Scott
Posts: 2766
Registered: 11/7/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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 8/1/2005 12:44:46 PM
I had never gone to knoebels before. I had heard all the talk about it. But for some reason I had never made it there before! I was ashamed of myself.
I woke up friday morning at 9:30. I felt well rested and excited. Today was my day at knoebels. I ate at the cafe in my hotel's lobby and left the hotel at 11.
The drive into Knoebles was a strange one. One back road after another, it really does feel like it's in the middle of nowhere. When I entered the parking lot I must say I was not terribly impressed. The park seemed.......flat. I was expecting a dramatic mountainous landscape, but this parking lot was just an open field. I entered the park after passing through a narrow grove of very tall pine trees. Hmmm. This isn't terribly impressive. It looks like your typical midway at the fair to me. And it's not *that* tree-covered. Oh, there's the High Speed Thrill Coaster, hmmm. I can't believe that's the same ride that many enthusiasts drool over.
I met a friend of mine, sean in front of the chutes ride. I must say I was impressed with the amount of water shot up when the ride splashes down.
I walked in a bit more. I really was begining to enjoy the parks atmosphere. It seemed extremely relaxing!
I turned and saw the Knoebels gate and the famous Knoebels Carousel. Oh, this is awesome! The music it plays is pure classic carousel. We walked past the carousel and over the covered bridge. This is absolutely beautiful. The soft rain put a warm muffle on all the sounds throughout the park and it made the creek dance. There were hanging baskets full of flowers at each end of the bridge. A stone lighthouse stands at the end of the bridge, with a beacon of light at its top. This opened onto a stone and gravel plaza area that looked like something out of a renaissance festival. All the buildings look wooden and just a little bit miniaturized, as though they might have been built with children in mind.
The carousel was amazing. Everything on it was perfect. You can tell that they spent a lot of time preserving this. I really enjoyed my ride.
Oh, my, now this is atmosphere. Neither of us were in that big of a hurry to ride anything, so we walked a bit further into the park. Oh, look at all the great flats! I foundd a stand that advertised perogies and tri taters. The tables and benches were made out of logs and positioned under a set of three turning canopies!
By now we were no longer walking on concrete or pavement, but loose gravel. This is so unusual, very intimate. It's charming, actually. We walked past a row of lockers and........there they are.
The Flyers!!
I had heard about these flyers for over a year now. I was intrigued by the ones at Holiday World, addicted by the time I got to Blands, and now I was ready to tackle the ultimate in Flyers.
We sat in our tubs and the old guy cranked up the motor. ZOOM, we're off, these things don't waste any time. BRRRRR VROOOM, the motor kicks into high gear, it's very loud, and WOAH!!! We're FLYIN, BABY!!!
Now I am no expert on the Flyers. It doesn't matter, though, because you don't have to be. One trip on these things and I was immediately and unequivocally a Flyer Fanatic For Life. I got the cables to snap several times on my first go round, but more importantly, I couldn't believe how out of control they felt after two or three consecutive snaps. And the height they reach is amazing, much higher than the other two Flyers I'd ridden. The ride op ran it for a good long time, too. I was ecstatic!
Finally we made our way to the back of the park. There it is, The Phoenix. The wait was nothing, so we went for the front as Sean suggested.
The Phoenix just LOOKS like a grand old roller-coaster. It's dark colored wood, and it blends in well with the woods and surrounding mountainside. A light rain fell oh so gently against our faces, and as we climbed the lift hill I mentioned to sean that this was going to be my first ever ride in the rain. "REALLY!!
Message updated 8/1/2005 3:14:47 PM by Scott
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darkridrMD
Posts: 720
Registered: 7/12/2004
Rank: Gold Critic
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 8/1/2005 3:09:08 PM
Wow!!! All I can say is that was a terrific TR. I could actually feel the enthusiasm in your writing-great job. I don't read a lot of the TR's but when I saw that it was your first experience with Knoebels, I just had to read it. Glad you had such a good time. It's a wonderful place.
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"Grim, grinning ghosts come out to socialize!"
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Scott
Posts: 2766
Registered: 11/7/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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 8/1/2005 3:16:16 PM
Thanks for the feedback! I really did enjoy my day. It is one of my favorite parks in the world...
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darkridrMD
Posts: 720
Registered: 7/12/2004
Rank: Gold Critic
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8/1/2005 4:13:12 PM
It's even more amazing that you captured all that after a 2 week stretch between the visit and the report. I love that my folks only live an hour and a half from there- I can pretty much visit any weekend and try to split between that and using my 6 Flags pass.
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*FreeBird*
Posts: 8264
Registered: 8/29/2003
Rank: Platinum Critic
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8/1/2005 10:26:03 PM
Yeah, great report. I agree, from the outside, Knoebels doesn't look like much, but from the inside you'll discover that this park is more then it seems. I think Knoebels is one of those rare parks that actually has a heart.
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larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
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8/1/2005 10:43:24 PM
Scott - my sentiments exactly the first time I went to the park. I looked and walked around and said "this is it?"
Then I started riding and by the end of the day I was saying "THIS IS IT!"
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adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
Rank: Site Moderator
Skooter Junkie
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8/2/2005 9:37:21 AM
Awesome TR, Scott. You definitely captured the unique spirit of Knoebels - it's sneaky, and it can totally stay with you forever. I'm in love with the place - can't get enough, and probably never will. So glad that you've finally experienced it.
Oh, and yes - let me know if you plan to make it to Coney soon - I'm in the area, and haven't made it out yet this season. Totally up for it. Same goes for you, darkridr - you're WAY overdue.
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darkridrMD
Posts: 720
Registered: 7/12/2004
Rank: Gold Critic
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 8/2/2005 11:19:59 AM
Quote:
adriahna said:
Oh, and yes - let me know if you plan to make it to Coney soon - I'm in the area, and haven't made it out yet this season. Totally up for it. Same goes for you, darkridr - you're WAY overdue. |
I know! I'm not sure if I'll make it this year, but I hope so. I'm trying to get a friend to go with me to Gadv this weekend, but if I can't I may go to either Coney or possibly Wildwood to hit the piers.
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adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
Rank: Site Moderator
Skooter Junkie
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8/2/2005 11:25:17 AM
I'm still due to check out Wildwood - not sure if it'll happen this year, but if not, definitely next. Looks like a great place.
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darkridrMD
Posts: 720
Registered: 7/12/2004
Rank: Gold Critic
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8/2/2005 1:08:22 PM
Yeah-haven't been there in 2 years. I figured that would be an easy day trip. Probably just as close as Six Flags is for me. Then I can ride stuff all day and come back later.
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