7/27/08 Knoebels - Finding its core

**Leo C** · #1 08-12-2008, 11:12 PM

At least 5 years ago I thought I conquered Knoebels, getting on The Phoenix, Twister, and Whirlwind. I thought I saw enough to truly understand the park but with this visit I realized I knew nothing then. My aunt had picnic tickets for Saturday 7/27. We arrived at 1, had a great picnic and entered the midway at 2 pm. My parents and my aunt and uncle were going to watch shows and do slow paced things so I split away from them and did the coaster credit I was lacking: High Speed Thrill Coaster. I truly agree it's an awesome kiddie coaster that rides over the boat channel. It's neat how the train articulates between hills. You might get some whiplash from the train whipping through the station back onto the lift hill. The train goes through the circuit at least 4 times. The white paint and station canopy look nice.

Next up I did Satellite, a real throwback of a two armed dive plane looking ride. Going in reverse was really cool, reminding me of doing a reverse top hat on a coaster. I found myself guilty of dozing off during the cycle, doing some "mom watching" at the Italian Trapeze swings ride exit next door. Guilty. That's a real colorful swing. I miss ours @ SFGADV. After the ride I slowly strolled through the park, taking pictures, getting a real feel for the park. I walked by the Giant Slide, the kiddie rides section by a park train, the toy soldiers that guarded a bridge, a wood work shop, and finally the Haunted Mansion on the way out to the back end of the park. The revolving roof eateries look really cool. All the Knoebels restaurants/stand have an excellent vibe to them. Really affordable too. I had to try the french fries finally. I thought it was more weird to see patrons smoking in park than to take their pet dogs along with them.

At the back of the park I visited the carousel museum, then I rode the awesome Phoenix. For an old coaster it's incredibly fun and smooth. I love the dark tunnel in the beginning. The airtime is just insane on the return trip back to the station. I look at the ride a little different now because it's not El Toro extreme but it's above all the other wooden coasters in that area that I've ridden. It's proudly my #3 top wooden rollercoaster and a 2008 Coaster Draft choice of mine.

Next up I did Fandango, a frisbee kind of ride. I prefer the Dorney Park Revolution since I feel I get more air with that incarnation. THere were no single riders allowed on Wipeout so I walked towards Twister and Flying Turns by the best residential house in America, the house next to Phoenix. There was a crowd of enthusiasts around Flying Turns - it was testing! It has hard to photo but between the supports and troughs I was able to see the testing cars on the lift. I was surprised to find a third lift not the two I perceived.

Next up was Twister. It runs a little rough. I forgot that after the first turnaround it then went to the double turns. I thought that they came later. The tunnel and approach back to the station are not my favorite. The low ground in structure turnaround was not as crazy and intense as Silver Comet.

Having cycled the coasters, with plenty of tickets left I began a flat ride craze. After having fries I started with Power Surge, then I moved to 1001 Nacht. I was surprised that was not a HUSS. Downdraft followed. The air pressure spiking was loud! What force with the leaps. Then I winded through the park to do the Haunted Mansion. Since doing Laffland I've really started opening up to Dark Rides. After a second run on Phoenix I did Roto Jets. After the Jets it was 7 pm. I met up with the family and was able to do a Twister cycle with my father. I got a Phoenix t shirt and KG oval sticker to finish the day.

I had a really great time at Knoebels. Very easily I could say I'd prefer to go to Knoebels than go to Disney World. I'm really an enthusiast. Next time I go I'll take my leftover tickets to use and there will still be new things for me to still do. I missed the closed Flying Turns, the bumper cars, plenty more to discover. Thanks Knoebels!

coasterell · #2 08-13-2008, 10:17 AM

Sounds like another fun park I'm gonna have to go visit sometime soon.

Bratman · #3 08-14-2008, 12:22 PM

If you are going to go there, go on a weekday and get a wristband.... well worth it. Buy it online and save the wait at the ticket booth (there is a express lane for online orders).

The bumper cars are by far the best ride there.... and thats a saying a lot, as there are a lot of neat attractions there.