Trip Report - Knott's Berry Farm - 5/19/08

[Mr.Wood]

I think these park boards look at these beasts as Icons. Look at how Disney did Indy. Most of that ride was designed by Bob Baranick. He fought like hell to have the show building built inside the berm but it didn't happen but they hid that ride really well. I don't expect Knott's or SFMM to be Disney (nor would I want them to) but let's put the shoe horn away and start some real planning.

[Bolliger&Mabillard]

I know Knott's has a horrific turnover rate in the rides department (I am in this statistic) due to extremely strict safety rules and un-empathetic management staff. If you have no sense of job security, you don't work to your best potential.

 

What kind of incentives/rewards are there for ops who do a good job? Obviously you can be reprimanded/denied a raise/etc. if you mess up, but does that go both ways? When supervisors walk around the park do they take note of people who are doing things well in addition to people who aren't?

 

In a nutshell, your incentive is keeping your job. Few people get promoted, by there's like a 10 cent raise every year...If you can last in the rides department that long.

[sfmmrules!]

I will have a day to go to Knotts after I go to SFMM & spend 2 days at Disney. I have never been to Knotts so it will be my first time. I have a huge feeling I will be dissapointed. I know theres the famous Montezooma's Revenge (a slightly different clone of PGA's Greased Lightnin-which I terribly miss! & I sure can't wait to ride it again!), Silver Bullet which people say is not as good as Batman, & theres Ghost Rider one of the best woodies & Pelirous Plunge which is the steepest water ride & then there is Xcelator which does not as good as Top Thrill Dragster. Sierra Sidewinder I won't be able to go on because it spins-anything that spins makes me sick & Poney Express doesn't look too thrilling since its a family coaster. To go or not to go? Maybe I should go to Universal Hollywood instead? But I've been to the Orlando one many times which I know its 10 times better.

[Jim1013]

^Since you've never been there and you like thrill rides, you may really like it. Supreme Scream is very tall and MM doesn't have anything comparable. It's better than Maliboomer at DCA. In addition to the thrill rides, the log ride and the rapids are better than MM. And they haven't haven't had any gang fights that I know of?

 

It's only a disappointment for people who remember it 'way back when'.

[Mr.Wood]

I will have a day to go to Knotts after I go to SFMM & spend 2 days at Disney. I have never been to Knotts so it will be my first time. I have a huge feeling I will be dissapointed. I know theres the famous Montezooma's Revenge (a slightly different clone of PGA's Greased Lightnin-which I terribly miss! & I sure can't wait to ride it again!), Silver Bullet which people say is not as good as Batman, & theres Ghost Rider one of the best woodies & Pelirous Plunge which is the steepest water ride & then there is Xcelator which does not as good as Top Thrill Dragster. Sierra Sidewinder I won't be able to go on because it spins-anything that spins makes me sick & Poney Express doesn't look too thrilling since its a family coaster. To go or not to go? Maybe I should go to Universal Hollywood instead? But I've been to the Orlando one many times which I know its 10 times better.

 

Knott's is still a great park. They have made some mistakes but we all still love the park. I mean sad eyed Joe? come on Ghost Town is still one of the best areas of any park. Ghost Town Grill is a god place to eat as well.SS doesn't spin that much if you take the front car. If you like old style rides you have to do Calico mine ride. It's old and kinda corny but I love it. Universal kinda stinks. You can do everything in about half a day. Not worth the price. Knott's is all about charm but it has lost a little.

[PURE]

^^^Yeah Knott's is still a good park so don't let our complaints sway how your day goes. We just whine and cry about it cause we take it for granted, and its just not the same as it was 15 years ago. But what'ya gonna do?

 

A lot of people (locals and regular visitors alike) still like the park, as far as I know it still gets busy during the summers! They still have some good rides and the park atmosphere can be really fun, especially at night, especially for first timers. Get a funnel cake and try some boysenberry punch. Then let going 80 on Xcelerator help it settle in your stomach! Monte's still got a kick, and Perilous Plunge's drop is fun too.