Knoebels Amusement Park: Tradition of Summer
Summer looms on the horizon! I don’t know about you and yours, but my family started the tradition of visiting Knoebels each summer many years ago. While the old amusement park doesn’t carry quite the same kind of fun it did for me as a kid, I still consider it an ample amount of true family enjoyment. So! Without further ado, my own personal reasons for continuously attending and enjoying Knoebels Amusement Park.
Shade
What? Is it uncool and lame for my introductory vote-for-Knoebels to be shade? Think about it, though! I’ve been to enough parks where some good old protection from the sun wasn’t available, and it is hard. As a kid, I don’t think it occurs to you as much. You’re running around, you don’t pay attention, and lots of rides have some kind of covering, anyway. But, as you get older and start to be the audience of young children on rides (or just become less fond of sunburn), shade becomes a requirement for a good time. Knoebels beautifully works itself into the woods, leaving many trees standing to provide a sense of freshness and save attendees from a sense of redness.
Truly for All Ages (and Types of Riders)
Knoebels’ variety of rides makes for broad appeal. Some people don’t like spinny rides. Others (like me) don’t like high-thrill rides. Some people just want a leisurely train ride. Knoebels checks off a fun variety that’s good for everyone, including within the children bracket. Truly, generic kiddie rides can only go so far. Knoebels doesn’t just have kiddie rides, it has rides for all different ages of kiddies. Toddlers, six-year-olds, ten-year-olds all have an assortment of activities to choose from, and the areas are surrounded by seating for parents to relax while their kids go around in circles a dozen times. Which brings me to my next point…
Benches
Time to name names! Last time I went to Dorney Park (I admit, it’s been years), I couldn’t believe the utter lack of places to sit down! No good reason exists to not host a fleet of benches. Benches mean well-rested attendees, which means they stay longer, which means they go on more rides. They’re also less miserable about it. Even Hershey Park didn’t allow for much two-minute rest spots. Knoebels at least seems to understand this concept. Benches for in-between rides and for watching your little ones on theirs. It’s one of those simple concepts that flits away more than it ought. I am unapologetically fond of benches.
Unique Knoebels Food
Honestly, for as many times as I’ve gone to Knoebels, I still haven’t sampled enough of the food. It seems like there’s just always another place to try. Places hide around every turn, and finally I truly look at a building that’s been there for years and realize it’s a food stand. Knoebels provides your standard burgers and hot dogs, but also slips into the ethnic foods of the region with potato pancakes and pierogies. Needless to say, there’s also lots of ice cream to discover. The Alamo’s peanut butter ripple ice cream (pictured) is my sister’s favorite ice cream. Ever. Personally, I still mourn the loss of Totem Treats no longer providing frips, but will settle for their mozzarella on a stick. Preferences, Knoebels still manages decent prices for their food. They also manage good prices for other things, or no price at all, such as with their…
Free Parking and Admission
A trait such as this doesn’t need a paragraph description, it speaks for itself. But, just because it doesn’t require a paragraph description, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be acknowledged. Free parking and admission is really, really nice. I’m not sure that anyone would, but if you wanted to just stroll through Knoebels, you could. To me, this is such a huge perk for parents or adults who just want to take their kids and not have to spend money on themselves. Nobody wants to spend nearly twenty dollars to guide youths from ride to ride in the hot sun with no shade and no place to sit. Bracelets are a great option for kids to not have to deal with a ticket system, and then adults can either participate as they choose or just hang out. Regardless, free parking and admission deserves admiration.
Knoebels Uses Tickets
My sisters and I don’t partake in rides as much as we used to. A generation of new youths bring with them the desire for us to sit and watch them, enjoying their enjoyment. However, we still like some rides every now and then. My two older sisters like to ride the Phoenix just once. This being the case, it’s great to be able to buy a book of tickets we can split amongst ourselves. Everyone is happy and it’s been accomplished thriftily. As I said before, little kids dealing with tickets can be a bother, so that’s where the good ol’ bracelet comes in handy (or for the power-riders who go on many rides, and the expensive ones, like roller coasters). Not to mention that if you don’t use them all in one day, you can take them home and use them at a later date.
Classic Knoebels Atmosphere
Knoebels feels like an old carnival in a forest. The lights, the sounds, the smells; sometimes it feels like stepping back in time fifty years ago. It’s a feel that I’ve always enjoyed, and I continue to enjoy it. Aside from all the logical reasons to enjoy Knoebels, it will always hold a sentimental and nostalgic value for me, no matter what. However, it’s still something I’ve looked forward to every year, and I look forward to it again this year.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little write-up on my favorite amusement park, and I hope to see you at Knoebels this summer!
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