ride. Shame that people are detracted by the line wait as really after a few years the Flying Turns will lose its newness and will have more manageable lines. This happened with the Black Diamond as the lines took an hour and a half upon opening but now take about a half hour. One more thing I also love about Flying Turns is the theme with airport related signs and even a little history lesson about the ride. I noticed while on the train that Twister got some new wood on the ride, including the one drop. I'm not surprised seeing as this coaster is now 14 years old. The Haunted Mansion got its roof fixed so no light is steaming in and updated their sound effects and even better speakers possibly. This ride though needs an upgrade with improved haunts as many of them are from when it opened. The Balloon Race was open after needing parts. Powersurge was still down, and the space occupied by a meet and greet area for Kosmo and Dexter. 2001 Naacht is still down with paint stripped off the pendulum part and the figures removed from the ride. Now to Impulse- I talked to a staff member who said that Impulse will not be going over the road leading to the parking area and will mainly reside where the bumper boats and Boat Tag are. With the few people i see using these rides and their state they are in, I'm glad they are being replaced by something new. So there you have my mini trip report. I'll be returning later this month to the park where hopefully I'll be able to ride more rides and have more fun.

Antique cars has a long line at times but it moves quickly due to quick dispatches and the fact that each car can fit four adults. The ones with the longest lines include The Haunted Mansion (but moves quickly), Pioneer Train (also moves quick with the lines) Flying Turns, and Black Diamond. The motor boats kind of have long lines due to having to get people in and out of the boats. Typically I start at the back of the park where the Phoenix and Antique Cars are and work my way to the front.

I wonder what happened to the Power Surge. Last year the ride seemed to be working fine and I didn't hear about any breakdowns.

Looks like Knoebel's put something up already for this new kiddie ride: http://www.knoebels.com/index.php/pony-carts Interesting though to note, when you look on the What's New section of the park there's a section called New for 2015 with a (2) next to it. When you click on it you just get the computer generated models of Impulse. Still the (2) is interesting. Could this mean we'll see something else coming to Knoebel's next year?

I saw on Knoebel's Facebook a picture of some kind of kiddie ride being built, one with a circular platform and horse drawn carriage cars. I heard it is by the boat ride but I'm not sure. It didn't look like it was done so not sure if it's operational. Anyone here have pictures of this new kiddie ride?

Very impressed with this new coaster. Surprisingly up until this announcement, I didn't even know this park existed. Then again I probably don't know half the parks outside to US. That first drop is sure to be the crowd pleaser along with the zero G rolls.

Yes, at first the only thing opposite the lighted entry sign were the picnic pavilions, parking, and Crystal Pool. It wasn't until the early 2000s that they closed down the road for good. This though was probably the best move for the park as you had to play Frogger getting from the parking to the park.

You know, I said that if Knoebels was to put a big ride in it would be their best interest to remove the bumper boats and boat tag. Looks like I nailed that prediction. Still, I was surprised that they are going for a steel coaster but I'm excited to hear that they're going for it. This will look great at the main road into the park!

According to Screamscape and All American Thrills, Knoebels is building a structure that according to the permit says it is for a substation. http://www.allamericanthrills.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53 Looking at the first picture, there is an A frame meaning this is by the Security building near the picnic pavilions. Now the last time that I remember a substation being built was for the Twister. You can see this building while riding on the train. So it may be something related to this 2015 project.

Interesting, while over at my friend's house he mentioned that he thought Knoebel's would use the hillside where the chair lift is for something, and sure enough I look on Screamscape and see this rumor. Considering unless they tear down some existing buildings, relocate rides, or build into the camp site more, the hill would be the only logical area to build a coaster.

I know this is going to be something big. Typically Knoebels doesn't hype up as much rides like Fandango, Wipeout, and the Mini Himalaya (some of their most recent rides). Besides the Flying Turns, and the Black Diamond the one they recently hyped up was the Stratosfear. So I'm thinking its going to be another roller coaster, and judging by the Facebook post it said that the 4th generation was trying to find what to do next until they found "it." So it doesn't sound like a new ride or restoring something currently at a park, but that they will be bringing a ride there from another park or creating a ride from the past like Flying Turns was. Let the speculation begin. Edit: Thought about a few coasters that in storage/ SBNO that Knoebels might like: Little Eagle - from Myrtle Beach Pavilion - http://rcdb.com/309.htm Mad Mouse - Myrtle Beach Pavilion - http://rcdb.com/503.htm Big Dipper- Geauga Lake - http://rcdb.com/236.htm Iron Horse, Round About - Freestyle Park These are just ones found in the US based on recently defunct parks.

Hmm... what would i like to see there? Perhaps another vintage roller coaster like a Virginia Reel or Switchback Railway. Perhaps a Wild Mouse as well. I'd also like to see the Haunted Mansion get a total renovation as after over 40 years it needs some TLC.

I'd like to see for Knoebel's next big project as not something new exactly but a renovation of their Haunted Mansion. It's a symbol of the park returning after the 1972 flood that nearly destroyed the park and I think that it needs to continue to be a great symbol by updating the scares in it after more than 40 years of operation. Also, I'd like to see another coaster located near where the sky ride is as that area needs some TLC having only a few games, an ice cream stand, and a underused bumper boats ride. Having a coaster located right along the road into the entrance to the park would be a cool addition. As to what type, perhaps creating a Virginia Reel or a Switchback Railway or even a Scenic Railway to add to the nostalgia element after building the Flying Turns.

Hope this is not a repeat of a past topic. I noticed how not a lot of parks I looked at have Huss rides and those review of such parks that do are very meh about them. So is there something bad about Huss Rides?

Removing the Power Surge is news to me. That ride seems to be always full of people on it. Although going on speculation, I wonder if Knoebels is going to do something with that area between the Giant Wheel and the Chair Lift. This area used to be the road cutting through the park and aside from the Giant Wheel and Chair Lift there is the now former Power Surge, a Bumper Boats ride (which looks like it's barely ridden) and a boat tag (again don't see much action there). There are some games, an ice cream stand (which can go since there are others in the park) and The Loaf, a bread shaped building that I guess used to be a bakery but is now storage and frankly looks like an eyesore now. So my guess for 2014 is that something is going in that vicinity (definitely where Power Surge was but could expand out to where I mentioned). I'd personally love to see another coaster in that area where guests entering the park could see it driving by.

Looking at the Hall-o-Fun map on Knoebel's Facebook, the Flying Turns is not listed as an open ride (all other coasters except Kosmo's Kurves are). I wonder if they'll keep it open for the next weekends of Hall-o-Fun. It would be a shame having that not open when every ride around it seems to be still open for the event.

Food wise I have to say their roast chicken (found at the Oasis certain nights) is awesome. Cesari's Pizza is something I have while down there for supper. Haven't really tried anything at the International Food Court or Phoenix Junction though. Favorite snack food there had to be either the homemade fudge or the kettle corn.

Hope that Bell finds a new location. That battle with the fairgrounds lease sounds caustic.

I went to Knoebel's yesterday for some fun and I did something that I somehow put off for a while. I rode the Phoenix. Now I haven't ridden many coasters. Probably the only two I could say I rode were the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in the Magic kingdom and the Black Diamond in Knoebel's. I have to say being the first ride it was a bit scary but I'm glad I had the chance to do so. Maybe next year I'll ride the Flying Turns (if it's open) and Twister to compare. Other than that the park was very nice. I didn't see any signs for something new in the works, and the Flying Turns was silent yesterday. Looking at the park, I keep trying to think where they could put a new ride. There is a big open space in front of the Phoenix for a flat ride, although there's danger in obscuring the view of the coaster. As mentioned earlier, there is a space near the Skloosh that is by the creek that has only a small pavilion there in case they needed to expand (near the bridge to the campground). If they got rid of the Bumper Boats (which I don't see used much and takes up a lot of land space), the Boat Tag, and a nearby pavilion, this would be an ideal space for a coaster that will run along side the main road going into the park. Then there's that one neglected building in the shape of a bread loaf (aptly named with a faded sign The Loaf) which I guess used to sell baked goods that could be the home of a new ride. Those are the areas that seem to be the most logical areas, even though they would require some demolition. So it was a fun trip, and I can't weait to see what new things Knoebel's has in the future!

Hello. I haven't actually done the Pay one Price Plan so I can't say. Mainly it depends on how many rides you're willing to ride. A typical family ride (Carousel, Giant Wheel, etc.) will be from $1.00 to $1.50. The Thrill Rides and Roller Coasters will be $1.50 to $2.50. Rides I would recommend are The Phoenix, Twister, Black Diamond, The Whipper (a W.F. Mangles from 1906), The Haunted Mansion, The Flyer, The Looper, Stratosfear (drop tower), the Pioneer Train, and the Giant Wheel. Food wise, there's The Alamo, the park's only restaurant. Other favorites include: Kettle Corn, The Mill Ice Cream, and Cessari's Pizza.

Wow. Those trains do look finished! Very good sign. As for the reasons why it's not done, consider that Knoebels had to deal with two major floods (I think 2009 and 2012), the fact that Flying Turns rides were built between the 1920s and 1940s and that all plans and coasters like those are gone save for vague photos, and the need for heavier trains for safety regulations. The good news is the track looks 100% finished and well-maintained so it comes down to the trains.

Hello all! I just got back from my visit to Knoebels yesterday. So I guess this will be my mini review! Let's start with what's new! First off Stratosfear! This tower ride is nearby the newer rides like Wipeout and Fandango as well as the oldies but goodies of The Phoenix and the Antique Cars. Riders are slowly lifted to the top and then dropped. My only complaint is that the ride seems short from an onlooker. (Then again I didn't ride it so I don't know from a rider's perspective) The tower is actually the tallest ride in the park (I think even taller than the Giant Wheel) and has a very impressive lighting package at night. Other additions to the park include: a Crazy Sub ride near the Rockin Tug, a Balloon Darts game, and a new Security Gazebo and Ticket areas near the Stratosfear. Now for some upgrades! Strangely it seems the Haunted Mansion got some additional sound effects during the ride. Anyone want to confirm this? I wish that ride got an upgrade. There needs to be some new haunts as well as the classic elements getting some TLC. The Black Diamond got some nice exterior theme upgrades since my last ride on it in 2011. The building facades near the loading platform were given a nice aged look and fake cobwebs were added to the overhead lights. Fake windows with silhouettes of miners in them were added to the black face of the building as well as the words "Black Diamond Mining Company." It really completes the package of a great ride! One thing else that needs some TLC is the Laser Runner. The game is starting to show its age and needs upgrades all around. Sadly, Flying Turns was not opened and not testing (although I expected this). Hopefully next year. (crosses fingers). Knoebels was the first park I visited when I was eight and is the closest to my house. It always holds a great place in my heart and I love the Free Parking, Free Admission, and Free Entertainment. Hope to see what new things will appear next year at that fun park!

Sad to hear about such a tragic event. For those going to any Six Flags parks, all rides (save for Texas Giant) are open according to the website. Not sure about other Gerstlauer related rides in other parks. Then again this could change as more comes out.