Knoebels Discussion Thread

[A.J.]

Four cars per train? I guess that we might see three trains on the circuit after all. The original plan was for five-car trains.

 

I hope that Phoenix makes a recovery! I'm all the way in Colorado right now otherwise I'd go see what's up.

 

Hey everyone, I will be heading to Knoebels sometime next week, right after I visit Hershey. Anything I should know before going? I know it looks like a great, little park and I can't wait to ride Phoenix. Just would like to know if there is anything worth noting I wouldn't already know since I don't really keep up to date with this park 24/7.

Do NOT under any circumstances pass up Kozmo's Kurves, the kids' coaster. It kicks all kinds of you-know-what.

[grinch1313]

My parents were out at Knoebels today. They heard that they either have to order a replacement part or have one fabricated. They weren't sure yet. They haven't heard a time frame for how long it will take. Apparently, it broke while going up the lift and the riders had to be evacuated.

[megametal]

^^^^ I think the ski lift is now allowed for wristbands. It's weird. The website says its extra, as do the maps. The sign on the lift says differently, and people were just walking up with wrist bands and riding it last week when I was there. I was very confused, but decided to do what the other wristband people were doing, and no questions were asked. Just showed my band.

 

 

The bumper cars are amazing! The best I've ever been on. Also, one of the few parks where you don't have to pay extra (if you buy a wristband) for the bumper boats, too.

[Devins3]

RHere some pictures I got of flying turns today. I wasn't in the area all day but I saw at least 5 test runs while I was in the area. I was disappointed about Phoenix as it is my favorite coaster and I drove about 5 hrs to ride it but the day was fantastic with only twister, I wish they substitutes Black Diamond as Phoenix was down because the price was still the same. Still an amazing day, Knoebels has become my favorite park. Getting countless rides on the carousel and about 6 rides on the skooters is a recipe for a great day.

Figured I would include this bonus picture of the greatest non alcoholic drink ever, frozen apple cider

[larrygator]

^Not as good as the frozen Sweet Tea.

 

Thanks for the pictures of Flying Turns testing.

[SuperShawn]

^^ frozen apple cider?! We didn't see that when we were there, looks like another reason to head back!

[Canobie Coaster]

Is this the most consecutive testing that the park has done on the Flying Turns?

 

^^^^ I think the ski lift is now allowed for wristbands. It's weird. The website says its extra, as do the maps. The sign on the lift says differently, and people were just walking up with wrist bands and riding it last week when I was there. I was very confused, but decided to do what the other wristband people were doing, and no questions were asked. Just showed my band.

 

That's odd. I hope they allow wristband users to ride it since I'm interested in seeing how it compares to the one at Lake Compounce.

[A.J.]

The weekends of April 27 (image), May 4, May 11 and May 18, Scenic Skyway was not included in pay-one-price. However, since Memorial Day weekend (image), it has been included. So, it looks like Scenic Skyway is included in pay-one-price during the summer season (Memorial Day through Labor Day).

 

I really hope that Flying Turns doesn't open until August, because I won't be able to come to the park until then. Selfish, I know.

[larrygator]

That's odd. I hope they allow wristband users to ride it since I'm interested in seeing how it compares to the one at Lake Compounce.

 

Much shorter and not as scary or scenic as the one at Lake Compounce.

[Canobie Coaster]

^ Thanks larry. I wasn't sure how long it was since I couldn't really see much of it from the park.

 

I really hope that Flying Turns doesn't open until August, because I won't be able to come to the park until then. Selfish, I know.

 

I just want to see it open since I remember the POV that was released either last year or the year before looked quite intense with the drifting on the turns. I really appreciate the ambition that Knoebels displayed by undertaking this project and I hope that it's a real winner.

[Rai Fox]

Any word on Phoenix? I'm going to be there Tuesday, really hope I don't miss out on that one this year...

[sspaz1000]

What stand had the frozen apple cider at? Looks like I may be headed back to Knoebels sooner than later

[SigilX]

That's odd. I hope they allow wristband users to ride it since I'm interested in seeing how it compares to the one at Lake Compounce.

 

Not sure how the Lake Compounce one is. Knoebel's one takes about 15 minutes and proceeds over the main road and up a hillside before going back down. The down part is better as you're facing the park then. It is one of the more expensive rides though at $3.00 per ticket.

[Rai Fox]

Lake Compounce's is about a half hour long (they say 40-45 minutes but that's accounting for some stops - it rarely takes quite that long) and goes all the way to the top of Compounce Mountain.

[Devins3]

^^ frozen apple cider?! We didn't see that when we were there, looks like another reason to head back!

It is in a stand shaped like a giant apple. I always forget the exact location but I remember being somewhere near the bumper cars.

[Jim S.]

When I saw on another board this evening that Phoenix was down, I had assumed it was the chain. I was there last Wednesday night and the chain was making a terrible noise slapping against the guide trough somewhere near the flywheel. It always bounces a little, but it was really banging. I'm surprised they left it run that way.

 

Now I'm really confused about the Flying Turns vehicles. Aside from the issue of whether they're going with the 5-car trains they intended to, the new cars look like they're single-seat. I had always thought that there were supposed to be two seats per car, for 10 riders per train. I wonder if that got changed too.

 

This is the first time I've seen the particular car bodies that were posted here. Other years, they were testing wooden ones that were really odd-looking. This year, both times I've been at the park, I saw a body that was painted battleship gray with a white star on it, like an old military plane.

 

The fact that they're finally running multiple complete cars, whatever they look like, is certainly a good sign!

[sspaz1000]

It is in a stand shaped like a giant apple. I always forget the exact location but I remember being somewhere near the bumper cars.

 

Thanks for that! I always forget that there's good food at the front of the park too

[Big-M]

ing Turns vehicles. Aside from the issue of whether they're going with the 5-car trains they intended to, the new cars look like they're single-seat. I had always thought that there were supposed to be two seats per car, for 10 riders per train. I wonder if that got changed too.

According to RCDB, the riders are seated in-line, so 2 per car.

[esvadj]

Just got back from my first visit ever to Knoebels. I was a little disappointed to find Phoenix not running, but being such a great park in every other aspect made up for it.

 

Flying Turns was testing all day. I went by two different times and saw that train running both times. I was never in a good place to get a picture or video.

[Jim S.]

According to RCDB, the riders are seated in-line, so 2 per car.

 

I know that they were supposed to be in-line, but I can't picture it with those cars. I don't see a front seat back, and people say that tandem seating is illegal. (Although that doesn't explain log flumes.)

[A.J.]

By that logic, Knoebels wouldn't be allowed to operate some of their flat rides, like the Roto-Jet.

[larrygator]

ing Turns vehicles. Aside from the issue of whether they're going with the 5-car trains they intended to, the new cars look like they're single-seat. I had always thought that there were supposed to be two seats per car, for 10 riders per train. I wonder if that got changed too.

According to RCDB, the riders are seated in-line, so 2 per car.

 

RCDB does not have a special hotline to the latest information. Duane does a great job keeping info up to date when he gets the info, but when was this comment added to rcdb.

[SigilX]

It is in a stand shaped like a giant apple. I always forget the exact location but I remember being somewhere near the bumper cars.

 

Thanks for that! I always forget that there's good food at the front of the park too

 

http://www.knoebels.com/images/pdf/MediaDownloads/Knoebels-park-map.pdf

 

Looking at the map, you'll see the Italian Trapeze (a red number 28). Nearby there's the Kandy Korner (Blue number 9). To the right of the Kandy Korner, there's the apple stand. The Kandy Korner selld caramel and candy apples so it makes sense where the apple stand is. I do find that it's sometimes not open, so in that case probably the Kandy Korner would sell cider too.

[sspaz1000]

^Thanks for pointing that out. I've gotten stuff at the Kandy Korner before but never realized there was the apple shaped building near it When I get back up there sometime later this summer I'll be on the lookout for it

[TheAmazingCP]

Spoke to a worker at the park today. He said Phoenix was struck by lightning last Sunday and has been down all week. They've been waiting for an electrician to come, but the company hadn't shown up yet. There was no activity in the station and an employee was sitting at the entrance.

 

Besides that, StratosFear is freakin terrifying. It was my first ARM tower experience and easily the best drop tower I've been on.