All things Knotts Berry Farm

[Rich T]

...who in their right mind wastes the time to pay to play a machine that is available at like a local bowling alley?

I haven’t been in that Knott’s arcade in ages, but I have great memories of spending a few dollars on games there with my family. Does it still feature video games, or has it gone all claw machine and quarter slider like Chuck E Cheese? Because here’s the thing: Video games are as diverse as theme park rides, and there’s no way a local bowling alley has as large a collection as a good park arcade...or keeps them in as good condition...or provides such a safe, family-friendly environment to play them in. If a park has a great collection of machines covering many years, if can be a great place for parents to show their kids games from their youth (the Santa Cruz Boardwalk has an arcade that’s like a walk-through time machine).

Consider a good park arcade just another one of the park’s varied activities. It’s not for everyone, just as with roller coasters. But for a family that’s spending a whole day at a park, it can be a fun, brief change of pace between rides and shows. If the park’s keeping an arcade around, then that arcade is making money.

 

[Phroobar]

Knott's arcade is made up of large Chuck E Cheese games, driving, air hockey and gun games. You won't see any vintage arcade cabs that we grew up with in the 80's. It's pretty much the same as Dave And Busters. It's sad really.

However they do have a virtual reality area similar to the Void. Your in ghost town shooting robot outlaws.

 

[Rich T]

Knott's arcade is made up of large Chuck E Cheese games, driving, air hockey and gun games. You won't see any vintage arcade cabs that we grew up with in the 80's. It's pretty much the same as Dave And Busters. It's sad really.

However they do have a virtual reality area similar to the Void. Your in ghost town shooting robot outlaws.

Bummer about the change, but that robot old west shootout looks fun. And air hockey's always a plus. But if they bring over a Mario Kart VR setup from Japan, I'll actually make a trip to Knott's to be one of the first westerners to ride it!

 

[choco choco]

Consider a good park arcade just another one of the park’s varied activities. It’s not for everyone, just as with roller coasters. But for a family that’s spending a whole day at a park, it can be a fun, brief change of pace between rides and shows. If the park’s keeping an arcade around, then that arcade is making money.

Yes, but how much more money would it make if it weren't behind the admission gates. That is why I suggested the arcade be moved to the marketplace. You can run the same arcade, to the same standards, but now the same enjoyment you had can be had by theme park goers who paid the ticket and people who had no intention of theme parking it that day. I didn't suggest getting rid of the arcade altogether.

 

[Rich T]

Yes, but how much more money would it make if it weren't behind the admission gates. That is why I suggested the arcade be moved to the marketplace. You can run the same arcade, to the same standards, but now the same enjoyment you had can be had by theme park goers who paid the ticket and people who had no intention of theme parking it that day. I didn't suggest getting rid of the arcade altogether.

Moving it outside the gate removes the security factor and makes the place a potential hangout for local teens and pickpockets. When I go to a theme park complex, I don't want to share my gaming space with Joe-off-the-street who hangs around outside the park all the time. Even at a nice non-gated arcade like at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, you still have to stay aware of who/what's going on around you while you play. Only at a gated theme park can you--for the most part--play arcade games while still being inside the bubble. A good arcade can be a nice addition to a theme park's lineup. That being said, from Phrubruh's post, it looks like Knott's arcade--while still well-kept--isn't what it used to be.

 

[Phroobar]

Theme park arcades are slowly dying. I wish Disneyland would build a replica of Flynn's arcade to go with a Tron coaster. There is a huge retro gaming community out there that would love to visit Flynn's. Disney is just leaving money on the ground.

 

[Rich T]

Theme park arcades are slowly dying. I wish Disneyland would build a replica of Flynn's arcade to go with a Tron coaster. There is a huge retro gaming community out there that would love to visit Flynn's. Disney is just leaving money on the ground.

I have a feeling VR is going to--at some point in the near future--find its footing, its affordability, and its creative teams to become a big thing. We might see a new type of theme park arcade become the norm. And not like Disney Quest.

On a side note, Nintendo's quirky and charming Labo VR hits store shelves tomorrow (Nintendo Switch required). I pre-ordered the starter kit for 40 bucks. It's getting pretty positive reviews so far. Can not wait to get home from work tomorrow.

 

[Phroobar]

I have a feeling VR is going to--at some point in the near future--find its footing, its affordability, and its creative teams to become a big thing. We might see a new type of theme park arcade become the norm. And not like Disney Quest.

On a side note, Nintendo's quirky and charming Labo VR hits store shelves tomorrow (Nintendo Switch required). I pre-ordered the starter kit for 40 bucks. It's getting pretty positive reviews so far. Can not wait to get home from work tomorrow.

Looks like the cheap cardboard ones used for phones. You haven't played until you try Playstation VR and Oculus Rift. They are expensive but the tech is maturing.

 

[Rich T]

Looks like the cheap cardboard ones used for phones. You haven't played until you try Playstation VR and Oculus Rift. They are expensive but the tech is maturing.

It's a weird halfway point between Google Cardboard and more serious VR rigs. So far, everyone who's tried it says it's a kick and that the games are a lot of fun and the tactile feedback (using rubber bands and cardboard!) is ridiculously effective. They had me sold when they showed a game where you use a bazooka to feed fruit to hippos. And in two weeks Zelda be playable in VR mode. For $40, I figure what the heck--I'm not paying hundreds for a Sony VR system or Oculus, especially when they don't have a single game that appeals to me. If I dip into a VR world for a bit of fun, I want comedy and whimsy.
(PS: That CoP photo is terrifying!)

 

[Sharon&Susan]

I have a feeling VR is going to--at some point in the near future--find its footing, its affordability, and its creative teams to become a big thing. We might see a new type of theme park arcade become the norm. And not like Disney Quest.

On a side note, Nintendo's quirky and charming Labo VR hits store shelves tomorrow (Nintendo Switch required). I pre-ordered the starter kit for 40 bucks. It's getting pretty positive reviews so far. Can not wait to get home from work tomorrow.

This is the best part of Labo VR:

 

[NateD1226]

Has anyone else done the Tasting Card yet? I liked most of it. My favorite was the Boysenberry Pulled Pork Tostada. My least favorite was the waffle, which was really sad since I am a waffle lover. The consistency was very doughy and cold. What was everybody else's favorite?

 

[Phroobar]

 

[Phroobar]

 

[Ismael Flores]

This small coaster needs some major work it is so rickety and painful.
I always wondered about the costumes they wear in this area. Maybe there is something i miss when i walk through the area but is there a reason why they have the workers dressed as a watered down Italian gondola operator? They all seem to walk around with a sash around their waist which is something Italians wear.

 

[NateD1226]

I love Jaguar but it needs a lot of work.

 

[D.Silentu]

Early in its life, fire shot out of the top of the temple. Does it still do so?

 

[Ismael Flores]

don’t think so

 

[Darkbeer1]

Early in its life, fire shot out of the top of the temple. Does it still do so?

Alas, no. There was also fire effects along the track in a couple of places, also been shut down a long time ago

Knott's Jaguar!: A Mild Animal : Attraction review: The roller coaster, which opens today, won't thrill the hard core, but it's got enough pounce to bring a smile.

Far from being the "ferocious cat" it's been dubbed, Knott's Berry Farm's new Jaguar!

www.latimes.com

 

[Darkbeer1]

Butterflies no closer to fluttering at planned Buena Park attraction

The developer, who spent more than $15 million so far, has vowed to fight a city lawsuit that threatens to take back the Beach Boulevard property

www.ocregister.com

 

[Phroobar]

The old Movieland property must be cursed.