All things Knotts Berry Farm

[Ismael Flores]

not to be picky but i believe the location of the pan for Gold moved during the same time that the western town theater was built. If i remember correctly the pan for gold was originally by Boothill cemetery.

now does anyone remember if the cemetery was also relocated at one point?


Also what took place of the Haunted shack? i do miss that attraction. It was so simple yet so effective in tricking guests

 

[Darkbeer1]

not to be picky but i believe the location of the pan for Gold moved during the same time that the western town theater was built. If i remember correctly the pan for gold was originally by Boothill cemetery.

now does anyone remember if the cemetery was also relocated at one point?


Also what took place of the Haunted shack? i do miss that attraction. It was so simple yet so effective in tricking guests

1. The current Pan for Gold is in the original place (close) next to the GhostRider Queue's Entrance. It was moved back to behind the Glassblowing shop first, then across the way in front of the Cemetery. The move was directly related to the addition of GhostRider.

2. The Cemetery is in the same place. It did get reshaped when Pony Express was built, but the original has always been next to the Calico "River", that is alas, dry currently.

3. The Haunted Shack area is now where the Calico Mine Stage is located.

You can still experience the Haunted Shack in the real town of Calico.

Attractions

Maggie Mine, Calico Odessa Railroad, Mystery Shack and Gold Panning Adventure! Have some fun!

www.calicoattractions.com

Walter Knott bought the Town in 1951, and then donated it to San Bernardino County in 1966.

Calico, California - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Darkbeer1]

Knott’s Boysenberry Festival spreads to Yogurtland with new frozen yogurt flavor

Yogurtland’s newest flavor toasts Knott’s Berry Farm.

www.ocregister.com

>Knott’s fans will have an opportunity to prime their taste buds for the upcoming Boysenberry Festival when Yogurtland releases its newest frozen yogurt flavor.

The theme park and dessert chain have teamed up to create Knott’s Berry Farm Boysenberry Pie frozen yogurt, which will be available at Yogurtland locations beginning March 18. Customers may also top their treat with mini boysenberry shortbread cookies.

Yogurtland frozen yogurt is not available at Knott’s. The store will have coupons for online discounted park admission.<<

 

[Disneyland/DCA]

The vacant building between Virginia's and Ghostrider, in the marketplace, is the PERFECT place to open a yogurtland.

 

[Darkbeer1]

So what does the Future Hold for Knott's?

Next year will be the 100th Anniversary of Knott's Berry Place, well, actually the Knott's Family arrived to the Buena Park property to start a Farm in December of 1920, but still a reason to celebrate.

Let's go back a few years, in 2011, Matt Ouimet became CEO of Cedar Fair, and changed somewhat what **** Kinzel was doing in regards to the individual Parks. (In 2018, Richard Zimmerman became CEO, but Matt still oversees the Board of Directors). Anyways, each park comes up with projects they feel will improve the park, and therefore, increase the profit of the park. Cedar Fair comes up with the amount of funds available for long term projects, and its own list of priorities. It looks at the performance of each park, and then decides which projects to approve. Some parks ask for "future funds", meaning they want something like a major coaster, and are willing to wait three years to get enough funds to do it, as an example.

So Knott's had its list, but some things came up, not enough funds, the mandate to upgrade the facilities, including the concrete replacement project for the walkways and Grand Avenue, etc. So the project timeline fell behind. HangTime and Calico River Rapids were delayed (But Calico River Rapids originally was supposed to be 2 years after HangTime, but the amount of new visitors, increased SP sales and profit got the project approved quickly.

So what is next. Of course, Cedar Fair/Knott's wants a new roller coaster at Knott's... But where to put it..

Well, they saw what Disneyland did in regards to Galaxy's Edge....

This is where I have to be careful, and talk in generalities...

The word is out that Knott's Scary Farm is losing 3 barns that are currently backstage near the Hotel after this season is over (November 2019). Plans are being worked out as to how/where to relocate them, and how many to replace.

Also, plans to relocate some backstage facilities to the Western Parking Lot. Also looking to convert the parking into paved lots (more cars per acre). Also converting more of the Main Beach Blvd. property to parking and/or backstage facilities. The church moving is part of that equation, also a small part of the picnic areas might be lost. Parking Structures might also be part of the mix.

So the 100th will be more of an announcement, with major things opening in 2021.

The one thing that sounds solid is the expansion will be themed to Ghost Town, with new facades being added in the area.

One wish of mine is a new Food Hall similar to Carowinds. It is a money maker, so hopefully will make the plans, though the year round operation is a worry in regards to the SP Dining Plan. (Cedar Fair mandates the costs for Platinum Passes and its Dining Plan. Parks have some flexibility for its own SP pricing, and other discounts, though they have to be approved by corporate).

 

[Phroobar]

I can see it now. The Haunt Shack Coaster!

 

[Phroobar]

 

[Ismael Flores]

Knott's really needs a few more sit down eateries. Too many fast food places and unhealthy food stall.

Always enjoy eating at the ghost town grill but even that place is starting to look a bit unkept. parts of the dining area have cobwebs and dust that seems to be there for years. I know that it is a ghost town but some cleaning wouldn't hurt

 

[Ismael Flores]

How much of this land do they own on the west side across the park?

I would think that maximinzing the use of the property would allow them for some of it to be used as backstage infrastructure.

I know the lighter dirt area is worker parking and the building at the bottom of the picture was torn down if i remember correctly.
also was that the same building that burnt down?

how about all that land west of the parking area, is that owned by them too or is it part of the school?

 

[Ismael Flores]

On the north side they also have the large dirt parking lot and the horse stables just north of it but how about the piece of land west of the horse stables which only has a couple building, Do they own that?

for a small park like Knott's that has an annual attendance of probably no more than 6,000,000 and mostly because of Knott's Scary Farm it seems like they have plenty of land to build a good size structure on either the north or west property. The other can then be used for backstage buildings.

That is of course if they are interested in expanding park property on the southern side by removing as much as possible near the hotel.

 

[Darkbeer1]

10 new Knott’s Boysenberry Festival dishes to try

There will be more than 75 food and beverage items at Knott’s Boysenberry Festival.

www.ocregister.com

 

[Darkbeer1]

Was at Knott's last Tuesday, and actually saw some construction workers walking around Calico River Rapids.

Friday, there was trenches dug at the entrance area, and near the smoking area under the Pony Express. Looks like electrical work, which makes sense. The area under Pony Express is where the pay to splash riders devices will be located, so also network riding for the game card readers.

Sunday night was PACKED, didn't go inside the park, just got Chicken to Go for Dinner at Home. Even got the Cherry Rhubarb....

 

[Phroobar]

I think it's interesting that Knotts/MM can build or add significant items to a ride in a matter of months while Disney takes years. Disneyland would have boarded up the area with things going on for a long time while Knotts/MM just starts to work on things a few months before opening.

 

[Darkbeer1]

I think it's interesting that Knotts/MM can build or add significant items to a ride in a matter of months while Disney takes years. Disneyland would have boarded up the area with things going on for a long time while Knotts/MM just starts to work on things a few months before opening.

Well, the main work, the building of the AA's at Gardner-Holt and building replacement rafts by Intermin have been going on for months. And the plans were drawn up in 2017 or earlier.

And West Coast Racers has been built at by Premiere Rides. The plans also were done in 2017, though the preliminary version was before that when West Coast Customs and Six Flags said yes to working together and the basic location was decided (before Premiere was chosen to build the attraction.

But yes, Disney takes a lot longer, and some of that is how they fund attractions, and placing the costs in certain time frames. They delay things and make changes a lot more than other parks....

 

[Phroobar]

 

[Phroobar]

 

[Phroobar]

 

[Rich T]

I actually rode the "Cycle Chase" before it was converted to the Soap Box Racers. It was great fun but...OUCH. The best part was the drop into the tunnel before the second lift: They had a huge mirror (the width of the four lane track) deviously angled above the drop to make it appear as if the track kept going straight, level forward. Then you'd suddenly drop into the hidden tunnel. That was awesome. Slightly painful, but awesome.

 

[DanielBB8]

I love Knott's, but not as much as I used to. There are too many areas that need improvement. Darkbeer gave an excellent summary of what will happen. I agree.

1. Please improve the facilities especially the restrooms. Many reek of urine smells and leaky and moldy pipes and tiles. The Charles Schulz Theater needs new seats. The tower ride needs new windows.
2. Improve the show scenes on the train rides (big train and little train) and flume rides. It needs more polishing. Disney is much better with this with a bigger budget. Knott's should find ways to do it cheaper and they do, but they need the will.
3. Upgrade the Knott's Marketplace. The stores are tired. The bakery needs expansion.
4. Improve reliability of Iron Reef ride. This attraction gotten worse in loading and breakdowns.
5. Attraction loading is horribly inefficient. You have to go in a less busy day to enjoy all the rides. Food lines are equally a time waster.
6. Needs a dark ride that is actually dark. A spooky haunted ride would fit the bill.
7. Parking needs major upgrades.

• Add main parking entrance at La Palma Ave instead of using the underground tunnel off Beach and on Grand Ave. Tunnel should be for pedestrians only.
• Close off Grand Avenue for cars. This is a major traffic bottleneck that could be easily avoided.
• Add major parking structure at the main parking lot.
• Pave over the dirt/gravel lots.
• South lots on east and west sides of Grand Ave could be park and marketplace expansion.

 

[Phroobar]

I actually rode the "Cycle Chase" before it was converted to the Soap Box Racers. It was great fun but...OUCH. The best part was the drop into the tunnel before the second lift: They had a huge mirror (the width of the four lane track) deviously angled above the drop to make it appear as if the track kept going straight, level forward. Then you'd suddenly drop into the hidden tunnel. That was awesome. Slightly painful, but awesome.

I loved the Wacky Soap Box Racers back in the day. I loved the animated characters, sets and explosion effect in the fireworks factory at the end. It was very creative. It was fun to try to get your car to move faster to beat everyone else. It was sad when the ride started to get stripped of it's personality.