Going to Knoebel's This Weekend!

So I'm really excited because, for my birthday, my boyfriend is taking me to my happiest place on Earth: Knoebel's!

Now, it's been a few years since I've been, so I just want to check on a few things for those who have gone recently:

1. How are the lines for Flying Turns and Black Diamond?

2. I'm anticipating long lines for Impluse. Does anyone know how fast the loading seems to be?

3. Any newer flats that I should really check out?

Thanks all! It's supposed to rain a bit on Friday, so I'm hoping for some really stellar rides on my main squeeze, Phoenix. :-D

<<1. How are the lines for Flying Turns and Black Diamond?>>

Mostly straight, and wandering through a few switchbacks. If they spill on to the midway, they tend to have more of a curve to them, but in general, they're lines.

Black Diamond doesn't seem to get lines too long anymore, I also recommend hitting it later in the day as the lines tend to die down.

Flying Turns gets a pretty long line, but if they are running 3 trains it is only about 30 minutes to the entrance.

Impulse line moves pretty fast, but there is a not very well advertised single rider line. Ask the attendant at the front. That will get you on in a few minutes if it is open.

Other rides to check out: The Flyers, The Looper, Fandango, The Bumper Cars, Frontier Train. They also added a wipe-out next to the Phoenix up front.

Black Diamond has surprisingly good capacity, and even a longer line moves well. Turns takes longer to load/unload, so the line moves slower. Recommend getting there early or late if you're not interested in waiting.

Haven't been since Impulse opened.

New flats? Screw those...LOL. Flying Skooters, Lusse Skooters, Grand Carousel, Crazy Dazy, Pioneer Train, Spiral Slide....rinse and repeat as needed for whatever in the world might be ailing you...

Fandango is "newish" - and fun. But I could spend a day doing the aforementioned six flats and not have a single regret.

Best bumper cars and carousel I've ever had the pleasure of riding.

Thanks everyone!

I'm going there also.

1. Expect to wait the longest for Flying Turns. Black Diamond shouldn't be too bad, but crowds can be unpredictable. Lines weren't too bad when I was there on Fourth of July weekend.
2. A park employee said Impulse had a 75 minute wait time. I made use of the single rider line and got on in 5 minutes. They were actually loading the entire second row with single riders when I was there, which I'm sure made the regular line painfully slow.
3. Knoebel's isn't exactly known for having the flashiest new rides. As Gator mentioned above, there are a number of rare older flats that shouldn't be missed.

Unless I missed it...no love for...or even a mention of...Haunted Mansion?

There's a rare Merry Mixer and you just may fall deeply in love with 1001 Nachts.

When i went in early june on a tuesday there was no line for impulse or black diamond. Make sure you check out their new drop tower Stratosfear. It's a good idea to get there really early so your not parking across the road, and go right to flying turns first. Flying turns does not run in the rain.

Mike Gallagher said:

Unless I missed it...no love for...or even a mention of...Haunted Mansion?

...an oversight that will....haunt me...for many PPPs to come. As many "traditional" dark rides as I've been on (lots and lots) - none are better maintained than Knoebels.

The only ones I prefer (Disney being an exception for budgetary reasons).....were the old "Haunted Hotel" two-story jobs. The two that come to mind immediately were at Miracle Strip and Erieview, but I want to say there was one at Myrtle as well...

Yes, there was a two story Haunted Hotel at Pavilion. It wasn't my favorite, though, as I recall it was kind of slow and instead of gags that surprise or startle it was more scene based. Fun enough, though.

There's a park I miss a lot. It was so unique compared to the gated theme parks that dominate nowadays- more like a permanent carnival that came alive once evening fell. It was the perfect ending to a day in the sun. Needless to say, once it was gone Myrtle changed permanently for me and I no longer have much desire to go there.

I still count Knoebel's dark ride as one of the best ever- I jump every time I ride it. A far cry from the big guys at Disney and the like, but it's a classic and a definite must-do.

Mike Gallagher said:

Unless I missed it...no love for...or even a mention of...Haunted Mansion?

I have ALL of love for Haunted Mansion! Making the bf experience it for the first time with me. :-)

Knoebel's Haunted Mansion is the only dark ride that startles me multiple times with every ride I take. The designers knew what to do to get the jump gags timed just right. The light comes on, the gag initiates, the light goes off while the gag is still moving quickly towards you. That's one example. I know what's coming, but I still jump, and then laugh.

It's my favorite.

I rode the Haunted Hotel at Myrtle Beach's Pavillion. I recall it to be very fun, but slow, like RCMAC said.

When I went to Knoebels on Memorial Day weekend, I had to wait about 45 minutes to ride Flying Turns. The line for Impulse looked somewhat daunting but like Mr. Six I was able to get on quickly through the single rider lane. I didn't even know that there was a single rider lane, not having gotten that far, but a park employee noticed me standing in the regular queue, saw that I was alone and escorted me to the single rider queue. It seems that they were actively recruiting single riders to fill in seats. There was no wait whatsoever to get on Phoenix and Twister.

Thanks for the single rider tip. We waited the full line once, to get our picture taken, since there were 8 of us, then for re-rides we just utilized the single rider line, and it was a walk on.

The black diamond still is too dark, I know it is supposed to be a coal mine, but a lot of the amazing detail that went into it is lost, in my opinion because of the way it is lit. The timing is off on a lot of the stunts, and they aren't backlit well like on the Haunted Mansion. I still have a sentimental attachment to it, since the Golden Nugget was the first coaster I ever went on, with my Grandfather (RIP) when it was in Wildwood.