ParkTrips Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 mucho gracias and yeah, seeing Knoebels usually makes me miss it a lot!
ginzo Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 Knoebel's seems interesting. I am still so baffled by the amazing reviews this place gets. I don't really have a desire to go there, but will be open minded when I first go in August. Maybe there's something to that. I guess if you don't like riding a single woodie that produces more airtime than every coaster in most parks combined, you might not like Knoebels. Or if you don't like riding damn near the best flat ride collection ever.
cfc Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 ^I'd never even heard of the place until I joined TPR. To me, it's like stepping back to the 1940s or 1950s, with its great, old-school rides and atmosphere. It's in a beautiful setting, and Phoenix does, indeed, kick major butt (for me, it's number 3 behind Balder and El Toro).
BeemerBoy Posted May 22, 2008 Author Posted May 22, 2008 In Fort Lauderdale, where is that Hoagie shop at? Here ya go! I'm doing a big amusement park road trip in a couple weeks and even though there's bigger parks like Cedar Point and Six Flags NJ on the agenda, I think I'm most looking forward to Knoebel's. Yep. As much as I love GADV for its coaster collection, I'd now go back to Knoebels first...and that's saying a LOT. Thanks again to everyone for the kind words.
ginzo Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 ^I'd never even heard of the place until I joined TPR. To me, it's like stepping back to the 1940s or 1950s, with its great, old-school rides and atmosphere. It's in a beautiful setting, and Phoenix does, indeed, kick major butt (for me, it's number 3 behind Balder and El Toro). Agree 500%. And I've got a similar ranking to you, except without the Balder credit (#1 ET, #2 Phoenix). And nothing else comes even close to those two. Yep. As much as I love GADV for its coaster collection, I'd now go back to Knoebels first...and that's saying a LOT. I can't agree with this. Have you tried SFGAdv with a Gold Q-Bot? I felt like a crackhead in a crack factory. Best coaster day ever.
Erik Johnson Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 MMMMMMmmmmmmmmmm Knoebels!!! I really need to go back.
BeemerBoy Posted May 22, 2008 Author Posted May 22, 2008 Yep. As much as I love GADV for its coaster collection, I'd now go back to Knoebels first...and that's saying a LOT. I can't agree with this. Have you tried SFGAdv with a Gold Q-Bot? I felt like a crackhead in a crack factory. Best coaster day ever. Don't get me wrong, GADV with no lines is still tough to beat, but for overall value, I'm sticking with Knoebels. Free parking, great location, "throwback charm" like Chuck mentioned, cheap and GREAT food, Phoenix, and I could re-ride the Flyers and Skooters all day as much as I could Nitro, Toro, etc.....my mind is made up. As for the Phoenix-Toro matchup, I'm still debating. It's really too tough to call right now, but I think I'm still slightly leaning towards the bull. Either way, it's a win-win situation.
ginzo Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 Don't get me wrong, GADV with no lines is still tough to beat, but for overall value, I'm sticking with Knoebels. Yeah, value wasn't really a consideration for me so much as quality of the experience. Getting unlimited rides on arguably the most well balanced coaster collection in the country does it for me.I couldn't believe how much fun I had there that day. Knoebels does have better food. No doubt about it. But it's still park food and nothing I would go out of my way to get normally. Damn it! Now I have to plan a trip to SFGAdv and Knoebels. I can't take not going this year.
larrygator Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 I think value/cost always has to be included in the equation, especially with today's economy. Also the atmosphere is a huge intangible. Knoebels last weekend had an unlimited wristband for $19, add $1 and change for the haunted mansion and maybe $15 for a boat load of food for a total of $35. Granted the cost would be higher on weekend without a wristband deal. A day at SFGAdv with Flash Pass and discounted admission, parking, food could run you between $150-$200. Even though Nitro is a Top 10 coaster for me, I would rather ride the Flyers at Knoebels for an hour non-stop over Nitro. The Skooters are incomparble to anything at SFGAdv.
Hercules Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 Great report! I am a little saddened that I didn't receive PM invite. I could have showed you how to snap those Flyers better than Larry! Though. he is a force on the Skooters!
BeemerBoy Posted May 22, 2008 Author Posted May 22, 2008 ^ Wait, I thought Larry said he mentioned it to you that we'd be there? And yes, Larry is a force on the Skooters.
Hercules Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 Oh yeah that is right! It was so long ago that I completely forgot about it. Sorry. I've had a lot of things going on. And to get into the discussion - personally, I'm not a fan of the park in general. It just doesn't have the feel that I really like. It is kind of too hick for me. However, the rides there are incredible, and the value that you get for the amount of fun is unmatched.
shesaidboom Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 This TR would be great if your wife was in it! It's still good though I think Jer and I need to visit Knoebel's with someone who 'gets' it, because I really don't.
307 Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 ^ I agree entirely with Nikki. Knoebel's was the first park we hit on our 2005 Florida trip, and we were left completely disappointed! I especially had high hopes for the place, and I was left wondering, "What the hell does anyone see in it?" Looking back now, I can see that I didn't take in the true "Knoebel's experience"... we didn't have time to go on the Skooters, the haunted house, we didn't eat any food, and our experiences on the flat rides were mediocre. The only saving grace in the entire park was Phoenix, which was outstanding! I guess crowd factor played a role, as it was PACKED and ride waits were far too long for us when we had a very small time budget on the place. Anyway, great TRs as usual. Yours are some of the best on the site!
niiicolaaah Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 Knoebel's to me is all about the general atmosphere. There are SO many cool things about it, that I just can't pick one favorite thing. All 3 coasters are very unique - Phoenix is good, Twister is just weird, and HSTC is THE strangest kiddy coaster EVER. The scenery in the park is cool, with all the bridges, being in the woods, the weird birthday cake building (isn't one of the buildings a loaf of bread too??), the random eagles, the pig garbage can, all the flood level signs, and the food place with the rotating roof powered by a water wheel. They have unique rides such as the Looper, sky slide, 2 mini train rides, hand carts for kids, and the Cosmotron. The Haunted House is impeccably maintained and very neat. Yes, if you go there, rush through it, and just ride the coasters, you will be disappointed. Knoebel's is a park you just have to SLOW DOWN and take in what surrounds you. There are so many cool things about that park to me, that I would go there even if none of the rides or food stands were open. I feel the same about Blackpool by the way!
307 Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 Okay after that spiel I refuse to believe you're not on their payroll And yes, there is a building like a loaf of bread...
Hercules Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 I am certainly not in love with Knoebel's but it is truly about the entire experience. That is something that I really took in at PPP in 2006. I hadn't actually taken the time to step back and see the place for what it is. It is a mix of Pennsylvania mountain atmosphere, great rides, hilarious ride operations that make you wonder why nobody gets killed at times, amazing food, FREE parking and FREE admission and very good prices.... and those crazy mountain boys running around with their grease stained and torn wife-beaters and AC/DC shirts. Overall, I really like the place to go for a good Flyers snapfest (as long as there is a cool op), those glorious Lusse Auto Skooters, the Looper, and marathoning Phoenix. When the place is packed, it is a b**ch. I hate it when it is busy on hot summer days. The place should be experienced on a non-busy POP day early in the season, or on a nice, cool fall day. And a full day should be devoted to it, just because there is so much to take in. I can see how a lot of people would think that it is just a half day kind of park just because of its appearance, and the fact that it is a small family owned park, but believe me, it is a full day park.
Shockwave Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 Knoebel's to me is all about the general atmosphere. There are SO many cool things about it, that I just can't pick one favorite thing. All 3 coasters are very unique - Phoenix is good, Twister is just weird, and HSTC is THE strangest kiddy coaster EVER. The scenery in the park is cool, with all the bridges, being in the woods, the weird birthday cake building (isn't one of the buildings a loaf of bread too??), the random eagles, the pig garbage can, all the flood level signs, and the food place with the rotating roof powered by a water wheel. They have unique rides such as the Looper, sky slide, 2 mini train rides, hand carts for kids, and the Cosmotron. The Haunted House is impeccably maintained and very neat. Yes, if you go there, rush through it, and just ride the coasters, you will be disappointed. Knoebel's is a park you just have to SLOW DOWN and take in what surrounds you. There are so many cool things about that park to me, that I would go there even if none of the rides or food stands were open. I feel the same about Blackpool by the way! ^That's exactly I'm really trying to make it over there next year. Blackpool just has an atmosphere that other parks simply don't have, and it sounds like Knoebels has a similar sort of vibe going on. Great report once again Scott!
RIP Psyclone Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 One thing I've noticed about Knoebel's is the unusual layout. Unusual for an amusement park, anyway. It seems to be more like a convention center. Everything is just sort of plopped down with space between everything else, resulting in an infinate number of ways to walk around the park. I guess that's bad for a first time guest who doesn't know the layout very well, but good for getting from point A to point B. I think I would love the park. Plenty of nooks and crannies to discover. Oh, and the food! Wait, there are rides too, right?
Hercules Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 That is true. The first time I was there it was like I was going through the park blind. I didn't know where the heck I was going. Then, once you start to understand it, it is easy to get from one place to another just by weaving in and out of rides.
niiicolaaah Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 My favorite part is when you have to walk on a road outside the park to get to Twister.
Jayjay719 Posted May 23, 2008 Posted May 23, 2008 I love Knoebels. It's one of my favorite parks. I can't wait until I go this year, but I'm trying to hold off as along as I can so I can go when and if Flying Turns opens.
grinch1313 Posted May 23, 2008 Posted May 23, 2008 Knoebels Great Knoebels trip report. It definitely captured what is great about the place. My favorite park and Phoenix is my favorite coaster! I'm really looking forward to being back there next month. Then again in August with TPR! I loved the trip report!!
Coaster Palooza Posted May 23, 2008 Posted May 23, 2008 Great TR as always Scott. I love Knoebel's. I wish we lived closer to that park. Seeing all of you have fun out there makes me miss everyone so much....
BeemerBoy Posted May 23, 2008 Author Posted May 23, 2008 ^ Thanks, Rick! It's funny, I just said the same thing to Shan last night about wishing we lived closer. One thing I've noticed about Knoebel's is the unusual layout. Unusual for an amusement park, anyway. It seems to be more like a convention center. Everything is just sort of plopped down with space between everything else, resulting in an infinate number of ways to walk around the park. I guess that's bad for a first time guest who doesn't know the layout very well, but good for getting from point A to point B. I think I would love the park. Plenty of nooks and crannies to discover. This is actually very true. As everyone has said in the last few pages, the place is so unique, that it's really best to visit either early or late in the season when there's no crowds, and you can leisurely take it all in. If I hadn't had three experienced tour guides with me, I too, would've wandered aimlessly for a while just trying to get my bearings. But that's exactly what I loved the most about the place...it's so non-conventional. Thanks so much again for all the compliments and great feedback!
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