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This is the old entrance to "Knoebel's Grove" which is
now in the middle of the park. The road in front of this entrance has recently been closed
to public traffic. A new, more direct route (Knoebel's Parkway) is now provided to the
main parking lot. |
The Phoenix wooden roller coaster was
moved to Knoebel's in 1985 from Playland Amusement Park in San Antonio, Texas. This was
the test that proved major wooden coasters could be moved. It sparked off a series of
endangered coasters being moved to better homes in the following years.The Rocket was originally built at Playland Amusement Park in San
Antonio, Texas by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) in 1947. It was designed by Herb
Schmeck who is credited with some of PTC's best coasters.
Since it was rebuilt at Knoebel's in 1985, the Phoenix has
consistently been rated as one of the best wooden coasters in the USA. |
The Phoenix is surrounded by trees,
lots of them. The antique auto ride runs through the structure of the coaster. |
In 1993, the Whirlwind steel
corkscrew coaster replaced the parks Jet Star coaster, which moved on to Wildwood, NJ. The
Whirlwind itself came from Playland in Rye, New York. The Whirlwind was originally
manufactured by Vekoma International in 1984. |
The High Speed Thrill Coaster appears
to be a kids ride but packs a punch for adult riders as well. It was built by the Overland
Construction Company in 1955. This coaster has become a favorite of coaster enthusiasts,
possably the smallest coaster to do so. A boat ride passes under the coaster. |
Knoebel's Haunted Mansion dark ride
consistently rates as one of the best in the USA. It is a fairly long ride that covers
both floors of the mansion. The Haunted Mansion was built by the park staff with
components from two of Pennsylvania's defunct parks - West View Park and Rolling Green
Park. |
1001 Nacht (1001 Nights). |
The Flume was installed in 1990. |
The Grand Carousel came from
Riverview Park, Rahway, New Jersey in 1941. It is manufactured by the Kremer Carousel
Works and is in near perfect condition. |
The Grand Carousel is one of the few
remaining that still has a ring machine. This is where the phrase "catch the brass
ring" comes from. If you catch the brass ring that is included with all the steel
rings, you get a repeat free ride. This was once common on carousels everywhere but has
all but disappeared today. It is really a lot of fun as can be evidenced by everyone
trying to get an outside horse. |
When wandering around Knoebel's, you never know where you are
going to find a Band Organ playing away. The park has at
least four now of which all were playing on a recent Saturday. Like almost
everything else, they are fully restored and functional. Knoebel's also provides them with
the excellent care they require. |
The Axis was added for the 1997
season. This is one of those rides that twists and turns you upside down all different
ways. The ride was recently (1998) moved onto the roadway which previously ran through the
park. |
The Galleon swinging ship ride moved
to Knoebel's in 1988. It was previously located at Benson's Animal Farm in New Hampshire. |
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If you are a fan of Bumper Cars,
these are some of the best. These are the older style, heavier Lusse
Auto Scooters and they just don't putt putt around like many in operation today.
These cars really move around the track. |
Knoebel's Roll-O-Plane (also known as
the Satellite) originally came from Kennywood Park in West
Mifflin, PA. |
Another new addition for 1998 is a modern version of the classic Shoot the Chutes ride - Skloosh. When
the boat arrives at the bottom, it creates the huge wave shown in the photo below. |
The "splashdown" creates a huge wall of water which
"attack" bystanders on the bridge at the ride. You will get wet! |
Knoebel's Bumper Boats are shaded by
a large tent over half the pool. |
The Knoebel's Train ride is one of
the longest anywhere (1.5 miles long), taking you quite far out in to the woods and away
from the park. On crowded days they run three trains on this track.The train will now (as of 1999) take you directly under the Twister
structure. The Twister is Knoebel's new wooden coaster for 1999. |
Old Smokey is Knoebel's other train
ride (yes, they have two) located near the kiddie ride section. Even though it is a
shorter ride than the one above, it is still a good length ride. |