Help! I'm going to Knoebels!

So I'm planning a trip to Knoebels the end of August. Usually I just read a lot of trip reports and visit a lot of websites, and that's enough information. This one's a little complicated, though, so I'm going to need a bit more help.

I'm going to be flying in and out of PHL. I've priced it out, and it's actually the cheapest airport for me personally, flying from SGF. Go figure. To save a bit of money, I'm going to do Philly without a car, and either do it first and then rent the car after, or turn it in a couple days before the flight leaves.

Here's what I want to do on this trip:

Knoebels - 2 full days. Non negotiable. This is the entire point of this trip and where I want to spend the most time.

Hersheypark, Dorney, Six Flags Great Adventure - 1 day each. Will get Flash Pass at Six Flags.

Hydrus and Gale Force - I only care about these rides at each of these piers. I know, I know, I'm going to do the credit whore thing and ride 1 ride and leave. Deal with it.

Morey's - my beach time and hanging out on the boardwalk. Intended to be a slower paced, more relaxed time.

Historical stuff - I want to go to Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Ben Franklin sites, all the fun in Philly. Valley Forge and Gettysburg are also on the list, since they're just right on the way to other things.

Philadelphia Museum of Art - This is one of the best art museums anywhere, with huge collections of some amazing people (Picasso ). It's a must stop, and I could spend an entire day there.

So with so many things so close, it's kind of tough to make a schedule. I could go east first, then west; Philly first, then road trip--or the reverse. So many possibilities, and that's where you come in. I'll be flying into PHL on a Thursday and out the next Sunday. So I've got 8 days to do all this. Help me go to Knoebels!

Sounds like a great trip. Leave Dorney mid-afternoon to the preview for Hershey the night before. I did every coaster at Dorney with re-rides (9 on Talon) and a few flats in three hours.

^What he said. Don't plan for a whole day at Dorney; the last time I was there we were in and out in 90 minutes. My friend got "credits," with re-rides where we wanted.

Kudos for planning 2 days at Knoebels! I spend 3-4 days during Phoenix Phall Phunfest and it's still not enough time. The sign of a good park! Go hungry.

Hersheypark is a 2 day park for me, but with the preview night, you can get on all the coasters. I love the rare rides like sooperdooperLooper and the very unique (but not highly rated by coaster nerds) Great Bear. There is so much to do at Hersheypark, and it will be crowded in August. I think they may have some sort of pay-to-cut? Get that!

Don't speed too much in Pennsylvania. You have to return and go to court if you get a speeding ticket.

I would totally skip SFGAdventure. I have no interest in that place since my last consecutive visit. That was 2006. I'm "over it" but in no hurry to go back.

I would say the piers are the most out of the way for you. Assuming you nail those first, how about this order? Reverse would work too.

Day 1 - Philadelphia culture, drive the Atlantic City Expressway / Garden State Parkway to Morey's.

Day 2 - Seaside parks. Nice, relaxing few hours at the beach and Morey's, then active in the afternoon, driving to Playland to ride Gale Force and Casino Pier for Hydrus. Drive the rest of the way to Six Flags Great Adventure.

Day 3 - Six Flags Great Adventure. Big park, full day.

Day 4 - Two hours on 195 / 295 / 276 / 476 to Dorney Park, day at Dorney Park, hour and a half on 78 / 61 / 901 / 54 to Knoebels.

Day 5 and 6 - Knoebels.

Day 7 - Drive to Gettysburg for culture, drive back to Hersheypark for your Preview Plan ticket in the evening.

Day 8 - Hersheypark in the morning and early afternoon, back to Philadelphia to fly out.

If you were to take this in reverse, you'd do your Philadelphia culture and then Hersheypark's preview plan day 1, Hersheypark and Gettysburg day 2.

Day One: Dorney (3 hours)/Gettysburg

Day Two: Hershey

Days Three and Four: Knoebels

Day Five: SFGAdv

Day Six: Hydrus/Gale Force/Morey's Pier

Day Seven: Philly Museum

Day Eight: Historical Philly

Just a suggestion, personally I would do all the Philly stuff in one day, but it sounds like you want to spend a day at the museum. Not sure how to fit Valley Forge in (I don't know how easy it is to get there from Philly), and I think you'll need to forgo your morning/early afternoon beach time at Moreys at get Hydrus and Gale Force

There are many ways you could play this.

here's another way to start if you could deal with 1.5 days at Knoebels and gives you more time at Hershey

Day One: Gettysburg/Hershey night preview (3 hours)

Day Two: Hershey

Day Three: Dorney (3 hours)/Knoebels

Day Four: Knoebels

 

I would totally skip SFGAdventure. I have no interest in that place since my last consecutive visit. That was 2006. I'm "over it" but in no hurry to go back.

Brah, he's never been there. Which means he's never ridden El Toro.

So many different ways to do it! Eeep.

Back to you, Andrew!

 

I would totally skip SFGAdventure. I have no interest in that place since my last consecutive visit. That was 2006. I'm "over it" but in no hurry to go back.

 

Brah, he's never been there. Which means he's never ridden El Toro.

 

Hahah! Well, I would like to try out those coasters again. El Toro was a lot of fun, but I'm one of those nerds that don't like being stapled that tight to my seat. Still fun, just too snug for me. My favorite coaster there, The Chiller, is gone... boohoo! I also loved Rolling Thunder. I did have some great rides on it wayyyy back. Everytime I discuss SFGAdventure with a fellow park/coaster nerd, they go on and on about how much the park has gotten better. It'll still be a while before my next visit.

Now I'm remembering the 3 times (on 3 different visits) where I decided to ride Viper. Holy cow. I know, getting way off topic...

^ I don't miss any of those coasters. The park is awesome. You should give it another chance.

@Andrew If you need any tips on getting around sans car in Philly just let me know. We have a super simple public transit system (notice I said simple... not nice, or cheap...) and download Uber if you don't already use it. Its awesome and you can get anywhere in the city in no time. If you're staying in hotel in Center City, the Art Museum and the historical/Old City stuff is actually walkable, not to mention tons of great bars and restaurants everywhere you look in the area.

Furthermore, I know you are looking forward to hitting up the historical stuff (have fun with that *snores*) I wanted to suggest some other awesome cool stuff to do in Philly.

The Mutter Museum

http://muttermuseum.org/

A medical museum located in Center City containing a collection of medical oddities, anatomical and pathological specimens, wax models, and antique medical equipment.

The Franklin Institute

https://www.fi.edu/

Founded in 1824, one of the oldest centers of science education and development in the United States. Always awesome stuff here. Check the website to see if any cool exhibits will be going on while you are here. Many of the permanent ones are awesome on their own.

Franklin Square

http://historicphiladelphia.org/franklin-square/what-to-see/

The closest thing we have to an amusement park in downtown Philly, because its a park with a carousel in it. An awesome little burger stand too. And mini-golf. Sometimes they have super cool stuff going on like outdoor art exhibits and stuff, and usually that stuff happens in the summer. Its a couple blocks from all the historical stuff so remember this as the trip gets close.

The Barnes Foundation

http://www.barnesfoundation.org/

If you're doing the Art Museum, you might as well hit up the Barnes too. It's just down the street.

The Masonic Temple

http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/masonic-temple-philadelphia-dt

Besides a massively grand staircase, the temple contains an Egyptian room, a Corinthian room, a Moorish room, a Renaissance hall, a Norman hall in Rhenish Romanesque style, and the Ionic hall, with full-length portraits of “Right Worshipful Past Grand Masters,” among others.

Barcade

http://barcadephiladelphia.com/Barcade

This place isnt that special since there's a few elsewhere (like Brooklyn?), and we have places like Dave & Busters but they're not as cool as Barcade. Not in Center City, in an awesome little neighborhood right outside CC (aka my hood) only a $10-15 Uber ride or a hop on the El for 10 minutes. Bar/arcade! Serving swanky bar food and craft beer (30-some taps, always changing), and packed with old school restored video games at $.25 each. It's really awesome. Gets super crowded on weekend nights. Avoid.

The Love Letter Murals

https://www.muralarts.org/artworks/a-love-letter-for-you/

50 murals painted on rooftops/buildings along the El/Market Frankford line. You have to actually take the El to West Philly and back (about a 40 minute round trip) just to see this all (or just look at the link I posted lol) but its super cool to do it in person. They do offer guided tours I believe, but to me that sounds like you're basically paying some jackass to tell you to look out the window of the train.

If you are staying right in center city there are tons of restaurants/bars but nothing that stands out as a unique place (at least not to me). El Vez is great but pricey. Same for Jones. Ditto on Morimoto and Village Whiskey. All very good, if you feel like treatin-yo-self.

Do not under any circumstances plan to go to South Street - yes its legendary and yeah they have this really cool Magic Garden thing but otherwise its just an outdoor mall loaded with sneaker stores and headshops. I'm not saying I never go, but don't waste your limited time. Do not under any circumstances go to Pats/Genos for a cheesesteak. Tourist trap and their cheesesteaks are horrible.

Thanks for everyone's contributions so far! You've come up with a couple of possibilities I hadn't thought of. And yeah, I'm definitely going to Six Flags. There's no way I'm driving right past Great Adventure and not stopping for some bullriding.

Can I just say I can't believe Bill hasn't already jizzed all over a thread with Knoebels in the title? It's like his bat signal. Where is he?

Can I just say I can't believe Bill hasn't already jizzed all over a thread with Knoebels in the title? It's like his bat signal. Where is he?

I have thought the same thing! And thanks for the recommendations. Noted to skip South Street--people had been saying I have to go, but good to know it's not really all that different from places near me like Branson Landing and St. Louis' Delmar Loop. That Barcade We have a place in Springfield called 1984 that's similar, but sans alcohol, so it sucks.

Can I just say I can't believe Bill hasn't already jizzed all over a thread with Knoebels in the title? It's like his bat signal. Where is he?

Oh believe me, I'm aware of the thread. I did like 9 hours of driving yesterday (typical for me lol) so I didn't have a chance to post but you had to know I would show up eventually. I can't stay away from a thread that has "Knoebels" in the title.

I'll admit, at first I was confused by the title of the thread? What does that even mean? "Help! I'm going to Knoebels!"? I could see a thread called "Help! I'm not going to Knoebels!", but if you're going to Knoebels you don't need help.

Since you've already decided to spend 2 full days I can't really help out too much, my best advice is probably to go to Knoebels on weekdays since unless it's early or late in the season they don't sell wristbands on weekends and you need to pay per ride. Rides are reasonably priced, but it still adds up fast.

Aside from that my only advice is to make sure you don't miss some of the weird, easy to miss rides like the slide in the kids area (which is by no means only a kids ride) and the boats. I'm sure you're already fully aware of the Scooters and Flyers so I'll spare you the obvious. Flying Turns can't run in rain, so look at the forecast ahead of time and plan ahead. It probably won't rain though because the sun always shines on Knoebels.

Oh, and please consult the handy dandy Pierogi map...

PS: As far as planning for the other parks, if anything I'd plan to leave Dorney early and go to Great Adventure so you spend more than one day there. If you free up enough time so you're not racing around for credits that gives you time to re-ride things the second day or take in come cool non coaster rides (like Safari Off Road Aventure which is awesome but really time consuming). At some point make sure you ride Kingda Ka in row one.

The best row on El Toro is one from the back.

There he is! I knew you wouldn't skip out on a chance to talk about your favorite place on earth.

And while we talked via PM about some of this stuff, Bill brings up a good point about having more time @ Great Adv if you are planning on doing the Safari (which you are) and I know you said you are riding Batman (front row), Ka (front row), Toro (second to last), but make sure you don't skip out on...

- Zumanjaro (takes forever to walk back there but the line is generally not too bad)

- Nitro (hate on B&M hypers all yall want, its a great ride. Back row, far right side. Best night ride in the park)

- Bizarro (I seem to be in the minority, at least around here but I freaking love this ride - try to do it after sunset if the fire/light effects are working. Front row or back row)

- Runaway Mine Train (OK I have a big soft spot for mine trains and this is my favorite. Through the woods and over the lake and some really great airtime at the end. Sit in the back)

- Skull (you have to sit in the very last seat or else you won't be inducted into The Cult)

- Skyride (a GREAT shortcut across the park but also really high up and great views of everywhere in the park, do this early to give you the lay of the land)

- Skyscreamer (so much better than Windseekers and a great view of the park from up there)

- Joker (I wasnt sure on my first ride but Ive warmed up to this ride and its one of my favorites in the park)

If you are short on time you can probably skip Dark Knight (preshow is better than the ride - its just a mouse in a box with sh*tty themeing), Crazy Train (its fun but not worth any wait), Road Runner Railway (unless you're feeling particularly whorish), Diablo (eh - Toro is right next to it - just ride Toro some more), Buccaneer (its blah as far as swinging ships go) and Green Lantern (if I were you I'd ride it just to see what all the hate is about but its warranted, trust me). If you've ridden Superman @ Great America you won't miss anything by skipping this - the line is always a joke though I do enjoy the pretzel loop. That said if you haven't done one of these, do it! Congo Rapids are kinda meh, and the log flume is cool but lines can get loooooooong on hot August days. They also will group you with strangers so keep that in mind.

Food in the park? Bill will say Panda but even without the dining pass: Macho, Macho, Macho! We have two now - one next to Toro, one next to Batman. Best of the West is kinda cool - food is "OK" but the views of the flume/lake are great. The sh*ttons of turtles in the lake back to watch there, pretty cool. They have beer. I'd recommend Nathans but yeah. If you just wanna take a break and have a beer somewhere quiet? Liberty Pub. Right next to flash pass HQs and never busy. Nice shaded tables to sit and drink and regroup. Skybar near Skyscreamer is new and I approve. Their one bartender is nuts (in a good way). Can get busy tho. Of course you could always leave the park and get a cheap hoagie at Wawa across the street but you'll find tons of Wawas during your travels in the area. You'll probably fall in love with Wawa.

As for Knoebels, an option you have is to buy a wristband the first day and do lots of rerides on coasters and then maybe go with the tickets the second day. Weiss Market has $20 books for $16 and there are locations nearby. So your two choices for the same price is either the all day wristband or $60 in tickets. Or you can get $40 in tickets which should be plenty. Take a look at their pricing online. Most flats are $1.50-2, the only rides more than that are the coasters, train, and chairlift. There's something fun about using tickets and rationing them throughout the day.

It probably won't rain though because the sun always shines on Knoebels.

Hah. I'm sure it's just my luck, plus the time of year I usually go, bu ten trips to Knoebels since 2007 (always 3 days/2 nights), and all but one of them featured at least half a day of pouring rain. I can't complain; I love amusement parks in the rain, and everything but Flying Turns runs pretty much regardless of weather. Probably won't rain though...maybe if you don't go at the same time as me.

Hah. I'm sure it's just my luck, plus the time of year I usually go, bu ten trips to Knoebels since 2007 (always 3 days/2 nights), and all but one of them featured at least half a day of pouring rain.

That's not rain. It's liquid sunshine. It doesn't rain at Knoebels.

Yeah, SFGAdv is one of those parks every enthusiast should visit at least once, but in hindsight, Knoebels might actually be a better 2-day park than GAdv. I am also in the club that likes Phoenix better than El Toro.

Yeah, I think El Toro is kid of overrated. A coaster everyone should check out, but everyone seems to forget that there is only one good airtime hill in the entire second half. That one airtime hill is amazing, though.

(Please don't hurt me)

Yeah, I think El Toro is kid of overrated. A coaster everyone should check out, but everyone seems to forget that there is only one good airtime hill in the entire second half. That one airtime hill is amazing, though.

 

 

(Please don't hurt me)

I'm about to post that Kardashian gif again.

People forget there is only one insane airtime hill in the second half because the ride is incredible regardless. The buckwild insanity of the initial run of the drop and first two camelbacks, and then the RT hill combined with the twister ending makes up for the mild midsection past the station. I like to think of that as the time to catch my breath. Not to mention the little floater hill before the turn into the RT hill is more about sense speed to me than airtime.

Maybe it's just me, but I feel like Gettysburg is the one item that is way out of the way. It's over 2 hours from Philly and still an hour and a half minimum from Hershey. I live 45 minutes north of Gettysburg and a half hour west of Hershey. If you really want to see Gettysburg I'd try to pair that with your preview night at Hershey. Then maybe put Dorney (an hour and 15 from me) with a half day at Knoebel's.

^Of maybe you could stay a couple nights in the Harrisburg area. I think Harrisburg is pretty central to a lot of those locations. Hersheypark is right outside the city, Gettysburg is an hour south, and Knoebels is an hour and a half north. The last time I went to Hershey, I took the Amtrak Keystone Service to Harrisburg and stayed there overnight so I could visit Hershey.

Hersheypark isn't "just" outside of Harrisburg. Mornings during the summer season, US-322 going toward Hershey, as well as Hersheypark Drive, can both get very crowded and turn your drive from Harrisburg proper to Hersheypark into an hour-long slog.

The Mutter Museum

http://muttermuseum.org/

A medical museum located in Center City containing a collection of medical oddities, anatomical and pathological specimens, wax models, and antique medical equipment.

This.

Mutter is one of the coolest museums that I have ever been to.

I can see Andrew totally getting into this - because he likes weird, cool sh%t...like Mr. Bungle.

^Of maybe you could stay a couple nights in the Harrisburg area. I think Harrisburg is pretty central to a lot of those locations. Hersheypark is right outside the city, Gettysburg is an hour south, and Knoebels is an hour and a half north. The last time I went to Hershey, I took the Amtrak Keystone Service to Harrisburg and stayed there overnight so I could visit Hershey.

Not only is traffic awful on 322 to get from Harrisburg to Hershey, I wouldn't tell my worst enemy to stay in Harrisburg proper. I still say do Gettysburg in the morning, check into a hotel either in Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill (both cheaper but slightly longer drove, about 30 minutes), or Hershey itself (more expensive but closer to the park), do the preview night then a whole day the following. Drive the hour and 15 minutes to Dorney and knock that out in the morning then hit up Knoebel's for the evening and next 2 days.

Yeah, I actually forgot to mention, do not actually stay anywhere near the city center of Harrisburg-unless you want to get shot. I did stay in Hburg, but it was more on the outside of the city in a much better area. I did not think that 10-mile stretch had congestion issues. I must have gone both there and back in an off time-I think that I left after morning rush hour, and I left the park after 10pm when traffic is rarely an issue. I never knew that was a problem, and I am glad I avoided that when I was there!