All things Knotts Berry Farm

[DL-fan]

I think he thinks since it didn't get the theater, its a failure. That area is actually a nice picnic area. If you need a toddler show, go see Bluey at Disneyland.

That’s part of it but so much was promised and not delivered because the budget was cut. Besides the new campfire theater, the character meet and greet gazebos next to the waterfall were cut, woodstocks airmail was to be relocated to a new post office area and never returned and not sure if Snoopy and his canoe were ever perched on top of the falls. The ride count went significantly down, they got rid of five attractions for two new ones. I know it’s for kids and I have a toddler but I feel like they kinda dropped the ball on this remodel. Fiesta Village was amazing, the only problem was the Montezuma no show but my issue is that since that remodel and other than camp snoopy, Knott’s was doing new attractions and renovations yearly, it’s just been kinda slow since then.

 

[Phroobar]

I can only think of the Huff&Puff that was removed to extend the track for the cars. That should give the cars more capacity. The H&P was a pain anyway since there is always that one kid that won't make the car go. A new game was added based on Huff&Puff. The Faris Wheel got replaced with the swing. The rollercoaster got replaced with a rollercoaster. Snoopy airplanes got a new queue space not in the main walkway. The characters roam the land instead. Outside of a missing statue that would have been too small to see on the falls, it is all pretty much there except the theater. There is a stage though and room to sit on the ground or dance just like Disney Jr at DCA. Picnic benches are better anyway.

 

[jmuboy]

The snoopy canoe statue DOES need to return! It was iconic. I will admit the “new” stuff at Knotts has had some delivery issues recently but the quality of the final product is still ( generally) very good. With Six Flags in charge I think capital was frozen for just parks in 2026 to help stabilize the company overall. I’m hopeful Montezuma returns this year and then we will see what 2028 has in store. My gut tells me with the big new coaster in 2027 at Magic Mt that Knotts will have one more quiet year. It’s still a great park and VASTLY better than it was 10-15 years ago.

 

[DL-fan]

Knott’s has confirmed that Montezooma will reopen this year. I find it hilarious that they also confirmed it would reopen in 2024 and 2025 as well…

 

[Professortango1]

Pardon my ignorance, why exactly is the Camp Snoopy redo such a "failure"?

Granted, I'm neither a parent nor someone part of the target audience, but it seems more or less the same to me as it was before.

It is pretty similar. The problems are still problems, such as seeing right to the short fence/outside world very easily without much themeing. The picnic area where the theatre was supposed to go looks pretty cheap and temporary and is a bit of a disappointment. I can't comment on the ride changes as that's an area I may relax in, but I don't go on the kiddie rides.

 

[Phroobar]

Knott’s has confirmed that Montezooma will reopen this year. I find it hilarious that they also confirmed it would reopen in 2024 and 2025 as well…

Except you can see in my picture they are pouring support columns for Monte. Also the loading building is completely covered up inside. It totally could open this summer.

 

[DL-fan]

Except you can see in my picture they are pouring support columns for Monte. Also the loading building is completely covered up inside. It totally could open this summer.

I’m glad work is finally being done, Fingers crossed for maybe a late summer and hopefully all the elements they promised are put in place

 

[TP2000]

The refurbished Bird Cage Theater opens on tomorrow! It will be interesting to see what they do with this space, especially in the current Six Flags corporate ownership.

Knott’s Berry Farm restores Bird Cage Theatre for first time in 70 years

The 1954 theater that helped launch the careers of Steve Martin and other Hollywood actors will reopen on March 13.

www.ocregister.com

The beloved Bird Cage Theatre that has been housed inside a temporary tent for more than 70 years is undergoing the first complete overhaul in the storied history of the Knott’s Berry Farm institution.

The largest refurbishment in the history of the Bird Cage Theatre will be unveiled on Friday, March 13 when the Knott’s Boysenberry Festival kicks off at the Buena Park theme park.

“The Great Bank Robbery” – which debuted during last year’s Boysenberry Fest – will be the first show in the newly refurbished 270-seat Bird Cage Theatre...."

 

[PiratesMansion]

The refurbished Bird Cage Theater opens on tomorrow! It will be interesting to see what they do with this space, especially in the current Six Flags corporate ownership.

Knott’s Berry Farm restores Bird Cage Theatre for first time in 70 years

The 1954 theater that helped launch the careers of Steve Martin and other Hollywood actors will reopen on March 13.

www.ocregister.com

The beloved Bird Cage Theatre that has been housed inside a temporary tent for more than 70 years is undergoing the first complete overhaul in the storied history of the Knott’s Berry Farm institution.

The largest refurbishment in the history of the Bird Cage Theatre will be unveiled on Friday, March 13 when the Knott’s Boysenberry Festival kicks off at the Buena Park theme park.

“The Great Bank Robbery” – which debuted during last year’s Boysenberry Fest – will be the first show in the newly refurbished 270-seat Bird Cage Theatre...."

The new Six Flags is largely run by old Cedar Fair people.

Thus far, there have been no noticeable changes at Knott's IMO.

 

[Jrb1979]

The new Six Flags is largely run by old Cedar Fair people.

Thus far, there have been no noticeable changes at Knott's IMO.

With them selling off 7 parks it should help as well. Now they can focus on parks like Knotts and Cedar Point

 

[Nirya]

Cedar Fair essentially bought Six Flags and kept the name instead of their own because they believed (probably fairly) that it was a more recognizable brand. This is still Cedar Fair by all rights.

Edit: This is also why I'm more optimistic for Magic Mountain, because Cedar Fair tended to be much better about placemaking than Six Flags was.

 

[Jrb1979]

Cedar Fair essentially bought Six Flags and kept the name instead of their own because they believed (probably fairly) that it was a more recognizable brand. This is still Cedar Fair by all rights.

Edit: This is also why I'm more optimistic for Magic Mountain, because Cedar Fair tended to be much better about placemaking than Six Flags was.

Its why they are essentially selling and closing the parks that aren't in major cities

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Its why they are essentially selling and closing the parks that aren't in major cities

St. Louis is a major city…..

It’s an interesting business strategy.

 

[Jrb1979]

St. Louis is a major city…..

It’s an interesting business strategy.

St. Louis doesn't have the growth potential like Over Georgia, Great Adventure and the Texas parks do.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

St. Louis doesn't have the growth potential like Over Georgia, Great Adventure and the Texas parks do.

Perhaps. But it’s a major city.

 

[Jrb1979]

Perhaps. But it’s a major city.

So is Kansas City. At the same time they can't afford to invest in 40 parks.
Those 7 parks they sold only had 4 million guests combined last season. Where as Cedar Point had close to that on its own.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

So is Kansas City.

Yeah that one makes even less sense to me - that should be a great market.

At the same time they can't afford to invest in 40 parks.

They already invested in them when they bought them. Haha

 

[parksandtravel]

Cedar Fair essentially bought Six Flags and kept the name instead of their own because they believed (probably fairly) that it was a more recognizable brand. This is still Cedar Fair by all rights.

Edit: This is also why I'm more optimistic for Magic Mountain, because Cedar Fair tended to be much better about placemaking than Six Flags was.

Oh that's good to hear. I would've liked the Cedar Fair name better.

 

[Jrb1979]

Yeah that one makes even less sense to me - that should be a great market.

They already invested in them when they bought them. Haha

Kansas City has shown its not that great of a market. They just added a new coaster 2 years ago and it did little for attendance.
Why keep parks that can't top 1 million guests a year.

 

[Nirya]

Six Flags/Cedar Fair was always going to cut some parks after the merger to streamline some things, so if there was an underperforming park, there was always a chance they were going to be sold off to a more regional park chain. Throw in Great America up in Santa Clara closing sometime in the near future, and you have a pretty good amount of cuts to the portfolio for the rest of the parks to thrive.