Knoebels Discussion Thread

[Orangeman]

The old Galleon has been removed and in its place is a newer smaller Zamperla Galleon. The ride is in place, but they're working on the loading platform. The sign says "next month" for it to open, so guess we'll have to find out.

 

This makes me sad.

I always thought the airtime on that ride made it so incredibly relaxing.

 

Knowing Knoebels there is a really good chance of a nice replacement, but still.

[njcoasterguy34]

I never experienced any airtime on that ride.

[coasterbill]

Yeah, I've only experienced airtime on Chance ships.

[bluestreak]

Thought you guys might be interested in this. Sorry if this has been posted already

 

http://storyworks.tv/nostalgia/flying-turns-3/

[coasterbill]

I'm just gonna leave this here...

 

Knoebels fires ride operator accused of working while high

 

ELYSBURG — The 29-year-old Knoebels Amusement Resort employee accused of operating a ride while high and stealing tickets is no longer working for the Elysburg park.

 

Knoebels spokesperson Stacy Ososkie confirmed that Edward Joseph Kleman, of 107 East Avenue, Mount Carmel, was terminated from his position at the park.

 

"We have zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use in the workplace," Ososkie said. "Every ride department team member is drug tested prior to employment, and informed that if we have suspicion of drug/alcohol use, he or she will be sent for testing."

 

In this instance, park officials had suspicion, she said.

 

"Part of our internal investigation also included an admitted theft of ride tickets, which is a crime in itself, so we got local authorities involved immediately," Ososkie said.

 

Police say Kleman was high and falling asleep while operating the 110-foot Giant Wheel, and he pocketed $350.50 worth of ride tickets on the night of Saturday, July 2.

 

Guests were not in any danger, because the ride always has a minimum of four operators at one time, Ososkie said.

 

Although Kleman has a criminal history of drug and alcohol abuse, that wouldn't necessarily preclude him from being hired at Knoebels.

 

"A number of factors are taken into consideration prior to hiring," Ososkie said. "Our team members undergo pre-employment screenings, which include criminal background checks to assist in determining eligibility. We expect applicants to be open and honest about their background as well."

 

The individual's efforts for recovery and staying out of trouble are also considered, Ososkie said.

 

Locust Township Patrolman James Schloetterbeck charged Kleman in the Catawissa office of District Judge Craig Long with a felony count of possession of a designer drug, two misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person and theft by unlawful taking and two summary counts of disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

 

When interviewed by police, Kleman appeared lethargic with slowed, slurred speech, and his eyes were bloodshot and glassy. When he was searched, police found packets of synthetic marijuana in his pockets.

 

“All this over some stolen tickets?” Kleman said, according to police. “The security guys are freaking out over some tickets that I had in my pocket like it was the crime of the century.”

 

Kleman is scheduled for formal arraignment on Aug. 24 in front of Judge Gary Norton in Columbia County Court. He is also scheduled to appear before Northumberland County Judge Paige Rosini in Sunbury on Aug. 4 for a revocation hearing related to his previous charges.

 

 

How much are Knoebels tickets going for on the black market? Also next time, plead the 5th.

 

[Jcoaster]

Beverly Hillbilly's anyone?

[I Like Theme Parks.]

^^Sounds like an average day at Six Flags.

[palmerleeberry]

I finally got to the park two weeks ago and I was very impressed how different it felt compared to my visit a few years ago. I was pleasantly surprised that both BLACK DIAMOND and the Skyway were now included with the Ride-all-day wristband, and I rode Flying Turns TWICE! Of course besides riding I was also playing Pokereno and Fascination. And they had Pinball!!!

 

Other old parks should take notice on Knoebels: that is how a park should be run.

[Philrad71]

I'm just gonna leave this here...

 

Knoebels fires ride operator accused of working while high

 

ELYSBURG — The 29-year-old Knoebels Amusement Resort employee accused of operating a ride while high and stealing tickets is no longer working for the Elysburg park.

 

Knoebels spokesperson Stacy Ososkie confirmed that Edward Joseph Kleman, of 107 East Avenue, Mount Carmel, was terminated from his position at the park.

 

"We have zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use in the workplace," Ososkie said. "Every ride department team member is drug tested prior to employment, and informed that if we have suspicion of drug/alcohol use, he or she will be sent for testing."

 

In this instance, park officials had suspicion, she said.

 

"Part of our internal investigation also included an admitted theft of ride tickets, which is a crime in itself, so we got local authorities involved immediately," Ososkie said.

 

Police say Kleman was high and falling asleep while operating the 110-foot Giant Wheel, and he pocketed $350.50 worth of ride tickets on the night of Saturday, July 2.

 

Guests were not in any danger, because the ride always has a minimum of four operators at one time, Ososkie said.

 

Although Kleman has a criminal history of drug and alcohol abuse, that wouldn't necessarily preclude him from being hired at Knoebels.

 

"A number of factors are taken into consideration prior to hiring," Ososkie said. "Our team members undergo pre-employment screenings, which include criminal background checks to assist in determining eligibility. We expect applicants to be open and honest about their background as well."

 

The individual's efforts for recovery and staying out of trouble are also considered, Ososkie said.

 

Locust Township Patrolman James Schloetterbeck charged Kleman in the Catawissa office of District Judge Craig Long with a felony count of possession of a designer drug, two misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person and theft by unlawful taking and two summary counts of disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

 

When interviewed by police, Kleman appeared lethargic with slowed, slurred speech, and his eyes were bloodshot and glassy. When he was searched, police found packets of synthetic marijuana in his pockets.

 

“All this over some stolen tickets?” Kleman said, according to police. “The security guys are freaking out over some tickets that I had in my pocket like it was the crime of the century.”

 

Kleman is scheduled for formal arraignment on Aug. 24 in front of Judge Gary Norton in Columbia County Court. He is also scheduled to appear before Northumberland County Judge Paige Rosini in Sunbury on Aug. 4 for a revocation hearing related to his previous charges.

 

 

How much are Knoebels tickets going for on the black market? Also next time, plead the 5th.

 

 

 

Wow...that is kinda scary that he was operating a ride as I have heard really bad things about what that synthetic marijuana does to people.

[Myntiepwny]

I know that air gates have been added to Phoenix, but did the second train ever reappear with them? I'm trying to decide if it is worth a trip now or during Halloween and if the lines could be anything close to what they were opening day I might just wait a season....

[BlahBlahson]

I just visited Knoebels for the first time ever after 20 years of bucket-listing it from the web.

 

Holy God, you guys are not wrong, that was the most fun park ever. And Phoenix actually made it to my top 5 wooden (Probably 3rd after Voyage and T-Express, the minimalist restraint is ridiculous). Almost everything in the park lived up to expectations. Even the Alamo had delicious food, Birch beer was delicious, Cesari's was delicious, waffle ice cream sandwiches were delicious. Flying turns was well worth the years of testing and Impulse is perfect as a modern coaster for this park. I'm the biggest realist/pessimist ever but Knoebels just lived up to all of the hype. Probably my third or 4th favorite park in the world after Europa and IOA, right up there with Cedar Point and Holiday World and Lotte World and Epcot.

 

The Haunted House was just ok, not as good as the Ocean City Maryland one. And the flyer snapping wasn't as crazy as I thought it might be, And Fascination is definitely better and cheaper at the Wildwood boardwalk, but all of those things were fun and worthwhile and unique. There just aren't any stains on this park. If you are thinking of going please do. It's better than any Six Flags or Hershey or most chain parks.

 

Oh and it wasn't too too busy for a Tuesday. One train on Phoenix, Twister, and Impulse, longest wait was 30 for Flying Turns or Impulse but I single-rider-ed the second. Impulse definitely could have used a second train and the grouping for it was just ok.

[djcoastermark]

yeah for another convert. It really is a great little park isn't it!

[Devins3]

I know that air gates have been added to Phoenix.

They added air gates to Phoenix?!?!? That is lame, that was the first thing I noticed that made Knoebels stand apart from other parks. Naturally after spending time at the park it was the least important factor that makes Knoebels magical. I knew it was a matter of time, the crowds seem to been listening less and less. They were saying stand behind the yellow line repeatedly last time I was there in May. As long as the ring stays on the carousel were all good

[imagineerz]

At the park right now, Impulse is running ONE TRAIN all day. Look, I understand mechanical problems plague coasters, they're not simple beasts. But only running a single 8 person train on your newest attraction that's at the front of the park is honestly unacceptable. On the bright side, the employees have been very helpful...

[TheJewelOfJool]

Dear god, that line must be huge.

[coasterbill]

They never do that so I assume it's a mechanical issue. If so, having one train running is better than having no trains running. Hopefully they get it fixed soon though. Since they're a pay-per-ride park it's in their best interests to have the highest capacity possible. I'm sure they're not thrilled about this either.

[Jcoaster]

Any word on what happened with Impulse?

[Josh Linn]

At the park right now, Impulse is running ONE TRAIN all day. Look, I understand mechanical problems plague coasters, they're not simple beasts. But only running a single 8 person train on your newest attraction that's at the front of the park is honestly unacceptable. On the bright side, the employees have been very helpful...

 

This happened while I was in line about a month ago. Turned a 30-ish minute wait to a little over an hour.

[Canobie Coaster]

At the park right now, Impulse is running ONE TRAIN all day. Look, I understand mechanical problems plague coasters, they're not simple beasts. But only running a single 8 person train on your newest attraction that's at the front of the park is honestly unacceptable. On the bright side, the employees have been very helpful...

 

Impulse was only running one train last week as well. Thankfully their fast loading and the single rider line let me ride a few times.

[John Peck]

I'm Planning to go to Knoebels next week on Wednesday.

 

I've been there a few times, with the most recent being in 2003. I was wondering if there was a ride-order to do and if any of you can recommend anything for lunch. Also, any good advice on discount tickets?

 

Thank you in advance.

[DirkFunk]

I'm Planning to go to Knoebels next week on Wednesday.

 

I've been there a few times, with the most recent being in 2003. I was wondering if there was a ride-order to do and if any of you can recommend anything for lunch. Also, any good advice on discount tickets?

 

Thank you in advance.

 

Since they're still primarily tickets over wristbands, the lines should be OK IMO. Discount books of tickets can be bought at Weis Supermarkets. There's one in Danville on the way to Knoebels from I-80 that everyone goes to and you can get $20 books for $16.

[I Like Theme Parks.]

^^Definitely ride Flying Turns as early as possible, then do the Flyer and anything else you want to do in that area. From there I usually go to the front of the park around Impulse, then over to the section with Satellite. But there isn't much of a ride order to go by, since the layout is a bit random, the operations are great, and there are so many flat rides that the crowds get spread out so they don't get lines.

[coasterbill]

I disagree, ride Impulse first since it's had this issue where it needs to run 1 train. Then Flying turns and then whatever you want. If rain is a threat though ride Flying Turns first.

[John Peck]

I'm noticing on the website that the Magic Carpet/1001 Nacgt is closed. I would think it's been closed for a while because they are problematic rides. Is that true? Also, are there any other rides that have had significant downtime?

[SigilX]

2001 Nacht already spent a season in rehab. Same with Power Surge. Other than Fying Turns, which took time to be built, there aren't any others that experienced long downtimes.