Hi. I just joined because I happened to come across this website and this thread one day after going to Knott's Merry Farm in the rain so I thought I could offer some insight. I was there yesterday, December 18. It rained all day and they kept the park open as well as many of the rides. The outdoor shows were cancelled. So no Wagon Camp show or Native American dancers. The parade, and the carolers were cancelled. The tree lighting show was scaled back to just a sing along with the Calico Carolers - just one song - and Snoopy lighting the tree. The stage was really wet. At least they tested out the snow before they came out and said the actual show was cancelled, so everyone got a kick out of the snow falling.
When I parked (around 9:15 a.m.) I was warned the park may close between 2 and 5, but that it was not definite. The staff asked me if I still wanted to park. I don't know how much of a choice any of the latecomers had. When I entered the park I asked about the ice show possibly being cancelled as I was planning on seeing the last show. I was told not to put off seeing the show because if they close the park the last couple of shows may be cancelled. I found that hard to believe since it was the last weekend of Toys for Tots as well as the Police and Fire and Social Service free admission. It's like why not just come over to see the indoor shows. Oh well, I took them at their word and changed my plans from lunch first to shows and then lunch. After seeing the saloon show and both the Birdcage Theater shows, I went out of the park at 1:30 to go to Mrs. Knott's, which had a pretty short line, by the way, and they were still letting people enter the park.
Around that time I heard that the Ghostrider was temporarily closed, but I could see it was open later. I'm sorry to say I don't know about many of the other rides that you may be interested in because I was there mostly to see the shows and do the Log Ride, which was open. The attendance was lighter than normal, but just enough to give you elbow room and walking around was really nice. Really wet too, but nice. The guests were mostly polite and it was one of the most enjoyable times I've had at Knott's Merry Farm as far as interacting with other guests. If it wasn't for the big puddles of water and the constant cold rain it would have been extremely enjoyable! I'm just not that big on thrill rides, so perhaps I would feel differently if there was one I really wanted to do and could not.
Stagecoach was not running. I think that is for the safety of the horses. I did the Log Ride aka Elf Mountain, the Mine Train Ride, the Calico Train (cab ride), Mystery Lodge. I saw the ice show, two Birdcage Theater Christmas shows, and the Holiday Saloon Show. And what there was of the tree lighting, which really was not worth standing in the rain for unless you have kids who really love the sight of Snoopy. Also did a litle shopping. Oh, and the crafters just cover up as best as they can during the rain. They are still there until Dec. 24. One of them has a nice little area that is great to get out of the rain and look at her crafts. Like a little wood shed.
I left around 9:30 p.m. The park was pretty empty by around 8:30 or 9 p.m. I was just hanging out around the train. But, yeah, they keep the park open until the official closing time, even though it rained all day. That was mostly light rain. Heavier than drizzle, though.
I was thinking of going back on Dec. 23rd so I could see the parade, carolers, and full tree lighting show. Plus I am friendly with someone who works there so stopping by again will be nice and he can get me in for free. I was figuring the rain would end by Thursday. I thought I saw a forecast of partly cloudy on line. But ABC7 says there is a forecast of rain in the a.m. at 30% chance right now. I am figuring that it might rain in the early a.m. I hope, I hope! I think you could watch the forecast and call the park in the morning. Don't be discouraged if someone tells you there is a "chance" it might close later in the day. Just go for the indoor shows at least. And maybe the Log Ride and Mine Train and see what happens with the rest of the rides. I know that yesterday most people, employees and guests, were friendly and had the Christmas spirt. So it's a good experience no matter what as long as they are open.
As for discounts, I don't know if this still works, but it used to be that when you paid for the Christmas Crafts Village admission you could slip past the employees at the sections that block off the rest of the park. (That is unless you have a huge family group with you.) It is even easier to do that in the rain, I suppose, because of gloves covering many guests hands where the hand stamp would be and guests carrying umbrellas. Who knows, maybe by the 23rd employees don't care much if you slip by. Just make sure you pay for the extra ticket to get into the ice show if you go with the Christmas Crafts admission. See the Knott's website for the prices of Crafts Village admission (Mon. thru Friday, ending this week).
