All things Knotts Berry Farm

[Darkbeer1]

The old Movieland property must be cursed.

Hey, the Starbucks is still standing.

By the way, here is a large photo album from Movieland's last day.

Movieland Wax Museum - 10/28/05 - Darkbeer

Hi there, I am David Michael, and this is my photo album.... A hobby gone bad, I am now a Theme Park Reporter and Photographer (in my spare time). I hope you enjoy the photos, and thanks for visiting. If you see me at a park, please come over and say hello! If you want to send an e-mail, you...

darkbeer.smugmug.com

 

[Phroobar]

Hey, the Starbucks is still standing.

By the way, here is a large photo album from Movieland's last day.

Movieland Wax Museum - 10/28/05 - Darkbeer

Hi there, I am David Michael, and this is my photo album.... A hobby gone bad, I am now a Theme Park Reporter and Photographer (in my spare time). I hope you enjoy the photos, and thanks for visiting. If you see me at a park, please come over and say hello! If you want to send an e-mail, you...

darkbeer.smugmug.com

Cool! That Indiana Jones is better than Disneyland's one. Does the Sharon Stone cross and uncross her legs? The Olson twins are creepy. I wonder who ended up with Bridge Bardot?

Here is one for @George Lucas on a Bench

 

[Darkbeer1]

Knott’s new Calico River Rapids overhauls BigFoot Rapids, adds Ghost Town backstory

The revamped ride will take visitors through wildlife scenes populated by more than 20 animatronic figures.

www.ocregister.com

>

Sasquatch never made an appearance during the 32-year run of BigFoot Rapids at Knott’s Berry Farm, but the legendary folklore beast will take up permanent residence along the rushing river this summer when the renovated water ride becomes Calico River Rapids.

“Living in the foothills of the Sequoias as a child, I was both intrigued and terrified by the Sasquatch legend,” said Knott’s vice president of entertainment Ken Parks. “As a kid, I was extremely disappointed that an attraction called BigFoot Rapids, which had Big Foot as its main focus, did not include an encounter with the creature. We’ve righted that wrong.”

An extensive renovation of the 1987 BigFoot Rapids at the Buena Park theme park debuting this summer will transform the river rapids water ride into an animated attraction with nine thematic scenes and more than 20 animatronic figures.

The new look, aesthetic and design of the reimagined Knott’s ride was inspired by legendary Disney Imagineer Marc Davis, according to Parks.

“Marc Davis was such an inspiration that I wanted to include a few nods,” Parks said in an email interview. “These are new scenes, but their sense of tone is definitely an homage to Mr. Davis.”<<

>Then comes the wettest part of the ride — but not necessarily for the riders. Dynamite plunger boxes lining a walkway will give spectators the opportunity to trigger a watery explosion amid a pile of TNT barrels along the river. But prankster beware. The water cannons could backfire at any random moment.

“Every once in a while when you are trying to get somebody wet on the ride, you actually get soaked yourself,” Butler said. ”We’re going to have some fun surprises.”<<

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

Wow!

 

[Phroobar]

Knott’s new Calico River Rapids overhauls BigFoot Rapids, adds Ghost Town backstory

The revamped ride will take visitors through wildlife scenes populated by more than 20 animatronic figures.

www.ocregister.com

Sasquatch never made an appearance during the 32-year run of BigFoot Rapids at Knott’s Berry Farm, but the legendary folklore beast will take up permanent residence along the rushing river this summer when the renovated water ride becomes Calico River Rapids.

“Living in the foothills of the Sequoias as a child, I was both intrigued and terrified by the Sasquatch legend,” said Knott’s vice president of entertainment Ken Parks. “As a kid, I was extremely disappointed that an attraction called BigFoot Rapids, which had Big Foot as its main focus, did not include an encounter with the creature. We’ve righted that wrong.”

An extensive renovation of the 1987 BigFoot Rapids at the Buena Park theme park debuting this summer will transform the river rapids water ride into an animated attraction with nine thematic scenes and more than 20 animatronic figures.

The new look, aesthetic and design of the reimagined Knott’s ride was inspired by legendary Disney Imagineer Marc Davis, according to Parks.

“Marc Davis was such an inspiration that I wanted to include a few nods,” Parks said in an email interview. “These are new scenes, but their sense of tone is definitely an homage to Mr. Davis.”<<

"...and our BigFoot doesn't need a disco ball."

 

[Darkbeer1]

Behind-the-scenes look at animatronic characters coming to Knott’s new Calico River Rapids ride

The team at Garner Holt Productions has crafted more than 20 animatronic wild animals for the attraction.

www.ocregister.com

>When the animatronic animals take their places along the banks of the Calico River Rapids ride they will be missing one key element: Fur. A furry animatronic like the ones seen in indoor dark rides at theme parks wouldn’t last very long outdoors in the elements.

“That’s an art form in and of itself,” Butler said. “Making something that’s hard scape look like it’s soft if you were to go up and touch it.”<<

 

[Darkbeer1]

Knott’s summer heats up with bands, games, food and return of Snoopy musical, interactive Calico experience

There’s new things in store for summer at Knott’s.

www.ocregister.com

 

[Phroobar]

 

[Phroobar]

 

[Phroobar]

 

[Rich T]

Cool. And this could spur Disney to plus up GRR.

Could. Won't.

 

[Rich T]

Knott’s new Calico River Rapids overhauls BigFoot Rapids, adds Ghost Town backstory

The revamped ride will take visitors through wildlife scenes populated by more than 20 animatronic figures.

www.ocregister.com

...The new look, aesthetic and design of the reimagined Knott’s ride was inspired by legendary Disney Imagineer Marc Davis...

I'm glad there's at least one Southern CA park trying to keep classic Disney magic alive...

 

[Phroobar]

I'm glad there's at least one Southern CA park trying to keep classic Disney magic alive...

Knotts typically does a good job at doing that.

 

[Phroobar]

 

[Phroobar]

Anyone remember the Knott's Bear-y Tales Playhouse/funhouse? I believe it was in Camp Snoopy were Sidewinder is now. They took the unused AA figures from the ride and put them here when they built KOTD. I remember there was a room that would leave a shadow of yourself on the wall. Anyone remember how that worked?

 

[Rich T]

Knotts typically does a good job at doing that.

I miss this ride so much! And for those who don't already know: Knott's Bear-Y Tales was designed by Rolly Crump! For anyone unfamiliar with Mr. Crump's work... He was the "rebel" Imagineer responsible for at LEAST half the great little details you might love about DL... Stuff like the Tiki Room Gods, the Haunted Mansion gargoyle stanchions... the themed trash cans... and much more. He designed the distinctive look of the WDW version of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. He carved the Tiki Gods in the DL parking lot with a table spoon! The Disney short Windwagon Smith is full of Rolly Trump goodness.

 

[Rich T]

Anyone remember the Knott's Bear-y Tales Playhouse/funhouse? I believe it was in Camp Snoopy were Sidewinder is now. They took the unused AA figures from the ride and put them here when they built KOTD. I remember there was a room that would leave a shadow of yourself on the wall. Anyone remember how that worked?

I can't remember how the Knott's one worked... But S.F.'s Exploratorium had (still might have) a "shadow room". The walls were made of a glow-in-the-dark material. You'd stand against the wall. An audio signal let you know to get ready, and everyone would strike a pose or jump in the air. A strobe light flash would go off, and the walls would then be brightly glowing...except for the part blocked by your body. It cycled about once a minute.

 

[Professortango1]

Anyone remember the Knott's Bear-y Tales Playhouse/funhouse? I believe it was in Camp Snoopy were Sidewinder is now. They took the unused AA figures from the ride and put them here when they built KOTD. I remember there was a room that would leave a shadow of yourself on the wall. Anyone remember how that worked?

It was located in the corner of Camp Snoopy near the Camp Bus attraction. I don't think anything replaced it when they tore it down in the mid 2000's.

 

[Phroobar]

It was located in the corner of Camp Snoopy near the Camp Bus attraction. I don't think anything replaced it when they tore it down in the mid 2000's.

I think you are right. That fence is still there. I'll have to go today and pick up a current map. I can't remember what is there now.

 

[Ismael Flores]

I think you are right. That fence is still there. I'll have to go today and pick up a current map. I can't remember what is there now.