The Knott's Berry Farm (KBF) Discussion Thread

[Sir Clinksalot]

I really doubt that Knott's would be going with Intamin with their new coaster. They had lots of troubles with Intamin rides (Xcelerator's cable, Perilous Plunge's down-time, Sky Cabin getting stuck midway). What I could see is a B&M hyper with colors like brown track and black supports and replacing Bigfoot Rapids. Plus, B&M hypers are more out and back while Intamin hypers have more of a "twister layout". B&M's out and back layout is a lot more space saving.

 

I don't think those will come into play AT ALL. Perilous Plunge had issues, I'll give you that.

 

Xcelerator, other than a couple of incidents has actually been pretty consistent during its decade of being open. Certainly more reliable than that "other" coaster that was in that spot.

 

As for Sky Cabin, that ride opened in 1976. It's been there for 37 years. Of course it's going to have issues.

[COASTER FREAK 11]

^As well, the park staff have to take some responsibility for their own actions. If a boat leave the station, cause a ride op didn't see someone wasn't secured right, that's not the manufactures fault.

 

It wouldn't stop them from going with Intamin.

[Wes]

Straying a bit off topic to ask a question: Do you guys think that Jaguar is any good? I haven't ridden it in ages and (for some reason) it was still in my Top 30 Steel Coasters list.

 

No not really.

[snoflake15]

Straying a bit off topic to ask a question: Do you guys think that Jaguar is any good? I haven't ridden it in ages and (for some reason) it was still in my Top 30 Steel Coasters list.

 

Ideal for a quick nap if you're tired.

[Sir Clinksalot]

After riding Jaguar over 350 times for Coasting for Kids the last 2 years I absolutely hate that ride.

 

That said, because it's such a good cause I'm looking forward to doing it again this year.

[cfc]

Straying a bit off topic to ask a question: Do you guys think that Jaguar is any good? I haven't ridden it in ages and (for some reason) it was still in my Top 30 Steel Coasters list.

 

Ideal for a quick nap if you're tired.

 

Nice queue, though.

[rcdude]

Straying a bit off topic to ask a question: Do you guys think that Jaguar is any good? I haven't ridden it in ages and (for some reason) it was still in my Top 30 Steel Coasters list.

 

I'll put it this way: If there's no line, I'll ride, but if there is more than a two train wait it's not worth it. It's okay, but every other coaster in the park is better (except Boomerang).

[XYZ]

Jaguar is a lot of fun. I enjoy Jaguar much more than Boomerang & Pony Express. Plus, Jaguar is one of the few coasters at Knott's that actually has a long duration.

[Wags]

Jaguar, even considered as a family coaster, has always been disappointing to me. The pyramid looks amazing, you think you're in for something really special...you proceed up a promising lift only to find the train is so long that half of the drop (more of a decline) is wasted before it picks up speed. You then realize it sounds and feels like you're riding the rails in a shopping cart - rough and noisy. The speed you gather is quickly lost and you barely roll along a flat section of track at a leisurely pace, through Monty's loop. You hope the second lift hill brings excitement, but it's just long, gradual decline followed more stretches of flat track and an even-bumpier helix. It makes Big Thunder Mountain seem like the wildest ride in the wilderness. They could improve it by scrapping it and replacing it with a Euro-Fighter that would follow roughly the same layout, reusing the pyramid queue. Aren't three family coasters enough?

[empires]

Actually there's going to be 5 family coasters once Coast Rider is done. Overkill!

[XYZ]

Actually there's going to be 5 family coasters once Coast Rider is done. Overkill!

 

It's not overkill thinking that a huge portion of Knott's attendance is families. Plus, SFMM has 5 family coasters under your definition (Magic Flyer, Canyon Blaster, Roadrunner, Goldrusher, & Ninja).

 

Looking back on my last visit to Knott's 2 weeks ago, I saw Fiesta Village filled with 7 - 10 year olds, all the family coasters having long lines, and even Wipeout had a line. This was all in a typical January Saturday. Knott's needs all of these family coasters.

Edited February 9, 2013 by XYZ

[empires]

True but considering its been almost 10 years since they built a thrilling coaster, I think it's time for some love for the adults. Plus if they are only going to build family coasters, why not something in between like manta at seaworld SD. These little ones just aren't cutting it...

[XYZ]

True but considering its been almost 10 years since they built a thrilling coaster, I think it's time for some love for the adults. Plus if they are only going to build family coasters, why not something in between like manta at seaworld SD. These little ones just aren't cutting it...

 

Manta costs a lot of money and takes up a lot of room. It works perfectly at SWSD, but not at Knott's.

[Sir Clinksalot]

Even though Jaguar is classified as a "family" coaster, anything with a 48" height requirement doesn't really qualify as a family coaster IMO. Family Coasters to me are coasters that families can ride together starting at around age 4 or 5.

 

Timberline Twister isn't a "Family" coaster, it's a "Kiddie" Coaster.

[Wes]

Knott's is better positioned and marketed as a family park. The thrill park thing the old Cedar Fair management was trying to push onto the park just didn't work. Glad the new management seems to get it a little better and is spending time cleaning up the place rather than trying to make it a generic thrill park.

[cal1br3tto]

Jaguar? Easily one of the tamest family coasters I've ridden. While it's not "better," I had more fun on Timberline Twister. The queue is nice, but the theming during the actual ride didn't do much for me.

 

At least it's not as bad as Pony Express...

[empires]

I've never got to ride pony express, every time I go its either too long of a line to wait for or it's broken down. How is it compared to say manta in San Diego?

[Nyteowl]

I've never got to ride pony express, every time I go its either too long of a line to wait for or it's broken down. How is it compared to say manta in San Diego?

Manta in my opinion is the superior coaster by far. It has length, small pops of airtime, and even some decent theming. Pony Express isn't terrible, but it's very short and not really worth re riding. It's pretty much just a launch into a figure 8 of banked turns and that's it. However, the riding position is unique on Pony Express so that adds some worth to it, but I still prefer Manta by far.

[WFChris]

Haven't actually been on Manta, but I would go ahead and say its MUCH better seeing as how it has actual fans. Pony Express doesn't. It's awkwardly short.

[Wags]

I like the Pony Express experience, riding on horse, the weak-ish launch feels surprisingly strong in that position. It's too bad they didn't purchase an extra 1K feet of track to go over Bigfoot Rapids. The best time to ride is on a weekday morning when the ops will let you ride again if there is no line. Two spins feels like a real ride. Length makes Manta superior.

[MrSum1_55]

Is it really even worth it to debate if Manta is better than Pony Express?

[larrygator]

Is it really even worth it to debate if Manta is better than Pony Express?

 

We debate a lot of issues on TPR that don't need to be debated. That's how we roll!

[Mechanic]

The comparison between Manta and Pointless Express would be about the rough equivalent of comparing a full-spread Thanksgiving dinner to a convenience store hot dog with a bag of chips. I mean, yeah they're both in the same general category, (coaster vs coaster and food vs food) but in each case one is a vastly more complete experience than the other.

[Guy T. Koepp]

Is it really even worth it to debate if Manta is better than Pony Express?

 

We debate a lot of issues on TPR that don't need to be debated. That's how we roll!

 

I would debate that we even roll. I would call it more of a meander at a brisk pace. Perhaps even a slower run/walk. But definitely not a roll.

[Double0Kevin]

^I've always considered it a tumble, which I suppose could be considered a roll depending on how you look at it.

 

Pony Express is one of those rides that, "yeah, sure I'll ride it since there is no line." It's definitely not a, "Only 45 minutes! Let's queue up!" kind of ride. I haven't ridden Manta yet, but just looking at it, I would wait for it at least once. Pony has never received that courtesy from me.