Knoebels Amusement Park

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

We are headed up there next week. Has anyone ever been?
It looks fun enough for the kids. Any tips?

 

[Cindy B]

We went there a few years and camped out. It was a fun place. It was a pretty family friendly park, but there were a lot of smokers, and if I remember correctly, people were walking thier dogs throughout the park.

The park had two plans, a one price plan, and a pay as you go plan. We did the pay as you go plan, but if we return we would probably do the pay one price plan.

The coasters are fun. Phoenix is a fun coaster which has been revitalized from a former park. Twister is great as well.

Its a nice park, fun park. Its in the middle of nowhere. You literally drive and there is an amusement park in the middle of the trees.

Be sure to check out neighboring Centralia. Centralia is a town which has had a fire burning under it for a long time (30 years maybe?). ITs sort of a "modern" ghost town. Last time I checked there were still some residents in the town, but most it looks like the the whole town up and left.

There are some neat websites about Centralia.

 

[figment95]

We go to Knoebel's almost every year. I think the pay one price plan is only for certain days. (weekdays only during the summer??) There are always lots of dogs but the kids think that's really cool. There are lots of trees so the park stays very cool and you can take a picnic lunch, although I highly recommend the apple knepp with ice cream. Yum! It's a great park for young kids or poeple who don't ride lots of thrill rides and just want to walk around. The Phoenix is a great wooden coaster but it's not like the more modern coasters. My kids love to pan for gold. If you have kids, check it out.

 

[Pooh67_68]

How old are your children? Kids seem to like it enough. I went once and that was enough for me, I prefer Dorney or Hershey.
(That is, when I can't get to Disney )

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

The kids are 3, 5, and 7. We are staying at SplitRockrResort and do not want to go to Hershey. I thought Knoebles would be a nice little day trip.

 

[lrmillen]

We are headed up there next week. My family has been camping there for the past 15 years during the first week in August. We always have the same spot by Washington D.C. (the streets and camping plots are all named for states). We love it. It's not crowded like other parks so you don't have to wait in line and you only pay if you want to ride the rides at the amusement park - that's great because my grandparents like to just watch the kids. They have music shows in a pavilion and a kids' participation show at another. There also is the coal mining museum. We always eat at the Alamo restaurant one night, everyone always orders the chicken and waffles. The pool is also AWESOME. It has high dives, slides and fountains in the regular part, then they have a baby wading pool and a brand new kid's pool section with neat water structures that shoot water and stuff. The pool also has a large rope net and playground with ball pit. I really recommend spending time at Knobels (if you can't tell).

 

[disneysnowflake]

I live a couple of hours from Knoebels. It's a nice place. We try to go there once a year. It's not big, but it's nice for a day trip.

 

[laurajetter]

I used to work as a cashier at Weis markets during high school and college. Every September they had a Weis family picnic for employees at Knoebels. Weis gave everyone free lunch and unlimited ride tickets (you use tickets for each ride as you go, sort of like at a carnival). A previous poster was correct in saying it seems like it's in the middle of nowhere; I think the surroundings are beautiful!! Compared to other parks like Hersheypark or Busch Gardens, Knoebels is smaller and very quaint. It has a sort of old-fashioned feel to it, which is really nice. The merry-go-round is the kind where if you sit on a horse on the outer edge, you can reach your hand out and try to grab the metal rings as you go by (at least that is how it was a few years ago).

Check out www.knoebels.com for more information. Taken from their website: "Knoebels has no fence, no gate, and no main entrance. You can spend all day at the park for free with no charge for admission, parking, shows, or the picnic facilities. Choose to pay per ride with tickets or buy an all day ride pass Monday thru Friday."

The very first time I went I thought, "This isn't going to be nearly as good a park as others I've been to." However, I found the change from typical parks refreshing, it wasn't as crowded and I really enjoyed the old-fashioned feel. I haven't been there in years (ever since I stopped working at Weis) but I really do miss it...now I really want to go back!

Have fun!

-Laura

 

[MICKEY88]

I was just there last Friday, and plan on going back at least one more time, possibly 2 if the dismeet actually happens there... it's a great park....as lrmillen stated the place for dinner is definitely the Alamo, we also get the chicken and waffles...it's a family tradition...LOL

they have 2 bald eagles on exhibit back behind the international food court, unfortunately they were injured and are unable to fly, so rather than leeaving them to perish in the wild, they built an exhibit and made an educational thing out of it.

here's a link to pictures I took of the eagles...
Eagles

 

[HollyJoy]

I saw this place on t.v. not too long ago. Looks like a really nice park, and is rated one of the best in the country! Have a great time!

 

[kpgclark]

For children that age you might want to consider Dutch Wonderland.

 

[palmtreegirl]

I live right near Split Rock and Knobels is pretty far, 1 1/2- 2 hours away. Not sure if you'd feel it was worth the trip out there though. There are so many fun things to do right here in the Poconos here are some-

Do you like water parks? Because Camelbeach water park is not far at all and it's really nice & clean. Here's the link- http://www.camelbeach.com

Be sure to check out Hickory Run State Park and go see Boulder Field, it's so cool! It's a large boulder field that was created at the edge of a glacier 20,000 years ago, it's so much fun to go there and climb on them, the kids will love it and you'll get some great pics there. Just ask for directions to the park at Split Rock, it's about 20 minutes away or so.

The town of Jim Thorpe isn't far away and it's a neat little town nestled in the valley. There's a train ride for kids and many little shops. Oh and they're holding the 2nd annual Family Fun day on August 7th, it's being held at Penns Peak-
http://www.pennspeak.com/familyfun/schedule.html

Bushkill Falls is really pretty and makes a great day trip!http://www.visitbushkillfalls.com/

If you like to shop check out The Crossings outlets, American Candle both are off 611 and Pocono candle and many other little shops located along route 209.

If you still want a bigger amusement park and don't mind driving for the same distance as Knobels you can travel to Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA. http://www.sesameplace.com

Or there's Dorney park(which is a only about 30 minutes away) which also has a water park, admission to both is one price and it's lots of fun, tons of kiddie and family rides mixed throughout the park. http://www.dorneypark.com


Hope that helps you out!

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

www.knoebels.com

We love Knoebels and try to go every year. For families on a budget it's great because you can buy tickets to pay as you go. Unused tickets never expire so you can save them for a future visit. Knoebels offers an all day wristband for almost all attractions, but it's not available on weekends.

This past Memorial Day we bought one book of tickets for DD13 - I forget if it was $5 or $10. DH and I had little interest in rides at the time (we were picnicking in on of the pavilions) so She had them most of the day before running out. We bought another book just before leaving for the day. Most of the book is intact and we plan to use it on our next visit - DIS meet with Webmaster Barry on 8/13.

Don't expect state-of-the-art facilities. It's a quaint old park, reminiscent of a traveling fair that has been permanently established.

 

[Octoberbride03]

I have not been to Knoebels since i was at college in Bloomsburg. Boy do i miss that park. It really is a nice place. Worth the drive from Split Rock i say. I've been to Split Rock many times as a child.

But the park is really very nice, there are some nice kiddie rides there, and things they'll love. Its like an old time picnic ground really with rides. I'd just love to go back up there. Webmaster Barry has had me tinking about it since earlier this summer. Won't make the meet on the 13th but i might get up there in 05. Depending on what the year brings.

Have a great time. And try the birch beer. Last time i was there it was blue. I imagine it still is.

 

[sherry]

Hello, From August 2 - 8, the Mahoney Brothers will be there. Their website is Mahoneybros.com, they imitate juke box heroes, theBeatles, and some country singers. I highly recommend their show, I will be traveling up on the 7th to see them. I first saw them at Hersheypark and now consider myself a "groupie". Have a great vacation.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

If you go, I don't recommend wearing sandels. It is not paved, all gravel. The gravel tends to kick up a bit and your feet will be filthy.
And as another poster stated, a lot of smoking going on. So watch the kiddies. Wouldn't want them to be accidentally burned.

We used to go several times a year but not anymore. We turned into WdW snobs.

The food is pretty good. Get an ice cream sandwich from the ice cream stand near the front of the park. They are fresh made to order.

I second palmtreegirl's advice. Hickory Run State Park, the town of Jim Thorpe, and Bushkill Falls are all very nice little excursions.
Jim Thorpe also has a haunted jail tour.
Have fun!

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Thanks. Lots of great replies.

Plamtreegirl, thank you for all the links. Camelbeach is now on our agenda. But now I am torn between Knoebles and Dorney. For some reason I thought Knoebles was alot closer to Splitrock.

Also any thoughts on the resort ?

 

[Octoberbride03]

I have no advice on the resort. Its been updated and expanded a bit since i was last there.

As far as being torn between Dorney and Knoebels i can help with that. Dorney is more expensive, more crowded, and the rides are not nearly as good as Knoebels. You ride for a shorter time(save for rollercoasters and you're kids are probably not tall enough for most of those) And last time i was there, the Little kiddie area(Snoopy?) cost extra money. Don't know if they've changed that yet. Knoebels is WORTH the drive. If i still lived in Philly, I'd gladly make the 3+ hour trip. The old time amusement parks really are the best, and Knoebels is definitely 1 of them.

Go to Knoebels.

 

[lrmillen]

For the ages you are taking...definitely knoebels, even with the drive. I live very close to dorney, but the lines are horrible! The price is expensive (food too) and there is little shade to rest if needed. knoebels is the opposite of all that and better for kids. JMO.

 

[stevenpensacola]

WE LOVE KNOEBELS!!!

We left sunny FLORIDA and went to Knoebels for vacation. Actually we went to Williamsburg, then to the PA Dutch country,
Hershey Park, and then Knoebels.

I read a review of Knoebels which said that "Disney makes magic, but Knoebels IS magic!"

Knoebels is so opposite of Disney is so many ways. parking is free!!! entrance is free!!! Food is very reasonably priced and is very good. The people who work there really seem to like what they're doing. Our kids must have done the Frog Hopper 20 times in a row....there was the nicest old granny running the ride who was so sweet to the kids.

If you've got little kids, make sure they ride/drive the little arm powered trains. Also, we all loved the twirly slide shaped like the rocket. We met another great ride attendant here....he was actually mentally handicapped, but was able to very capably oversee the operation of the slide. Just thinking about this place makes me smile.

I lost one of the little screws out of my eyeglasses, and I went to the park office/first aid to see if they could help me. I went to the counter and explained to a gentleman my predicament, so he reached under the counter and pulled out a box of 'found' glasses, from which he found a screw and put my glasses back together. When I got my glasses back on, I noticed the nametag of the man....his last name was Knoebel, I believe his first name was Rick, he was the manager of the park his grandfather founded! Try that at Six Flags.

If you like coasters, DO NOT miss the Phoenix and Twister. We must have road the Phoenix 20 times with no more than a one train wait. Wish I was there now. Let us know how your trip goes.

We've grown to love these smaller, traditional family parks such as Lake Winnie, Indiana Beach, Holiday World, Knoebels.