Knoebel's, August 2026

Made a quick stop at Knoebel's because it was on the way (for reals!) Just walked the grounds and took a few coaster rides before getting back on the road.

Phoenix: If I ranked coasters, I might move this to #1. As I don't attempt to do an exact ranking, it goes among the contenders for the top spot. So. Much. Air.

Twister: Super-fun, but not in the top group. Just enough bone-shaking in the helix. I was amused to see a teenager whose girlfriend was assuring him it would be fine; by the time they were in the helix his hands were in the air.

That Phoenix had a 20-minute line while Twister had none is not wrong exactly, but still a little odd. Of course, Twister is out of the way. But I also think its size intimidates some of the Knoebel's crowd, whereas Phoenix is the wilder ride.

Impulse: First time on this one, mostly out of curiosity. Fun, but running one 8-person car I calculated capacity of about 160 per hour. Everything I saw was running one train.

Skipped the Flying Turns because of the line. Proof that I am not a credit whore is that I skipped Kozmo's Kurves as well. From the ground it looks like a neck-snapper.

There were three or four guys working on, or at least looking at, the Bayern Kurve, which is still just a circle of track. I think I could have gotten that thing up and running by now, including watching YouTube videos to figure out the wiring.

As always, the place exuded Charm(TM). Busier than I would have guessed on a Monday, but it is peak vacation time in these parts. Quite a few rides were not operating, but the coasters were all abundantly staffed (despite 1-train operations). I opted for Perkins in Danville instead of park food, but I will note that if Knoebel's can sell a burger for $4.95, Six Flags could surely manage it.

There's nothing wrong with not ranking coasters. That being said, I have no problem telling people that Phoenix is my favorite coaster of all time, and if I could only ride 1 coaster for the rest of my life.... (taking proximity out of the equation of course)

Even at PPP, the holiest of holidays, Phoenix will have a 20 minute wait and Twister will go out with open seats sometimes.

I did a Knoebel’s pit stop for the first time ever on the way from Hersheypark in early August. Phoenix is the “Best Wooden Coaster”? Hell, it’s not even the best wooden coaster in the PARK. Twister blew me away. I was daydreaming about that thing for a week afterward.

But, now I have a definitive answer when asked “What’s the most overrated coaster you’ve ridden?” It’s Phoenix. Definitely Phoenix. Don’t get me wrong it was a really fun coaster but it didn’t knock my socks off.

Phoenix is great, but I love Twister so much.