Knott's

[Dante101]

I think we have a few people from Knott's here...

Was wondering what you thought of the state of Knott's today.

I remember when Cedar Fair took it over, it was a little sad that the old-time family business was being sold out; but then, again, I was excited that a big outfit was coming in, and would hopefully pump some money into the place.

I still can't believe there's a giant rollercoaster like Ghost Rider at Knott's Berry Farm. For years growing up, my friends and I viewed Knott's as being filled with "ripoff" rides - rides that lasted less then half the time as normal ones in other parks. Such as the old Corkscrew and Montezuma's Revenge. Both great rides, but over before you know it.

So do you pine for the old days, under the old management?

Do you think Cedar Fair is doing a good job?

Do you wish someone else would buy the place?

[Fritter]

Knott's is still a good theme park to go to, but yes, I think it's losing it's touch I guess you can say. I remember going there when I was little and riding those soap box cars or riding down in the parachute. Or seeing Ghost Town and all of it's buildings brown, not some crazy maroon color or something that just totally doesn't fit in. It seems like they're trying to be like their competition.

Like the Boardwalk for example, what the hell is up with changing the colors of everything? Boomerang looks like Barney colors, Jaguar looks dumb, and so does Montezuma's. It seems like they are trying too hard to attract the teenage crowd, but I guess it is working. I have an annual pass there and I always laugh at how stupid some of the kids are over there.

But anyway, I miss the Haunted Shack. And the old days of Knott's, before Cedar Fair. I've heard rumors as to other people buying it, like Anheuser-Busch and even George Lucas. But again, those are rumors.

I work over there during October and it's fun to work there, but only during October. Everyone who works there normally that I know, complains about management a lot.

[Old Crow]

I think Knott's is a much better park then it used to be before Cedar Fair. Rides like Ghostridder, Supreme Scream and Xcelerator really brings in the crowds. I do miss the older attractions as well like the soap box racers and the haunted shack. Knott's Scary Farm is every reason to visit the park at least once a year (I live in Nor Cal). I dig everything they do at that time of year. There seems to be times where I feel like the only person in the park (weekday afternoons) and I wonder how they can compete with the larger parks but I have faith that they can pull it off. The new paint they've used is good but not the colors they picked and I'm not that thrilled with the neutering of the parachute drop. I think they could have dumped a million or two into it to get it back and running. It kinda is a historical landmark for the park and all.

[GapToothed]

I went to Knott's for the first time since elementary school last week. The Ghost Town and Camp Snoopy sections were as I remembered them. Ghostrider was my first woodie and I was expecting it to be rough, but not that rough! Plus it didn't help that something hit me in the forehead on my first ride! I watched Xcelerator be built on westcoaster.net so it was cool to ride it. Very intense ride! Perilous Plunge looked quite fun, but unless it's 500 degrees out, there's no way I'm going on it! I was shocked at the number of places to find things to eat at Knott's. Every corner I turned there was something to eat! That isn't Busch Entertainment's philosophy but it's sure convenient if you want something quickly. The only section of the park that seemed completely out of whack with the rest of the park was the Boardwalk section. It lacked any kind of charm. It surprised me that the ground was just bare, unthemed concrete. I can imagine on hot days how terrible it would be to stand in line for Xcelerator since there isn't any shade provided. All the coasters were about 3 train waits and everything else was a walk-on. I can't imagine how crowded the park gets during the Halloween Haunt. Maybe this year I'll make it up there for that...

All in all, an enjoyable day.

[Weeble]

They got rid of the haunted shack, soap box racers and parachute drop????? :shock:

Crikey.

I remember going to knott's one time when I was about 14 and waiting in line for the Haunted Shack. It was kind of dark in the little waiting area and there was this guy with his family that looked like Chuck Norris. My stepbrother finally gets up the nerve to ask him and the guys says "yes. I am Chuck Norris" I thought the guy was kidding so I stand up and walk over and I go "if you are really Chuck Norris you could handle this!" I then threw a karate kick in his direction (not at him of course) he just kinda laughed. Later on in the tour, once we got into lights, I realized it WAS Chuck!



:pbjtime:

[LittleDollClaudia]

Yes I do work at Knott's and I have to say that there are some very vast differences since Cedar Fair took over. But I will say that it is a way less stressful job then at other places. As already explained above a lot of the staples we used to love have been taken out. I miss Beary Tales and Tijuana Taxi as well as Soap Box Racers and others. It seems that we are working assembly line attractions now. Every new ride that goes up lately has major issues. A lady died on Perilous Plunge and Vertigo had to be taken out because the poles where it was at another theme park fell down. Windjammer was taken out because get this it swayed too much in the wind and had to be shut down. Now Xcelerator stands in its place. I have not been on it but have been told it's a disappointment because it is over too quickly. But it is a park to relax in, unlike our lovely neighbors. I can't wait until Halloween Haunt comes. I admit it is the one time of the year when Knott's goes all out.(If only they showed that enthusiasm all year round then the guests would come back. Even our busiest day is slower than a slow day at Disneyland. Hmm, something wrong there) I can see myself being there for a while if Cedar Fair takes the initative and brings back the atmosphere that people came to know and love. Keep your fingers crossed. :D

[Old Crow]

I'd kick Chuck Norris to just becuase he's Chuck.

Xcelerator is short but it is way worth the short wait to go on it. The launch and top hat is so intense and the airtime you get in amazing. Knott's gets super busy during the haunt and pretty much makes up for all those slow days. Vertigo was taken out becuase the one at Cedar Point had one of it's towers snap and fall over. Something about "vortex shedding." Windjammer was absolutely horrible. It was like riding an electric chair on rails. What else would you expect from Togo Inc. With the rumor of Knott's getting a new inverted coaster near the lake, it's sure to bring in some more guests.

[Freak]

KBF has gone through its stages. Right now I think it's doin pretty good. I go there regularly, and Its not bad. Xcel is way better than NeckJammer, and Boomerang is still pretty good (I don't think its rough at all.). Ghostrider was Knott's first step into the "big" rides I think. Xcel is short, but longer that TTD at Cedar Point. I think Cedair Fair is doin' a down right good job, though all the re-paint of the attractions scare me a little.

[JustinSane]

I can't imagine how crowded the park gets during the Halloween Haunt. Maybe this year I'll make it up there for that.

Just a little bit of advice from someone who worked the last two Haunts. Go on a Thursday or a Sunday, otherwise you'll be waiting in long lines all night. On Saturday nights, there's literally a sea of people in that place, you can hardly walk without bumping into someone.

[Dante101]

Go on a Thursday or a Sunday, otherwise you'll be waiting in long lines all night.

So is there one specific day that has the least crowds for HH?

And I always wondered, are the rides dressed up for Halloween during the daytime, too? Or are they closed during the day?