After a one year absence from PPP, the first in 15 years I was wondering if anyone is planning to go to the event. The reason for the question is that we may plan to be there for the weekend if our accomodations work out. The campground is sold out with no chance of a site unless we get lucky and call when there is a cancellation. I have other options, which would work so I have no worries. So who is planning on attending PPP?

Patripman

> After a one year absence from PPP, the first in 15 years I
> was wondering if anyone is planning to go to the event. The
> reason for the question is that we may plan to be there for
> the weekend if our accomodations work out. The campground
> is sold out with no chance of a site unless we get lucky
> and call when there is a cancellation. I have other
> options, which would work so I have no worries. So who is
> planning on attending PPP?

> Patripman

My plans are up in the air as I am just starting a new job.

I'd be willing to check to see if I could get you a Friends and Family rate at a Choice hotel...

Let me know.

Tell Ripples I said hello the next time you see him. I miss that little guy.

Joe
Great_Ump

I'll be there.
And Sunday, too.

Where's Ripples?
;-)

Mike B.

I dont worry about getting a hotel room since I have preferred reservation status for 3 companies. I really would like to camp but the campground is sold out so I am looking possibly to lake Glory down the road from the park entrance. If things really work out we may get a round of golf at Three Ponds.
What may end up occuring is that we stay closer to Lebanon, Pa. since there is a crap load of events that weekend, we would do PPP Saturday up until 8 or so then do other events around Harrisburg including visiting the new Hollywood casino.

That weekend is the huge and very popular Hershey Vintage car show, sale and auction. Any other year this event falls the week after PPP.
Just a word to the wise Penn State has a home game that Saturday and any road lading up and around the area will be a nightmare, just a work of warning.

Patripman

Ah, Phoenix Phall Phunfest!!!

We have our flights booked for that weekend (in and out of Newark) as well as reservations for a rental car and hotel. So it was certainly our intent to be at PPP that Saturday.

However, as sometimes happens, life throws you a curveball at rather unexpected times. Without going into specifics, let's just say our plans are somewhat less definite now. Still hopeful, I would rate the odds of attending PPP at 80% for me and 50% for Colleen. We'll know more in a week or two.

Rick W - AirBear (keeping my fingers crossed that we'll still make the trip)

I've gone the past two years, but won't be attending this year. I'd be tempted if the park has opened Flying Turns.

I expect that I will be back next year.

The usual DAFE crew will be there. One cabin and one RV spot for a few of us.

Rick

We can't make PPP this year. Finances are extremely tight right now and an overnight trip is just out of the question.

Once Black Diamond and Flying Turns open I would be more then happy to make the trip out for PPP.

I will miss it for sure.

Take some Phlyer rides for me!

Gotta love that park,its my home park though do to money being a little tight right I won't be making it(I had to take an emergency trip to Hereshey Park because I had Flying Falcon withdrawl).

> Still hopeful, I would rate the odds of attending PPP at
> 80% for me and 50% for Colleen. We'll know more in a week
> or two.

> Rick W - AirBear (keeping my fingers crossed that we'll
> still make the trip)

Well, finally an update ...

We will be making the trip after all. Or in Colleen's case, the first half of the trip.

We will fly a Thursday night redeye into Newark, then drive to Scranton and do Steamtown during the day Friday. From there, we'll head to our hotel and perhaps do Dorneypark Friday night if we feel up to it (depends on how well we sleep on the redeye). We will be at Knoebels all day Saturday for PPP.

Sunday morning I will drive Colleen to Philadelphia so she can catch a flight to Chicago (she needs to go help out with her aunt). Not sure what I will do after that, though driving back to Knoebels for hangover day is a possibility. On Monday it's Great Adventure before heading to Newark for my evening flight home.

Looking forward to seeing people at PPP,

Rick W - AirBear (also looking forward to some bumper car carnage)

> We will fly a Thursday night redeye into Newark, then drive
> to Scranton and do Steamtown during the day Friday. From
> there, we'll head to our hotel and perhaps do Dorneypark
> Friday night if we feel up to it (depends on how well we
> sleep on the redeye). We will be at Knoebels all day
> Saturday for PPP.

> Sunday morning I will drive Colleen to Philadelphia so she
> can catch a flight to Chicago (she needs to go help out
> with her aunt). Not sure what I will do after that, though
> driving back to Knoebels for hangover day is a possibility.
> On Monday it's Great Adventure before heading to Newark for
> my evening flight home.

> Looking forward to seeing people at PPP,

> Rick W - AirBear (also looking forward to some bumper car
> carnage)

Rick,

Good news!
As for Sunday, I will be at Knoebel's for most of the day.
Then heading over to Dorney, * which is open until midnight Sunday; I'll stay overnight near there and head home Monday morning.

* with other "characters" of which you are (mostly) familiar!
;-)

I shall be there.

Arriving late Friday, staying at the park till probably early Sunday afternoon. Camping in Texas.

Looking forward to, among many things, chocolate dipped cheesecake on a stick.

-Ben

Another year, another PPP come and gone.
And this year's was great, and not only because it was dry!

Many familiar faces were seen.
Friendships were renewed.
Many rides were had on the favorites.
And for some of us, Sunday allowed even more of the same.

While there was riding on many other rides, etc, I'll comment on the coasters.

I believe Phoenix is better now than the last couple years.
And row 2 is now "the" row, at least for me (and one other old-timer).

Twister was noticeably faster, and smoother.
Did I say faster?

Kosmo's Kurves is pretty good.
While it lacks a bit of the punch that HSTC had, it continues the Knoebel's tradition of satisfying adults on the "kiddie" coaster. (And I just realized my coaster count went up by one!).

Oh, I was told to stop "doing that" else I would be banned from the Flyers. Since it was my very last ride anyway, it was not a bother. But, yes, I was proud. **

Ya just can't beat Knoebel's, and especially in early fall.

Mike B.

** written for the benefit of those who "know" :-)

>
>
> Twister was noticeably faster, and smoother.

I didn't get to Knoebels this season. Twister's my preferred ride, so it was good to read this. Maybe next year.
>

>Thanks for the recap, Mike!

Another Mike

Though I missed the event this year after considering it as of Friday morning I am sort of glad we didnt go. We actually spent Saturday night at Kennywood with light crowds and ERT on T'Bolt and Phantoms Revenge and one of the best Baryne Kurve rides I ever had in 15 years.
It is my understanding talking to someone that they were still clamping down on the Flyers. I heard that one group of people actually rode without touching their sails and the ride was still snapping, the ride op actually slowed the ride down yelling at everyone. Sounds like fun to me!
I heard the pizza was as good as ever and the wait times was down too (rolling my eyes), god I wish we would of gone it would of been classic. Where is Jersey Joe when I need him.
You can rest assure that we will be there next year come rain, cold etc.

Patripman

This was my 12th PPP. As a local, before 1997... I never knew there was a PPP! This years event just seem to have a nice flow to it. The weather was dry but with an Autumn chill in the air. Both Phoenix and Twister were flying. It was crowded...but very manageable. The pizza was great! My party of 8 people made it easy. "Two large pizzas please!" The pizza was fresh, hot, and actually cooked! I always enjoy Dick Knoebels' address to the crowd at the end of the night. Dick was pretty excited about the "real" train arriving soon for the Flying Turns. The plans for the Black Diamond are also ready to be sent to the "approving authorities." Ground breaking shouldn't be too long......and Dick said he wants both projects up and running for 2010. There ya go! A rare post by Jimcoaster.

> > The plans for the Black Diamond are also ready to be sent
> to the "approving authorities." Ground breaking
> shouldn't be too long......and Dick said he wants both
> projects up and running for 2010. There ya go! A rare post
> by Jimcoaster.

I wasn't familiar with the new Black Diamond. What type of coaster is it? No relation to the KISS song of the same name, I assume?

Mike

The Black Diamond is the reincarnation of the Golden Nugget dark ride from Moreys Piers in Wildwood. From gold mine theme to coal mine theme. Dark ride/coaster maybe??

> The Black Diamond is the reincarnation of the Golden Nugget
> dark ride from Moreys Piers in Wildwood. From gold mine
> theme to coal mine theme. Dark ride/coaster maybe??

Thanks, Jim. I'm from Jersey, but never rode Golden Nugget on my rather infrequent trips to Wildwood. Hopefully both rides will be ready next season at Knoebels.

Mike

> It is my understanding talking to someone that they were
> still clamping down on the Flyers. I heard that one group
> of people actually rode without touching their sails and
> the ride was still snapping, the ride op actually slowed
> the ride down yelling at everyone.
Yup, with a brisk breeze that happened. And the ops change on the hour every hour so we got to "know" if it was going to be a good hour or a bad hour! One guy in particular simply ran it slower.

> Sounds like fun to me!
Wish you were there, Bernard, I'd have loved to have seen your reactions!

> You can rest assure that we will be there next year come
> rain, cold etc.
> Patripman
Cold, yes, we all know to pack the winter duds.
But rain? For Christmas last year I wished for and received a pair of rain pants specifically with this event in mind! So even though I'm now prepared for it, say no to rain!
LOL

Mike B.

Sort of like 2 years ago when we rode without touching the sails and the ride op yelled at us for snapping the tubs. Like I always said if you dont like to operate the ride the way it was designed then dont operate it at all.
When the ride was at Kennywood back in the day people would sit for hours watching the pros go at it ride after ride. They did things with the tubs that to this day I still have yet seen anyone do except for maybe Dominic and some others.

As for the weather I never had a problem with the cold it is when it is cold and rainy. I wish we would of made it but we sat and discussed it up to Friday late morning before we decided not to go this year. I know one thing I miss blind siding Ed on the bumper cars.

Patripman

I have to disagree with MABrider one one point.

Twister was running incredibly fast, but smoother? Not unless you're comparing it to several years ago. Normally, the front and back cars are smoother than the rest of the train, but this time the front car seemed shaky too. It was still re-rideable during the day, but after dark it had the most incredible out-of-control feeling I've ever had on any ride at Knoebels or most other places and it left my brain shaken. It was the rougest I've seen Twister all season, despite recent trackwork. But it may be because it's also the fastest I've ever seen it. (Phoenix was also the fastest I've ever seen it.)

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