monty1998

The 2012 coaster was similar in scale (not layout) to Intiminator 305, but design problems with that ride combined with aesthetic concerns about a massive ride looming over much of the park killed the project. In other, somewhat ironic news, the fire station behind the park burned down last week. Luckily no one was hurt and a new structure on LA Palma was already slated to start construction later this year.

According to the Orange County Register article, Raffi "decided to hold the auction to make room at the park." As part of the plan for the never-built 2012 Intamin coaster at the park, the old preserving kitchen and canning buildings back stage were to be removed. It's possible that there are once again plans to expand the park into this area, although I wouldn't expect to see a massive coaster project due to the current focus of the park, aesthetics, and neighbor concerns. A smaller scale coaster, a dark rides, or perhaps even a new themed area would be possible however. Any project of this scope, if it is indeed in the works, would take quite awhile to complete, given the complexities of relocating utilities and moving various backstage offices, etc., so 2018 would be the earliest anything would be completed, although 2020 (Knott's 100th birthday) would probably be more realistic.

Circus of Wonders (9:00 pm) is without a doubt the closest Knott's has ever come to a nighttime spectacular. It has a similar budget to The Hanging, and greatly benefits from the techological improvements in the new facility.

Knott's Update Soak City... The layout and concept art for the Soak City expansion have been posted on the Buena Park website. It is contained in a rather large PDF that covers the entire agenda for tomorrow night's council meeting and is located here... www.buenapark.com/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=9603 The most pertinent pages are 269-272. Knott's is purchasing land near La Palma and Stanton to replace parking lot that will be lost to the expansion. The existing ride Pacific Spin will be replaced with a Fusion Constrictor Python by White Water West. In addition, there will be a tower with 4 drop pod slides and 2 tube slides that will both have long translucent portions. A large area of new cabanas is also included. Good news from the Farm... attendance appears to be even higher this summer than last year's record levels. Bad news from the Farm... the major mechanical malfunction that occurred on Pony Express earlier this month will apparently keep the ride closed for quite awhile, possibly through most of the summer. In other news somewhat related to Knott's... the fire station on Western will be demolished and moved to another portion of Knott's west parking lot adjacent to La Palma.