Knoebels and Hersheypark in one day?
On May 23 (Thursday) I'd like to go to both Knoebels and Hersheypark. I'm thinking of going to Knoebels when they open at 10:00 and staying for no more than two or three hours. (My past experience in May has shown that I can get all the rides I want in that much time.) Then I'll drive to Hersheypark, which is open until 6:00 that day. There will probably be school groups there that day, but I hope that they'll be gone by the late afternoon, although I have no experience on that point.
Does the above sound reasonable? How long does it take to drive from Knoebels to Hersheypark? Without going a considerable distance out of the way, I don't see any all-freeway route between the two parks.
I absolutely love both of these parks, so I would want to spend an entire day at each of them.
I suppose you could do them both in one day, but only if Hershey were open until 10:00 pm. I think you would be pushing it to make it to both if Hershey closes at 6:00 pm when you factor in driving, parking, getting through the front gate, etc.
-----------------
"He's blazin' away like the stars in the universe.." A. Vega + M. Rev "Ghostrider"
Okay, both parks are open 10 to 6 on May 23. As stated, about a 2 hr drive between both (not quite, but when you add in getting parked etc, let’s just call it 2 hrs). Let’s say you stay at Knoebels the 3 hours like you said. That means the following schedule…
10am-1pm at Knoebels
1pm – 3pm on road to Hershey
3pm-6pm at Hersheypark
Experience tells me… Not enough time. Okay, you probably could do Knoebels in 3 hours, so that is okay. However the problem is Hershey. On a Thursday evening in October for Hersheypark in the Dark, my wife and I were there from 5pm to 9pm (open to close on that day). We got in everything we wanted (including multiple re rides on Comet), but the park was very empty (I mean NO waits… even re rides with out leaving your seat), AND all water rides and Midway America (Wildcat, Wild Mouse, Lightning Racer) was not open. Had WC, WM and LR been open, then the 4 hours would have been enough, but re-rides would not have been possible (or at least limited to 1 or maybe two each). Had we encountered crowds (even with the 3 closed coasters), re-rides would have been cut down. Had the entire park been open and had there been even a modest crowd, the 4 hours would probably not have been enough.
You are talking about doing it in 3 hours on a day when you will hit at least modest crowds. Also, keep in mind that my wife and I have been to Hershey many times. We didn’t take much time to stop and look around (though we did hit most of the flat rides that were open… something we don’t normally bother with when it is busy).
Best bet… Plan a two day trip. If you are from out side the area, on day 1, drive to Knoebels (leave late, take your time, as long as you get there by 3pm… better yet, get there earlier and spend more than 3 hours). Then drive to Hershey and check in to where ever you are staying. On day 2, spend the entire day at Hershey park. Personally, I have not stayed from opening (10am) to closing (9 or 10 pm) when I have visited in a long time… however since it is 6pm closing that would not be hard to do. After Hershey closes, then drive back home. IF you are from near by… just make two “1 day” trips.
You do it in 1 day on a day when both parks close at 6pm, you will be rushed. Don’t just do a whirlwind stop at both to simply say “I was there”. Take your time, don’t exhaust yourself with rushing around like crazy. Enjoy yourself. Both of these parks rate more than the “commando raid” type of visit (“go in, accomplish your objective (riding coasters), and get out”).
Note: on the bright side, while there is not "all freeway" route between both these parks, the one main road that runs from Elysburg (Knoebels) to I-81 is a good road and can be travelled at 55mph in most parts (I forget the route number). From while on I-81 the speed limit is 65mph (however, 81 is notorious for construction delays). You can either jump off 81 at Rt.743 or Rt.39. Both these will lead to Hershey and both are good roads.
*** This post was edited by SLFAKE on 3/11/2002. ***
*** This post was edited by SLFAKE on 3/11/2002. ***
Hershey is another story entirely, even if you wanted to do only the coasters it'd likely be impossible in the 3 hour time frame; and again, I think you'd be rushing too much and not getting maximum enjoyment out of the day.
I have to echo the voices of enthusiasts throughout the ages, make some time so you can *enjoy* the time at the parks instead of having to rush around!
-------------
* The Legend @ HW
* Superman: Ride of Steel @ SFNE
* Mondial Top Scan
Doing all of Hershey's coasters in 3 hours is not impossible (I've done it), BUT....
You gotta have just the right conditions. Best situation... go on a Tuesday when it looks like it could rain at any moment. I did that and hit all the coasters (except Trail Blazer), along with flat rides "Flying Falcon" and "Chaos" in around an hour and a half. Keep in mind though that this meant walking directly to Comet and then going from one coaster / ride to the next with out spending any time in between. Could have hit all coasters in that amount of time if I would have skipped Falcon and Chaos.
Believe me, I did not plan on doing this, it just happened that way. Anyway... as stated before (by myself and others), spend the day at both.
These are both top notch parks and you should really not try to do both in one day. I just don't think it would be enjoyable with all the rushing.
-----------------
- Peabody
john peck, jp, just (the) phacts!
Spending a short day at Knoebel's seems to me "against the grain". It really is a great park to RELAX at....
jeremy
--who still has no idea at what point he will get to Knoebels...maybe some random weekday huh I-Fan?
-------------
The word "definitely" is definitely the most misspelled word on the buzz.
-----------------
Wild Thing: 75Laps! Power Tower: 73 Rides. Valleyair Security 2002! 8Years Working at Valleyfair :)!
-------------
Don't.....look.....back! The Headless Horseman awaits you in 2002!
Model coasters and rides
I did them both in one day and on a Sunday. Both parks were not too busy.
Hershey 10-2pm. Including 2 or more rides on all coasters except Sidewinder and Trailblazer as one was enough. Only long lines were for Comet and Trailblazer. Did 2 or 3 other rides as well.
Got to Knoebels at 6pm - we stopped for something to eat and got lost! So you shoulkd be able to do the drive in 2 hours without any stops or delays.
Left Knoebels at 8pm after 1 Twister, 1 Whirlwind, and 4 Phoenix.
Regretted it ever since! Not long enough in Knoebels as the park was so awesome. Hershey is also very good. We didn't rush round either parks, so you probably could do it if you just stick to one ride on each.
-----------------
Coaster Grotto - Save your Top 20 Coasters and Track Online!
Unfortunately, on this trip I only have weekday available when both of these parks are open. Because I went to Knoebels last year, I'll spend the day at Hersheypark.
Thank you all for your recommendations not to do both parks in one day.
You must be logged in to post
