fatdaddy

Your camera makes my head look big! Great shots, that was an awesome trip!

Opening an attraction that isn't done yet seems like kind of bad PR. Do you think the park really wants their facebook/instagram presence to be exposed/unfinished construction work? Every theme park company has opened something that was less than complete, that's why it's a soft open, not an official opening, and believe me I've ridden many rides long before things were ready for the press release, even Disney does this. If you have any knowledge of the thems park industry you know that deadlines aren't always met 100%. I've seen many a ride open with plywood walls where theming should be and then it's completed over time. I actually know of one ride, which shall remane nameless, that has themeing and lights that were never installed in order to push the opening date up, at this point I wonder if the ride will ever be "complete". Of course, you don't know what's missing and it doesn't effect the ride in any way other than cosmetically, so no one even notices anything is missing. If you really believe they wouldn't soft open a ride because of a little paint and polish, or some lights, you're sadly mistaken.

Of course, it's never bad PR to open a ride early. That said, they are working steadily to get it open, I was surprised to see work being done on a Saturday. Reality is they could soft open without all the cosmetics complete, and hold off an official grand opening until everything is complete.

My daughter chose to spend her birthday at Knott's Boysenberry Festival this year, and I was more than happy to take her. If you've never been, Knott's Boysenberry Festival grew out of Knott's Berry Bloom, the food was so popular it became it's own event. The best bet for enjoying the most food items at the best price is the tasting card, this year you get 8 items for one price, and you get to choose what you use it on. So, if you find that one item on the menu that you love, or see an item you know you'll hate, skip what you don't like and get seconds of what you love. We tried 7 of the 8 items on the card, only skipping the hummus, and doubled up on the Boysenberry Sausage. Tasting card includes: Short Rib, Pierogies, Chicken Wings, Coconut Macaroon, Elote(corn), Hummus with PIta Bread, Cheese Quesadilla, Sausage on a Bun. Of course all these items are "Boysenberry" in some way, either the sauce or cooked with boysenberries. There are many boysenberry items not on the card throughout the park, such as cheesecake, doughnuts, ice cream, and the infamous Fun Bun, but at an extra cost of course. Let's not forget that boysenberry beer, cider, and wine are also available, so bring your ID. I always suggest the half and half of boysenberry beer and cider, for some the cider is too sweet, halfing it with beer makes it perfect in my opinion. Also, if you don't use your entire tasting card you can always come back and use it another day, I find that it's difficult to make it through everything in one visit, unless you have help (kids). Also be warned that lines for some foods get very long, especially during lunch time, the items with the longest lines were the Short Rib and Sausage when we visited. In any case, this is just a quick report of what was mostly a food run, info for Boysenberry Festival can be found on the Knott's Berry Farm website if you're interested. It run's daily through April 8, and pictures... For a perfect birthday experience, get a birthday button and a tasting card! Each tab is one item, and the items available are listed on the card! What? You say where can I find these things...here's a map! Macaroon! Um, no she did not want to share. Her sister luckily had her own tasting card. Boysenberry wings, one of those items you may want to use your entire card on 4x8=32 wings!!! Wings are actually pretty big. Didn't last long. These are worth a try. A little onion and bacon on top. Seeing these prices gives you an idea of what a great value the tasting cards are. Meat just falls off the bone! Wait, when did we get to Golden Corral? When I dip, you dip, we dip... On a stick, no forks needed, just shove it in your face. One of these is not a boysenberry. It's a carmel, nut, cookie, chocolate thing, can't remember what it's called. In case you forgot where we're at. There is also fresh fudge in many flavors. I'd say these were good, but my children didn't share, so I don't know! Noted. The boysenberry salsa is excellent! Boysenberry cheese quesadilla. Boysenberry items are available all over, some available all year long! If you build it they will come...and eat it! My personal favorite, and it's right next to the beer. Longest line of the day, but the line moved fast. BoysenBEERy! Washes the sausage down very well. My son calls this "stinky guy". Win an alpaca named Jim on your birthday! Okay, that's all I have. Love this event, have gone every year, and it just keeps getting better! My daughter thoroughly enjoyed her boysenberry filled birthday, I'm glad she still enjoys spending a day with her Dad at an amusement park. Check out this event if you haven't been, Xcelerator is up and running, and Hangtime may open before Boysenberry Festival ends, lots of reasons to go! Thanks for looking, leave a comment.

Knott's app says March 31 if you click Hangtime, but seeing it today I doubt they'll hit that mark. It's definitely close to open though, station needs a bit more done to it before it can open.

Okay from the better late than never report category...yeah, should have had this up sooner, but life's a bitch and then you get new bumper cars...or something. Anyway, in the shadow of Superman in the area where the old Metro station and Crazy Barrels were once situated, Six Flags Magic Mountain will be erecting the new pendulum ride Crazanity! The biggest erection of it's kind, Crazanity itself will be 172 feet tall, but when installed on it's base will reach near 180 feet tall. It will include a killer lighting package, and should be visible from the other side of the park. Okay, even better news, the entire area will be getting a face-lift! Starting with the midway games area, there will be new brighter pastel paint and boardwalk theming, Johnny Rockets gets updated with paint, new seating, and new signs. Bumper cars will get a complete overhaul, including new queue, paint, lights and yes...NEW CARS!!! If you're a total nerd and want to know about the troll sign, it has been removed, but it may indeed turn up somewhere in the future. The scrambler will also get an overhaul with paint and a much needed shade cover. The nearby restroom will be renovated, including new trough sinks and air dryers. Last, but not least, Tidal Wave will in the least get some new paint. We also got an introduction to new park president Neal Thurman! Neal was the Director of Park Operations at Six Flags Magic Mountain many years ago, before having a position of Park President at both Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Six Flags Great Adventure. With Neal back at Six Flags Magic Mountain I'm sure we can expect big improvements to the park! Okay, that's all I have, sorry for the delay, leave a comment, and pictures... Can you picture it? Cause, there's a picture of it! Dirt, everyone loves dirt! Open hole is my favorite! In this episode of Handy Manny... Footers make people happy! Put a helmet on it! We only need these stairs! Embrace the emptiness! EMBRACE IT!!! "I am the ghost of souvenir cups past!!!" Someone broke this stuff. Yay, make the scrambler pretty! Don't worry, I got this! Can't remember what this is, ENIAC maybe? Bathroom upgrade...for me to poop on! The man of the hour, many, many Six Flags days ahead for new park president Neal Thurman! I actually ate salad! Don't worry, you'll get some love too.

Rock & Brews has decent food and nice atmosphere, prices aren't bad either.

Some quick pictures of HangTime. Whether you like pork... ...beef... ...or chicken! No vegan options...sorry...really. Lookin' good!

Forgot a couple... That's it...really..not kidding...leave a comment.

Okay, lets continue... Rolling hoop something person. And the stars of the show...for me at least. Really awesome to watch. Go see it for yourself! A great cast all the way around. You can drink beer by this tree. This stuff alone is worth a visit. The wings taste less blurry in person. Thumbs up for these. Dylan approved! Smores! Winter Wonderland! OMG...so...much...sugar!!! I like to eat my food in an eerie blue light. Ate way too many of these, sooo good! Unleash the Dylan! Give him funnel cake and he's unstoppable! Funnel cake or unicorn poop? Holiday Dippin' Dots. Dylan ate all of these! Meow! At Six Flags ALL trees are Christmas trees! Dreidel dreidel dreidel... Water tree. Yo, yo, yo, Merry Christmas! Okay, that's all I have. I'll tell you that there is not pictures of everything, nor was I able to get to everything, so many things to do, see, and eat. Oh, and Santa too! Thanks to Six Flags Magic Mountain for inviting us and treating us to some of the amazing holiday food offerings. If you have not visited this event, add it to your list, it's on par with most events in SoCal and better than some. You won't be disappointed!

Recently Theme Park Review was invited to preview Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Magic Mountain, this annual event has quickly become a holiday tradition in Southern California, and has returned with all the lights, food, and fun that make this event awesome! The event runs select days through December 31st, check the SFMM website for details and times, remember this event is all about lights, so plan on staying late(HIP officially starts at 5pm.), and bring a light jacket. Returning are all the great lights throughout the park, including "snow" at Holiday Square at the front of the park. An awesome light show in Rockin' Universe (DC Universe) that is very impressive and should not be missed. Many "Kwerky" characters and tons of blue and greet lights in the Gleampunk District (Streampunk District), and check out this years Kwerkmas show which is even better than last year. New this year is Fire and Ice at the Metro Park Pub, try seasonal beers, make smores, and have some holiday food including Lobster Mac and Cheese! Don't forget Santa's Wild Sleigh Ride VR on The New Revolution, if you haven't done this one, it's one of the best VR experiences out there, ride along with Santa and his reindeer...AWESOME! Snowy Nights in Full Throttle Plaza has music, dancing, games, lights, and a live DJ. Winter Wonderland in Rapids Camp Crossing has a festive white and red light path that will lead you strait to Katy's Kettle for some holiday food. There are so many things going on at this event, but don't forget the food! Holiday Leftover Sandwiches, Lobster Mac and Cheese, Enchilada Soup, Hot Chocolate, Champurrado, Peppermint Brownies, Pumpkin Pie...the list goes on and on. Be sure to pick up a Holiday in the park map on the way in, which has all of the food listed along with the locations they are available at. Remember many of these items are only available during HIP, so try everything! Okay, since I took a little longer than usual to get this report up, I'm just throwing up a ton of pictures. If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment. Okay, pictures... Let's do that! Hug a giant ornament! Hula-hoop like your grandma did in the olden days! The sweater is the key. This is what's commonly known as an elf. Photo op. No, giant candy cane man isn't scary at all! Holiday Leftover Sandwich, I ate many of these! Dylan gave this a thumbs up. Pretzel covered in chocolate by the way. Hot chocolate1 Eat this. Breakfast of champions. Waiting for lights. Lights. They even decorated Dylan! Six Flags thinks of everything! This might be my favorite thing. Qwerkmas! Dancers. Flying hoop something person. I have a giant cube!!! I wonder if this guy randomly does this at restaurants? Some kind of human yoyo. We will dance and push this thing around. Taking a break, the rest will be up later today< be sure to check back for more...

^Ha! The way they have it set up now, it's pretty much all around the park. Especially with the roaming scare actors. But, they definitely need to get rid of some of the older mazes, or do complete rethemes to stay current and keep up with the bigger haunts.

Yes, you can upgrade your pass. There's a picture of the sign which has prices for the upgrade in the SFMM Fright Fest report if you want an exact amount.

Vault 666, Reds Revenge, and Aftermath 2 are probably the most "modern" mazes and close to being on par with other haunt events. The new blackout type/dark maze is one of those things that you'll either love or hate. Suicide Squad is fun if your into DC, or the movie, or hot blondes. As I said, it's gotten much better, but competing with Knott's and Universal is going fo require major changes every year. They do have one advantage with Terror Tracks (coasters in tye dark) and should really promote that more.