short TR: Knott's 5/29/07

[Rastuso]

Day 4 – Knott’s Berry Farm

 

Day four was mostly a travel day. We were moving from the LAX area to the Disney area. A wrong exit presented a good chance to use our GPS device. Instead of correcting the problem with my map, I just turned it on, put in our hotel address and let it take us there. Quite cool. My son was not feeling too well, so our plans of mini golf were cancelled. He just couldn’t get over his cough and minor fever that was coming and going. So, I had some time to go to Knott’s. I heard about a great coupon at Carl’s Jr. on the radio, so it only cost $30, and the parking kiosks were unmanned when I arrived. Of course, on the way I had the Urge, so I stopped for a double-double and fries. I really didn’t need the fries, and wasn’t going to order them, but I just couldn’t resist. I mean, what the hell, I won’t have any of these for quite a while after we leave.

 

Crowds weren’t too bad. Sierra Sidewinder was running. Of course, it had no riders. Regardless of the heavy advertising that it was open on the radio and web, it really only opened for Memorial Day weekend, with only on train. Then it shut down for them to finish the ride and get the trains tested. It was cycling 3 trains. Had Robb not told me this was likely the case, I would have been very mad. I was still upset to miss the ride by a few days, but it was no huge deal. I still had a new credit to get in the Silver Bullet. I walked right on an outside edge ride and was off. This is a pretty tall ride. Nothing new really, the same B&M inverted stuff, although I did like the overbanked turn, and the two corkscrews in a line with a little jog between them was different. A fun ride, as are most B&Ms. But, I just hate boomerang elements. My favorite inverts are Fire Dragon and Montu, which I haven’t ridden since opening year.

 

Since many rides were closed, I had to figure out what to do next. Log ride was closed for major repairs, and I missed its awesomeness. Perilous Plunge was closed. I still haven’t got that ride. Xcellerator was open, but had apparently been down for a while, and had a bit of a line right now. There were quite a few school groups there, but nothing horrible. So, I decided to finally do Mystery Lodge. It is never open during Haunt, so I had never done it, and rumors of it’s demise are always flowing, so I waited 20 minutes for the next showing. It took way too long to get into the building, and then we watched the pointless preshow, and finally went into the small show room. I instantly realized this was a Pepper’s Ghost show. But, I must admit, it was a GOOD one. The fire effects were neat, and I noticed that they did not overlap the kindling, I don’t know if that was just where I was sitting or not, but it was very good. The first time the Indian appeared, I thought maybe I just didn’t notice him there before, but it became evident he was popping in and out of the show. My final opinion was that the Indian himself must be a Pepper’s Ghost, but he sure didn’t look like one. He seemed to be an actual person on the main stage. But, I couldn’t see any secondary glasses in the main room for the projection to be on. Perhaps in his room, there are some, and he just deftly walks around them. The final disappearance and the cane dropping really got me, so the Indian must be a Pepper’s Ghost, but he just looked much more solid than most. I’d have to watch a second time to pay attention and try and figure it out. This show is REALLY well done, and very convincing for the first time, and I knew how the effects were being done, but still couldn’t figure it out totally. The average guest, I’m sure, is very perplexed.

 

After getting out of the show, it was time for more coastering. I’m not much of a Ghost Rider fan, so it was off to Xcellerator, since I only had one fuzzy ride back at the Scary Farm a few years ago. The line was barely out of the station. Oh, and what a horrible station it is. Who the hell thought this was a good idea to have lines for cars, not rows. The line for the front car was enormous. It was about 12 trains worth, while the rest of the lines were for 2 or 3 trains. Yeah, the front seat is good, but you aren’t even guaranteed the front seat. How stupid is that? I’d guess many cars go out with nobody in the second row. They also still have the Draconian no glasses policy, even with a Croakie. I was wearing a contact, so that was no big deal, and the ops were very careful putting my sunglasses in a cubby. I love this ride. The launch if still one of the, if not the, best. Ultra fast and smooth. I was getting insane air over the top, even with just a bit of space. It’s short, but all thrills. I went on to get 4 or 5 rides in the last hour. Only one line jumping issue with a white girl that wanted by, even though the wait was only a few seconds to get into the station. She did not press the issue.

 

A nice mini visit to Knott’s, even though it would have been MUCH better with 3 more rides open. But, I probably would have skipped the Lodge then, and regretted it once it was gone, which may be soon if there really are coaster markings popping up around Big Foot Rapids.

 

I headed home, and got ready for our first Disney day. Our Homewood Suites we always stay at was under renovation, but it wasn’t a big deal, and having two rooms allowed us to get our son in a dark quiet room early so he could get plenty of rest since his cough was still lingering.

 

No pics

 

-R

[SharkTums]

Cedar Fair has some of the poorest designed stations, and awesome XLR8R totally wins.

[Rastuso]

Now that I"m thinking about it, Ghostrider has those dumbass queues for the front/back car, not row, don't they?

 

-r

[robbalvey]

Now that I"m thinking about it, Ghostrider has those dumbass queues for the front/back car, not row, don't they?

 

-r

Yup! It's not so much of an issue for the back, but it messes up the front since no one wants to wait that extra time in line and get stuck in row 2.

 

Pretty stupid.

 

--Robb

[haiderodes]

I've seen Mystery Lodge twice and it still perplexes me. Its actually really well put together. I thought it was akin to something you'd see in a museum/visitor's center.

 

The disappearance and stick thing at the end is still a big how'd they do that for me. I'm thinking the actor places the stick in a little groove in the floor that then closes/moves so that the stick falls. I also think there's a lot more happening behind that glass than we can see. I just wish people would give this attraction a little more credit.

[Mark Rosenzweig]

Cedar Fair has some of the poorest designed stations, and awesome XLR8R totally wins.

 

I'd say its pretty much limited to KBF specifically, though. None of their other parks have this type of idotic queue design.

 

-Mark

[laqueefa]

Nice lil report there.

 

And I'm with you, I'm also not a Ghost Rider fan. I went on it for the first time last month and it effin HURT! Like down to the core of me, hurt. I don't think I'll be riding it again anytime soon, if at all.