TR: Knoebels, 7/31/07

[yankees15]

My dad and I decided that we would like to take a trip out to Knoebels this summer because we haven't been there in about 10 years. We decided last week that this Tuesday would be the day to go since Tuesdays are normally one of the least crowded days to visit an amusement park.

 

Ride reviews in no order:

 

Twister- Let me just say that this is a very unique wooden coaster. I loved the double lift hill and the first drop was pretty good providing some nice floater air. The couple turnarounds were intense as was the double helix. The coaster didn't have that much air, but it did have some spots. Overall it was a great ride but was a little rougher than I would have liked. 7/10

 

Phoenix- All I have ever heard about the Phoenix was wonderful things, and I can't recall ever hearing a negative comment about this coaster. My first ride on the Phoenix was in the second row and it was quite disappointing actually. I found it had nice floater air but I only felt one spot of ejector. Then I rode it in the back seat later in the day and it blew me away. The first drop was fabulous and the bunny hills were insane providing strong floater to ejector on every hill! I found myself on three separate occasions throughout the ride almost standing up, it was great! 9/10

 

High Speed Thrill Coaster- This was a nice little coaster that was pretty exciting. I loved the manuel braking by the operator. The ride itself was really smooth and had nice pops of airtime on the hills. We went around 4 times which was a plus! 6/10

 

Flume- This log flume was perfect. It had everything you could ask for in a log flume: two big drops, a tunnel, and a nice calm journey through the trees. 8/10

 

Pioneer Train- Was a nice relaxing journey under the Twister and through the woods on its one mile plus journey. This became one of my favorite train rides. 8/10

 

Old Smokey Train- Another fun train ride but the seats were very small and were a little uncomfortable, but it was another great ride. 6/10

 

The park was pretty crowded with at least half of the parking lot used, but the rides were only station waits. This was because of amazing dispatch times. On the Phoenix I counted how long it would take for the train to come to a complete stop, unload the train, load and check the train, and dispatch. This took on average 20 seconds. The fastest I counted was 16 seconds and the longest was 26 seconds. The Twister was also dispatching in under 30 seconds! Great job Knoebels ride ops! Overall I had a great time in the park and I am looking forward to coming back in the future.

 

Ride counts:

 

Phoenix- 3x

Twister- 1x

High Speed Thrill Coaster- 1x

Flume- 1x

Pioneer Train- 1x

Old Smokey Train-1x

[sscamatt]

How was flying turns coming along?

[yankees15]

^There were people working on it the whole time I was there. From what I could see was there was one piece where track had to be placed but i could have easily missed other spots. There were also two cars on the track.

[ginzo]

No Skooters, Flyers, Haunted Mansion, or Sky Slide?

[Little Coaster Girl]

My first ride on the Phoenix was in the second row and it was quite disappointing actually.

The front seat has nice air also, its unbelievable how much the phoenix tames down from sitting in the front seat to sitting in the second seat.

[yankees15]

^^Well I only had a about 3 hours in the park and I just wanted to ride the coasters and trains. Maybe next time.

 

^I never really heard where too ride the Phoenix, but I really enjoyed my two back seat rides.

[Schmoofy]

I was there yesterday as well, I probably saw you and didn't realize it.

 

It was a nice day to go, glad you enjoyed yourself!

[yankees15]

^I was wearing an orange Kingda Ka shirt with kaki shorts.

[Jim S.]

If you don't get the front seat, go for seat 3. (In fact I think 3 is better than the front sometimes.) 12 has great airtime but you tend to bounce around a lot more than you do in the front. The only jerky spot in the front, if it happens, is when the train has to deal with the turnaround immediately after popping out of the double-down-double-up.