Knoebels + Hersheypark + Funplex + Clementon: My Jerseylicious CoasterCon XXXVIII Trip Report - Part I

 
Hello :}


Welcome to My Jerseylicious Coaster Con XXXVIII Trip Report! 

It's Thrillography's very first trip to New Jersey, New York City, and Long Island! I'm so excited to share my first time to this exciting region with you! :}

Due to the proximity of New Jersey to Eastern Pennsylvania, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to visit two of the country's most remarkable amusement parks while we were in the area: Knoebels and Hersheypark! After our little Pennsylvania detour, it'll be a full week of New Jersey followed by a culmination in New York! 

You ready for dispatch?? Let's roll!

If Knoebels isn't the single-greatest place to start U.S. coaster trip, I don't know where is.

Everyone say hello to Michael and Ray! You may remember them both from previous Thrillography adventures; you'll be seeing them a lot the next few updates. ;}

So much has changed since our visit in 2013! Flying Turns and Impulse are open, and unlike our previous visit, Phoenix isn't recovering from a lightning strike! That's three new credits here at Knoebels today! :D

First coaster of the trip: Flying Turns!

Being one of the slower and more finicky rides at Knoebels, Flying Turns was an obvious choice to take care of early.

After a half-hour delay (the wheels were having a hard time warming up!), it was finally time to take flight!

Well, after a few more sandbag test runs, actually. 

Woohoo! Front seat!

And thanks for the photo, Ray!

What a cool ride!

Photo also by Ray. :}

And now it's Ray's turn!

We all agreed that Flying Turns is a pretty remarkable little ride. As a big fan of bobsled style coasters, I would have to say that Flying Turns is the favorite by far; the smoothness, slaloming action, and directional changes are beyond compare. From a design standpoint Flying Turns is nothing short of a masterpiece, and from a wooden coaster standpoint it is nothing short of a national treasure! 

Speaking of national treasures, it's time to move on to the next order of business! It's Phoenix!

I am so happy to finally get my first Phoenix ride! ^_^

The million dollar question: would it live up to the hype?

Well duh. It is Phoenix, after all!

After one ride it was clear why this is a favorite of even the most well-traveled enthusiasts. Smooth as butter, bountiful airtime, perfect trains. It is the wood coaster portrait of excellence!

I was already a fan of Knoebels, but between Phoenix and Flying Turns, my love for the park ascended to stratospheric new heights! I might actually spontaneously combust from sheer joy at any moment. 

National Treasure #3: The Philadelphia Toboggan Company dark coaster hybrid from the Jersey Shore, Black Diamond!

Let's talk about another flawless wooden coaster gem. I fell in love with Black Diamond back in 2013, and it's just as awesome as I remember. The ride's pacing and dark ride elements continue to impress!

And have you ever seen a cuter set of standard-sized rolling stock??

No. The answer is no. 

When gliding upon the astronomical euphoria of Knoebels' wooden treasures, a stroll around the park keeps your Knoebels Kontact High on the up and up!

Glorious exhibitions of splendor await around every corner at Knoebels, whether it be the Lost Logger curio stand,

or a vintage kiddie ride that runs like new!

If Knoebels does it, you can expect it to be done with heart and finesse.

and with an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality. 

For example: while a typical corporate park would look at this spiral slide and think "liability deathtrap machine," Knoebels sees a piece of amusement park history worth preserving.

And absolutely no qualms are made if you want to slide down holding a margarita, apparently. Which is exactly what I did. Did I mention Knoebels has great margaritas? Virgin, of course, but who needs booze when you've got that Knoebels Kontact High? ;}

We haven't forgotten about you, Impulse!

Before we can turn our full attention to you, we have one more little order of business!

Michael needs his Kozmo's Kurves credit!

And since I already had my credit, I elected to document the event rather than ride. :}

While the High Speed Thrill Coaster is missed, Kozmo's Kurves carries on the legacy of a tiny coaster that really delivers!

Alright Impulse, now it's your turn!

While Impulse may seem all-too-conventional for a place as quirky as Knoebels, the ride's execution is just what you'd expect from the park.

Impulse, a custom Zierer vertical drop / looping coaster, is Knoebel's interpretation of concept made popular by companies like Gerstlauer and Intamin. Its only kindred are the custom Zierer flagship coasters at Lagoon in Utah, which, like Impulse, were designed with particularly heavy influence from the park.

Weeeeeeeeee!!! :D

Each of Knoebels' coaster projects were executed with the park's key decision makers at the helm, and Impulse is no exception. It's obvious where the park's ideals lie (family-friendliness, charm, quirkiness, curb appeal), and Impulse fits the bill for each one. For example: take a close look at the ride's station, should you find yourself at Knoebels – it's decorated with neon lighting in the shape of the ride's heart monitor-inspired logo! 

(Normally I'd be able to provide you with some visual aid for this sort of thing, but wouldn't you know it, I totally failed at getting a picture of Impulses station apparently. Just use your imagination) :}

Like Wicked and Cannibal and Lagoon, Impulse's trains are among the most comfortable and accommodating in the industry. They feature ergonomic lap restraints and booster inserts for guests between 48 and 52 inches.

And, like its Gerstlauer Euro Fighter contemporaries, Impulse provides a fast-paced series of elements and a smooth ride.

While extremely space-effective, the ride doesn't skimp on elements. The zero-g roll through the loop is a nice touch. :}

If you're a fan of Knoebels, you may be thinking to yourself "aren't they forgetting something??"

We haven't forgotten you, Twister!

With two lift hills, an S-shaped station, and a sequence of elements inspired by the lost Mr. Twister in Denver, Twister might just be the quirkiest Knoebels coaster of all!

At the mere age of 16, Twister manages to feel like a ripe-old classic thanks to all of Knoebels' traditional touches.

Having a vintage Herschell kiddie train beneath the superstructure helps!

Thank goodness for Knoebels! There's no helix anywhere like the one on Twister!

PARTY!!!!!!!!!! :D

And then there's Knoebels' crown jewel of flat rides, the Flyers! We'll be back for a few flights later!

Something that escaped my notice on my last visit is this mini golf course, which is totes adorbs. 

Time for some amazing Knoebels food!

New York stlye pizza and Knoebels' White Birch Beer! It can't be beat!

Still another irresistible Knoebels classic! The Haunted House!

Don't forget to buy your Haunted House ticket beforehand!

How do you like your children prepared? I prefer medium-well. ;}

And THEN there's Knoebels' outstanding log flume! All Knoebels does is WIN!

WOOOOOO!

Knoebels-esque quirks on the log flume include a rather lengthy tunnel on the forest floor, a splash basin reminiscent of the park's signature swimming hole, and a very shoot-the-chutes-like plunge finale! 

The turnaround at the top of the main lift is pretty much the flume's only elevated portion. For a moment, you're right up with the birds!

Right before the wetness! 

Listen, we better go ahead and ride Phoenix again while we're in the area. :}

I tried to take a picture of the amazing Phoenix model, but what I mostly ended up with is a picture of myself in the reflection. lol :}

Phoenix is among the most decorated roller coasters in history. This year it has a brand new sign to add to its collection: 30 years at Knoebels!!

I'm fairly certain the tracks are lathered with margarine. How else could Phoenix possibly be so fast and smooth?! :}

For a park that wins at everything, you can expect only the best souvenir selection!  Favorites include cassettes, VHS's, Christmas ornaments, slider pens, patches, pins, and keychains!!

Have you ever seen such an amazing Christmas ornament before in your life?!!?

No. The answer is no. :}

Ok! Flyer time! As you might expect, there was much snapping to be had. :}

Flying Turns and StratosFear provide a great backdrop for flying!

WOOOOO! FLYERS! 

WOOOOOO! FASCINATION!

WOOOOOO! I WON A ROUND WITH A DIAGONAL LINE AND GOT 5 COUPONS! COULD THIS DAY POSSIBLY GET ANY MORE MOMENTOUS???

YES! YES IT CAN! RASPBERRY VANILLA SOFT SERVE IN A PRETZEL CONE!

*dies*

…

THE AUTO SKOOTERS!!!

*dies again*

Knoebels is just everything. They have, like, twenty signature rides. 

I mean, I don't even like bumper cars, but I will stand in line for the Skooters at Knoebels. 

So beautiful!!

(the bumper car isn't bad either. ;} )

Stamp of Quality for the Auto Skooters!

Let's follow up one classic with another! It's time for the Whipper!

This is a very special year for Knoebels' Whipper: It's 100 years old now!! :D

You don't look a day over 75, Whipper! ;}

Stamp of Quality #2!

Stamp of Unparalleled Vintage-ness!

You guys….!!! We haven't even ridden the Carousel yet!!!

Knoebels is about the only park in the U.S. outside of Disney where a vast majority of the rides are outstanding star attractions. You could conceivably ride signature Knoebels rides for hours and hours before hitting any repeats.

Shout out to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with whom Knoebels always shares the top 2 spots for highest-ranked carousels in the world!

Oh look! It's the First Family of Knoebels!

The swan babes are starting to get big!

Let's take another look at Fascination. Because Fascination is amazing. 

Even with all of the coasters and amazing rides Knoebels has to offer, Fascination is arguably my favorite thing here. 

Still more great flat rides pepper Knoebels' groves. Can't forget about the Paratrooper!

Or the 62-year-old Roto Jet!

Oh! and the Carousel museum!

Knoebels, how do you fit so much awesome into one park??

Let's go for another ride on Flying Turns. :}

You know, it's kind of like riding a giant roller skate on a wooden roller rink. Except it's a coaster. And you're at the best amusement park in America. And everything is awesome. :}

There's a whole lot of flyin' going on at Knoebels!

The new kid on the block is no exception!

Time to cap our day on one of the only amusement park rides in the world that is pup-friendly: The Frontier Train!

I've lost count of how many amazing signature rides are at Knoebels. I can't believe it took us all day to get to the train! 

Time to take a ride under the water slides,

and under Twister,

and through the forest!

The Pioneer Train gives riders a taste of the unspoiled natural beauty of eastern Pennsylvania. :}

All three trains are running today! Everybody wave!

Everyone wave to the people up on Twister! They can't see us, but it's the thought that counts. :}

The Frontier Train has two traditional-themed locomotives and one diesel-themed locomotive, which is original to the park. :}

Bonus splendor: to this day, I still have no idea who manufactured Kneobels' Scrambler. One of history's mysteries? ;}

Goodbye, Knoebels! We love you so much!

Switching gears! Thanks to the nighttime preview option of our admission tickets, Hersheypark time starts now! Right now!

WOOOOOOO SKYRUSH! My favorite steel coaster in the USA!

It's 8pm! Our two hours of preview time starts now! Let's see how much we can ride before close!

Hersheypark is on the other side of the independent park coin from Knoebels. It's special in its own unique ways, and it's BIG. 

Everyone has something to say about the crowd-polarizing Skyrush; however you might feel about the ride, we can all agree that it's pretty remarkable! Still running as wild as it did in 2013.

Almost every coaster at Hersheypark has a "hey, why not?" layout. Lots of creative use of space!

In a world full of cookie-cutter B&Ms, Great Bear dared to be different 17 years ago and never looked back! 

I'd say it's one of B&M's coolest layouts. My favorite part is reverse chandelle after the zero-g roll. There's no way they would've chosen to do that if the space available wasn't dictating the design, and Great Bear is all the better for it!

Coco Cruiser! Hooray for a new credit!

Next up is Storm Runner, from which lovely Sidewinder photo ops are to be had!

This eerie picture of Storm Runner also happened. Spooky!

Rounding out Hershey's Intamin Holy Trinity is Fahrenheit, the ultimate middle child!

It's not as tall at Skyrush and it's not as fast as Storm Runner, but it's odd and stands out in a crowd! 

With all three Intamins and the kiddie credit handled, it's time to make our way back to Hershey's new hotness!

It's Laff Trakk!

Laff Trakk is such a great idea: invoke the nostalgia of Laffing Sal and the old Laff-in-the-Dark rides with modern roller coaster! For those who haven't yet ridden Laff Trakk, let me just say that the ride is a feast for the eyes!

Mauer Söhne spinning coasters can only load so fast; even at 9:30pm the line was out the door! At least we've got a cool outdoor patio cue with some nice atmospheric touches. 

…

THIS IS WHY WE CAN'T HAVE NICE THINGS, AMERICA.

The indoor queue area is a cool hall of mirrors! Their entertainment value stretches pretty far, honestly. 

Laffing Sal's House of Fun! The room in which Laff Trakk takes place!

When a park announces that they're going to do a themed coaster-in-a-box, it's hard to know just how committed they are to the "theme" until it's open and giving rides. Fortunately for Hersheypark guests, no corners were cut with Laff Trakk's interior!

The park had been closed for 20 minutes by the time our trip on Laff Trakk concluded. Tomorrow we take on the rest of Hersheypark, plus a few New Jersey attractions!

Good morning! What better way to greet the day than with a little Hershey's Cholocate World action??

The attraction's dark ride has changed quite a bit since my 2005 ride. It now features roughly 500% more singing cows.

In our heads we're like "it's too early for this." 

The Chocolate World store always dazzles with its copious confection selection!

There's even a King Tut sculpture made out of Twizzlers!

I'm glad they found a good use for the strawberry ones, because frankly I can't stand them. :P

Okay, back to Hersheypark and Skyrush!

Sneaking around under Skyrush is a great way to beat crowds to the ride!

Yes, Comet is here too. :}

And Sooperdooperlooper! All great rides!

SDL is still running strong with its new trains and logo.

Likewise, Skyrush is now well into it's 4th season of pulverizing human thigh bones into a fine powder.

Time to walk up to "Kissing Tower Hill," formerly Minetown.

Great Bear is leading us up the hill, eager to give us a great ride!

But first, we need to take a leisurely drift around SDL and Great Bear on one of my all-time favorite log flumes!

Or, "Super Flume," rather. It's Coal Cracker!

Built in 1973, Hersheypark's Coal Cracker has been scaring the piss out of people with its ejector-air speed bump drop for over 40 years! :}

Super Flume happiness inside Coal Cracker's bumper-to-bumper boathouse!

Beneath Coal Cracker and Great Bear is Hersheypark's excess of Arrow Gasoline Cars! Hershey gives you a choice between oldsters and roadsters on one of the last Arrow twin track car rides in the world! :}

For all you Great Bears out there, Hersheypark has special accommodations just for you! ;}

Waiting for the front seat of Great Bear has the added benefit of great Coal Cracker photo opportunities!

While most Arrow Super Flumes were built in parks that already featured an Arrow Log Flume, Hershey's Coal Cracker stands alone! As the park's only log flume, it's always been a popular attraction. 

Almost every flume with a revolving station comes with a twin drop that safely allows for continued back-to-back boat dispatches. While most twin drop flumes have seen a gradual dwindling in popularity that makes constant boat dispatches (and subsequently their twin drop) unnecessary, both sides of Coal Cracker's twin drop are still in use to this day!

What does this mean for Coal Cracker spectators? Three to four boats down the chute every minute! :D

I took many Coal Cracker pictures during the fairly swift front seat wait for Great Bear, but I'll spare you from all but four. I like this one because the kid looks like he's entering hyperspace or something. :}

Great Bear is a cool name, but I feel like not calling it "Ursa Major" is a missed opportunity. It just sounds cooler. :P

When it comes to massive, sprawling coasters that loom overhead, Great Bear and Storm Runner are two of a kind!

And, like Coal Cracker, Storm Runner dispatches are still as swift as the day the ride opened. 

You may have noticed by now that our Hersheypark weather wasn't exactly sunny. When in doubt, white it out! :}

I've never been to ZooAmerica, but judging by this epic statue it's probably a pretty cool zoo. :}

Next to ZooAmerica is this wild animal, Flying Falcon!

The Huss Condor is favorite ride of mine and Michael's, but it's Ray's first time! He loved it, of course. :}

Pretty sweet view of Storm Runner from up here!

Up and over!

INCOMING!

The Canada Geese are unconcerned by the antics of Storm Runner. :}

Tucked away in the shadow of Storm Runner is still another 70s Arrow classic, Trailblazer!

Trailblazer was pretty much the only ride to occupy this region of the park from the time it opened in 1974 until the addition of Storm Runner 30 years later! :}

The two seem to get along pretty well. :}

I almost never do "vignetted" photos, but here's one of Trailblazer just because. Spontaneity abounds! 

M&M and myself getting pumped for our backseat ride on Trailblazer!

Trailblazer is a great ride. I just wish there was more of it. lol

Beware of wild roller coasters hiding in the tall grass! ;}

And then there's Storm Runner, which doesn't really hide, but instead says "HELLO WORLD! HERE I AM!"

Next door, Sidewinder leads a humble and unobtrusive existence with its comfortable rolling stock and a respectable number of local fans. :}

Fahrenheit is also not without its fans, but most fans will tell you that any given ride might land you with a shoulder restraint karate chop to the head or neck!

It rattled a little more than it did in 2013, but I'm definitely still a fan. :}

And then there's Wildcat, which left its 3rd consecutive lukewarm impression.

While its contribution to the industry is undeniable, Wildcat's current performance leaves a lot to be desired. 

For me, the best part of the experience was taking pictures. :P

Check out these Sooperdooperloopers in the front seat!

We took a stroll through the Hersheypark Boardwalk to see how it's holding up. Many would disagree, but I honestly quite like the Boardwalk. It provides some pretty cool atmosphere!

That awkward moment when your Wild Mouse runs better than your Wildcat. :x

Lighting Racer, however, runs better than I remember. Nice pacing and airtime on both sides!

My rides on Joris en de Draak have spoiled me, but the Lightning Racers are still great rides in their own right. 

I found it hilarious that crumby Wildcat had a half hour wait while Lightning Racer was a walk on. 

Dat Norwegian Pretzel, tho.

Storm Runner was a lot busier during our second ride than it was during our first, but no matter! All the better for taking Trailblazer pictures! :}

Trailblazer's first "drop" hugs the overflow for Storm Runner's queue, and up until this point, I'd only ever just walked by it.

Just look at all of those people blazing the trail!

Everyone on Trailblazer is like "weeee!"

But everyone on Storm Runner is like "OH MY GOD WHAT EVEN IS THIS!"

And the people on Sidewinder be like "…it's over soon, right?" ;}

Random mini Scrambler! :D

Last stop! Time for the classic! Definitely still the best wood coaster in the park. Sorry, GCI!

Ridiculously photogenic roller coaster girl wants you to know that Comet is awesome! 

People riding Skyrush seem to be less photogenic.

But that's not their fault. At this point in the ride they're usually too busy processing the abuse their bodies have endured to smile. 

On our way out, we caught a few more shots of Skyrush doing its thing. :}

Here they come, tearing up that Craft Macaroni and Cheese track!

People laughed when Hershey announced a hyper coaster with nothing but shrimpy little hills after the first drop, but Hershey had the last laff. :}

Even though Skyrush is an absolute favorite of mine, I know it's not exactly the popular opinion.

Just look at all the empty seats! :P

Ok! After a few hours in the car, we found ourselves back in NJ to ride our first coaster of the Jerseylicious variety: a spinning mouse at a family entertainment center called Funplex!

In addition to expansive (read: loud) arcade and play area, Funplex sports a fairly large outdoor area, featuring go-karts, a handful of flat rides, and a water play area.

And the mouse, of course; an SBF/Visa installation that's smaller than most mouse spinners but features some nifty cars!

Last stop: Clementon Park!

It's here under the blue evening haze we take in our final credit of the day:

Hell Cat, a monstrous turn-of-the-(current)-century wooden coaster by S&S with tons of aggression and a baker's dozen of "oh sh*t" moments packed into less than 2,700ft of track. It runs like a fault line that's two plate shifts away from city-swallowing disaster film tremor, but it's so eventful and quick that it only really became a problem after the 3rd or 4th ride. 

We gathered in the orange glow of Hell Cat's station to dedicate Clementon for their participation in pre-Con festivities!

Thank you to everyone who put together this perfect little event for us, and sorry about the lighting in this photo. I promise not everyone in this picture has nuclear sunburns. 

With pre-Con activities concluded, tomorrow we'll be up early to check into the event and get our Con party started  with a heavy dose of Jerseylicious coaster commotion! 

See you in a few days. ;}