Knoebels Coaster 2004????

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Knoebelsboy said:
I am a Knoebels employee.

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What department are you? I am a ride operator. And yes you are correct about the rumors. I have heard them all this year including they have bought 15 rides. I have an idea what they are doing for next year, but I can't confirm it at this time.

Can someday show me a link of those proposed layouts you were talking about?

I work in the ride department.

There is plenty of trackwork that is scheduled for Twister (especially the second helix), but for a variety of reasons, not much of it could be done over the winter.

Lado, Knoebels is constantly buying and selling old rides...its an easy way to turn a quick profit.

The big news, though, is that all 3 of the Whirlwind's fans will be very sad after this season. The two leading rumors for its replacment are a wild mouse or a junior woody....wild mouse seems most likely.

...The Whirlwind's doom has been predicted for years, but this is beyond the rumor mill, and is quite possibly the worst-kept secret in the history of Knoebels....I wouldnt be surprised if Dick made an announcement at PPP...I know its not a hillside coaster, but its definatly a step in the right direction!

Well, being a ride supervisor, I think the only people that really know what is going on is Dick, Buddy, their family or someone close to them in maintence...I have also heard the wirlwind is in its final season, which I hope :-), but I have also heard of all those other rumors from regular park employees. I dont go asking higher ups too many questions, cause I am sure they dont want anything floating around too soon and its only June. I have heard of "layouts" from a higher source, but I dint ask too many questions about it, yet. I would keep an ear out for PPP, that is my best guest to when they will say something, esp. something big. Course, if I do hear something before that, I dont know if I will say it since I should keep those things low key, course its no fun if its a total secreat. :-)

Btw-Even know by law they have to have a stop button for the skyway at both turnarounds, doesn't it seem odd they have a slow button up there too, which they dont need to have...

ahh about the skyway, if you will recall the first season before the camera was installed at the top of the turnaround, there was at one time an operator who sat at the top of the hill, although it doesn't seem as though there should be a slow down button at the top of the hill, keep in mind that this ride wasn't designed specifically for this park, and that it was purchased as an old sky lift lol, one could assume that the button may have been for that purpose. The real question should be is the slow down button even hooked up.

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Im a Grover said:
The two leading rumors for its replacment are a wild mouse or a junior woody....wild mouse seems most likely.

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Well, you know, those two rumors don't even have to be contradictory, by any means...

--Greg, who has a very strong opinion on what he'd LIKE to see at Knoebel's, but of course realizes he has no actual say in the matter...

It would be really disappointing if we don't get the mountain woodie next year, but if Whirlwind gets removed instead i'm all for it :).

If a mouse would take its place, I hope it would be a Maurer Spinning Coaster 3000, ever since I saw Spider at Lagoon, I have wanted to ride one!

While I will admit that I enjoy Wild "Mice", I think there should be a limit to how many each state is allowed to have. ;) Just consider for a minute how many Wild Mouse coasters PA actually has. I'm not sure we really need another, unless GregLeg's theory (dream?) comes true. :)

Wow, now that I think of it, we do have a lot of Wild Mice here. Lets see...

Hershey Mouse

Dorney Mouse

Exterminator

DelGrosso's Crazy Mouse

New Waldameer Mouse

Lakemont Mad Mouse

6 Wild Mouse coasters in PA. I think I got them all. You are right though, it is either Wooden Mouse, Maurer Spinning Coaster, or nothing.

With steel prices so high right now, I'd like to see a wooden mouse built. It makes more sense to me from the standpoint that they own their own lumber company. But I don't know what the parks future plans actually are. I'd still like to see the Flying Turns rumor be realized.

Wood Coaster Fan Club

Until recently, I had never even known that wooden wild mice existed. Are there still any around, and can they give the kind of ride the the general public would be able to appreciate?

I'd be fine with Knoebels getting rid of Whirlwind for a spinning wild mouse, or any wild mouse. I agree with the people that said about a wooden wild mouse. That would be pretty cool, but I doubt that would happen. If any park would do it it would probably be Knoebels.

The rumor I heard is the Whirlwind is leaving along with the parking lot by the Phoenix and the small lot behind the Whirlwind.

In that area there is plenty of room for a nice sized woody but are those 2 houses in the way for it?

I just hope they go with GCI. The Millinneum Flyers can out preform any other rolling stock out there for articulation. Knoebels needs a crazy twister like Thunderhead or the Ozark Wildcat. You can't get the quick turns and any other way.

Like Greg said a wooden mouse would be an awsome ride as well. The only problem is the rolling stock considering one hasn't been built in a loooooong time. Who would build the trains?

Hey Coasterpunk, Those MF trains with just 2 cars would track really well on a wooden mouse! What do you think? ;)

I'd love to see a GCI at Knoebels. It would fit in well with their collection.

I would be willing to say that a GCI would fit in well with anything if that meant there would be more. :-)

The Millennium Flyers can do tight turns but not as tight as a mouse car. I'm sure Mike an Jeff could design Mouse cars if they wanted to. I guess it depends on if a park would want one.

I just think it would probably be somthing GCII wouldn't get into considering there isn't much of a demand for wooden mice.

I think Knoebels could probably build the entire ride trains and all in house, look what they did with the Rocket Slide years ago, and Twister. *** Edited 6/14/2004 9:23:54 PM UTC by coasterpunk***

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coasterpunk said:

I just think it would probably wouldn't be somthing GCII wouldn't get into considering there isn't much of a demand for wooden mice.

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I think it would sure be nice if you would rephrase that wouldn't you think??

Thanks. Thats what happens when I change what I'm saying and don't proof read.

I wouldn't mind Whirlwind going much, but it was my first looper and I would miss its presence. Its not that bad IMHO, but I hope something noteworthy goes in it's place, like a new woody or spinning mouse. I was wondering about those parking lots lol and when they were going, so much space I never really realized it! Course, I could dream of one of my new favorite types of coasters, Impulses, since there are none in PA and it would fit in its spot, but, Im not too sure its much of a possibility..
btw, Im glad to see some knoebels connections here to keep us posted!