Knoebels Review + Park Overview, One of the World's Best Amusement Parks
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- Опубликовано: 15 июл 2024
- Knoebels is the largest free admission amusement park in the United States and it's one of my favorite amusement parks in the world. Knoebels is the full package. It has amazing rides- including award winning roller coasters like Phoenix and Twister- plus delicious food, top notch customer service, and a wonderful atmosphere.
Most of my own video footage is from 2020, but a few clips are from past years.
Video Credits
Crystal Pool (Knoebels)- • Pool&Waterpark
Fandango (Knoebels)- • Fandango
Flooding at Knoebels (Knoebels via PennLive.com)- • Flooding at Knoebels A...
Food (Knoebels)- • Food
Flying Turns (Knoebels)- • Flying Turns - Commerc...
Looper (Knoebels)- • Looper
Snapping the Flyer (Sean Flaharty)- • Snapping The Flyers at...
Background Music
Song: Fredji - Happy Life (Vlog No Copyright Music)
Music provided by Vlog No Copyright Music.
Video Link: • Fredji - Happy Life (V...
Such a good park. You can tell by how clean and well maintained it is, the family is REALLY proud of it.
And they definitely should be proud of it!
I just got home from visiting Knoebels, still one of my favorite places on earth! I honestly struggle to think of other places I'd rather be, amusement parks or otherwise.
Glad you had an amazing visit! Did the new Impulse trains feel any different?
@@CanobieCoaster Unfortunately we did not get to ride Impulse this time around. They were only running one train and the line was clocking in at about an hour. We tried for it towards the end of the night, but the line was already closed off. Still, the rest of the day was excellent, and we left the park feeling fulfilled.
@@CivilianSatellite I'm not surprised that line was a nightmare since they were probably doing one party per train as well. Impulse gets backed up most days anyway.
One of the nice things about the park is that it is family owned! No big corporate to mess it up with! And I am pretty sure everyone binges on Phoenix!! I love this park and it is my childhood! Glad to see some love on it!
I love the family aspect.
I have never been to knoebels but I would love to go!
There couldn’t be a more thorough Knoebels review!!! 👍🏼🤓
Thanks!
I just visited for my first time yesterday, in the cold rain with limited time at the park, and I must say this is hands down one of the best places on Earth! Such an incredible atmosphere in a beautiful setting, I would give an arm to own one of the houses in the middle of Knoebels! This place is as special as they get, I hope it stays around forever! It's that good!!
Awesome!
@@CanobieCoaster RIP 1001 Nacht. I'm sure that lady is gonna be mighty upset! I bet they just ship it to her backyard 🤣
perfect review
One thing that cannot be overstated is how good their customer service is. Last year, my family went to use the pool, but due to rain the night before it was closed. The slides, however, were not only open but also free for the whole day. Needless to say, we definitely came back for the pool
This park is awesome.
10:48 That snapping is unreal.
Sean Flaharty is a pro at it.
It's my favorite park, without question, for all of the reasons you discuss in the video. Such a special place with a really great vibe
I agree it's a special park.
Have you seen the nice deaf man that is always collecting tickets at the twister? See him every year he’s so sweet!
Yes!
@@CanobieCoaster oh my god i forgot about that nice man! I remember giving my tickets to him before, that must be one of the greatest jobs a deaf person could have! Knoebels doesn't discriminate when it comes to hiring employees, so nice of them.
@@itsmetimtimikr! Nicest people ever!
Howdy! I used to work here, and yes! there actually is a road that runs through the park but it is not used by cars It is simply a paved road that runs the main length of the park but allows for staff parking near the lumber yard. It's walked for the most part and the trams take people up there too sometimes if both of them are running. I had a wild summer working here but thank you for capturing the nostalgia of working at this beautiful family owned park.
Thanks for clarifying!
ive been here every single summer of my life 26 years straight! My family goes camping for a week so i grew up on these rides including Whirlwind (what flying turns used to be) and the bumper boats (now Impulse) and the rides never get old! I even wrote a song called Phoenix Falls lol
Nice!
It's a shame that the ride prices have gone up so much, but that's life. To be honest it's still not terrible. This is BY FAR one of my favorite places in the world. Thank you for the wonderful review!
It's still one of the best value parks. So many places have gone up.
Went with my daughter yesterday for the first time, and wow what an experience. The park has a hard to describe charm to it and we both just smiled the whole time we were there. Will for sure make it a point to go back. And Phoenix lived up to the hype.
It's an amazing park.
I love how in-depth you went with this review! I will be watching this again before my next visit there, since my first visit this year was always going to be just a quick credit-grab stop. The huge crowds that day confirmed that I should just get the credits. I look forward to spending a full day here, when it's not busy, and being able to check out everything.
Knoebels is a park I could never do a credit run at since it has too much quality to squeeze in but some Knoebels is better than no Knoebels.
I absolutely ❤ Knoebels! I've been going since I was little back in the 70s. Flyer is my all-time favorite flat ride. This place is simply perfection. It's only drawback is that it's a 2 1/2 hour ride for my from Central Jersey.
I also wish Knoebels was closer, but it's well worth the 6 hours each way for me.
excluding the coaster collection, this park seems nearly as good as it gets
The coaster collection isn't large, but it has an elite wood coaster, another great wood coaster, and some unique coasters.
@@CanobieCoaster like the coaster collection seems good but everything else is the best it can be like the non coaster collection, the food and the staff
@@MillenniumForceMan It is, it doesn't have a massive coaster collection like mega parks, or even Kennywood sized parks. But the coasters they do have are world class.
@@TheMrLebaron agreed
I love all of your videos! This one is my favorite. This has the "Kennywood Memories" feel. Well done! Keep making great content, you are one of the best
Thanks!
@@CanobieCoaster For who man, I can legit watch your stuff in a marathon. The Top 20 rides vids are my favorite. I'd love to see a Top 20 of the best Flat rides in America as well as the Top 20 rides people should ride defensively 🔥🔥🔥
I meant to say, for Real, not "who" - the spell check on RUclips is too much 😂😂😂
this is my favorite video of yours. I show it to all my friends
Nice!
Thanks for the great review! Can't wait to go there this summer!
Enjoy!
After hearing this, I'd love to hear your review on more independently owned amusement parks such as Holiday World, Mt. Olympus and Silverwood to name a few.
I definitely plan to review those parks sometime in the future. I really love two of those three (the third is decent).
This park looks so cool. Excellent review
Thanks, it really is a special park.
Best review I've seen for Knobels
Thanks!
This review was spot on and really informative! l have always loved going to this park
It's amazing.
I was there just recently. It’s always my favorite amusement park to go to.
It's amazing.
Looks like a charming little place! Definitely on my US bucket list
It's an amazing park!
I thought it was nice that this park allowed pets and I interacted with them a little
I love how the pets can go on some rides like the train.
Excellent . One of the best overviews of Knoebels yet . They only things I can think you missed were the 3 museums & the rental cottages . I always emphasize that for first timers it is a big mistake not to make Knoebels a full day park. Ridding all those awesome rare rides and getting re-rides on the coasters is essential for all enthusiasts .
The carousel and mining museums are definitely cool too!
They also own a really good golf course close to the park as well, if your into golf ( which I am, so day one is me and the lady enjoying the rides, day two is the lady enjoying the water rides and me hitting up the golf course )
Phoenix Phall Phun Phest is the bomb!!! Great ride time on the Phoenix and Halloween costumes to boot! A MUST do!!!!! (I love snapping!)
I need to visit for that event sometime.
Pronouncing Eleyesburg is hard. I can't even spell it. I'm just really glad you pronounced Knoebels right. And this is my home park! I live less than 45 minutes from it and grew up here. There are paved pathways, but theres the true main routes and then not the main paths. Knoebels also is very affordable food wise in comparison. Things have risen with inflation, but they've avoided price gorging. They also have had a ton of staffing issues but still do their best. There's also so many free shows and entertainment! The pavilions are also 100% free to rent, you just have to call amd reserve, and they have options for catering, but we don't usually get that. We even had my graduation party there, and that was very nice to have. And yeah! People can really get through at any time, but security will come give you the boot if they see you there well past closing, or get you back up to the campsites if you are staying there and got lost.
There are some weird pronunciations in Pennsylvania. Lancaster is another one that shocked me when I heard how locals say it.
@@CanobieCoaster no kidding. Wilkes barre, Schuylkill, Reichart, so many of them are very different than they're spelling
This Park is on my Bucket List for sure.
As it should!
Best traditional amusement park in the world!
I may agree!
I’ve always wanted to go to this park! It looks incredible!
It really is one of the best parks in the world.
@@CanobieCoaster I agree, its like someone built a Roller Coaster Tycoon park in real life
This is my dream park. I’m a sucker for classic rides, I’d happily take a classic scrambler or wood coaster over modern stuff. Too bad it’s the off season or I’d be in the car and halfway there by now
It'll reopen in a few months.
Looks like the best real world version of RCT game
Sort of!
You're making me want to drive up there this weekend
They're open!
best amusement park in the states
One of the best.
I love this park!
Me too.
My favorite park in the world!
One of the best!
This year I'm going for my 3rd time, and I'm soooooo excited! I haven't rode Impulse yet, because the last 2 times I was still too chicken to go Upside down, but this year, I'll marathon it.
Enjoy! Impulse is fun.
i had so much fun here, my first ever rollercoaster was the flying turns ride and the phoenix
Nice!
So lucky to live just a few hours away. I can't help but have fun here.
I'm lucky to be within driving distance.
@@CanobieCoaster you forgot to mention the potato cakes and pork chops on a stick! I almost went to get dinner at Knoebels after lapping Leap The Dips yesterday.
I haven't had either of those food items. I love the pierogis and pizza too much that I don't have much room for other snacks.
I'm someone who lives relatively close to Knoebels in PA and I go there at the very least once a year lol. Lots of great fun to be had but one tradition I made for myself was as I make my way through the park after going on the front park rides like Skloosh, Merry Mixer, Impulse and Downdraft, I make my way over to where the Flyer is. But more specifically the fudge shop they have there. I always order myself a chocolate whirzzle from there and sip it as I enjoy more rides before getting some tri-taters at the food stand in between the Haunted Mansion and the Paratrooper. Lol it's always such a fun time. I also wanna give mention to the arcades, over time and with more additions they've become a lot of fun to spend hours in at the many games and coin pushers they have.
Also about the Haunted Mansion, lol the whole thing used to scare me and make me cry when I was small. Furthest I could go before covering my face and wanting off was the toppling bookcase at the very beginning. Now I love it. Fantastic dark ride for such a simple little family fun park.
I routinely see kids come off Haunted Mansion crying. That horn does it!
This is my second home park. There is so much to love here. Phoenix and Twister are excellent wood coasters, and the 42 inch height requirement is very generous. There's also so much for the whole family. The flats are very fun, and I really appreciate Knoebels preserving some rarities. I read on Screamscape that Knoebels is putting in a Rock-o-plane for 2024. The train ride into the woods should not be missed. The last time I rode it, I saw deer and squirrels eating off the feeders. The food is solid here, so much so that I have a hard time deciding what to get.
That train ride is really cool.
I live close to KNOEBLES and I love to go their ride all of the rides and eat the food.
I wish I lived closer.
I have been going since I was six years old. My wife and I took our boys. now that they are young adults they take friends that have never been to the park. The Begleys of Aston PA love this place and go at least 3 times a year and some time a lot more. The best in the WORLD IMHO.
This park is a gem.
I grew up going to knoebles we love it there. They also have a campground attached to the park that is reasonably priced
I've walked through it to get pictures of Twister.
I haven’t been to the Pennsylvania parks for 15 years. Hopefully next year my family and I are planning to do Knoebels and either Dorney or Kennywood.
Of the other two, I prefer Kennywood, but it's a further drive.
Our family has a summer cottage very close by. We've been going for decades, although most of us live elsewhere. This was an excellent ride focused review. Totally agree on all points. Would like to add a couple of things. Dick Knoebel is very keen on winning Best Park Food, which he has nearly every year for a decade. My south Alabama brother in law says the fried chicken at the Alamo is the best he's ever had! I tend to eat the french fries - made from raw potato right before your eyes- with vinegar, of course. And ice cream. (Side note) - just down the road from the entrance is the J & D ice cream spot - all products, including burgers and such - very tasty! Knoebels also has free entertainment every night. We never miss the Mahoney Brothers, possibly the best Beatles cover band. As far as a nice close by place to stay, make reservations with the Beagles B & B. Very nice people, with a killer breakfast! Final thought - back on Route 61 towards Shamokin is Masser's Farm Market. Do yourself a favor and take home a few pounds of the world's best bacon. All for now.
I agree the food is excellent too. Great prices and amazing variety. My favorite dish there are the pierogis from the Roast Beef Stand.
Have boom going to the park since I was a child and now we camp there every year as well.
One note the gasoline alley ride originally came from
A defined park up near Scranton Pa called rocky Glenn which shut down in 1986.
The whipper cane from Coney Island. Just two I know of.
Grey review.
They love relocating rides.
This park mailed my phone back to me when it was lost on one of the Rollercoasters lol I live in South Carolina. Best park 10/10
That's nice!
I’m camping their now it’s amazing I camped here in 2019 too
Nice!
Phoenix is great but I was marathoning Twister this past weekend because it doesn't get as much attention and never has a wait more than 15 or 20 minutes on a busy day as this past labor day weekend......such a wild ride with non stop pacing and hand chopper elements throughout!
I love Twister too, but I much prefer the airtime buffet of Phoenix.
We love Knoebels. We try to do it a few times a year.
I try to go once a year, minimum.
Amazing food
Absolutely!
At knoebels while watching this review
Nice!
@@CanobieCoaster Yes and I just waited 2 and a half hours for Impulse. Because of lightning that didn't even show up.
I love the Phoenix
Me too!
Love this park, it might be a four hour drive for us and a hotel stay ( anyone who lives in PA knows that Deer are a problem at night in that area ), but its completely worth it. Its the gold standard.
I agree the drive from Knoebels at night isn't fun. That's the only downside with the park.
@@CanobieCoaster Yeah, we planned to stay till 10, which we did. And even a little after to get Potato Cakes. Its small unlit rural roads, and while her car is a 2019 and has all the automatic braking and collision warnings, its rutting season for the deer, so we figured a hotel was better than maybe totalling a 1 year old car. Hotel was the Red Roof in like 120 bucks, so it wasn't to far or bad. had an amazing time
@@TheMrLebaron If that's the same Red Roof Inn I stayed at a few years ago, I hope you have a better stay than me. My room had a lot of bugs.
My family lives about an hour.5 or 2 hours away from the park in central PA, and we're able to go once or twice a year. Definitely one of the best things from my childhood!!
What a great, thorough, and well thought out review of this wonderful amusement park. I love the park for its wonderful mix of classic and modern amusement rides. Their food choices don't disappoint either. I live in Northern Maryland, and I feel the park is well worth the 2 1/2 hour drive!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Used to work there
Probably one of the most enjoyable work experiences except for the heat
At least it has more shade than most parks.
I need to get to this park
Yes!
Oh I also camp in the campground right next to the twister
Nice!
Sylvan Beach in NY has the Bomber which still rotates horizontally
That's a park I've wanted to get to, but it never works out.
I'm also glad you mentioned the food, its all good, even impresses my lovely lady who normally watches what she eats, but not at this place. Also even she likes the food, and shes French, so shes got kinda high standards lol
I don't know anyone who hates the food at Knoebels. It pleases everyone!
@@CanobieCoaster It really does. My go to is...anything from the Alamo. It seems like their always changing and improving the menu every time I go
I need to get out to Knoebels. Hopefully 2021 and the ACE event will be the time.
I've never done an ACE event there, but I imagine it's a great event knowing this park.
@@CanobieCoaster Coaster Con next year. Looking forward to Knoebels and Hershey.
Damn do you sell this park! It makes me all the more bummed I couldn't make it this year. I need to get here ASAP!
This probably wasn't the best year for a first timer with Flying Turns, Impulse, and many of the flats closed, but it's something to look forward to next year!
@@CanobieCoaster yes absolutely!
The other thing to with this park is, we were there last Sat all day 2-10pm. The operations on Twister and Phoenix are completely insane, not only did I not see ONE instance of staging. They had trains ready to go and ready to dispatch in 30 seconds or less. The lines moved SUPER fast
I'd expect nothing else from Knoebels!
@@CanobieCoaster Same, the Lady whom is in her Mid 20s has been to Disney Parks only until June when I took her to Indiana Beach, her first coaster ever was Hoosier Hurricane, she was nervous but loved it. Loved that park, and got her to K W and CP. She was so blown away by the ops and fun we had at Knoebles....we're going AGAIN tommarow. What a special park
@@TheMrLebaron Enjoy! I always make a point to drive to Knoebels at least once a year and it's 6-7 hours away.
@@CanobieCoaster For us its a 4 hour drive as we are in Pittsburgh. I took her to Indiana Beach as it was on our way back from her meeting family in Wisconsin. Between Great America/Junkyard or Indiana Beach, I thought Indiana Beach is a much better park for a first timer in her mid 20s. She loves KW and Knoebles
@@CanobieCoaster Now I don't know if you know. But at some point if the Rona is gone she wants me to come visit her family in Southern France ( shes French and from Toulon ). Are there any good parks in France with good coasters that might be worth Renting a car to drive to myself when I eventually go? I assume they have parks there.
Having grown up in Pennsylvania, I sadly regret never going there before this year. I live nearby Hersheypark, which has gotten so expensive that most locals avoid it. The trip to the middle of nowhere leaves you somewhat unprepared for the Knoebels experience. Everything is reasonably priced and the food is the best I've ever had at an amusement park. As a first-timer, I found it difficult to navigate the park but the staff was very helpful. The variety of rides is quite decent, but coming at the end of summer was a bad choice -- especially on a weekend. The park was so full and lines so long, that in the future I'd go on a mid-week day instead. Overall, I now understand why it gets such rave reviews from visitors. As MacArthur said: "I shall return."
Glad you loved Knoebels!
Go to this park in October awesome😊
It was cool in the fall.
The vertical loop on Impulse has very powerful g forces
I remember it having solid Gs, but what stood out more to me was the hangtime over the top.
I always wanted this family to expand their business model to other parks.
Me too.
@@CanobieCoaster Idlewild would be my first choice for them to buy and start their expansion.
my family used to go here many years ago for a vacation staying in the campsite. i used to love the phoenix, and i even remember when the flying turns was under construction.
while ill love to go there again i can't because i live too far away now. however something i said many years ago was even tho the phoenix is a fun ride it seems dangerous to me.
The reason for that was from a bad experience me, my brother and sister had on it.
I love Phoenix and while you do come out of your seat a ton, the restraints are safe.
There was a night in 2019 when an OP let me have a 5 minute cycle where I snapped like crazy. Next day he tells me that four of the cars were damaged(was snapping all day), and they checked the cameras and would have to be more strict.
I really wish it was allowed because it's so fun but I guess if the ride can't take it it is what it is. There's one just a few hours away you can snap anyway, so I'll usually spend a night there now and then go to Knoebels.
Really hoping they have staffing figured out next year.
If the ride was damaged, I can see why they've gotten stricter with it.
This place was once my home park. We went back here in June and even though about 10 of the rides were closed, we still had an awesome time riding rides and running around. P.S: Next time you go here, try the potato cakes. You will thank me later :D
Where are the potato cakes sold?
@@CanobieCoaster I believe it’s next to the building that looks like a loaf of bread.
Once you have the rings on the grand carousal, isnt there a lion head you can throw them in? Also, I go almost every year and love the atmosphere, the rides are great, but the atmosphere is AMAZING. Also, if you want food advice, the Alamo's dutch chicken and waffles is soooo good. 😋
Yes there is.
Best place for a snack are the pizza rolls at potato cakes by impulse
I wasn't a fan of their pizza rolls when I tried them a few years ago.
cool place
It is!
Since I haven't seen anyone else mention it, Elysburg is pronounced like eel-ees-burg
Good to know, thanks!
Oh how I wish that you would review lagoon
I've been there once. I love that park!
As far as the Rollo Plane goes, Kennywood had one that did the entire cycle for years. But its been removed.
These rides are becoming increasingly rare unfortunately.
@@CanobieCoaster I don't think their great rides, every ride I had was....ouch. But I do like how cool they look and how rare they are. Im glad they keep theres. Oddly enough the Knoebles one is pretty tame, and Kennywood ( before the takeover from the family ) ran theres beyond full tilt and it was NUTS.
Interesting! I would have loved to try it there if it was even crazier.
One time while riding flyers I was a small kid and accidentally snapped and hit a branch on a tree and heard *SNAP* and almost made it go sideways
Wow!
The flood video is crazy. And that has happened multiple times?
Yes, they have a bridge marking the height of past floods.
Right by the miniature golf course is a green sign that has all of the flood depths. I stand 6'2", and barely stand up to the 1972 flood left by Tropical Storm Agnes.
Hmmmmmm On My Bucket List
Definitely should be!
Have you ever gone early in the year? I'm considering a trip in about a month and I'm a little worried that the coasters might run slow
The earliest I have gone is June. I have heard opening weekend can be busy, but a busy day at Knoebels still beats most parks. I was at Knoebels on their last operating day in 2020 when it was in the high 40s and Phoenix still ran incredible.
@@CanobieCoaster that's good to hear. I'm also kind of wondering if flying turns was ready
@@jameslitwin5635 No as of May 9 2021 it was not opened yet . I would guess sometime in June when the park is opened every day . The Flyers look like it will be down longer for complete overhaul maintenance .
Prices have gone up a bit since this video was made ... Phoenix is now $3.50 per ride, for example ... but the value is still top-notch.
I went with my family on Saturday, June 12, and a number of rides were down for the day, possibly due to staffing shortages (though all the main attractions ... the coasters, bumper cars, log flume, and a few others ... were running).
My first visit was last year, and now I regret not going sooner. This is now a regular spot for us, well worth the 2 1/2-hour drive. Looking forward to our next trip.
While prices went up, I agree it's still an awesome value.
Just be forewarned! Call the park before you go to see what company picnics they are hosting the day you go. Last time we went they had Giant food store company picnic with 20,000 guests! We got to ride 4 rides that day! I will never go again without calling.
Oh my!
Me and my friends won the costume contest. We dressed up as the bumper cars
Nice!
I am going to Koon bels today
Enjoy!
I always have to do the math if its cheaper to go with tickets or a POP at this park.
I ride so much I always go with the wristband when it's offered.
Great review but it needed more food photos.
I could only eat so much!
Was there yesterday’s and the big 4 ride costs are at 4.50
Yes, their prices have gone up, but I still think it is worth it.
9:38 were you referring to the car horn
Yes
The old cars on the cosmatron were better, they were smaller, smoother, quieter, and they had a grate floor and there was a fan that blew air up into the car as it passed over. Think it was changed in the late 90s or early 2000s.
But I still really like the cosmatron as it runs now.
Wasn't it an old caterpillar ride system?
@@CanobieCoaster I think so, it only sat 2 across instead of 3. And they used to play a lot of Guns N Roses!🤘
This was my home park growing up, with Hersheypark second.
I've seen squirrels and deer while the pineer train
Me too.
Knoebels pricing is so cheap. The local annual funfair here in my town in Belgium charges €6 (roughly $7) for 2 minutes on a trampoline, while one of the best wooden coasters in the world costs less than half that.
True!
I disagree about the impulse, dude i went on that thing 4 times in one day it was insane. probably the best roller coaster ive ever been on
It's a solid ride but I still prefer several other rides at Knoebels.
at little a-merrick-a the rollo plane rotates sideways
I've never been there, but I'm glad at least one other runs sideways.
One time me and my uncle went to knoebles I think I was like 18 or 19 we rode the flying turns ride and my uncle gets yelled at by the person working the ride for doing that snap method
That can happen depending on the operator.
UPDATE. 2022
Phoenix and Twister both $4.00
Still worth it.
I must've went on a really sucky day
Every visit has been amazing for me.
Hey I think I went there before
It's an amazing park!
Hey how many amusement rides in this park