PTR: Knoebels 25/05/2007 and 31/05/2007

Today, well actually yesterday, was my friend's 16th birthday. Of course we had to celebrate so her dad offered to take us to Knoebels for the day. To start: Happy 16th birthday Sadie!

We left our homes around 12:30 and got to the park around 2:00 because of traffic, but that didn't slow us down. Upon entry to the park we received our handstamps and went off to the rides. First ride of the day was Looper, which is still pretty intense if you flip a lot. Our second ride was the Cosmotron in which we had the song "Bye Bye Bye" play, very enjoyable. The third ride was the Phoenix. We rode it once and found it extremely smooth, so of course we were going back for some more airtime later. We then did Gasoline Alley and Fandango. Overall we did most of the major rides: Phoenix, Twister, Cosmotron, The Flume, Fandango, Gasoline Alley, Scooters, The Grand Carousel, The Haunted Mansion (I'm still a wuss about this ride), and a few others. I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the trip report.

OH! Almost forgot: I'm headed back to Knoebels on Thursday of this week. If anyone wants any updates on anything at Knoebels, let me know. I'll try to snap some pictures/get some information.

I'll end this PTR with this picture of a sign on our ride home. Flying Turns pictures next post!

I'm happy to report that the destroyed Carousel from the flood is working.

the Italian Trapeze weren't. These dudes were there all day checking the chains: Did something happen?

Flyers were running, but..

Who drew the DAFE logo on the covered bridge?

"You must be this tall to get Gelati"

$3.75

I'm still a wuss about entering this attraction.

You can't tell, but it's soaked.

The ride op told me I wouldn't get wet, that I should take my camera bag with me.

Obligatory picture of the Phoenix

Gasoline Alley POV

A different perspective of the Phoenix from Gasoline Alley's track.

I'm sure there's some nerd out there who will enjoy this picture.

People enjoying the Phoenix.

A little different view of the Phoenix's station.

I had one of the smoothest rides ever on the Cosmotron today.

Ferris Wheel : THROUGH THE TREES.

A few clouds out, pretty nice day although extremely warm.

There's really no need for captions on these pictures, so without further ado, I give you Flying Turns...construction pictures.

Here's the last shot, which is a nerdy one of sorts. There's a lot of nails coming out from the opposite side of the troughs, I wonder what they'll do?

Am I the only person who feels "slightly" turned on from this shot?

Hot.

They were working on a small lift back into the station which is right after a small trough after the brake run. (Say that ten times fast.)

Oh come on, it can't be that big, can it?

I hope they don't use this piece.

Oh, never mind.

Joke's up, someone tell me what's going on?!

No seriously, why?

Why is this wood laying around?

Good times. Can't wait for Flying Turns.

Nice report. I love that park. As far as the Trapeze goes, there was a sign there for a while (it may still be there) saying that it was awaiting parts from the manufacturer. Perhaps they came in, so crews were getting the ride ready.

Phoenix looks great! Yikes, Flying Turns looks like a big..wooden...anaconda! Kinda wierd lookin

Good TR! I like very much Flying Turn! I would like so much try a coaster like it!

Damn.. you were at the park the same day I was ::O

Guess I dont have to post a TR now seeing how you took a lot of the same FTs photos I did.

Aren't they even close to finishing it? Because that ride is said to open this year! (but then again they said that last year). I really want to ride it.

I'm pretty sure the FT will open this year, although I don't know when.

On the log flume, I've found that you don't get nearly as much water if you sit in the back. In fact, if you don't have a full log, keeping all the weight in the back keeps much water from coming in the log at all. (I don't like getting soaked whether I'm carrying a camera or not.)

The haunted house was really scary when I was a kid, now not so much The scariest part on it isn't even a monster. (I won't spoil it for anyone.)

If you liked Gasoline Alley, ride it at the Phoenix Phall Phunfest when it'll have even better decorations than the haunted house, if they do as good a job on it as they did last year. (Of course the coasters are fun in the dark too, and Phoenix even benefits from some of the Gasoline Alley effects. Last year there was a crashed flying saucer at the bottom of the double-down.)

Is the Twister still as rough as it was last year? It was a real "bump-fest" last year.

Damn Flying Turns looks HOT HOT HOT!! I can't wait until PPP. Gonna be great. Thanks for the pics.

Yeah, how is Twister running? They should have greased that last year for PPP. I got major killed on that.

Twister is running quite rough, but not nearly as bad as last year. I still walked off of it with the same "did I just get a back massage?" feeling.

Twister is running quite rough, but not nearly as bad as last year. I still walked off of it with the same "did I just get a back massage?" feeling.

Oh, I walked off of it with the "did I just tumble down a mountain?" feeling.

Does twister use buzzbars?

No, just single ratcheting lap bars with no seatbelts.

I don't know...for my money on opening weekend, Twister was running about the best it's ever run, at least in terms of sustained speed and airtime. Yes, the helix is going to issue a good butt-kicking to all riders everytime, but the rest of the ride was more impressive than usual in my view--certainly the best daytime rides I've ever had on it (and I'm a bigger Phoenix fan than I am a Twister fan, so take that FWIW).

-Jason

I thought Twister was smoother today than opening weekend. Even the one truly nasty spot, the turn into the helix, didn't bother me for once. (But then again, maybe I was anticipating it better. Defensive riding helps a lot after you get familiar with the track.) Wood coasters seem to vary a lot from day to day, and Twister a lot more than Phoenix. Also, the front is safer to ride than the back if roughness bothers you.

Here's a few shots from today's little gallivant to Knoebel's.

Flying Turns pictures next post.

And with taking this picture, the ride op said it again.

"Stay behind the yellow line!"

The Phoenix is still running extremely smooth, though it's difficult to tell being out of your seat more than half the ride.

Lift hill enthusiasts take note.

Oh, the Phoenix! Burger named after coaster = win.

What other coaster is here?

A little smoother than last Friday, but...

Nah, it's still a really rough ride.

Photogenic shot of non-photogenic material.

For those of you who noticed that the dam was down in the creek: It's back up.

Obligatory shot of Knoebel's entrance sign.

Starting the day off with a 20oz Moxie which, in retrospect, wasn't such a good idea.

Flying Turns pictures 31/05/2007

We were told by a construction worker some fun trivia.

Q. How many screws does it take to make a Flying Turns?

A. 500,000

Q. How much does each of those screws cost?

A. $0.06

Q. How much does Flying Turns cost in screws alone?

A. $30,000 (That's a lot of screwing around!)

And the completed last turn.

Bottom of the lift hill. (I see electrical boxes)

Footers, by the way.

I'm jealous of their T-shirts that read "Flying Turns construction crew".

Just because.

It's really big.

"The place next to the amusement park, duh."

"I wonder who's supplying the wood?"

I wanted to ask for a screw, didn't.

Close up of last picture.

Overall view from Twister's "backed up" line, even though it's never been that long of a queue.

*gasp*

Thank you kind construction workers!

Lalala.

Screws, lots of them.

We couldn't get any closer to this today.

They salvaged a piece of a support from Chicago but couldn't think of bringing home a deep-dish?

Nerdy shot?

The 3rd and last lift hill is complete, minus the chain of course.

Awww...I wanted to screw it first.

Oh that's hot.

Close up of that last picture.

I see footers.

How many swans were in the park? I haven't seen more than 2 this year, last year there were 5 I think.