KnoebelPrize

1. Knoebels 2. Busch Gardens Tampa 3. Six Flags Great Adventure 4. Busch Gardens Europe 5. Cedar Point 6. Kings Dominion 7. Kennywood 8. Dorney Park 9. Michigan's Adventure 10. Darien Lake

My absolute favorite GP comment was overheard in June at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Mother to her sleeping twin daughters in a stroller: "Ya'll, get some dippin' dots - it'll change your f***in' life!"

Thanks for the helpful responses! Yes, we do want to hit the safari! Basically looking to do just about as much as possible, but Toro, Nitro, Superman (haven't done a flyer before) and the safari are must rides.

Hi guys, Some friends and I are making a trip to Great Adventure this Saturday. This will be our first time at ANY Six Flags park, let alone Great Adventure. Our friends are vegetarians - are the "healthy" options listed on SF's website including vegetarian options? Are the vendors okay with preparing meals by removing the meat or substituting the protein? We have gone to Kennywood and Knoebels with this group of friends and had a great time - food selection was great for us (especially at Knoebels). With the high prices of food, we're wondering if it makes sense to bring a picnic lunch or if the food options will be good enough to eat inside. As as side note, I'm assuming it will be a very busy day this Saturday. We aren't planning to buy flash passes (not in the budget this year). Any suggestions/strategies on how to best avoid long lines? We will be there from open to close. Thanks!

There's been some talk about rain in this sub lately, so now might be a good time to ask... I'm planning to hit Knoebels this Sunday with some friends..Current weather channel prediction is 70% chance of rain, showers on and off throughout the day and possible thunder. What rides does Knoebels keep running DURING the rain? What rides (besides Flying Turns, which has been mentioned) ALWAYS close during rain? Has anybody gone during a rainy day and had a good experience? Is it worth buying a ride-all-day pass with this kind of a weather? We've been planning this trip for a while - We want to go rain or shine (if it's worth it!)

BGE is my home park, and I agree that the decisions being made lately have been questionable at best (the Tempesto non-marketing was especially disheartening to me). That said, I think the height requirement is the only unfortunate aspect of this coaster. Other than that, I think the ride will be a solid fit. Here's why: Verbolten is a huge step up from Grover. I still have a hard time understanding how anybody can call Verbolten a family coaster. The G-forces during the indoor helix, the multiple launches, 80 foot dive, and surprise drop track are not a logical step above the kiddie coaster at the front of the park. My impression of it, every time I ride, is that it is an intense ride that might be too much for smaller children (I personally love it though). This ride puts a logical stepping stone in place before taking on the multi-sensory barrage that is Verbolten. However, all of this makes the height requirement more unfortunate... As an aside: It's my hope that, after "testing the waters" with this smaller, GCI woodie, that BGE feels comfortable adding a headlining wooden coaster. Hopefully a few years down the road...No reason they couldn't put in 2 woodies without a steel in between.

1. Montu 2. Alpengeist 3. Raptor 4. Talon 5. I've only ridden SLC's after that

Hi everyone I'm a long-time lurker, first time poster. I may have never posted here, but my first day at Knoebels warrants a short trip report. I apologize for the lack of pictures! We arrived on Sunday (5/10) at 11:30, half an hour before opening. The first thing I noticed was how efficient the parking was. I counted ten different parking attendants directing each individual car into a space. Our group of four took some time to walk around the park before things opened, which helped us get a lay of the land. We opted for the $26 ride-all-day pass. Our first (and longest) wait was for Flying Turns. The second half of the ride picks up some decent speed, especially in the back seat. This was a great way to start, and the line was consistently long throughout the day. Families really seem to love riding this with their little ones. Black diamond was surprisingly entertaining, and the log flume was more fun than most I have ridden. Finally, we made our way to Phoenix, a coaster I have been wanting to ride for more than a decade. It did not disappoint. I have seen all of the TPR videos, I knew about the "airtime buffet," I knew the layout...But nothing could have prepared me for the on this ride. Although my wooden coaster list is only 15 credits long, Phoenix easily shot to the top, past Shivering Timbers. I rode six times, and each time was filled with hysterical laughter. The ride is pure bliss. Operations were also astounding - I have never seen trains cycled so quickly. Amazing operations were a theme for the day. Every operator was efficient and seemed to enjoy their job - a few even asked me how my ride was after I exited. The food (Frickles!), the atmosphere, the flats (which all ran long cycles), and the low prices made me feel like a kid again. Toward the end of the day, my wife remarked, "This is the happiest place I have ever been." I think she's right. Impulse was icing on the cake, although I think I would feel the same whether it was there or not. We also rode Twister, Flyers, Stratosfear, Haunted Mansion, Sklooosh, Scenic Skyway, Skooters, and the Carousel. Suffice to say, we are returning to Knoebels later this summer for a weekend of camping and rides! I have never been to a park that made me want to immediately return, but I am already counting the days until my next visit. What an amazing place, and my new favorite park - above Cedar Point, Kings Dominion, and both Busch Gardens parks. There is something intangible at Knoebels that truly makes it special. I'll be giving them my business every year!