amusement park and carnival rides
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I am a big fan of Merry-Go-Rounds-Carousels-Never went for those bigger "thrill rides"I like the band organ music-the gentle turning and up-down of the horse or other animal you are riding.Also like the band organs that accompnied your ride-a carousel without an organ just doesn't have it!
jasonl
New member
Rides
My fav so far is the Zipper. It looks scary and evil but oh what a fun ride it is. Follow that up with the Tilt-a-whirl. I love merry-go-rounds that have a real band organ.
I'm a coaster fan. My fav coaster is the Phoenix at Knoebels.
My fav so far is the Zipper. It looks scary and evil but oh what a fun ride it is. Follow that up with the Tilt-a-whirl. I love merry-go-rounds that have a real band organ.
I'm a coaster fan. My fav coaster is the Phoenix at Knoebels.
And here....
We have an old woodie at Lake Compounce, right down the street from ESPN.
We have an old woodie at Lake Compounce, right down the street from ESPN.
jasonl
New member
And you have Boulderdash. I never had the chance to get to it but I hear it's one awesome right, esp at night.
Versatronic
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Knoebels
I was at Knoebels this past Sunday and took a picture of the Phoenix. I'll try to post the picture this evening.
I was at Knoebels this past Sunday and took a picture of the Phoenix. I'll try to post the picture this evening.
jasonl
New member
YAY!
Knoebels is the happiest place on Earth.
Knoebels is the happiest place on Earth.
mint46
Member
double Yay!
For Knoebels and The Phoenix!! By the way, Jason, are you planning on making a trip to Knoebels this year? It would be great to meet you and your beautiful bride! I'm only about 45 minutes north of Elysburg. You can email me if you want to talk about it, as I would love to meet the two of you.
Christie
For Knoebels and The Phoenix!! By the way, Jason, are you planning on making a trip to Knoebels this year? It would be great to meet you and your beautiful bride! I'm only about 45 minutes north of Elysburg. You can email me if you want to talk about it, as I would love to meet the two of you.
Christie
jasonl
New member
Not this year
We won't make it this year to Knoebels but definitely maybe opening day next year.
We won't make it this year to Knoebels but definitely maybe opening day next year.
Versatronic
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The Phoenix
Every year I make a pilgrimage to Knoebels Grove. This past Sunday was the latest in the year that I ever made the pilgrimage. I actually had other plans, but then the day was predicted to be one of the best days of the year so I spontaneously changed plans and went.
I brought my digital camera along and decided ahead of time to photograph every single classic ride in the place for posterity. But a funny thing happened. It was so relaxing and enjoyable that I just didn’t want to be bothered with taking photographs and soon forgot about it altogether.
This place is a living museum of classic amusement rides and most of the classic rides are documented with the history of the ride, who made it in what year, what defunct park it might have originally operated in before coming to Knoebels, etc. This family owned business really respects and preserves the history of these classic rides. This year, they opened a free carousel museum in the park. The Knoebel brothers have collected various Merry-Go-Round animals from all over the world. It was amazing and every animal, from horses to elephants to roosters where all documented to the extent that they could be. It was wonderful.
The Phoenix roller coaster is considered by ACE (Association of Coaster Enthusiasts) to be one of the top five roller coasters in America. This coaster was original at a park in Texas and when the park shut down, the Knoebel brothers bought it, had it dismantled and shipped to PA and then reconstructed it to its original specs. They renamed it The Phoenix because of the coaster’s rebirth.
This is only one of two pictures that I took and it turned out very dark for some reason.
Every year I make a pilgrimage to Knoebels Grove. This past Sunday was the latest in the year that I ever made the pilgrimage. I actually had other plans, but then the day was predicted to be one of the best days of the year so I spontaneously changed plans and went.
I brought my digital camera along and decided ahead of time to photograph every single classic ride in the place for posterity. But a funny thing happened. It was so relaxing and enjoyable that I just didn’t want to be bothered with taking photographs and soon forgot about it altogether.
This place is a living museum of classic amusement rides and most of the classic rides are documented with the history of the ride, who made it in what year, what defunct park it might have originally operated in before coming to Knoebels, etc. This family owned business really respects and preserves the history of these classic rides. This year, they opened a free carousel museum in the park. The Knoebel brothers have collected various Merry-Go-Round animals from all over the world. It was amazing and every animal, from horses to elephants to roosters where all documented to the extent that they could be. It was wonderful.
The Phoenix roller coaster is considered by ACE (Association of Coaster Enthusiasts) to be one of the top five roller coasters in America. This coaster was original at a park in Texas and when the park shut down, the Knoebel brothers bought it, had it dismantled and shipped to PA and then reconstructed it to its original specs. They renamed it The Phoenix because of the coaster’s rebirth.
This is only one of two pictures that I took and it turned out very dark for some reason.
Versatronic
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Wurlitzer “organ”
While you are in the area of the Phoenix, an ancient Wurlitzer “organ” plays in the background. I have organ in quotes because there is brass, percussion. It sounds like a full band. And if you walk by it a dozen times in a day, you never hear the same song twice.
You can see on the left that the history and restoration of the organ is documented.
While you are in the area of the Phoenix, an ancient Wurlitzer “organ” plays in the background. I have organ in quotes because there is brass, percussion. It sounds like a full band. And if you walk by it a dozen times in a day, you never hear the same song twice.
You can see on the left that the history and restoration of the organ is documented.
Versatronic
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In a time warp
A few more comments…
Just about every single classic ride that you can name is operating there. The Tilt-A-Whirl, Tea Cups, The Whipper. You name it. Supposedly they have the best bumper cars in the United States.
The place is cheap cheap cheap. No cost to park. No admission charge. Ride tickets are very reasonable. Food is plentiful and cheap. On Sunday, there were three of us, we ate like pigs all day, rode all the rides we wanted to, all for around 50 bucks total. And no long waits for food or to ride.
Finally, the place never changes. Yeah, they may add a new ride or swap out a non-classic ride for another one, but basically, it is no different than the first time I went there as a young child. And that’s why I love it so much.
A few more comments…
Just about every single classic ride that you can name is operating there. The Tilt-A-Whirl, Tea Cups, The Whipper. You name it. Supposedly they have the best bumper cars in the United States.
The place is cheap cheap cheap. No cost to park. No admission charge. Ride tickets are very reasonable. Food is plentiful and cheap. On Sunday, there were three of us, we ate like pigs all day, rode all the rides we wanted to, all for around 50 bucks total. And no long waits for food or to ride.
Finally, the place never changes. Yeah, they may add a new ride or swap out a non-classic ride for another one, but basically, it is no different than the first time I went there as a young child. And that’s why I love it so much.
jasonl
New member
YES THEY DO!
Knoebels has 1950s Scooters. Big heavy metal beasts that you can really bang people around in. The Phoenix IS the NUMBER ONE coaster EVER in my opinion. Knoebels is working collection of antique amusement rides. Kinda like a wash-in, you get to experience the machines as well as look. Also, their haunted house rocks! It's the happiest place on earth and I'm going back next year.
They're missing ONE ride, the Zipper.
Knoebels has 1950s Scooters. Big heavy metal beasts that you can really bang people around in. The Phoenix IS the NUMBER ONE coaster EVER in my opinion. Knoebels is working collection of antique amusement rides. Kinda like a wash-in, you get to experience the machines as well as look. Also, their haunted house rocks! It's the happiest place on earth and I'm going back next year.
They're missing ONE ride, the Zipper.
Versatronic
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Rolling Green Park
When I was growing up, there was an amusement park called Rolling Green Park within walking distance from my house and I spent a lot of time there. The only reason I bring this up is because they had a ride called The Devil's Den that was scary as hell. When the park shut down (a very sad day) Knoebel's bought the ride and incorporated it into their Haunted House. So when I ride the Haunted House, I always think that there's still a connection to the old Rolling Green.
When I was growing up, there was an amusement park called Rolling Green Park within walking distance from my house and I spent a lot of time there. The only reason I bring this up is because they had a ride called The Devil's Den that was scary as hell. When the park shut down (a very sad day) Knoebel's bought the ride and incorporated it into their Haunted House. So when I ride the Haunted House, I always think that there's still a connection to the old Rolling Green.
jasonl
New member
Which part of the haunted house is it? I know the whole ride by heart now.
mint46
Member
Vers......
please don't say it's the blinding lights and blaring horn part! *dies everytime we get to that part*
I'm curious about which part it is in as well, I am so in love with that haunted house. And back to the original topic...I really liked the Wave Jammer at the Santa Cruz boardwalk, but since I am so far away now, the local ride of choice would be the merry mixer. The tilt a whirl used to be my favorite but those long spin cycles really unnerve me these days!
please don't say it's the blinding lights and blaring horn part! *dies everytime we get to that part*
I'm curious about which part it is in as well, I am so in love with that haunted house. And back to the original topic...I really liked the Wave Jammer at the Santa Cruz boardwalk, but since I am so far away now, the local ride of choice would be the merry mixer. The tilt a whirl used to be my favorite but those long spin cycles really unnerve me these days!
Versatronic
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Not much left now
Well, I'm sure you've noticed that the Haunted House changes slightly from year to year. I noticed changes again this year. At this point, they've pretty much eliminated everything that used to be part of the Devils' Den. I believe there is still a Devil manniquin that is from the original Devil's Den and I believe the cars and the track were from the original devil's den. No, the blaring horn was never part of the Devil's Den.
The original devil's den took you up initially and you made the tour and then in the middle you hit a pitch black door that opened and then you were outside going straight down and then back up and into the building. It was like a little roller coaster dip. You knew it was going to happen but you never knew when it was going to happen and it scared you every time.
Well, I'm sure you've noticed that the Haunted House changes slightly from year to year. I noticed changes again this year. At this point, they've pretty much eliminated everything that used to be part of the Devils' Den. I believe there is still a Devil manniquin that is from the original Devil's Den and I believe the cars and the track were from the original devil's den. No, the blaring horn was never part of the Devil's Den.
The original devil's den took you up initially and you made the tour and then in the middle you hit a pitch black door that opened and then you were outside going straight down and then back up and into the building. It was like a little roller coaster dip. You knew it was going to happen but you never knew when it was going to happen and it scared you every time.
I like just about anything, but especially roller coasters, haunted houses, and traditional ferris wheels. And while everyone will doubtless roll their eyes (I even roll my eyes on this one) I really like the "Small World" ride at Disneyland.
