TR: Knott's Berry Farm 11-2-08

[rcdude]

On Sunday, November 2, I went to Knott's Berry Farm with the rest of my family to celebrate my stepfather's birthday. In total, there were nine of us. Since Knott's runs a veteran's promotion in November and my grandfather and stepfather are both veterans, we were all able to get in for only $75. We have gone every year during the veterans promotion since it is the cheapest price for any major theme park that I know of.

 

When we got to the park, it was drizzling. Unfortunately, this meant that Xcelerator was closed. I was hoping that it would open later in the day, but it never did. The drizzle didn't last very long, and by 11 the sun was out. I don't know if this is an accurate number, but it appeared that there were only about 3,000 people in the entire park. The longest wait we had all day was for Sierra Sidewinder due to one train operation, and that was only about 15 minutes. Every other ride in the park was either a walk-on or less than a 5 minute wait all day.

 

As usual, I'll review each ride individually and then say a few things about the park in general.

 

Ghostrider-This was the first ride we went to in the morning. I don't know if it was the rain or just because it was running cold, but Ghostrider was running a lot smoother than it has been in years, at least in the morning. It felt like what I remember it being from the early 2000's. I went on the ride a second time later in the day, and it was running a lot rougher. It could have just been the other train, but I think it was because the ride had warmed up and was running faster. I went on for a third time and got on the last train of the night, and the ride was really intense by this point, but it left me with a bit of a headache. Ghostrider still maintains its status as my favorite wooden roller coaster.

Pony Express-This is Knott's new for 2008 ride, and a new credit for me. When we got there in the morning, there was literally no one else in line. As our train came to a stop in the station, the operator asked if we wanted to go again. Everyone on the train then cheered, and the operator sent the train around again once the track was clear without even opening the restraints. I rode this ride twice more later in the day, although it isn't a thrill ride. Pony Express is probably the best ride I have been on for introducing children to larger roller coasters, but it doesn't really have any thrilling or intense points in it. The ride is also over quicker than Xcelerator, and has an incredibly small footprint. I do not think this is a must do ride at Knott's, but I would say it is worth a ride if you are in Ghost Town and the line is under ten minutes.

Sierra Sidewinder-Since this ride was only running one train, it had a bit of a wait. We only rode this ride once due to its low capacity, although I usually like to ride twice. This is a good ride for families, and is even exciting enough that most coaster enthusiasts probably won't be bored on it. However, it is not worth more than a half-hour wait at any time.

Silver Bullet-In my opinion, this is the best roller coaster at Knott's Berry Farm overall (Xcelerator is more thrilling but is too short). It is also my favorite inverted roller coaster. Throughout the day, I ended up riding Silver Bullet a total of four times. Unlike some older B&M inverted coasters, this one isn't as intense so it isn't as draining on endurance, but it still gives a thrill. The ride also usually has the most entertaining microphone guy.

Timber Mountain Log Ride-A Knott's Berry Farm classic. I went on this three times during the day, although it got kind of boring by the third ride. Since the Halloween Haunt had just ended, the ride was decorated for it and was not as great as normal, but it was still fun. A must ride at Knott's Berry Farm.

Calico Mine Ride-This is another unique Knott's attraction that has to be experienced by anyone who hasn't done it before. The ride is the only dark ride at Knott's and is actually a roller coaster at its most basic level, although most do not qualify it as such. This ride was also decorated for the Halloween Haunt, so it was boring since most of the traditional narration didn't apply and the driver simply didn't say the lines (except for the dynamite driving line).

Mystery Lodge-One of the two shows at Knott's that runs every day. This is a presentation to honor the Pacific-Northwestern Native Americans. It consists of a storyteller and some special effects. The show is kind of neat if you haven't seen it before, but I usually don't see it every time I visit.

Bigfoot Rapids-Knott's river rapids ride. Unfortunately, this one is fairly dry and is not that long. Fun if the line is short, but otherwise not worth it even on a hot day.

Riptide-This is one of the few top spins I actually go on since the restraints are more comfortable. The ride has a pretty good program, but doesn't feature any long periods where the seats are unlocked but not flipping. The ride also no longer uses the water effects, so it is only fun if you like flips.

Boomerang-A standard Vekoma Boomerang. I actually go on this ride once every time I go, as I don't find it to be too bad. However, the roughness means that I usually don't want to go on it twice. To date, this is the only boomerang I have been on, but I probably wouldn't mind trying other installations, especially if they were smoother.

Supreme Scream-This is the world's tallest S&S Turbo Drop. I went on three times during the day. As far as drop rides are concerned, Supreme Scream is not too intense, but is taller than most of the other ones I have seen. I like it better than Intamin's giant drop simply because it gives a longer ride. On Supreme Scream, the best way I've found to increase the thrill factor is to ride at night, close your eyes, and extend your arms and legs straight out in front of you for the entire ride.

Jaguar-This is Knott's family coaster. It is quite fun, and definitely worth a ride if there isn't a wait, but I don't think you need to ride three times like I did. The ride is long but is tame, and is split in the middle by an almost unnecessary second lifthill.

Montezooma's Revenge-Although this is my least favorite thrill coaster at Knott's Berry Farm, it still beats some other ones I have been on. This is a classic shuttle loop, the oldest still in its original location. The ride is short but thrilling, and it is worth going on even if you have been on every other shuttle coaster in existance.

Knott's Wild West Stunt Show-This show is a slapstick comedy show, and is all played for laughs. If you have nothing to do, it is enjoyable, but is by no means a must see show. It is also not very wild western, but some of the things they do in it are pretty funny, as well as a couple of the lines. (Good Guy: You're going where all bad criminals go. Bad Guy: No, I don't want to go to Six Flags.)

 

Overall, it was a pretty good day at Knott's. Since this is the cheapest park in Southern California, I usually go about three times a year. I hope anyone going on the West Coast Trip in August enjoys the park. Although it is not the best in the world, Knott's has the second best set of roller coasters in Southern California (after Magic Mountain).

 

Some positive things about Knott's:

 

-The park is usually relatively empty, and hour-long waits are very, very rare. The last time I saw more than a half-hour wait was Silver Bullet with one train operation in the summer a couple years ago.

-Although Cedar Fair has taken over the park, the one area that doesn't feel too corporate is Ghost Town. Most of the original buildings are still present, and the four traditional Knott's rides (Butterfield Stagecoach, Calico Mine Ride, Calico Railroad and Timber Mountain Log Ride) are still operating without major modifications. Silver Bullet is far enough away from the main part of Ghost Town that it's impact is relatively small. The only thing that actually looks out of place is the Screamin' Swing.

-Knott's usually runs their rides with two trains if possible (except Sierra Sidewinder). Usually, the only time I see one train operation is when the wait is just from the point where you pick a row.

-The food is not too bad inside the park, but Chicken to go is right outside and serves Knott's famous chicken dinners without the hour-long wait. Plus there are plenty of tables to sit at outside and eat before returning to the park.

 

Knott's does have a few drawbacks, however:

 

-Knott's doesn't always post all their closed rides on signs outside the park. During this visit, both Perilous Plunge and Xcelerator were closed all day. Perilous Plunge was testing later on in the day but looked like it was having problems with the lift. Xcelerator had a train in the station as if it was ready to go when the rain stopped, but I didn't see anyone in the station all day. Given the crowds, Xcelerator would have been fine running one train (the other was in rehab).

-Knott's will sometimes run two trains on the track but only load one train. I know Jaguar does this all the time since I don't think it has a switchtrack, but Silver Bullet certainly has one and they were doing this all day. I have seen Silver Bullet run without stacking with the four man crew they had (two restraint checkers, one dispatcher, and one operator), but they were only loading one train. I also saw the most pathetic thing I have ever seen on a roller coaster when they caused the loaded train to stack because the dispatcher was distracted talking to the audience while the unloaded train sat around in the station. I don't know if it is a Knott's policy to put two trains on the track since I have never seen it done anywhere else, but I think it is unnecessary if that is the case.

-Over the past couple of years, Knott's has built too many coasters and has not built anything else. Given the amount of land Knott's is on, I think the park should have about six coasters. However, the park currently has nine, and I have heard that a tenth one may be going in sometime in the next couple of years. This is too many coasters. There is a spot in Camp Snoopy where it is possible to turn 360 degrees and see every coaster in the park. To me, this just says that the park has too many roller coasters.

 

Overall, Knott's is a decent amusement park. It isn't one of the best there is, but it certainly isn't one of the worst either. It is true that Cedar Fair has kind of destroyed the traditional Knott's, but that doesn't make the park bad. It is worth a visit if you are in the area, but is not worth any kind of special trip to visit.

[Bolliger&Mabillard]

There is a spot in Camp Snoopy where it is possible to turn 360 degrees and see every coaster in the park.

 

if you stand up against the gate at Gr8 Sk8 you can see: Sidewinfer, Jaquar, Montezooma's, Silver Bullet, Xceleratorn and Supreme Screme in one view. If you turn your head you can see Ghost Rider too.

 

Xcelerator will be down for at least two more weeks, as the problem with it was mechanical, the weather had nothing to do with it. Sidewinder relies heavily on magnetic braking which is effected by rain, so as a precaution they drop the second train.

[sfmmrules!]

Knotts.....not worth going to if your going to Disny & Magic Mountain. I went to Knotts for the first time this year in July & I just didn't care for it. Ghostrider was the worst wooden coaster I have ever been on. Poney Express-a major waste. They shouldn't have bothered to build it! Silver Bullet-booring. I'll take Batman,Dueling Dragons anytime. Jaguar-too tame. I'd rather go on Big Thunder. Xcelator-was closed since it was the day after the earthquake. Timber Mountain Log Ride-I'll take Splash Mountain anytime. Calico Mime Ride-I'll take Big Thunder anytime. Supreme Scream was pretty good. I think its higher than the Drop Zones. Plerious Plunge-ok but I'd rather go on Jurassic Park. Montezoomas-I didn't like. I am more used to the Greased Lightnin launch. Boomerang-is just another Boomerang. Sierra Sidewinder-I didn't go on because I can't go on spinning rides. I'm sorry I went. I should have listened to my parents & not gone!

[the ghost]

"Montezooma's Revenge-Although this is my least favorite thrill coaster at Knott's Berry Farm," rcdude

 

What? Montezuma is your least favorite ride at Knotts It is my number 1 followed by ghostrider, then bullet, then accelerator, then jaguar.

 

I still need my sidewinder credit and pony credit.

[itnotfair]

Unlike some older B&M inverted coasters, [silver Bullet] isn't as intense so it isn't as draining on endurance, but it still gives a thrill.

 

I couldn't agree more. Why are people so hard on that ride? I'd much rather ride it over Batman. Its not as if I don't like intense rides either; X2 and Tatsu are two of my favorites.

 

Silver Bullet-booring. I'll take Batman,Dueling Dragons anytime.

Sierra Sidewinder-I didn't go on because I can't go on spinning rides.

 

How could you call a B&M invert boring, and yet you can't go on spinny rides?

 

I've never ridden Alpengeist or Dueling Dragons, and I'd love to, but if they're like Batman, I'll take smooth-as-butter Silver Bullet.

[rcdude]

I didn't say that Montezooma's Revenge was my least favorite ride at Knott's. I just said that out of the park's five thrill coasters (Boomerang, Ghostrider, Montezooma's, Bullet, Xcelerator) it is my least favorite. It is still better than most of the non-coaster rides in the park and all three family-oriented coasters. I am just not a very big fan of shuttle roller coasters and I prefer twisting rides over linear ones so Montezooma's comes in last.

 

I have been on Flight Deck, Batman The Ride, Raptor, and Silver Bullet, and out of the four Silver Bullet is my favorite because it is the most re-ridable. Sure, intense roller coasters are fun, but they are usually not good rides to re-ride over and over. For example, my favorite roller coaster is Maverick, but I don't think I would want to do an ERT session on it. Same with a ride like Tatsu, it is really fun, but not good for repeat rides. It is sometimes good for a park to have a thrilling ride that isn't too intense, as it is not as draining on endurance and is actually something most people feel up to doing again. I doubt there are very many people who would want to ride something like X2 for an hour straight.

[Bolliger&Mabillard]

^If the 2nd Raven turn didn't bash your head, I'd know al lot of people that would beg to differ.