Knoebels - July 7th and 8th, 2026

 From July 5th to 9th, my mom and I took a road trip to Dorney Park, Knoebels, and Six Flags Darien Lake! We had an amazing time revisiting these amusement parks! Luckily the weather was great and the crowds were light!

Knoebels - July 7th and 8th, 2026:

Ever since my first visit to Knoebels in July 2018, I instantly fell in love with the park and try to get back every few years! Sadly there was an almost six year gap between my first visit in 2018 and second visit in April 2024 when I took my brother Scott. But two years later on this trip, I came back with my mom to celebrate Knoebels' 100th anniversary!

Knoebels always brings a smile to my face, so I was super excited to be back to ride many of the classic rides and roller coasters and to check out the historical displays celebrating the park's 100th anniversary! Also during this visit, I caught a brass ring on the Grand Carousel and purchased a handful of souvenirs commemorating the 100th anniversary! 😄

Be sure to enjoy the photos from our two days at Knoebels! 🙂

July 7th, 2026:

After an hour and a half drive from Allentown, we arrived at Knoebels for my third-ever visit to the park! I was filled with so much joy to be back at Knoebels as I truly love the park and 2026 marks 100 years since they opened! 😊

Since we arrived early, we strolled through the park before the rides opened for the day.

Here's a look at the 2026 park map.

The Power Surge made a return in 2025 with an all-new unit, but was being worked on during our visit.

The park was not only decked out for its own 100th Anniversary, but also America's 250th!

As we arrived early, we walked around the park before the rides opened. Knoebels has many beautiful flower beds, including this Ferris wheel planter near the Flying Turns!

One of the rides that was closed during my visit in April 2024 as it was being relocated within the park was the Rock-O-Plane. I was super excited to ride it as I love rare rides and attractions!

Here's a large bench in front of the Phoenix celebrating 100 years of Knoebels!

The flowerbed near the Phoenix had a new sign commemorating 100 years of Knoebels!

Last year, one of Knoebels' eagles, Henry had passed away. Here is Hattie in her enclosure just past the Black Diamond.

We sure do love clowning around at Knoebels!

One of the many features that makes Knoebels is a special place are the cover bridges! Here's the main covered bridge near the birthday pavilion.

The river that flows through the park is very peaceful and serene. Although it has caused some destruction in the past 100 years, too! But the park always manages to bounce back!

For the 100th anniversary, a statue of Henry and Hattie Knoebel, the founders of the park was erected by the Pioneer Train!

The Bayern Kurve is still a work in progress, but will definitely be worth the wait when it is ready to operate!

My first ride of the day when the rides opened at 12pm was on the legendary Phoenix! I just love the amount airtime it produces! 😊

Up next was a ride on the vintage Rock-O-Plane! Manufactured by Eyerly Aircraft Company this ride can send riders upside down as they rock the cars and hold pull the center ring towards them, causing the car to stall upside down! It's a Ferris wheel ride on steroids! I would ride the Rock-O-Plane two more times during my visit! Rock-O-Plane came to Knoebels in late 2023, operating briefly where the old Power Surge ride was located, before being located to its current location in 2024.

Since my last visit to the park in April 2024, the Downdraft was re-located to where the old Wipeout ride was operated. In its new location, it comes very close to the trees! The new Power Surge ride (not open during my visit) was put in the Downdraft's old spot. This was actually my first time taking a spin on the Downdraft at Knoebels! It is a very fun ride as your legs dangle as you go up and down while spinning around!

Up next, I took the plunge on the Giant Flume! I just love this log flume as it takes you down one small drop, through a tunnel, and then down the final drop!

Afterwards, I took a ride on the Blac Diamond. It's always a fun time riding this dark ride/roller coaster as you pass by some highly detailed scenes!

Afterwards we went to the International Food Court for lunch. I ordered a very delicious pulled pork sandwich ($7), while my mom ordered a grilled cheese sandwich ($2.75!). I just love the food at Knoebels!

After lunch, we checked out the Anthracite (coal) Mining Museum and Knoebels History Museum.

The museum showcases the history of mining in the area.

In the back is the Knoebels History Museum. It features many artifacts of Knoebels' past 100 years!

Afterwards, I took a ride on the Paratrooper. This classic ride was being refurbished during my last visit. It sure is quite fun!

I then walked over to StratsoFear for a 130 foot drop!

Up next was a ride on the amazing Twister! It too, is one of my favourite wooden roller coasters! It rides extremely well with a bit of rain on the tracks!

I then took a ride of the classic Flyer! This flying scooter rides is the best around! It's always a must ride anytime I visit Knoebels!

My mom and I then walked over to the roller skating rink to check out the newly opened museum celebrating the 100th anniversary of Knoebels!

Inside are more artifacts of former rides, brochures, and photos of the park's past!

Here's a look at the cars and rack from the former High Speed Thrill Coaster that operated at Knoebels from 1955 to 2008. Kozmo's Kurves operates where the High Speed Thrill Coaster once did.

Here's a glance at some of the brochures from over the years on display!

More ride cars were on display. A video to commemorate 100 years of Knoebels was also playing.

After browsing at the artifacts in the roller skating rink, I hopped on the Scooters bumper cars! I always forget how hard they bump! 😂

I then took a ride on the insane Satellite! One can never be prepared for how much sliding in your seat you'll do as the capsule rocks back and fourth as you go around! 😂

Later on, my mom purchased a ticket to get on board the Pioneer Train. It is a relaxing train ride that takes you along the back side of the park, taking you through a tunnel, under the Twister and through the woods.

I love how it passes under the Twister!

Here's a windmill tucked in the woods!

Taking a ride on the Pioneer Train is quite peaceful and serene.

I then took a ride on the Sky Ride.

I love how it takes you up the mountainside across from the rest of the park.

Here's a look at the Twister from the Sky Ride.

You can also see the Impulse and Giant Wheel, too!

Here is a train load of riders enjoying their ride on the Phoenix!

Here is a train zipping along the tracks of the Twister!

After a ride on the Sky Ride and Impulse, I enjoyed a bowl of mango flavoured Dole Soft Serve ice cream.

After a tasty and refreshing treat, I took a spin on the Merry Mixer.

A bit later, I took a ride on the Ole Smokey, the other train ride at Knoebels located in the kiddie section of the park.

It's also a quite enjoyable train ride!

Up next was a ride on the Haunted Mansion!

This classic haunted mansion ride now cost $4 to ride. It is still definitely worth the price as it is packed full of props as you ride by!

They take such great care of the Haunted Mansion!

I would then take another thrilling ride on the Phoenix! I just love the airtime!

I would then take a ride on the Gasoline Alley antique car ride. Here is my mom on the prop car set up outside the ride.

I captured another photo of the Paratrooper in action.

My mom bought some nachos and cheese from near the entrance of the park.

I also bought three large cookies (chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, and Oreo chocolate chip) from the Cookie Nook.

After a taking another ride on the Rock-O-Plane, StratosFear, and Giant Flume, it was time for us to head out for the day.

July 8th, 2026:

Wednesday morning at Knoebels was much sunnier and warmer!

Wednesday morning at Knoebels was much sunnier and warmer!

Up next was a ride on the Phoenix! Here's a train whizzing by the station!

As the park was getting busier after the rides opened at 12pm, I hopped over to Twister. It was still a walk-on by 12:30pm.

After another thrilling ride on Twister, I dropped in on the StratosFear!

My mom and I then walked over to the Alamo for lunch. It is a very nice indoor, full service diner.

We both ordered BLT sandwiches. They were delicious!

After lunch, I got in line for the Grand Carousel.

While eating lunch, I joked with my mom that I would catch the brass ring while riding the Grand Carousel! And guess what, it actually happened! 😄

It kind of caught me by surprise as I wasn't expecting it to happen! I got a pin and ride tickets from the ride operator to mark the occasion! The pin makes for a nice souvenir!🙂

It is quite fun grabbing a seat on the outside seat of the Grand Carousel and trying to catch the brass ring from the ring dispenser! 🙂

After a victorious ride on the Grand Carousel, I took a ride on the Roto Jets. It's quite fun going up and down as it spins around!

I then took a ride on the Giant Flume as the temperature was rising!

I then took a spin on the Cosmotron. This Himalaya type ride sure holds a ton of people as you spin around under a light show!

I then took flight on the Flyer again! It's always so much fun being able to swing your car towards the trees!

After my ride on the Flyer, we saw Dexter walking along the path, so I got my mom to pose with him. Dexter is one of Kozmo's friends. Unfortunately we didn't see Kozmo on this visit.

As the sun was shining down on the park, the temperature continued to rise! I decided to cool off on Skloosh! Just like any shoot-the-chute ride, it provides a soaking and extremely refreshing ride!

After getting soaked on Skloosh!, I decided to then take another ride on the Sky Ride.

Many riders had their hands up on this train on the Twister on this lovely afternoon!

There's a train load of passengers going up the lift hill on the legendary Phoenix!

After a ride on the Sky Ride, I went over to the Soft Serve Ice Cream booth for some Ice Cream Nachos. The chips were waffle cone chips. I got it with raspberry-vanilla ice cream and strawberry sauce! It was all very good! I would take another spin on the Scooters bumper cars afterwards!

I then took a ride on the Motor Boats. Just before I ventured out on the waters, I saw someone's phone fall out of the Satellite and into the water below! 🤣 Luckily a boat wasn't passing by at that time! The ride operators do warn you about not having loose articles in your pockets when riding the Satellite!

There was a band playing many great tunes of the 1960s at the bandshell!

I took a spin on the Tea Cups. It's a fun PTC Crazy Daisy ride!

I then rode the Tea Cups followed with a ride on the Black Diamond. The line was long but moved quite fast!

I would then ride the Rock-O-Plane one final time during our two-day visit! I was able to get my car to go upside down at both the top and bottom of the wheel! It's a fun vintage thrill ride!

For dinner, I had the delicious mashed potato bowl with popcorn chicken, corn, and chicken gravy!

I then took a spin on the Balloon race, because why not? It provides a relaxing ride and offers a nice breeze!

I took another ride on the Twister! The double helix is so much fun!

I decided to take another ride on StratosFear! Such a fun drop tower!

I then took a ride on the Tilt-A-Whirl! The car I was in spun quite a bit!

With less than 45 minutes until closing time at 9pm, I rode the Phoenix three times as the sun began to set!

I managed to get on the second-last train of the night, with three evening rides! Here's the last train of the night going up the lift hill! It is fun riding the Phoenix at night!

Here's the last train of the night going up the lift hill!

The creek is quite beautiful all lit up at night!

The classic Knoebels sign is so beautiful at night!

Here's my mom and I after another great day at Knoebels! It was an amazing two day visit! I can't wait for my next visit! 😊

Up next are photos of our day at Six Flags Darien Lake! 🙂