
Knoebel's Amusement
Resort - Elysburg, PA
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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. 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. 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 taking you quite far out in to the woods away from the park. On crowded days they
run two trains on this track.New for 1999,
this train will take you directly under the Twister structure. The Twister is Knoebel's
new wooden coaster. |
Old Smokey is Knoebel's other train ride located
near the kiddie ride section. Even though it is a shorter ride than the one above, it is
still a good length ride. |