Back in June threats of heavy rain caused a bunch of my coworkers to forego our planned trip to Knoebels. Ten of us decided to brave the forecast, which you may have read about in “Knoebels – What’s a Little Rain & Lighting?” For those who didn’t go, they were bummed, especially hearing how we still wound up having an amazing trip, rain and all.
Feeling bad for them, I agreed to go back for a second time if they still wanted to go. Luckily for me they did. I love Knoebels and the thought of heading back again so soon was one I liked. Until these two trips I have never been to Knoebels twice in two months before.
Greg Goes for 2 New Credits
Although I do not work with Greg, I had invited him to the trip back in June. He also decided not to go due to the threat of heavy rain. He said he would find time to go another day. With us going back for a second time, I mentioned it to him and he cleared his schedule to come along. I was glad to have him coming along. He loved this park when we visited a few years ago.
During Greg’s lone visit to Knoebels Flying Turns was closed and Impulse was running just one train with limited seating due to the pandemic. He didn’t get a chance to ride either. On this trip he was able to add Impulse to his credit listing, but for now Flying Turns still eludes him.
“All the more reason to come back to Knoebels,” Greg said walking back to the car.
Nevertheless, we still managed to ride the park’s other coasters and a good number of flat rides. Here are a few of the highlights followed by the final ride counts:
Twister
After visiting in June I was eager to ride Twister again. June’s group loved the ride and for those who were at the park for the first time, most preferred Twister to Phoenix. I was excited to ride Twister after the recent re-tracking after hearing how good it was riding this year. It lived up to and even surpassed what I expected. Twister has been smoothed out quite a bit. It was never rough to begin with, but those helixes are butter smooth now.
Riding this coaster again in July, I found the same to be true. Twister has only gotten better and I totally understand why there are those who have it as their favorite coaster in the park. Knoebels has two great woodies topping off their ride collection. And speaking of woodies…
Phoenix
Regardless of how well Twister is running, there is no way you can visit Knoebels and not ride it’s signature attraction – Phoenix. For many, this coaster is their all-time favorite wooden coaster, not just at Knoebels, but in any park. While that is not true for me, I still love getting in as many rides as I can on this feisty coaster.
One of my favorite things with Phoenix is riding it with friends for their first time. Some are surprised about the buzz bars, but think the ride must be pretty tame due to it not having seat belts or standard lap bars. That’s when the fun ensues. Just like in June I got to watch a few coworkers come off the ride in total disbelief on how much airtime they had throughout. I’ve heard it so many times at this point in my life, but it always makes my day to see that response coming back into the station and walking down the exit ramps.
Black Diamond
Early on in the day a few of us went over to Black Diamond. Our groups were split up at that point with some of my coworkers electing to head over to the pool for a few hours. They also managed to ride a few flats and a coaster or two before meeting back up. With only an hour or so left I was trying to make sure everyone was able to ride all the coasters. When I mentioned Black Diamond, everyone who wasn’t in my group earlier looked at me like I had two heads. This has been the case on several visits to Knoebels now.
I feel like Black Diamond’s placement and appearance doesn’t lend itself well to newbies realizing there is a coaster/dark ride inside the black building. Luckily I was able to make sure this group got to experience the ride. Back in 2019, during another workplace trip with over 70 people attending, I was unable to do so. Many learned about it days later when talking about the trip at work.
I’m not sure if there is something the park can do to draw a little more attention to Black Diamond or what is inside the building, but I know from experience that the ride is often overlooked by non-enthusiast types.
Final Ride Counts
Black Diamond (2)
Downdraft (1)
Flying Turns (1)
Gasoline Alley (1)
Giant Flume (1)
Haunted Mansion (1)
Impulse (1)
Phoenix (2)
Pioneer Train (1)
Sklooosh (1)
Twister (1)
More & More First-Timers
Between these two workplace trips, the one in 2019, and my countless other visits to Knoebels, I have now introduced over 100 people to this park. Living in the Baltimore region, some people have heard of the park but have never went. For others, they were unaware of its existence. One thing holds true for all of them now, however. They all love it.
Some of my coworkers are talking about going back again this year with their friends and family. I love to see it, especially for a park like Knoebels. Every visit to this park has been full of memories and is always a relaxing, casual day with people I care about. If you live anywhere in this region, or are passing through for a coaster/park tour, be sure to include it in your plans. I can’t say enough positive things about Knoebels. Until next time when I take even more first-timers to the park…
Knoebels Photo Gallery - July 14, 2023
If you would like to use any of the images in the gallery above for your commercial and/or non-commercial projects, feel free to do so. I ask that you credit We Were Inverted whenever they’re used. I also ask that you do not alter the image or remove the watermarks. If you need any images/video resized or without the watermarks, please contact me directly.
CREW MANIFEST
The following flight crew members attended this park, & earned the respective credits below:
Patrick
CAG
New Credit(s): n/a
Greg
Admiral
New Credit(s): Impulse
