Knoebels Discussion Thread

[defrocker]

I just looked on Knoebel's website and it said Phoenix was closed. Is there any truth to that or is that an out of date status?

[Ccron10]

I just looked on Knoebel's website and it said Phoenix was closed. Is there any truth to that or is that an out of date status?

When I was up there the other week they closed the ride around 1pm to work on upgrades. They recently gave it a new control system, entrance railings, automatic transfer track, and re-tracked brake run. Wouldn't surprise me if they are still fine-tuning a few things.

[Voyager6442]

I'm going to be at the park next Wednesday. Do any of you veterans have any words of wisdom for me? My main interest is in the wooden coasters. Thanks.

[coasterbill]

Don't worry everybody! I'm here.

 

I could write an essay... I can already tell that your approach to this park is wrong. This isn't a credit stop. Embrace the flat rides. Knoebels has better versions of just about every flat ride than just about any other parks. They're all cranked up to the max and running insane programs. Some of them can't be found anywhere else and some of them are better than most coasters. Luckily you're going on a wristband day. You'll need one. Also, go on an empty stomach. There's a reason they win the award for "Best park food" every year.

 

As far as rides go. These are the can't miss rides.

 

Top Tier

Phoenix

Twister

Flyers: These are the best flyers in the world.

Scooters: These are the best bumper cars in the world. They're solid steel and have been running since 1947. They'll make you hate all other bumper cars. If you skip these you're a bad person and you should feel bad.

 

Other "Can't Miss" rides

Haunted Mansion: One of the best classic "Bill Tracy style" dark rides in America. You need tickets for this even with a wristband. That's okay. Buy them. This thing has won every award for dark rides that it could possibly win.

Black Diamond: Great dark ride / coaster

Flying Turns

Stratosfear: Don't judge it before you ride it. It's one of the best drop towers on earth.

Scenic Skyway: The views from this thing are awesome. It was moved from a ski resort and re-purposed... because Knoebels.

Downdraft:

Impulse: It's fun, and it's a credit

Giant Flume: One of the better ones.

The Carousel (KEEP READING): So I know what you're thinking. "The carousel? Don't be stupid. I'm not riding a dumb carousel". I used to be like you... but then I discovered Knoebels. Knoebels has one of the only brass r i n g carousels in the world. Sit on an outside horse and you get to grab r i n g s as you go around. If you get the brass one you get a free ride.

 

Just because a ride isn't mentioned here doesn't mean it isn't great but those are the "can't miss" rides. There are tons of other great ones... Paratrooper, Cosmotron, the Super Round Up basically goes vertical and while they're a bit uncomfortable the Looper is the only ride of it's kind in America and Satellite is very rare and cool. Fandango and Power Surge rule. The train is also really cool.

 

Okay... so now that we got that out of the way, there's more we need to talk about. The food.

 

You know what... screw it. I'm breaking this down just like the rides.

 

Top Tier

The pierogies!!!! Now keep in mind that many food stands in the park have Pierogies and they're all good. But there's one place in particular you need to get them from. The Pierogies from the place between Oasis and the Famous Fry place on the main midway are the best. You'll see Pierogies in other places. Don't buy those... you want these.

 

Please refer to the diagram. There will be a test later.

 

 

Okay, moving on... Caesari's Pizza! Over by the Paratrooper (which is a great ride) you'll see a pizza place with a huge line. There's a reason for the huge line. And once you're done stuffing your face with that, make a 180 degree turn and look just to the right of the place with the spinning roof and buy an Ice Cream Waffle sandwich! Get one!

 

Besides that just walk around and eat one of everything. There's a place in the front of the park that looks like a loaf of bread. Buy a snickerdoodle cookie from them too for good measure... it's good for the soul. And drink some birch beer. It's not really beer but you'll be so drunk on Knoebels that you won't care.

 

Also, if you walk behind Black Diamond they have some non releasable bald eagles. If you go into the mining museum by black diamond (which is free) they have great information on the park. Walk past all the mining crap and go to the back where you'll find some old ride parts, old games and a timeline of the park. Over by the Tilt A Whirl they also have a carousel museum that's really cool (and free. Free is a recurring theme). Located near the museum is the best bathroom in the park by the way. Some of them sort of suck. You'll see what I mean.

 

They also have a Fascination Parlor if you're into games.

 

Okay. I think that's it. Enjoy your day at the single greatest amusement park in the history of the world!

[Nrthwnd]

^ Wow, it's such a drag, you think so little of this park.

 

 

 

It all reads GREAT to me, lol. (Lottery WIN Bucket List Add-On.)

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Thanks for that, Bill! I'm going to have to get to this park. Maybe next year?

[Myntiepwny]

Is the Phoenix running two trains yet?

[Jcoaster]

I'm still very salty about not getting on Black Diamond.

 

But I am not salty about having to go back to this wonderful place to ride it.

[boldikus]

Don't worry everybody! I'm here.

 

I could write an essay...

It's easy to imagine writing that post was one of the highlights of your day.

 

Located near the museum is the best bathroom in the park by the way. Some of them sort of suck. You'll see what I mean.

This might be the first negative thing I've ever heard you utter about this park. I honestly, seriously didn't think it was possible.

[coasterbill]

This might be the first negative thing I've ever heard you utter about this park. I honestly, seriously didn't think it was possible.

 

Knoebels has to have one imperfect thing to put in perspective how perfect everything else is. It's science.

 

Oh and in other news...

[boldikus]

True dat. And to be fair park bathrooms just about suck at any park I've been to.

[DILinator]

Man, I really hope to be able to get out here for PPP this year! Never been, but the raves about it are virtually unanimous! Hoping to bring two of my kids, too!

[I Like Theme Parks.]

I'm going to be at the park next Wednesday. Do any of you veterans have any words of wisdom for me? My main interest is in the wooden coasters. Thanks.

Basically listen to coasterbill since he pretty much mentioned everything. I'd probably put in the Whip since those are nice and not as common as other family rides. Also some good food is their Bavarian pretzel ham sandwiches and alligator bites. But you'll probably be too stuffed. The first ride you do should be Flying Turns, then the other rides in the area, then I usually get to the front of the park near Impulse to the Bumper Cars. Then I'd get food, then do everything else. If the park is crowded, the lines will still be manageable compared to other parks since the operations are great, even with one-train operations, and there's such a ridiculous amount of important/major/popular rides and attractions that everyone is sort of spread out equally.

[Mossed]

Didn't get on the bumper cars last year, I feel like a bad person.

 

Impulse was also broken. Excited to try this coaster out in July for a ride or two, in between my 30 rides on Phoenix and the Flyers.

[Kyle Coleman]

Pretty sure missing the bumper cars is a sin.

[coneyislandchris]

True dat. And to be fair park bathrooms just about suck at any park I've been to.

Yeah, but at least most other parks actually have seats on their toilet bowls. :/ But, literally, this is the biggest / smallest / ONLY complaint about Knoebels. Everything else about the park is practically perfection on earth.

 

To the person whose biggest interest was in the wood coasters, I have to recommend... do Flying Turns first. It has the slowest throughput, so if you get that out of the way early, you'll avoid waiting in a longer line later. Otherwise, both Phoenix and Twister just pump people through. Even when the line is spilling out past the entrance on Phoenix, you probably won't be waiting more than 10-15 minutes just because of the efficiency of the ride ops.

 

Other favorite rides at the park that Bill glossed over:

- Cosmotron (an awesome indoor Himalaya with disco lights, strobe effects, and fog, plus loud-ass music)

- Kosmo's Kurves (yes, it's a kiddie coaster, but it might be the BEST damn kiddie coaster of its type!)

- Giant Wheel (wonderful views of the park during the day, awesome LED light program at night)

- Italian Trapeze (my second favorite Wave Swinger; beautifully painted, plus a super long cycle)

 

Go, enjoy, have fun, and prepare to have all other parks ruined forever for you.

[Voyager6442]

Don't worry everybody! I'm here.

 

I could write an essay... I can already tell that your approach to this park is wrong. This isn't a credit stop. Embrace the flat rides. Knoebels has better versions of just about every flat ride than just about any other parks. They're all cranked up to the max and running insane programs. Some of them can't be found anywhere else and some of them are better than most coasters. Luckily you're going on a wristband day. You'll need one. Also, go on an empty stomach. There's a reason they win the award for "Best park food" every year.

 

As far as rides go. These are the can't miss rides.

 

Top Tier

Phoenix

Twister

Flyers: These are the best flyers in the world.

Scooters: These are the best bumper cars in the world. They're solid steel and have been running since 1947. They'll make you hate all other bumper cars. If you skip these you're a bad person and you should feel bad.

 

Other "Can't Miss" rides

Haunted Mansion: One of the best classic "Bill Tracy style" dark rides in America. You need tickets for this even with a wristband. That's okay. Buy them. This thing has won every award for dark rides that it could possibly win.

Black Diamond: Great dark ride / coaster

Flying Turns

Stratosfear: Don't judge it before you ride it. It's one of the best drop towers on earth.

Scenic Skyway: The views from this thing are awesome. It was moved from a ski resort and re-purposed... because Knoebels.

Downdraft:

Impulse: It's fun, and it's a credit

Giant Flume: One of the better ones.

The Carousel (KEEP READING): So I know what you're thinking. "The carousel? Don't be stupid. I'm not riding a dumb carousel". I used to be like you... but then I discovered Knoebels. Knoebels has one of the only brass r i n g carousels in the world. Sit on an outside horse and you get to grab r i n g s as you go around. If you get the brass one you get a free ride.

 

Just because a ride isn't mentioned here doesn't mean it isn't great but those are the "can't miss" rides. There are tons of other great ones... Paratrooper, Cosmotron, the Super Round Up basically goes vertical and while they're a bit uncomfortable the Looper is the only ride of it's kind in America and Satellite is very rare and cool. Fandango and Power Surge rule. The train is also really cool.

 

Okay... so now that we got that out of the way, there's more we need to talk about. The food.

 

You know what... screw it. I'm breaking this down just like the rides.

 

Top Tier

The pierogies!!!! Now keep in mind that many food stands in the park have Pierogies and they're all good. But there's one place in particular you need to get them from. The Pierogies from the place between Oasis and the Famous Fry place on the main midway are the best. You'll see Pierogies in other places. Don't buy those... you want these.

 

Please refer to the diagram. There will be a test later.

 

 

Okay, moving on... Caesari's Pizza! Over by the Paratrooper (which is a great ride) you'll see a pizza place with a huge line. There's a reason for the huge line. And once you're done stuffing your face with that, make a 180 degree turn and look just to the right of the place with the spinning roof and buy an Ice Cream Waffle sandwich! Get one!

 

Besides that just walk around and eat one of everything. There's a place in the front of the park that looks like a loaf of bread. Buy a snickerdoodle cookie from them too for good measure... it's good for the soul. And drink some birch beer. It's not really beer but you'll be so drunk on Knoebels that you won't care.

 

Also, if you walk behind Black Diamond they have some non releasable bald eagles. If you go into the mining museum by black diamond (which is free) they have great information on the park. Walk past all the mining crap and go to the back where you'll find some old ride parts, old games and a timeline of the park. Over by the Tilt A Whirl they also have a carousel museum that's really cool (and free. Free is a recurring theme). Located near the museum is the best bathroom in the park by the way. Some of them sort of suck. You'll see what I mean.

 

They also have a Fascination Parlor if you're into games.

 

Okay. I think that's it. Enjoy your day at the single greatest amusement park in the history of the world!

 

Coasterbill,

Thanks for your encyclopedic response. I now see the error of my ways in focusing on only the wooden coasters. Some of those flat rides sound like they are not to be missed. I'm going to get to the park early so I can just walk around and look at everything before the rides open at 11:00. You should consider contributing to the writeup of Knoebels in Wikipedia.

[Voyager6442]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my questions about Knoebels. Part of the fun of taking road trips is posting questions on TPR and getting to read all the accumulated wisdom in the responses. Some other questions:

 

Does Twister have as many laterals as the Legend did before the 2015-2016 offseason modifications (which I loved)?

 

I have loved the time I've gotten to spend with the Coaster Cats at Holiday World. Are there any opportunities to talk to the Knoebels Coaster Cats?

 

Thanks.

[coasterbill]

You're welcome.

 

And Twister is a spectacular lateral-fest. It throws you around but not in a rough way, it's a completely out-of-control ride. You won't be disappointed.

[Jcoaster]

Twister is reallt amazing, it gets overlooked often because of Phoenix (Can you blame it for that?). But yes I will now refer to Twister as "Lateral Fest: The Ride".

[Taylor Finn]

I would say we could just pin your lengthy guide, CoasterBill, but I always love reading these kind of extensive responses people get when they ask about this wonderful park.

[n1ch0las]

Man, reading these lists really makes me want to visit Knoebels again!

 

Don't forget to bring a solid $20 cash to play Fascination!

[I Like Theme Parks.]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my questions about Knoebels. Part of the fun of taking road trips is posting questions on TPR and getting to read all the accumulated wisdom in the responses. Some other questions:

 

Does Twister have as many laterals as the Legend did before the 2015-2016 offseason modifications (which I loved)?

 

I have loved the time I've gotten to spend with the Coaster Cats at Holiday World. Are there any opportunities to talk to the Knoebels Coaster Cats?

 

Thanks.

Twister is fantastic! It was really smooth the past few seasons, and they did a little more work. It obviously has the insane laterals in every turn and of course the epic helix! There's even some forces in between the split lift hill. But there is also some fun airtime. There's nice floater air in the back row on the first drop, then the second drop has some stronger airtime, then as you go through the twisted hills at the end underneath the wooden structure you get some nice ejector air on one of those hills along with some more small floater air pops. And the head-choppers are great because of the supports as well as the tunnel near the end. And also, this is a totally awesome night ride. This coaster gave me one of the best night rides I ever had since it's super dark in that section at night, and the head-choppers and tunnels make it even more disorienting. And since it is right next to some campsites, it always smells like campfires!!!

[jynx242]

Although Phoenix is tops for me, both Twister and Phoenix are pretty awesome - and I find them great compliments to each other. Twister has the laterals and Phoenix has the airtime.

 

A couple of other notes:

Stare in awe at the speed with which the Phoenix crew can dispatch a train - it is like science fiction or something - also, get night rides on this.

 

Flying scooters, flying scooters, flying scooters, flying scooters - get some good snapping going on and these are far more thrilling than many roller coasters that are probably in your count - just sayin'.

 

Enjoy talking to the employees there - especially the Pierogi ladies, they are all pretty awesome.

 

Take the train that goes into the woods at night - terrifying

[djcoastermark]

^You nailed it . Bravo.