Whipper

Some rides don’t just have history. They have stories. In Part 6 of our Knoebels History Series, Dick Knoebel shares the story of the Whipper, one of the early rides that helped shape the park in its first decades. What began as a portable eight-car Whip eventually became the Whipper guests still know today, when a permanent building was constructed in 1950 to house a larger 12-car ride. Along the way, you’ll hear one of the wildest stories in Knoebels history, when a Whip car carrying two sailors broke free, rolled through a wooden fence, and came to rest against a large stone in the midway. Their response? “Wow, that was fun. Can we do it again?” You’ll also get a look at the care that has gone into preserving this classic ride, from recreating its elegant original artwork to tracking down hard-to-find parts that helped keep the Whipper running for future generations.