Photo TR: Knoebels, DP & El Toro land

[pkdcoasterAll I want is a chainlift!]

Last Blast of the year and it was a really good time. We got a bad weather report for the weekend but hoped for the best.

We left Richmond at 7am to get to Knoebels at opening (Noon). 2 of us had never been before, so it is always fun to have new people see the park.

Weather said few showers all day but once we steped out of the car it never rained at all and it was even sunny from 2pm on.

Flying Turns is coming long nicely and should be finished in time for next years opening day.
I was very surprised at the crowds considering the weather report. Longest line we waited in all day was Phoenix (30min-1 train-front)
We did both woodies twice and Haunted house and High speed thrill coaster.
we left about 4pm to go to Dorney.

I am gonna have to put this up in parts, I do not have enough time to sort through 352 pics (I pick the best ones) and resize them now but they will be up before the end of the week.

Edit: I just saw were Erin posted her pics She took a great picture of Steel Force.
http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/vi ... hp?t=29562

JEFF

[pkdcoasterAll I want is a chainlift!]

We arrived at Dorney Park at about 6pm (park open till 11pm) and it was DEAD. I could not believe that Nothing had any wait except for Steel Force at about 8pm (10min)

This was my first trip to DP since 2001 so Hydra was a new credit to me.

Hydra review (13 rides)- I do not know if it was just cause the trains were never more than half full but there was a ton of vibration on this ride and some uncomfortable jolts in the Cobra roll. I got one ride when the train was about 80% full and it was the best ride of the day, so I hope it runs better with a full train.

I loved the jojo roll, 1st drop and the 2 inversions following it after that it was kind of meh. I think the Cobra roll looks cool but it was just unnatural and had bad jolts in it throughout and the ending was less than stellar. But I did like the fact that it was VERY unique. so points for that.

Talon (5 rides) was kicking A$$, I do not understand why people do not like this ride or think it is "forceless" I was feeling a ton of forces in a practically empty train. It felt much more powerful than it did in 2001. A great ride

Steel Force- (6 rides)The first half is better than I remember and the last half was worse due to heavier braking but still a fantastic ride and still seems to be the star at the park.

Lazer- (2 rides)Still a Awesome high G machine.

Thunderhawk was closed =( due to halloween crap, but White water landing was open!!!!!!!!!

Lots of fog in the park made for very cool rides especially on Steel force.

These pics are not the greatest, The Hydra ones are blurry cause my camera was kinda confused due to poor lighting. so sorry

Enjoy, JEFF

[pkdcoasterAll I want is a chainlift!]

Just uploaded my Hydra POV

Hydra front seat POV

Enjoy, JEFF

[YoshiFanDon't make me kick you in the donkey!]

Nice pictures, I agree about the forces on Talon. Usually after 6 rides on Talon, I have had enough even though I want to keep riding.

I was surprised about the wait on Steel Force that night as well since like you said, the park was dead yet Steel Force's line was down the stairs. I think it's because the entrance is right near the exit to the Fright Zone so a lot of people going through that end up right at Steel Force and decide to ride. I'm hoping the crowds are like that for the rest of the season since I plan to be at the park every weekend until the end of the season.

[307308, 309, 310 .....]

Who doesn't love this place?

I didn't, though I'm willing to give it a second chance.

Nice pics, especially the Knoebel's ones. Too bad about the blur factor at Dorney!

I really liked Talon, I thought it was very underrated. I think it may have been because my expectations were fairly low, as I had kept hearing about how mediocre the coaster was. It turned out to be a great amount of fun, and by far my favourite at the park. I remember liking Hydra, but not too much. It's probably a solid seven, at best. Dorney is a park with a bunch of rides/coasters that are okay -> good, but not worthy of going out of your way for. However, I do look forward to one day returning - maybe next year with our Maxx Passes!

[yankees15Jason X versus the Robot Space Donkey!]

Great photo trip report so far! I really enjoyed the pictures you took. I also feel the same way about Talon. I ride it about every week or two and I have never had a "forceless" ride.

[imbordisuxDon't let this donkey melt you with its laser eyes!]

Who doesn't love this place?

I didn't, though I'm willing to give it a second chance.

We didn't, either, and we're not even willing to give it a second chance.

[HerculesThe Resident Vegetarian Hippie]

Knoebels is too hick for me. No offense to any of the hicks out there.

[shesaidboomA donkey is a domesticated member of the Equidae or horse family.]

Knoebels is too hick for me. No offense to any of the hicks out there.

That's what we thought, too.

But I want to ride Flying Turns! So we will probably go back next year.

[pkdcoasterAll I want is a chainlift!]

Part 3.1 Kingda Ka pics and review

We got into the parking lot at 10:30am and much to my amazement Kingda Ka was running so needless to say that was gonna be our first ride since it was running. Only running 2 trains (1 side) line was to the end of the first switchback past the fluffy, fluffy bunnies filled with medicine and goo and it took a little under an hour. Waiting in line for this thing is like holding a time bomb in your hand. you know it is gonna go down for the day sometime.........but when? Surprisingly it ran all day till storms and rain closed it down at 4pm. We left about 5:30 so I do not know if it re-opened.

I rode TTD in 2003 and thought it was Awesome although short. So I was very interested to see how different these 2 really were.

Me and Erin rode in the Back car, Brakes drop, We launch and not even halfway down the runway and I have had the crap kicked out of me! WE ARE GOING STRAIGHT! The runway seemed to go on forever but the launch was in like 3 seperate pulses, very odd to me.

Brake up top sucked! no Airtime, then you get a karate chop to the neck going through the spiral, then the most pointless hill ever!

I would have much rather gone through a straightaway at 120mph into brakes.

I do not understand how the ride could be so rough unless SFGA does not take care of the chasis or something. Storm Runner does so much more and it is not this bad.

At least I got to ride it and got the elusive credit.

It is a gorgeous structure though and the whole area was themed Very well.

Oh yeah, aparently it is Illeagal to take pictures of Ka in the rain from the parking lot. I had a security guy Yell at me (dead serious)
The last picture is posted as a big FU

Here are the pics

Enjoy, JEFF