The Knott's Berry Farm (KBF) Discussion Thread

[ghost007jas]

I'm pretty sure this is the Pony Express thread.. not the "OMG What Will Knott's Get Next!?!?!" thread. Anyway, after talking to the GM of Zamperla, I've gotten a little excited about this coaster. The seating arrangement sounds like it will be great for not only comfort, but capacity as well!

[Jim1013]

The pics of the trains are awesome. I really wish CF could have sprung for more track, but it looks to be a fun little ride. A few theme elements might help, but that is never going to happen.

[knottslover77]

^Well, it's getting a tunnel.

 

--Jay

[ghost007jas]

^ I didn't hear much about the tunnel.. does anyone know anything specific? Like is it going to be "underground", will it be a concrete tunnel? Wood? Spiderwebs like X^2?

[ECZenith]

The train looks great, lots of details! I love the fake boots where your feet will go.

[Jim1013]

What about the tunnel!? I didn't know that. Excellent. I was thinking something along those lines, maybe a barn it could blow through with a few bales of hay and animatronic chickens clucking... Things inexpensive but fun. We all know they have garbage cans to buy.

[Mr.Wood]

Just got back from Knott"s and the entire layout (track) is done. They are flying on this thing. I was talking to an employee and he said that the cars are being delivered this week. It looks really fun but I think it's too short.

[dino]

I gotta say this coaster already looks better than I originally thought it would. The trains look a little cheesy, but I mean that in the coolest way possible .

[airsoft killer]

I know this is like e my first post. But i have just arived from knots berry farm to find that they are building a new ride. The pony express. I didn't have a camera but from the looks of it, Pony Express seems to be nearing completion. Smashed between screaming swings and mystery lodge, seems to be a somewhat small coaster.

[ebl]

^ Thanks for posting that. If I get a chance, I'll go down there and check it out.

 

Eric

[bflag]

I agree with the trains being CHEESY but Iam looking forward to riding it regardless.....first time I've been excited about a Knotts ride.

[ECZenith]

Jim, that sounds just like WDW's Barnstormer coaster.

[laqueefa]

I Just found this surfing Youtube, advance to 3:47 of the vid to see the launch!

 

For a mild launch this looks pretty fun!

[Bolliger&Mabillard]

Yes. as of 4/26/08 PE has begun testing. The first three attempts were rollbacks but now it is running beautifully

[ghost007jas]

The coolest part about this ride are the trains, no question about it. The way the seating works as far as capacity and comfort is concerned will make or break this ride for me.

[ebl]

^^ Those horses must have gone back to get the mail!

 

If they can get riders seated and restrained quickly, Pony Express can move a lot of people through there.

 

Eric

[PURE]

It looks like a short ride.

[packfanlv]

Does anyone know what the main ride difference between the Zamperla Motocoaster and the Intamin Motocoaster is? I rode Mick Doohan's Motocoaster at Dreamworld in Australia and found it to be incredibly disappointing. It looks like Pony Express is a little higher, but it is shorter and slower than the Intamin coaster. I fear that people may be disappointed with the ride. For some reason the novelty of the seats doesn't translate into a good ride.

 

Back to the question. Other than the cars being horses, the only difference I can see is that Intamin uses a tire launch. What kind of launch is Zamperla using? I hope this ride proves to be better than the one in Dreamworld. Literally everyone who rode it while I was there left disappointed. Dreamworld markets it as a thrill ride and it amounts to little more than a junior coaster IMO.

Mick Doohan's BORING Motocoaster at Dreamworld in Australia. The spot in front is the highest point on the track. They advertise a top speed of 44MPH but it never feels that fast at all.

[Top Thrill Dragster]

Pony Express is a flywheel launch coaster.

[ahecht]

I hope this ride proves to be better than the one in Dreamworld. Literally everyone who rode it while I was there left disappointed. Dreamworld markets it as a thrill ride and it amounts to little more than a junior coaster IMO.

 

The difference at Knott's is that the ride is being advertized as a family coaster, not a thrill ride.

[Bolliger&Mabillard]

So I hear if you are 6'1'' or taller this ride will not be very friendly to you. Testing is progressing nicely, and I expect this ride to be ready for its media day, a few days before the 24th, but I don't know the exact day . I hear that this ride will have some strong force going through the second turnaround. The airtime hill looks really cool from the testing videos. If you expect a family oriented coaster, I thnk Pony Express will turn lots of heads, If you expect it to fit in with Xcelerator and Silver Bullet than it will fall short of hollow expectations.

[packfanlv]

I am 6'2'' and on Mick Doohan's my legs were pinned in very tight in the small space provided. It wasn't comfortable, but not too painful either. The whole ride was almost pointless though. I am glad that Knott's is advertising it for what it is, a family ride.

[laqueefa]

Can anyone predict the park attendance for the 18th? I'm going to bring my gf with me to Knotts for the first time, and I want to be prepared for heavy crowds if so.

[ZeroG001]

The 18th is a Sunday, so it shouldn't be too crowded. I go every month on a Sunday and crowds are never a problem. If you get there at opening you could probably finish half the rides before 12.

[laqueefa]

The 18th is a Sunday, so it shouldn't be too crowded. I go every month on a Sunday and crowds are never a problem. If you get there at opening you could probably finish half the rides before 12.

 

Awesome! I was a lil skeptical about crowds after I saw that the Knotts hotel was booked solid on Friday & Saturday. My band is playing the UC Irvine Dragon Skate competition on the 17th, so I figured why not use our Platinum Passes at Knotts, and show her why I love coasters so much. Xcelerator should be the hight of the trip