ThrillRide! Special Features

Next up were the Dragon Flyers, and while they weren't operated at Knoebel-level intensities, they were still highly enjoyable. Plus, awesome graphics.

The kids begged me to try Fire Ball again. Their pleas fell upon deaf ears.

They also took an after-dark ride on the Flying Saucer. (What I would give to have the gastric fortitude of a robust ten-year-old again...)

I don't have photos to do it justice, but Castle Park looked marvelous at night, too.

Pretty lights everywhere.

The last attraction of the night was the Antique Car Ride, and as it wound through a thickly wooded area, it served quite well as a dark ride.

There was a lot of "old West" scenic design along the route. (I do wish they'd make an effort to hide that electrical junction box...

...but that minor gripe aside...) 'Twould be at home in many a theme park, Knott's or otherwise.

I'd definitely recommend the Antique Cars for a post-moonrise jaunt.

Well past 9:00 PM, we started a round of mini-golf. This shot above only begins to hint at the epic spread of Castle Park's 72 holes. It's impressive to the point of overwhelming.

And there are all kinds of thematic treats, like this Asian tower. Less impressive were the many "divots" we had to putt around; that's the only real complaint we had with anything here. But we were too pooped to finish more than nine holes anyway and called it a night before the park closed at 11:00 PM.

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Now that I realize what I've been missing, the drive to Riverside doesn't seem like such an ordeal at all. Without a doubt, Castle Park is a place I'll want to revisit more than once for sure. As a matter of fact, if they added a decent little woodie some day, I'd budget for an annual pass every year.

And thanks again to Audrey, Parker, Brian, Gail and Heather for another grand day out!