Knoebels Amusement Park in Elysburg, PA
Written: Aug 16 '02 (Updated Jan 13 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: variety of price plans, cleanliness, geared towards families
Cons: teens may not find much to do
The Bottom Line: A wonderful, family-oriented park. Good food, great atmosphere, good rides, and lots of fun!
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| AliventiAsylum's Full Review: Knoebels Amusement Resort |
Having watch all of the Thrill Ride shows on The Discovery Channel over the years, I'd heard quite a bit about Knoebels Amusement Park over the years. Since it has a campground right alongside the park, we decided to take a 2-night camping trip and check it out for ourselves.
I'm already planning on going back next year.
What makes Knoebels Amusement Park so different from other Theme Parks are a few things. Factors include atmosphere, prices, and even the rides.
Knoebels Amusement Park has been voted "Best Park for Families" two years in a row by the members of the National Amusement Park Historical Association. The park has won many other awards for their rides as well as being featured on the previously mentioned Thrill Ride shows.
As we walked into Knoebels Amusement Park from the campground, I was immediately struck by how nice it was to be at a park nestled amongst the trees. It is so pleasant to wait while my kids are on rides standing or sitting in the shade rather than being in the blazing sun. The park also stands out for its cleanliness and the fact that the rides are not all staffed by kids but seemed to be primarily under the care of more mature people who actually live in the area during the summer.
And what a selection of rides! There are 50 rides at Knoebels Amusement Park, but most seem to be geared towards the younger set. That's not to say that there's nothing for older kids and adults. In fact, I would be quite comfortable letting my older daughter and a couple of her friends wander around by themselves while I am with the younger ones. In that sense, the family setting is wonderful! However, if you are looking primarily for thrill-a-minute wild rides, you will be disappointed.
Knoebels Amusement Park has three roller coasters: Twister, Phoenix, and Whirlwind. Both Phoenix and Twister are wooden coasters and are routinely found in top 10 lists of coaster enthusiasts. I went on both and loved them! They were great fun.
My 7 year old "drove" the Antique cars for her first driving experience. What a thrill for her. There are also Motor Boats - not on a track - available for driving in a decent-length canal, but she was a bit intimidated with the driving there.
The Flyer was an old fashioned plane ride with a rudder that let you steer the plane in the wind as it went around. I'd never seen anything like it before! The nearest carousel to where I grew up stopped doing the brass rings just as I got big enough to reach them, so it was a thrill for me to go on the Grand Carousel and grab the rings.
Water rides include Skloosh which is a typical take you up, bring you down and get you wet ride. There is also a bridge over the splash area for people who didn't get wet enough on the ride. The splash area also extends a bit onto the pavement, so if you're lucky or have patience, you can stand here and get a bit wet as well.
The Flume is a typical log-flume ride. It was also very fun without getting soaking wet - just cooled off.
In the middle of Knoebels Amusement Park is the Crystal Pool. This area requiring separate admission contains a beautiful large pool filled with clear, filtered mountain stream water. There are three sizes of diving boards at the deep end, and two slides into the water near the shallower end. Two water slides were operating while we were there, and construction was going on for two more.
The food at Knoebels Amusement Park was enjoyable as well, and very reasonably priced. For my daughter I purchased a hot dog, an order of potatoes (which were three tater-tot like potato triangles), and a small soda for $4.25. I have found most kids meals at theme parks to be at least over $5, so this was pretty good. I had a baked potato with toppings for $3.
There is a wide variety of food to choose from - not just the usual theme-park hamburger & hot-dogs fare. For a complete meal, sitting down (in air-conditioning) and being waited on, you can visit The Alamo Restaurant. There is also The Wharf, Oasis Cafeteria, Phoenix Junction Steakhouse, Cesari's Pizza, and the International Food Court. Snacks such as cotton candy and popcorn are available all over the park. There is one hand-scooped ice cream parlor Old Mill, but soft-serve is available in several places throughout the park. Food is also available inside the gates of the Crystal Pool.
Another difference at Knoebels Amusement Park is the ticket plans. Unlike most places which charge a flat admission fee, Knoebels Amusement Park has a variety of plans including pay-one-price and ticket books:
Ride All Day
Basic Rides: $ 22.75 ($15.75 under 48 inches tall)
Basic Rides & Wooden Coasters: $27.75 ($19.25 under 48 inches tall)
Sundown Plan (5 PM to closing)
Basic Rides: $13.25 ($9.25 under 48 inches tall)
Basic Rides & Wooden Coasters: $17.00 ($11.25 under 48 inches tall)
Bargain Nights (from 6 to 10 PM every Wednesday & Friday during July & August and as scheduled)
$6.50 per person
$5.50 under 48 inches tall
this does not include Skloosh, Flume, Haunted Mansion, Phoenix or Twister.
Pay-One-Price plans are only available Monday through Friday and on a few select weekends. Crystal Pool and Haunted Mansion are not included in any plan.
Ticket books consist of a selection of tickets worth 50¢, 20¢, & 10¢. During the week, you can purchase a $10 book of ticket for $9 and a $5 book of ticket for $4.50. Combine the tickets for admission to the rides. Prices start at 50¢ per ride and go up to $2.00 per ride. The kiddie rides are primarily 60¢ & 70¢ per ride, so you can get a lot out of one booklet.
This way may give the illusion of spending more money or being nickled-and-dimed to death. In reality, you are not. The second evening we were there, we purchased THE SUNDOWN PLAN for the two kids, and two ticket books for my husband and myself. We came home with most of the second booklet and still managed to ride quite a few rides.
Admission to the Crystal Pool is $5 per person and $3.25 for kids. Price for the slides is 75¢ each, 5 for $3.50, or slide all day for $5.50 (in addition to pool admission). There is a Slide & Swim Evening Special which allows unlimited sliding and swimming for $6.50 after 6 PM. Spectators in street clothes are permitted into the pool area for $2.
The only drawback on the Crystal Pool is that you are not allowed to return. Once you leave the area you have to pay to be admitted again. We spent the late mornings and afternoons at the pool and the late afternoons on at the amusement park. This worked out great and we felt like we made out great. We attended one Bargain Night and it was great. For the price my kids got on so many rides and we enjoyed ourselves immensely! Even my 2 year old was able to ride quite a few of the rides, either by himself, with his sister, or with one of us.
I'm sorry we didn't go here sooner. Knoebels Amusement Park is a great place to take the family for a day or a long weekend. You won't be sorry, especially if you have young kids!
WEBSITE: www.knoebels.com
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Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park in Orlando, FL
Splish Splash Water Park in Riverhead, NY
© 2002 Patti Aliventi
Recommended:
Yes
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Member: Patti Aliventi
Location: Mount Washington Valley, New Hampshire
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