First time going to Knoebels. My parents are bringing my sister home from college, and since I've been cooped up inside the house throughout the winter (I AM NOT 23 LIKE MY PROFILE SAYS, I AM REALLY 16 - I GOT CONFUSED WITH THE ToS WHEN I JOINED WHEN I WAS 12) and I could barely wait for my Waldameer/return trip to CP at the end of June, my parents decided to give me a treat to go to Knoebels. Reason being: My sister is at York College of PA, this park was on the way down, it is a tad on the smaller side, so I could do everything in a short day (they would pick me up in the same day)

Unfortunately, I wanted to do the ACE Spring Preservation conference, which will be at Hershey the day before and even Knoebels on that day, but my parents don't want to pick me up so late at 10:00 PM for something like this due to PA's twisty roads and we never drove in this part of the state before, and they didn't want to do a whole three day event for picking up my sister, and paying several hundred extra dollars. so, paying $88 for one large meal is kind of worthless, I wouldn't even be able to stay for ERT, so I'll just chat with any fellow ACErs I see throughout the day.

I know that Flying Turns isn't open yet, so when we drop off my sister again in mid August, MAYBE I can persuade my parents to bring me there again.

Anyway, here are the details:

Day I'm going: 5/16/2009
Park Hours: 12 AM to 8 PM.

And here are my questions:

1a: How crowded is the park around this time of year? (It's a saturday)

1b: If it's crowded, is there an order I should ride everything to maximize my ride time?

2a: I'll definitely go on their famous Flying Skooters. How do you snap the cables?

2b: Is 2a allowed?

3: When are the best times of the day (noon to 8 pm) to ride the two coasters, based on humidity, temperature, etc - when do they run the best? Are they like most wood coaster, running best nearing night time, or some other time?

4: What are the best seats on the two coasters?

5: Anything else notable I should go on that some enthusiasts might normally miss? (I'll try to experience as much as possible. I usually go on trains, ferris wheels, sky rides, etc. for their reputation of having BEAUTIFUL film and photo spots)

6a: Seeing as the park has a reputation for some of the best park food on the planet, where do you recommend to eat? (It is very nice of them to provide a menu for all their restaurants) Where in the park are they?

6b: Are there any notable "little stalls" (small shops/vendors that serve a small number of items) for food that are also recommended, that may have not been mentioned on their website? (Or is everything listed?)

7: Any other random stuff I should know?

Depends on the weather. Expect decent size crowds if the weather is nice.

Not necessarily. Lower capacity rides first, then the coasters. They book the lines pretty good, so you don't wait long at all.

When the ride starts, put your wing out from the inside of the ride, when you get high enough, pull your wing in, as soon as you get to the bottom, throw your wing back outwards, once you get it, you will hear the cable so called "Snap". Repeat until ride is over. :-D

Yes and no. Depends on the ride operator. They will yell at you to stop if they don't want you to snap. Some just don't care. Either way, its a great ride.

Anytime really. Depends on the weather yet again.humidity will make the coasters run sluggish. If it is raining that is the best time to ride, makes the grease easier for the train to pass over and will run a bit quicker. Night time rides are always better on both.

I prefer Phoenix in the very front seat. Well worth the airtime. Back is decent too, but a little more rough. Not much though. Twister, doesn't really matter. Just sit on the left side of the train, there is one major pop of airtime that you will love from the left side of the train.

Definitely ride Haunted Mansion. It's one of a kind. Flyers, Fandango is good, the train, coasters, Looper is quite a work out, the sky ride for great pictures. Just try to get on as much as you can.

Honestly, everywhere in the park is great food. Cesari's pizza is totally yummy. So is the Alamo. Just have a field day. It's cheap and yummy. Don't forget to try Birch Beer.

Just walk around and absorb it in. Knoebel's is a wonderful place and there is so much to do. I know I thought it was a small park. It is quite a lot bigger then I imagined. You have to do one thing before you leave though. Get on the skooters (bumper cars) and have at it. Those are the best out there, they fishtail everywhere and it's a lot of fun!

Hope this helps.

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Wait, I get confused. When you mean put your wing "out" do you mean the front end of the wing should be facing out, or the "handle end"?

EDIT: I did have Birch Beer before, it's served up here at a few places (central new york). The stuff tastes like butterscotch soda. You act as if it's regional... is it? (I have no idea.)

Pull the wing out towards the outside of the ride. The center where the motor is is on the inside of the ride, so do the opposite of that. You will see what I mean when you are on it.

I don't know about Birch Beer. I just suggested it. I haven't seen it anywhere except Knoebel's. Park wise, I mean.

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I can buy Pennsylvania Dutch Birch Beer in my area so it's a Pennsy thing. I would try some. It's like needing to try a cheesesteak/soft pretzel in Philly.

Is Knoebels also known for their fries? I had that too.

I had two different types of visits to Knoebels before. My first one was a rush to get credits. The second one was where I took a slow approach since I had the credits already and really get to know the place. I preferred my second visit to the park. I wish I could get a bumper sticker that said: "I'd rather go to Knoebels than Disney World." Maybe I could make a tee shirt: "Knoebels > Disney World."

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You knew I wanted the other repeat too

Is 6 - 8 hours enough to for a "full" day at Knoebels?

Also, I saw on foodnetwork a special on theme park foods, and obviously, KBF, DW, and Knoebels were featured. I think I remember that it said Knoebels served crocodile meat at one of their stalls. Did I see that correctly, or not???

Weird...

Sorry for double posting, but I read from someone on youtube who took a POV of Twister said that Knoebels didn't have any rules against bringing cameras onride. I know that youtube isn't a good place to rely on information, but still... if this is allowed, I was thinking of using onride shots as part of my video, to get an interesting view on stuff, so is it allowed? I know there are a few parks around that don't care as much.


Just making sure.

When are the Flying Turns gonna open? It's taking them forever!

The latest park estimate is between Memorial Day and July 4 actually. But to be honest, I'm not too confident on that.

I know, double post, but I'm bumping the thread.


I have a question:

The weather report for Knoebels on Saturday (according to accuweather.com) says that there's a 60% chance of thunderstorms. The hour-by-hour forecast says that the 1 - 2 PM would have thunderstorms, along with the 3-5 PM. So, here are some questions: (PLEASE ANSWER BY FRIDAY NIGHT!!! I'M LEAVING ON SATURDAY!)


1: How much should I trust the weather system, when my date in question is only 2 days away?

2: Let's say the storm is severe enough to close everything down during those times, save for Haunted House and maybe a few of the "covered" rides. Would it still be possible to ride everything in oh, say, 4 or 5 hours?

3: I have heard from several people that riding the coasters right after a rain is the best time, so, which is best affected by the rain? Phoenix or Twister?

4: Where can you buy goggles? (When I went to Lake Compounce in 2007, it was raining, and HARD. I rode Boulder Dash in the rain, and despite the trees, the rain still hurt like crazy. I couldn't keep my eyes open at all. So I asked the ride op if they would allow me to ride with goggles, and they said yes. Although I didn't buy them, as it cleared up eventually.)

Weather is sketchy at best in PA. We had the same forecast heading to Kings Island two weekends ago and it ended up not raining at all. But, I had prepared for the worst. I would check the weather early that morning before you leave to get the most accurate.

Yes, the major rides can be done in a short amount of time.

Both coasters after the rain run like crazy. Get on both.

I am not sure about the last one, I have never bought goggles for a coaster.

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Oh, wait, I already have a pair of goggles. Nevermind.

91% chance of thunderstorms from 7 PM until later, though... :P