The Knott's Berry Farm (KBF) Discussion Thread

[Bolliger&Mabillard]

Wow. I haven't been on Ghostrider since 2009, so it sounds like whatever fond memories I have of it, I should stay off and preserve them. That drop of the MCBR was truly the only redeeming portion of present day GR. I rode Ghostrider for the first time in 2004 and even then it was an above average ride. Now? Open to interpret...

[RabidMonkey]

I'll also admit that yesterday was the first time I had ever seen 'real' ACErs in person.. Sure, you hear stories, and see pictures.. but I got to see them. It's like a rare jungle animal/creature that you only hear about. But when you seem them in action, it actually takes your breath away. You have to figure out whether you want to respond with awe and go up to them, or simply keep your thoughts inside; I chose the latter.

 

 

Oh man those people were so out of place... When I was waiting outside the Western Gate and saw this 70 year old walking up with a stroller I was so confused. There was this lady that was with them, she didn't seem as bad as the whole group but when she mentioned ACE Hal Eisner even kind of gave her a look.

[WFChris]

^The lady with the stroller (no baby, for those of you wondering) was SOOOOO weird! I felt like they accidentally let a transient in with us or something. She didn't even ride!

[RabidMonkey]

^ I don't know if it would've been weirder if she had a baby in the stroller. I think it would've been better. She was using that stroller like a walker/cart to hold things.

[MayTheGForceBeWithYou]

Man this is disappointing, I was really excited to ride Ghostrider when it opened hearing about the crossovers and hills. Now that I'm actually able to get to Knotts for the first time and ride I'm reading that it's lost its greatness.

From what people have described, I'm bummed, too. I liked the coaster when I went last year, before they went trim-happy on it. That drop off the MCBR made the entire ride worth it. Now because of the trimming, it sounds like the last good part of the ride has been sacrificed.

[Chrisrad]

Man this is disappointing, I was really excited to ride Ghostrider when it opened hearing about the crossovers and hills. Now that I'm actually able to get to Knotts for the first time and ride I'm reading that it's lost its greatness.

From what people have described, I'm bummed, too. I liked the coaster when I went last year, before they went trim-happy on it. That drop off the MCBR made the entire ride worth it. Now because of the trimming, it sounds like the last good part of the ride has been sacrificed.

 

I have an analogy for Ghostrider, but I don't know if it's inappropriate/lame.

 

But anyway, the last part of the ride yesterday made me think, "Okay, I want this to be over now."

 

It seems to slow down toward the last few turns and loops that it's really shaky.

 

I've heard so many good things about Ghostrider when it was new. Plus, I really like the layout. It's a shame that the ride can be really good..

[robbalvey]

I'll also admit that yesterday was the first time I had ever seen 'real' ACErs in person.. Sure, you hear stories, and see pictures.. but I got to see them. It's like a rare jungle animal/creature that you only hear about. But when you seem them in action, it actually takes your breath away. You have to figure out whether you want to respond with awe and go up to them, or simply keep your thoughts inside; I chose the latter.

 

 

Oh man those people were so out of place... When I was waiting outside the Western Gate and saw this 70 year old walking up with a stroller I was so confused. There was this lady that was with them, she didn't seem as bad as the whole group but when she mentioned ACE Hal Eisner even kind of gave her a look.

^The lady with the stroller (no baby, for those of you wondering) was SOOOOO weird! I felt like they accidentally let a transient in with us or something. She didn't even ride!

 

Dude, those people were freakin CREEPY! I saw them walk up with a stroller too, and I thought "Oh, good, there will be more than one family here..", but there wasn't a baby for the stroller, just some random stuff they were pushing around like they were homeless. She pushed the stroller around the whole day. No child. But they had a stroller. Weird.

 

And yeah, it was pretty clear who was with which group.

 

--Robb

 

EDIT - Oh, yeah, I totally have a picture of stroller woman! Forgot about this.

http://themeparkreview.com/parks/pimages/Knotts_Berry_Farm/Windseeker_Media_Day_2011/ace.jpg

 

Yeah, the creepy thing was that the park would ask everyone to ride again, and like all the TPR members would enthusiastically go ride, and most of the ACErs would just lethargically lumber around, many of them didn't bother riding. There was also no one from ACE organizing them either. I know the park asked us to make sure our people were there the whole time to fill the seats, and I have to think the ACE rep got the same email, and I noticed a few of the ACE members, rode once or twice, and then just left. Like as though it was an ERT session for them or something. I had one ACE lady bitch at me about having to be so "enthusiastic" after I had gathered the group together and let them know what was going on, and I was all thinking "Lady, your club name has the freakin' word in it!"

 

There was only about 10 of them at the event, but wow, they really fit the stereotype!

 

Another Edit!

Oh! And best quote of the day from one of the ACE members. "I can't believe there isn't food here!" LOL! The comedy just writes itself!

Edited August 26, 2011 by robbalvey

[Chrisrad]

^ Exactly!

 

I have all segments of yesterday's news - 6 am (the very first group shot), 7 am, and 9 am. There are random clips throughout each segment.

 

If you're missing anything, let me know and I will get them online somehow.

[Jew]

I overheard quite a few smart ass comments directed towards TPR members from the ACE group. I also never saw a thank you from any of them, where as I did see numerous TPR members thanking Jeff Tucker and the ladies from KBF for hosting us that morning.

 

Quite frankly, it's really just sad. At a media event the park was gracious enough to invite their organization to it is really uncalled for. I would imagine they are not helping their case at all only providing like 10 riders who didn't even ride all morning, and when they did they were not even being enthusiastic. TPR on the other hand? Organized a group of 60 enthusiastic riders who stayed all morning. I doubt it is a coincidence that Hal Eisner chose to ride with TPR members for all his live shots! I am sure the park really appreciates that too, much more so than they did the ACEr's.

 

On the bright side, the more they act like spoiled children in front of parks, the sooner they will be irrelevant!

Edited August 26, 2011 by Jew

[Gmaster562]

EDIT - Oh, yeah, I totally have a picture of stroller woman! Forgot about this.

http://themeparkreview.com/parks/pimages/Knotts_Berry_Farm/Windseeker_Media_Day_2011/ace.jpg

 

 

Another Edit!

Oh! And best quote of the day from one of the ACE members. "I can't believe there isn't food here!" LOL! The comedy just writes itself!

 

They probably just needed dessert after the baby they ate before they got here.

[robbalvey]

I overheard quite a few smart A$$ comments directed towards TPR members from the ACE group.

I heard them too. The ones I heard were bitching about the TPR members having such a good time. Gee...sorry guys that we were having fun. The park seemed to appreciate our level of excitement.

 

I also never saw a thank you from any of them, where as I did see numerous TPR members thanking Jeff Tucker and the ladies from KBF for hosting us that morning.

I also saw how many people posted to Knott's FB and Twitter page from TPR thanking them for the event, and writing up some stuff about the ride.

Edited August 26, 2011 by robbalvey

[Zeppelinfreak]

^Wow I can't believe they would bitch about something like that. I mean, you would think that a theme park enthusiast group would actually be enthusiastic about being AT a theme park.

[the ghost]

^It's like @ WCB last year at SFMM where during Q&A someone asks "which group do you like better, TPR or ACE?" I'm terrible with names, but one of the two guys pretty blatantly said "Theme Park Review" and got massive cheers. Of course, he could just be saying that... but I imagine a HUGE enthusiastic group of people are more fun to hang out with than a large group of ACERs. Honestly I feel like I wouldn't be NEARLY as much into parks, and I ABSOLUTELY wouldn't know all the awesome people I've met from this site.

 

The TPR>ACE Ghost

[Thom25]

I suspect "stroller women" was using the stroller to help maintain her balance while walking from looking at how she's holding and pushing it. It's less noticeable than a cane or walker, lighter, and frequently easier to push.

[DJeXeL]

I heard them too. The ones I heard were bitching about the TPR members having such a good time. Gee...sorry guys that we were having fun. The park seemed to appreciate our level of excitement.

 

To be fair.................had there been food with some sort of gravy to drown it in, they would have had plenty of excitement.

Quick question.....is there anyone under the age of 50 in ACE?

[robbalvey]

I suspect "stroller women" was using the stroller to help maintain her balance while walking from looking at how she's holding and pushing it. It's less noticeable than a cane or walker, lighter, and frequently easier to push.

It was creepy as hell. You weren't there. And the fact that other people noticed it and mentioned it in this thread. It was creepy as hell. Not "less noticeable."

[Sir Clinksalot]

If anybody has ever tried to push one of those "Umbrella Strollers" you would know that they aren't the must stable thing, especially without a child in it.

[ernierocker]

I suspect "stroller women" was using the stroller to help maintain her balance while walking from looking at how she's holding and pushing it. It's less noticeable than a cane or walker, lighter, and frequently easier to push.

 

Wait...pushing a stroller around a park without a baby in it or a baby in sight, is less noticeable than a walker or cane???

 

If anybody has ever tried to push one of those "Umbrella Strollers" you would know that they aren't the must stable thing, especially without a child in it.

 

What you said.

[robbalvey]

^ Exactly. They actually always hurt my back!

 

Anyway, this thread is about discussing KBF, not some creepy ACEr. I think we've discussed that long enough, so let's try to keep the posts on topic.

[Sir Clinksalot]

Oh yeah ... Knott's.

 

I was sad I wasn't able to attend Media Day (stupid work), but I'm looking forward to riding Windseeker soon. It looks very cool.

[cfc]

Based on what I've seen here, it looks like Windseeker may be a better fit for Knott's than some of the other Cedar Fair parks--a good, moderately thrilling ride that families can enjoy together.

[SharkTums]

^It would be, except it has 52" height requirement.

[robbalvey]

^ Yeah, this is something I was a bit shocked at. The "Star Flyer" versions of the ride carry a 48" height restriction and you'd figure it would be the other way around.

[Sir Clinksalot]

^^ Yeah, I saw that on the In The Parks update today. My jaw just about dropped. Are all of the Windseekers the same height requirement?

 

You would have thought they could have figured out SOME way to make this the same height requirement as the nearby swings ride.

[robbalvey]

Cedar Point's is also 52"