Calico Mine is such a great and special ride and very magical. I love it. It is a must ride every time. It is just sooo enjoyable. and I love Timber Mountain. It is faster than Splash and has no bumpers on the log or compared to other log rides there is no track. just the water carrying you. Plus it is one of the first log rides every made. the 2nd i think but don't qoute me. Some say it helped inspire Walt but I have no idea if that is true.
OK, Bud Hurlbut, the person who operated the original Knott's attractions was an amazing designer and builder of amusement rides and trains.
At Walter Knott's request, Bud designed the Log Flume attraction and was ready to build, but financial issues held up the project. So Bud took his work and agreed to build one for Six Flags over Texas. So that ended up being the first to open.
Some of the money Bud got from Six Flags to build the Knott's version. So first one designed, but second one to open.
As for Walt Disney and Knott's. Back in the early 1950's, Walt and some of the Old Men spent a lot of time studying everything about Knott's and how it operated. They also went to other parks to do the same thing. And had many discussions with Bud Hurlbut. Bud learned from the Old Men knowledge, and of course the other way around.
One of the reasons that the Mine Ride and Log Ride were built was the additional influx of visitors that Disneyland brought.
Also both parks agreed to operate in the off-season in a manner to keep one of the parks open during the week. One closed on Monday and Tuesday, the other on Wednesday and Thursday. Disney sold Knott's tickets at its Hotel and then through Walt Disney Travel Company.
Walt invited Walter to the Disneyland opening, and remain Business associates until Walt Disney passed on.
So yes, Walter Knott and his farm, from how efficient the Chicken Dinner restaurant ran, to the amusement area originally built to keep the guests waiting for a meal entertained, helped inspire Walt Disney and the Disneyland team