California's Great America or Knott's Berry Farm?

[iplf]

It's the off-season, so I'd rather ask this now, than in the busy months.

 

I'm currently planning my 2011 holiday and I'm looking for some advice. We'll be in UT, AZ, NV and CA, mainly checking out nature-related things (cause we already did the cities in 2009) and we're still looking for a park to add to the schedule.

We'll be around both parks the last few days of September 2011, but we're not really sure wether they are actually worth visiting at all, and which one is best.

 

Some things to keep in mind:

1) CGA will only be a 30 minute detour for us, so we'll be pretty much passing by. We do not plan to actually enter L.A. because we're planning to take the 126 in Ventura towards SFMM. (We're coming from the coastal drive)

 

2) We're mainly interested in rollercoasters and thrill rides

 

3) We probably won't be able to spend the whole day in the park, but don't want to miss any credits if we actually visit a park

 

4) We already visited SFMM 2 years ago, and will do it again. We're just looking for another! park to add to the schedule.

 

5) If Knott's would be the better choice, would CGA be good for a 3-hour coasterrun or something like that?

 

6) I'd love to go to Disneyland, but I'm pretty sure our schedule is way too tight and we probably won't be able to enjoy the experience.

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

[6flagsbrad]

I would highly prefer knotts over great america, though great america only takes about three or four hours to do everything. Knotts could take a little more time depending on what you want to do there.

[chadster]

I literally ran thru (ok, that's a lie, I walked) the majority of CGA in two hours, during this past Halloween on a Friday night. Went back the next day to catch the two coasters I missed due to being closed and a few other flats, total time in the park on day two, 75 minutes. Knotts I found myself there 6 hours, ran thru all of the rides, and sat on the Bullet for 2 - 30 minute stretches without getting off as well as Xcel on a Monday during the off season. Prob could have done it in 4 hours, but couldn't let the personal ERT sessions go without taking advantage of them

[redfoot12]

1) CGA will only be a 30 minute detour for us, so we'll be pretty much passing by. We do not plan to actually enter L.A. because we're planning to take the 126 in Ventura towards SFMM. (We're coming from the coastal drive)

 

You do realize that Great America is about a 6 and a half hour drive from Los Angeles, right?

[Sir Clinksalot]

^ I think he's saying he will already be in NorCal and will be taking the 101 south from the bay area to SoCal and the 126 from Ventura to Valencia. At least that's what it sounded like to me.

 

Also, just FYI, I know people like the "Coast Route" but if you are staying on the 101 the entire time from SF to Ventura, there really only is about 50-60 miles on the coast. A little bit near Pismo Beach and then from just after Buellton to Ventura. Now if you are planning on taking the "real" coast route (Highway 1) prepare for the drive to take you about 10 hours. Although it's absolutely worth it.

 

As for your question, I prefer Knott's to CGA, but if you are going to be that close to CGA and only want to go for the credits then CGA may be the better bet. In mileage getting from Six Flags to Knott's may seem short, but in reality, with LA Traffic it can be a 2+ hour trip (each way).

[iplf]

^ I think he's saying he will already be in NorCal and will be taking the 101 south from the bay area to SoCal and the 126 from Ventura to Valencia. At least that's what it sounded like to me.

 

As for your question, I prefer Knott's to CGA, but if you are going to be that close to CGA and only want to go for the credits then CGA may be the better bet. In mileage getting from Six Flags to Knott's may seem short, but in reality, with LA Traffic it can be a 2+ hour trip (each way).

You are right about the first part.

 

I was also thinking that a trip to Knott's SFMM would take a lot of time for the relatively short distance it is in reality.

[redfoot12]

Ha--this East Coaster will just keep his mouth shut in the future!

[alpengeist04]

Honestly, my vote would go to KBF. It's just a better park overall. The only coaster worth going out of your way for at CGA is Flight Deck. ...Which is actually a very good B&M.

[scooterdoug]

This is an easy question: Knott's. While CGA is certainly not a bad park by any stretch of the imagination, none of the rides are all that noteworthy. Knott's, on the other hand, has some great rides. Xcelerator is awesome, with a launch that is serious business! And, like alpengeist04 said, it's simply a better park overall (theming, atmosphere, etc.). Either way, have fun!

-Doug "Still, you'd be surprised how quickly you can blow through CGA" Heim

[rcdude]

This is a really good question. I think I'll answer it by looking at each category.

 

Coasters: Knott's Berry Farm has more good coasters, but California's Great America probably has more variety. For me, the must ride coasters at Knott's are Xcelerator, Silver Bullet, GhostRider, and Montezooma's Revenge, while the only must ride coasters at CGA are Flight Deck and Invertigo. Both parks also have a couple coasters that just aren't worth the line they usually get. In September, both parks should have short lines, so this shouldn't be a problem.

 

Non-Coaster Rides: I think that California's Great America wins this category. At Knott's, the only good non-coaster rides (if you are looking for thrills) are the Log Ride, La Revolucion, Supreme Scream, Riptide, and Perilous Plunge. CGA has Drop Tower, Survivor: The Ride, Delirium, FireFall, H.M.S. Endeavour, Centrifuge, Flying Eagles, Orbit, and Logger's Run. Both parks also have a number of more generic rides.

 

Time Required: All the coasters plus the rides listed above at Knott's can be done in about 3 hours. For CGA, the coasters and above rides will take about 4. When I visited CGA a couple years ago over the summer, I was able to do all the rides I cared about in the park in about 6 hours, and the waterpark took 2 hours. Knott's can take a full day in the summer, but in late September probably can be done in 8 hours even if you want to ride everything.

 

Overall: I would probably recommend you go to Knott's if you are interested in coasters, but go to CGA if you are interested in the whole park experience. I think CGA is overall a better park, but it really is missing any signature coaster. Knott's has three signature coasters, so it is a better choice if that is what you are interested in.

Edited December 29, 2010 by rcdude

[ebl]

"...the must ride coasters at Knott's are Xcelerator, Silver Bullet, GhostRider, and Invertigo..."

 

Not to get too nitpicky, but could you have meant "Boomerang?"

 

Eric

[cal1br3tto]

If you have to choose just one, I'd recommend Knott's. Neither park is among my favorites, but both were enjoyable. I found them a bit lacking in atmosphere, although Knott's does still have some theming.

 

Flight Deck at CGA is one of my top coasters. Invertigo is a refreshing variation on the standard Boomerang model, Psycho Mouse is a fairly standard (yet, imo, above average) wild mouse...and I'm the only person in the world who enjoys Vortex. Grizzly is average at best, and I thought Demon was pretty lackluster.

 

I'd say Knott's wins in the coaster department. I'm a fan of Ghostrider (albeit a somewhat outspoken one), Monte, and Silver Bullet. Of course, I'm sure Xcelerator is also well worth riding. Sierra Sidewinder is a fun spinner, and Boomerang is decent for what it is. Jaguar and Pony Express are forgettable, though.

[gisco]

Keep in mind that at the end of September, CGA will not be open during the week.

[ABW]

I've been to both and let me tell you, Knott's is so much better. It has better theming, has better rides, and just a more enjoyable atmosphere. Despite what some have said, I personally think that Knott's has a great atmosphere. Flight Deck is a great ride and is in my top 15, but Xcelerator is even better and in my top 10. Both parks have standout attractions, Xcelerator is easily the best ride in the park, and same with Flight Deck for California's Great America. So overall, Knott's is the best choice.

[rcdude]

"...the must ride coasters at Knott's are Xcelerator, Silver Bullet, GhostRider, and Invertigo..."

 

Not to get too nitpicky, but could you have meant "Boomerang?"

 

Eric

 

Thanks for catching that. I actually meant Montezooma's Revenge. Invertigo is at CGA, and I forgot to change it when I rewrote the post to split the coasters up by park.

[iplf]

Thanks everyone for the advice!

 

So, all in all, I should make the trip down to L.A. and visit Knott's for at least 6 hours or something, and if CGA is open at all, and I have a few spare hours, I could make a quick coasterrun there, but it's not a priority.

 

Thanks again! This board always is a very good help when I'm planning a trip!

[Bolliger&Mabillard]

^Yea, even if you missed CGA, the only notable ride missed would be Flight Deck, and Knott's has an invert. Albeit Silver Bullet sucks compared to Flight Deck, you'd still get to ride one if you skipped it.