Anyone going to Knoebels this year?

[T. Lynn]

We still take our yearly trip to Knoebels and I'm getting excited that it's a new year. I still have so long to wait since we don't go till early August.

I keep thinking about it since we got our new (used) camper last year. We had so much fun and it was so great, much better than our pop-up.

It's really bad when your waiting for your yearly reservation to arrive so you can pay it awhile. I love getting it in the mail, paying it and knowing everything is set. Pretty sick, huh?

 

[Papa Deuce]

We go EVERY year. We have a camping trip planned for this summer for several days, maybe a week. We will go there at least twice. The place we are staying is 25 minutes away.

 

[Pixiedust34]

We went a couple of years ago. It's a fun family park!

 

[luv2nascar]

We usually go every year but I missed it last year. We don't camp just go for the day. My kids went wiht their grandparents though. Can't wait till summer.

 

[Otto's Doll]

We may be going to meet family (from Ohio) there this summer. Where is there to stay close by? Do they have cabins to rent? How much are the rides now, and are there pay one price deals? Thanks in advance! Also... are there water rides? We went years ago when the kids were really little, but are looking forward to going now that they are older (they will be 12 and 14 when we go.)

 

[T. Lynn]

There are 2 campgrounds if your into camping. One is right across from the park and the other is Lake Glory which is just a couple of minutes away. I know that Knoebels has cabins to rent but not sure of the cost (can't find my camping brochure). We camp right at Knoebels. I love hearing the action from our campsite, but the rides do close down around 10:00 pm. We're also only 6 roads back from the park so we can walk over to eat, get snacks, shop around, etc...I just LOVE it. We've been going since my daughter was 2 and she'll be 7 in a couple of weeks. I refuse to loose my campsite so I always make hubby aware not to plan anything during our normal week. He knows that I'll go with or without him.

Keep in mind that it may be hard to get reservations. The people camping there the previous year get first dibs. When we first got in, we had to wait for a cancellation and people don't normally cancel until 1-2 weeks before hand. Then when we checkout, they ask if you want the same site for the same dates next year. Once your in, your in...

The big pool is $5.50 adults & $3.50 children. There are 3 waterslides (?) and you can ride all day for $6.50 (which we do) or .80 per ride.

There are different ride packets. Here are the prices as of last year.

Ride all day:
Basic $27.00 Basic & Coasters $33,50
Under 48": Basic $18.00 Basic & Coaster $ 22.50

Sundown Plan (begins at 5:00 pm)
Basic $15.50 Basic & Coasters $20.00
Under 48": Basic $11.00 Basic & Coasters $13.50

Bargain Night (every Wed & Fri starting at 6:00)
$7.00 per person $6.00 under 48" tall
* doesn't include coasters, water rides and a few others

OR per ride (great if you have small kids who tucker out easy). Price depends on the ride.

Since we go from Wed-Sun, we always did the bargain night when my daughter was little. Once she was tall enough for the coasters, we do the Sundown Plan two nights. During the day we either go to the pool, mini golf, walk over to eat/shop, visit the coal mine or do things at the campground. I love doing the rides during the evening. It gets cooler, no sun beating on you, everything is lit up, cheaper and it's still plenty of time to do it all. The lines are minimum and that's the great part. My daughter & her friend rode the phoenix ride 6 times back to back with about a 2 minute wait.

Oh, and the Alamo Restaurant at the park is a must. We eat there a couple of times during our stay. The pizza place is also great.

I'd recommend visiting www.knoebels.com but the website is undergoing some changes. Just bookmark it for later.

 

[Otto's Doll]

Thanks for your great reply! I will check out the website from time to time to see when it comes back online. I am not sure when we will be going yet. I think my family (in Ohio) will be camping, but we are really more "hotel" people, to be honest

 

[Pooh67_68]

Nothing wrong with that.
We are hotel people also, no camping for us.

I have been to Knoebels 3 times in my 39 years and once was too many times. I think it's great for people with children, but I don't do any type of thrill/water rides and there aren't many rides to begin with.

we are really more "hotel" people, to be honest

 

[GraysMom]

I've been going several times a summer since I was born (almost 34 years ago ) plus I worked there during summer breaks in college and I love it. I used to go more for the rides, but now I go to EAT ! Fresh cut french fries (next to the Alamo Restaurant), Cesari's Pizza, popcorn, fudge, ice cream waffles, etc. We took DS (almost 2) for the first time last summer and then again in the fall and he loved it (unfortunately that meant he cried when we moved on to another ride, but what can you do). It is a very shady park with picnic tables (free under the pine trees) and pavillions you can reserve and bring your own food or have it catered by the park (BBQ chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, etc). A lot of the local companies hold their annual picnics there. It is definitely geared towards families. There are a couple of B&B's in the area if you don't like camping. As far as hotels, there aren't any until you get almost into Bloomsburg or Danville. I believe the website lists area lodging. There is also a red deer farm that you can visit (I believe it's actually called The Red Deer Farm?) and pet the deer-it's probably only 10 min away at most. If you're planning on camping and not eating in the park much, I would try and bring most of your food with you. Catawissa has a VERY small grocery store (about the size of two convinience stores) and one pizza place. Elysburg has a McDonalds and I think a sub shop. Let me know if you have any questions, I'd be glad to help.

Tip: Please tell your kids not to put their money in their shoes . It's really gross to have someone hand you sweaty sock money.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Sounds like a lot of FUN! However PA is a little too far away for TX.

 

[ElleBelle]

We go every year. It's about 2 hours north of where we are... we usually leave early, spend the day, and come home late. No camping for me... I'm a "deluxe resort" kinda girl . Although it's pretty much in "hicks-ville" PA (and some of the people you encounter there go along with that name...) the park is WONDERFUL. Food is great, rides are fun- love the brass-ring carousel- and Haunted House, everything is just so quaint and woodsy!
Also... if you ever get the chance, stop along the way in Centralia, PA and take a look at the ghost town that is left due to the underground mine fires. VERY intriguing, and can be dangerous so don't wander too far from your car!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Although it's pretty much in "hicks-ville" PA (and some of the people you encounter there go along with that name...) the park is WONDERFUL!

Ok...we have Branson Missouri here in the Midwest. Instead of "hicks" they are referred to as "Hillbilly's".

We rent cabin's with friends and we drag our boats to TableRock Lake.
There are cheap hotels, B&B's,camping, and every hotel under the sun there, all the way to super deluxe....

 

[T. Lynn]

It's about 2 hours North of where I live as well. I consider myself living in Hicksville now but Knoebels is definately more "out there". Friends were meeting us there one year and she was wondering if we gave her the right directions. Once she arrived, they (her & her teen daughter) loved it. Their normally deluxe people as well but now they go camping twice a year with us and really starting to like it.

 

[KarenB]

We live about 45 minutes away and we go at least once a summer. Our DSs high school band plays there once a summer. It is a great little park. I love that silly little train that goes through the woods.

Karen

 

[T. Lynn]

That's our favorite train ride. We ride it late at night, usually right before closing. It's spooky going back into the woods when it's pitch black out.

 

[Nanu57v]

We used to go every year when my FIL had a company picnic thing there. They moved it though, so we didn't get our free Knoebels' tickets anymore. We took DD there last year, and she liked it. I really want to go to Dorney Park though...haven't been there in 10 years.

 

[T. Lynn]

Just to let everyone know, their website it back up and running. The sundown plan prices only went up by .50 cents. Now that the rates are up, I can get my budget ready for our trip.

 

[hentob]

We go every year and stay here::

http://www.roaringcreekcottage.com/index.html


It is a 2 minute walk to the park. Infact, we can see and hear Old Smokey the train from the patio

The cottage is wonderful!

 

[stevenpensacola]

We LOVE Knoebels....just wish it were a little closer....

I remember reading a review of Knoebels which read "Disney may make magic, but Knobels IS magic."

Such a laid back atmosphere....where you can tell the folks who run the place are not just in it for the money....free parking....free admission....great food at the right price and the Phabulous Phoenix....simple rides for the kids which are so simple yet so much fun.

I have such great memories of our trip there: watching the kids on the little hand-cranked train/car thing.....watching them ride the Frog Hopper again and again and again...so many times that the elderly lady running the ride started calling them by their names.....all of us sliding down the rocket slide-such a simple "ride" yet everyone who slides down the slide has a huge grin on their face....

While Phyling on the Phoenix, one of the little screws came out of my glasses, I went to First Aid to see if they might have a kit to fix them. This guy comes over, I tell him my problem...he reaches under the counter and pulls out a cardboard box full of "lost and found" glasses. He then proceeds to find a screw and fix my glasses....when I got my glasses back on I was able to read his nametag....Rick Knoebel (who I think is the head guy in charge of the park now). Try that at Disney...

I WANT TO GO NOW!!!

Some of the other classic amusement parks we've visited are Miracle Strip Amusement Park (now closed), Lake Winnie, Indiana Beach, Holiday World and Hershey Park (went there before we went to Knoebels). Love the old parks.

 

[T. Lynn]

I remember that thread about Disney makes Magic but Knoebels IS Magic.

Glad I'm not the only one that enjoys this park. I know some people want more rides and such, but it's such a laid back atmosphere and you get a chance to do everything and even more than once. Their always adding to the park as well.

August in Knoebels...here we come!