I go to Kennywood every year but never been to either of these parks.They both look good on the coaster shows,but which one is the secondary park to go to after Kennywood?
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Long live the Phantom!
Idlewild is much closer than Knoebel's, I believe about a 45 minute drive. Knoebel's is at least 4 hours or so from Kennywood, possibly even further. While I have not been to Knoebel's yet, I have visited Idlewild and find it to be an exceptional park. The landscaping is gorgeous and the park's location is definitely "away from it all". Idlewild is home to 2 coasters- a steel wild mouse from Vekoma and the junior classic woodie Rollo Coaster. There are some decent flat rides including a Whip, Paratrooper, a rare Traver Caterpillar, and my personal favorite, the TriStar. This Huss ride is like a cross between the Troika and an Enterprise. A rare find that's a lot of fun. The kids will love the children's rides, the Jumpin' Jungle play area, Storybook Forest outdoor walk-thru, and Mister Rogers Neighborhood, a real trolley ride past the characters from the PBS TV show. And, you can have Potato Patch fries here too! Idlewild comes highly recommended and won't cost you an arm and a leg.
Sincerely, Jackie Gaughan
Idewild isn't a scream park or thrill park .I have been to Idewild many, many times. They have a water park which is called the H2o Zone, they have a classic wooden coaster called the Rollo-Coaster, and a wild mouse called the Wild Mouse, and other rides also. Most of these rides are pretty old. Kennywood also owns Idewild too.
Idlewild is also budget friendly. It is less than $20 for a ride/slide all day. There are $3 off coupons at various hotels in the area. The new additions to the waterpark are incredible, as they are renamed 'Soak Zone'. The giant pool that was built in the 1920's fits right in. WARNING: water comes from melting snow in the mountains. Could be cold early in the day.
I have never been to Knoebels, but that is also a spectacular park. If you want a little of everything, hit Idlewild. If you want some big rides, then go to Knoebels. They have the edge, along with some rides that have operated at Morey's Piers, Kennywood, and Idora.
Idlewild has the edge in games and waterpark attractions, along with a western themed section that fits in great with the big old trees.
If you are going to Kennywood consider Lakemont Park in Altoona. A very economical small park with 2 woodies, a mouse, a toboggan, and a kiddie coaster. We stopped there on the way back from Kennywood last year. Planned to spend an hour and spent 6.
You hardly even mentioned the $6.95 ride/slide all day pass. And an adjacent baseball stadium. Plenty of free parking. Good pizza. Classic games. Great old waterslides. Bumper boats included.
I visited Idlewild for the first time last season and loved it. I live 20 minutes from Knoebels as well.
Knoebels is still my favorite park with Kennywood and Hershey coming in just behind.
Knoebels has gravel lined paths the same as Idlewild and the same basic settings with streams and lots of big trees.
Knoebels has two great woodies both make many top 10 lists. Twister is a recreation of the ledgendary Mr Twister from the old Elitch Gardens in Denver. 33 crossover on it makes it a real Twister. The Phoenix is still one of my favorite out and back woodies thats an airtime monster in seat #3. They also have a double corkscrew coaster, The Whirlwind and the High Speed Thrill Coaster the kiddie coaster that delivers like a full size coaster.
Knoebels has a good selection of flat rides as well. Whip, Roll O Plane, Swing Ship, Log Flume, 2 seperate Train rides, Italian Trapeze, Paratroopers and a few other basics.
Then they have 3 ledgendary flat rides in the enthusiast community.
The Scooters great old Lusse cars that hit with a thud unlike the new models made today. They are rated the best bumper cars in America.
The Haunted Mansion also a very highly rated dark ride.
The Flyers these are still the best run Flying Scooters I was ever on. Can be very scary and exciting depending how agressive of a flyer you are. My favorite ride in the park.
Food is also very reasonable in price and is quite good. You can get just about anything you want to eat at Knoebels from the typical burgers and fries to tacos to pasta.
A RAD (ride all day) pass will cost you $26 with the wood coaster option or you can buy tickes and PPR (pay per ride). Most rides are between $0.70 and $1.20. The Phoenix is $1.50 and Twister is $2.00
They also have 3 museums at Knoebels.
The Carousel Museum has several dozen carved horses and animals from numerous carousels and the history of each.
The Anthercite Coal Mining Museum show the history of coal mining in the area.
New in 2001 is the Knoebels Museum I didn't see it yet but It will show the past 75 year history of Knoebels.
Knoebels is also only an hour and a half from Dorney and Hershey so it could be a great 3 or 4 day park trip. Especially if you are going to the ACE Coaster Con this summer.
Knoebels is about 4 hours from Kennywood. From Ohio I'd take I-80 thru PA. It's about 20 minutes from the interstate.
I can't say anything bad about Idlewild or Knoebels. I'm prety sure if you like one you will like the other park.
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We came, We saw, We rode, We went home! :)
