Hillbl3 t1_jadxsq2 wrote
Putting Hersheypark and Knoebels in the same league always seemed pretty laughable to me.
Hersheypark wins in exactly one category: Number of top tier coasters. That's it. It's more expensive not only in the up front cost but the ridiculous in park mark-ups. The lines are outrageous. The parking is outrageous. The food as expensive as it is, is terrible. The value proposition for non-riders is infinitely bad. It feels like it's trying to be Disney-lite in the worst possible way, using your affection for the brand to steam roll you with a bad park experience.
Everything else about Knoebel's is better because it has to be. Long lines help no-one and maybe even hurt them because you spend less money. It also helps you, if you end up there on a day when it's slammed and the lines are long, you spend less money. You can bring in outside food so the food stalls have to be competitive which means not only are they far more reasonably priced but mostly just straight up tasty. It's practically gourmet cuisine compared to the shit they serve at Hersheypark. If you're non-rider it doesn't cost you anything just to walk through the door. There is usually at least passable live music to kill time out of line with. The parking is free. Knoebel's isn't built in an up-jumped parking lot - it's not hard to find a shady spot because basically everywhere is a shady spot.
It's not even close.
joefulginiti t1_jaee7p2 wrote
Some people might say that the quality of rides in an amusement park is by far the most significant metric to judge them by. You’re not convincing many people to spend the time or money to visit any of these places by appealing to the non-riders.
Hillbl3 t1_jaehz61 wrote
Those people would be wrong.
Loads of people go to amusement parks with no intention of getting on roller coasters. The aged, the very young, the car sickened, the pregnant, the spinally challenged, the vertically challenged, people who just flat out don't like it.
They go to be with family, friends; to play the carnival games; to watch the shows; to enjoy indulgent food. Trying to reduce the whole experience to the single element of coasters, even for the people who ride them, is absurd.
joefulginiti t1_jaem7uo wrote
Similarly, I think that going to a derelict, glorified campground to enjoy the snacks and trees is absurd. But please continue to enjoy Knoebels.
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