Hey Huskies! The cold off-season was long, but rest assured, Knoebels’ 99th opening came out swinging. Even with on-and-off weather, it felt great to be back – and I wasn’t the only one! For this edition, I’ll be talking about my own *personal* experience.
First, the park had an abundance of friendly workers. Energy was high, smiles were plentiful, and *wow*, that free parking! Knoebels may have some flaws, but they have their parking organization down pat. Even with the spotty weather, operations were smooth. Twister was averaging a fantastic dispatch rate, kudos to the ride team!
The second most prominent thing I noticed – the prices. As a college student with a shoestring budget in a rocky economy, I was ecstatic to see Knoebels kept their prices (affectionately) dirt cheap! After seeing the minimum prices of Epic Universe and even Hershey this season, my wallet was crying, and Knoebels offered a *much-needed* reprieve. In total, I spent only about $40 – including a birthday splurge on a cool visor (so much cooler than you could imagine, I assure you). If you’re not looking for a full-day Knoebels extravaganza, check their website and promotional offers for Sun-Down Specials and Bargain Nights.
Regarding food: They earned that Golden Ticket Award for best theme park food. Let me humbly recommend the apple cider slushie, their handcrafted fudge and my partner’s personal favorite: the goliath s’mores frappe (pictured). If you’re not into rides but are just looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Commons, Knoebels is just a few minutes away.
Nowhere is perfect, Knoebels included, so I won’t skimp on the drawbacks here on opening day. One – the long-awaited and years-overdue Bayern Kurve sits *still* unoperated. The park has stated that the refurbishment is still in process, but enthusiasts will have to endure another season of that tarped-over teaser. A few signature attractions were also having trouble running consistently, such as Flying Turns, but whether that was due to the weather or maintenance remains unknown.
One last detail I hope you all notice next time you make the trek out there – the park has an extremely respectful relationship with its wildlife. Take time to say hello to the swan near Twister that elegantly preens itself all day, the normally timid breeds of squirrels that will eat right out of your palm and the occasional cat crossing your path. I had the pleasure of meeting a member of the Knoebels family recently, and their utter love for the wildlife and creatures that cohabitate was a joy to witness. Check out the little critters when you go!
I hope you all enjoyed this semester’s (few) editions of Kickin’ it at Knoebels. Even if you can’t check out the park, know that writing this column has been a pleasure and hopefully shared an occasional slice of one of my favorite places in the world.
