Well, there’s nothing like connecting with the infamous Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour to rekindle the flame of love for anthracite coal. It’s REALLY neato. And cold and clammy down there. But hell, it’s neat.
Yes. Wildwood. A blast. Prepare to eat all manner of ungodly foods.
Seaside Heights- meh.
I grew up in Philly and must say, for kids at those ages, NOTHING will beat The Franklin Institute. Nice day or foul, a great place to go. Check the schedules in advance, the Planetarium shows are breathtaking. AND you get to sit down for a little bit !
Do not go to Pat’s or Gino’s for a cheesesteak. Ignore those who guide you to these shallow foul pits of imitation.
Head instead to Jim’s Steaks at 4th & South St. Ain’t nothin’ finer !!
MMmmmmmm… Jim’s…
ETA: The drive time is very considerable from Center City Philly to the Poconos. Ditto heading down the shore. If you only have a few days, I’d suggest the city and the shore OR the city and the mountains. A neat trick to hit all three areas in just a few days…
Old-timey I will give you; that’s part of what makes it unique. But run down is almost fighting words. Despite being heavily wooded and some gravel, it may be close to the cleanest park in PA and possibly the best maintained; rarely are any of the rides “down” except for weather (no one wants to ride or work Skloosh when its cold and the leaves are falling). And besides the classic Phoenix coaster and the unique Flying Turns, it will now have the very modern Impulse coaster.
POV animation
Phoenix POV
Twister POV
Flying Turns POVAnd really, the best ride in the park, even if Jack doesn’t run it anymore
Old-timey I will give you; that’s part of what makes it unique. But run down is almost fighting words. Despite being heavily wooded and some gravel, it may be close to the cleanest park in PA and possibly the best maintained; rarely are any of the rides “down” except for weather (no one wants to ride or work Skloosh when its cold and the leaves are falling). And besides the classic Phoenix coaster and the unique Flying Turns, it will now have the very modern Impulse coaster.
POV animation
Phoenix POV
Twister POV
Flying Turns POVAnd really, the best ride in the park, even if Jack doesn’t run it anymore
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Jesus Christ people are touchy here.
My point is, IF the OP is from outside the area, drive times being equal, MAYBE the novelty of patronizing Hershey Park and enjoying some of the history of chocolate production and side tours as well as what is obviously a superior amusement park to some one step above a traveling carnival permanent attraction site will enhance the OPs visit a little more.
ASSUMING Lavender Blue is from outside the area, lets compare the following:
SCENARIO ONE: Photo of LB with frightened kids on creepy Roto-Jets ride, which will be coming to their area anyway at a local Fire Company carnival.
SCENARIO TWO: LB with kids holding up customized Hershey Bars with their names engraved on them, ready to head over to the multiple well constructed and engineered rides at Hershey Park.
Im not trying to run down Knoebells, and as a matter of fact, not afraid to take on any pussy that says that saying it is run down are “fighting words”, Im just saying if you are a tourist there are so many better choices in the area than visiting a antiquated carnie park thats all.
I’ve been to Kennywood. I’ve been to Hershey. And I’ve been to Knoebels. And my personal listing of those parks is Knoebels first, then Kennywood, then Hershey. Kennywood (and Idlewild, depending on the kids’ ages) is obviously probably off the table for being too far a drive from the Poconos. (I’m always amazed how long it takes to get from one side of Pennsylvania to the other.) Hell, I’ve also been to Bland’s Park (or whatever they’re calling it these days) and Lakemont–both in the Altoona area, for people who’ve never heard of them. Personally, the only reason to go to Bland’s is because it’s free to get in and if you have children. The only reason to go to Lakemont is if you’re a coaster enthusiast to ride Leap-the-Dips (although the Skyliner is a pretty good ride.) So I think I should have a little cred when it comes to Pennsylvania amusement parks.
Knoebels is much more affordable. Based on the time Lavender Blue is thinking of, it’s something like $225 just to walk in the door at Hershey, plus $15 for parking. Yes, there are ways to cut that down (or at least wrap a meal into that price), but you have to plan ahead for those.
Does Knoebels have as many rides? No, but what they have is good (and some are unique). Phoenix is a great ride and historically interesting due to its move from Texas. The Twister is a custom-build off plans of a similar coaster at Elitch in Denver. I’m not a big fan of Black Diamond personally, but it’s a good ride. You won’t find another ride like Flying Turns anywhere in the US. (Look, I realize it’s a bobsled design, but I’ve ridden both the Alpine Bobsled at Great Escape and the Avalanche at King’s Dominion.) The Avalanche is close, but it’s still a wood vs steel design. And the Impulse should be a good ride once it’s up and running (which it should be by the time the family is visiting.)
The kiddie section looks good (only ever been there as a childless adult). The carousel is fun and basically unique with the ring machine. The Haunted Mansion is an award-winning dark ride. If the girls want to do some swimming they could do that at Knoebels as well. Everything is clean, well-maintained, priced very fairly, and generally it’s a pleasant place to be.
Look, there’s nothing wrong with Hershey. And Lavender Blue’s family wouldn’t go wrong with going to Hershey. But what I, and several other posters, have suggested is that they get off the beaten path a little and go somewhere a little different.
I’d be happy to meet you just about any day; just not at Hershey. You seem fairly interesting but that place just isn’t. Been there several times, done that, and got the t-shirt from our last ACE event there - which is about the only way you can get my ass in the place. Big discount, ERT, and a super meal the general public can’t buy. If I’m going coaster-park, I’ll pass it by on the way to Dorney or Six New Jersey. You can be a fan of Hershey and pack it all you want, no issue. But as many parks as I’ve hit the last 20 years or so, it is way overpriced for what you get and one of the least appealing ones in this region.
As for anything else
Fighting ignorance even in its most blissful forms.
I hate to admit this but we usually spend about 35-40 days a year in amusement parks and usually try for at least 15 to 18 different parks; at least three new to us parks every year. It’s our hobby. This summer we’re just nuts enough that half of us are heading to England to ride coasters and visit parks. We don’t really smoke or drink much and don’t gamble - although the smoking, drinking and gambling would probably be cheaper. Amusement parks are just our thing. In other words, one thing I do know better than most Dopers is amusement parks; especially in the Eastern US
I’ll go along with asterion with maybe one small correction/clarification; don’t think of Knoebels as small. It’s no Waldameer or DelGrosso’s by a long shot. It is a fair sized serious park; figure around 60 rides or maybe a little bigger. About a three way fairly even split between thrill, kid and family. That’s not too shabby for some place about an hours drive from any kind of population center.
Hershey? Beats no park at all and its far from the worse place I ever visited. But everyone goes there at some point in their life earning it the nickname of “Disney - the PA version”. You get into the Pocs you’re already off the path - may as well stay off it. Give you something different to tell your friends about.
It’s REALLY neato. And cold and clammy down there. But hell, it’s neat.