The Phoenix is one of the best examples of how a wooden coaster should be made. Fast, smooth, but not smooth as glass, and chocked full of airtime. The most noticeable thing about riding the Phoenix is the fact that you're out of your seat more than you're actually in it.

The Phoenix is located near the back of Knoebel's. After a quick turn around the pizza place and jog past the log flume, we see the Phoenix sitting there quietly, waiting for riders. After the morning test runs are completed, it's time to ride. After paying the $1.50 in tickets (or briefly displaying our handstamp), we get in the short 10 minute line. We watch as the first lucky riders are checked and their train makes its way out of the station. We can't quite see the top of the lift hill from our current position, but we can hear the screams as the train crests the top. A few seconds later, we watch as the train roars by us, its occupents shouting with delight. Soon, it will be our turn to ride; our turn to fly...

We chose the famous "ejector seat" [1-3] and pull down on the lap bar. No seat belts, no shoulder harnesses, just a nice, spacious lap bar. Our train moves into the tunnel. It is so dark that we cannot see our hands in front of our faces. Time itself seems to be a bit distorted. Finally, we see the light at the end of the tunnel... we round the final bend and find ourselves staring straight up Phoenix's large lift hill. Soon, the people on the ground become small as we get ready to soar up into the sky.

When we finally get to the top of the lift hill, our train tips over... hanging there for the shortest of moments before plummetting to the bottom track just inches off of the ground. We soar back up and are launched out of our seats as the Phoenix cruises through the first turnaround. Downward we plunge as our bottoms are airborne once again. A small bunny hop keeps our rears in the air all the way up until the second large turnaround.

We roar around and then drop back down, almost always in the air. When we get to the double-up the airtime is so brutal we are thrown into the lap bar. The double-down that follows is just pure bliss. Smaller bunny hops follow that provide just the right amount of succulent airtime. Finally, we enter the final turnaround and breaks. Our train comes to a complete stop, the lapbars unlock, and we run.. er.. walk down the ramp and get right back in line.

The Phoenix is simply one of the most outstanding wooden rollercoasters on the planet. The ride is built for airtime and that's exactly what it delivers. It is the best wooden airtime machine on the planet, eclipsed only by unbelievable Shivering Timbers. For now, this is the premier wooden airtime coaster in PA and should not be overlooked by anyone even remotely fond of wooden rollercoasters.