Knoebels Amusement Resort facts for kids
| Previously known as Knoebels Grove, Knoebels Amusement Park |
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| Location | Elysburg, Pennsylvania, United States |
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| Coordinates | 40°52′44″N 76°30′18″W / 40.879°N 76.505°W |
| Opened | July 4, 1926 (92 years) |
| Owner | Knoebel family |
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| Operating season | April–September (including limited Days in October For Hallo-Fun Nights) |
| Area | 150 Acres |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 63 |
| Roller coasters | 6 (including kiddie coasters) |
| Water rides | 2 |
Knoebels Amusement Resort is a fun, family-owned amusement park in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. It also has a big picnic area and a campground. Knoebels first opened in 1926. It's special because it's America's largest park where you don't have to pay to get in!
The park has over 60 rides. These include three wooden roller coasters and one steel roller coaster. You can also ride a classic 1913 carousel. Don't forget the spooky haunted house ride! The Knoebel family owns and runs the park. They even have a lumber yard right next door.
Knoebels has won many awards for its rides and overall fun. Organizations like Amusement Today and the American Coaster Enthusiasts have praised it. In 2014, Travel Channel called Knoebels one of the Top 10 Family Friendly Amusement Parks in the USA.
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History of Knoebels Amusement Park
Knoebels is in a beautiful, wooded valley in central Pennsylvania. Long ago, in the early 1900s, this valley was called "Peggy's Farm." It was a popular spot for picnics because it had a creek with a swimming hole. Henry Knoebel, who farmed nearby, would help visitors with their horses. He also sold soft drinks, ice cream, and snacks. As "Knoebels Grove" became more popular, Henry started renting out small plots of land for summer cottages. Some of these old cottages are still in the park today!
In 1926, Henry Knoebel added a restaurant and a steam-powered carousel. He also set up a few simple games. This was the start of Knoebels Amusement Park! On July 4, 1926, a large concrete swimming pool opened. It was called "The Crystal Pool." This pool used a special system to keep the water clean. Since then, the park has grown around the pool. It now has over 50 rides, games, and food stands. In 1962, a campground opened with six sites. By 2004, it had grown to 500 sites across 160 acres (65 ha).
Knoebels has faced challenges, like floods from the creeks. On June 22, 1972, Hurricane Agnes caused a big flood. The water rose 6 feet (1.8 m) over the banks. This flood damaged many buildings and 24 out of 25 rides. But the Knoebel family worked hard to rebuild. A new building was built after the flood. It became the famous Haunted Mansion dark ride, which opened in 1973. This ride is known as one of America's best haunted attractions.
The park has flooded several times since then. Each time, the Knoebels team has worked quickly to clean up and reopen. For example, after a big flood in 2006, they reopened most rides within days! This shows how dedicated the Knoebel family is to their park and visitors.
In 2013, Knoebels added StratosFear. This ride is 148 feet (45 m) tall and quickly became a favorite thrill ride. In 2015, a new roller coaster called "Impulse" opened. It replaced some older rides that were not as popular anymore. In 2016, Knoebels celebrated its 90th birthday!
How to Visit Knoebels
Knoebels is unique because it offers free admission, free parking, and free entertainment. You don't pay just to walk in! You can enjoy the park by buying tickets for each ride. Or, you can buy an all-day wristband for unlimited rides. Wristbands are usually available on weekdays and at the start and end of the season.
Knoebels also has special deals. For example, the "Sundown Plan" and "Bargain Nights" offer discounts on ride passes. Some special attractions, like the Haunted Mansion and the Crystal Pool, cost extra. However, popular rides like the "Scenic Skyway," Black Diamond, and the Flying Turns are now included in most all-day passes.
Exciting Rides and Attractions
Knoebels has many different rides for all ages. Let's explore some of the most popular ones!
Roller Coasters at Knoebels
Knoebels has six exciting roller coasters. Two of its wooden roller coasters, Phoenix and Twister, are very famous. Phoenix is often ranked among the top ten wooden roller coasters in the world!
| Ride | Opened | Description | Photo |
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| Phoenix |
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This classic wooden coaster was built in 1947. It was moved to Knoebels in 1985 and rebuilt. It's known for its amazing "air-time" where you feel like you're floating! It often wins awards as one of the best wooden coasters. | |
| Twister |
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A thrilling wooden coaster inspired by a famous 1964 design. It has lots of twists and turns! | |
| Flying Turns |
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This unique wooden bobsled coaster is like a ride from the 1920s. It doesn't have a traditional track! It won an award for "Best New Ride" in 2014. | |
| Kozmo's Kurves |
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A steel roller coaster designed for all ages. It replaced an older popular coaster and offers fun hills and turns. | |
| Black Diamond |
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An indoor steel roller coaster with a dark, mysterious theme. It's named after the history of coal mining in the area. | |
| Impulse |
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A modern steel coaster with a tall first hill and exciting inversions like a cobra roll and a zero-g roll. |
Wonderful Carousels
Knoebels has two carousels. One is a smaller merry-go-round in Kiddieland, built in 1910. The other is the amazing Grand Carousel, built in 1913. It has 63 hand-carved horses! This carousel is one of the largest in the world. It's also one of the few that still has a working ring dispenser. If you grab the brass ring, you win a free ride! The Grand Carousel has won awards as the best carousel since 2007.
Fun Trains
The park has two different miniature trains:
- Old Smokey Train: This train runs on coal and takes you through part of the park. The train cars have been used since 1946!
- Pioneer Train: This train is powered by gasoline and travels through a wooded area. You might even see some local wildlife like squirrels, birds, and deer!
Other Exciting Rides
Knoebels has over 63 rides! Here are some other favorites:
- A huge Ferris wheel called the Giant Wheel, which is 110-foot (34 m) tall.
- A thrilling log flume ride that's 55-foot-high (17 m).
- "Sklooosh!", a water ride that's 50-foot-high (15 m) and makes a big splash!
- The "Whip" ride, a classic from 1915.
- Lusse Auto Scooters, which are classic bumper cars.
- The "Flyer," known as one of the fastest Flying Scooters rides.
- The Haunted Mansion, a spooky 3-minute dark ride that's highly rated.
- The "Cosmotron," an enclosed ride that spins you in the dark.
- A relaxing 14-minute "Scenic Skyride" that takes you up a hillside.
- StratosFear, a 148-foot (45 m) tall drop tower, the tallest ride in the park.
- The Sky Slide, a fun slide that winds around a rocket ship.
- "Giant Flume," a water ride with a big drop.
- "Sklooosh," a modern water ride with a special area where you can get wet without even riding!
- "Super Round-Up," a ride where you stick to the wall as it spins and tilts.
Delicious Food at Knoebels
Knoebels is famous for its amazing food! It has won the Golden Ticket Award for "Best Food" many times since 2000. You can find all kinds of tasty treats here.
The main sit-down restaurant is the Alamo. There are also many counter-service places like Cesari's Pizza and the International Food Court. You can try "Famous Fresh Cut French Fries," pierogi (a mashed potato dumpling), and potato cakes. For something different, try Bison Burgers or Gator Bites! Don't forget the milkshakes and homemade fudge. They also have fun snacks like a pickle on a stick and caramel apple chips.
Knoebels' food has even been featured on the Food Network! The alligator bites were chosen as one of the top daring amusement park foods.
Knoebels Three Ponds Golf Course
Knoebels also has a golf course called Three Ponds Golf Course. It's an 18-hole course with different challenges. Some holes are on a mountain side, and others are in the valley. It's a great place to play golf if you're visiting the park!
Images for kids
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The High Speed Thrill Coaster, which operated until 2008.
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The Jet Star roller coaster, removed in 1992.
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The Whirlwind roller coaster, removed in 2004.
