The Knott's Berry Farm (KBF) Discussion Thread

[joelwee]

If anyone is wondering why Knott's would do something so outlandish as installing painful shin guards on a wild mouse, California Coaster Kings posted the answer on their Facebook page today.

[Superbatboy]

"The amusement park, she says, offered only a teddy bear"

 

I can't

[DILinator]

Do you have any insight as to why it was such a crowd pleaser, drew big crowds, and hyped up the GP? I've never been on one of the dive machines before, but am interested to know what some of the GP thought of it compared to some of CP's other awesome coasters.

My guess is that the visual impact plays a big role. Valravn is very well-showcased in the park with plenty of seating / observation space built underneath the structure so you can watch the riders plummet.

 

I know as far as the GP I went with, this was certainly a big factor. Dive machines are massive, and simply dominate the landscape with their size. Add to that, the imposing looking vertical drop, and you have something very eye-catching, that gets people hyped for thrills. Regardless of whether enthusiasts find it thrilling or not, nobody I rode it with (non-enthusiasts) came away unimpressed!

[drummermattk]

Seems that Sol Spin was testing today with water dummies.

[SoCalJasonland]

So, how did the guy get Boomerang car home and is it sitting in his living room for all his friends to see? Here is the shakey-cam video tell all:

 

 

 

PS: I just found video while browsing Youtube. I don't know the person.

[VegasBaby]

Seems that Sol Spin was testing today with water dummies.

 

I'm headed down next week for the Boysenberry Festival, would be great if this was open by then!

[Skittles]

Hi there everyone. I've only got 16 in my count, so looking for any chance possible to increase it, my friends have invited me down to Los Angeles to experience Magic Mountain and Knott's Berry Farm. We're going on Friday the 14th, and with my friends, here is the schedule. Tell us whether or not it works.

 

1. GhostRider

2. Silver Bullet

3. Sierra Sidewinder

4. Montezooma's Revenge

5. Jaguar

6. Xcelerator

7. Boomerang

8. Coast Rider

9. Pony Express

 

- - - - -

 

If one of the locals could spot check it, that would be awesome. To remind you again, I'll be visiting in two days. Thanks!

[SoCalJasonland]

Hi there everyone. I've only got 16 in my count, so looking for any chance possible to increase it, my friends have invited me down to Los Angeles to experience Magic Mountain and Knott's Berry Farm. We're going on Friday the 14th, and with my friends, here is the schedule. Tell us whether or not it works.

 

1. GhostRider

2. Silver Bullet

3. Sierra Sidewinder

4. Montezooma's Revenge

5. Jaguar

6. Xcelerator

7. Boomerang

8. Coast Rider

9. Pony Express

 

- - - - -

 

If one of the locals could spot check it, that would be awesome. To remind you again, I'll be visiting in two days. Thanks!

 

The order looks okay walking wise. Ghostrider will be the longest wait at 1 to 1.5 hours. Sierra and Pony should be around 45 min. The rest will hopefully be 40 min or less. This is based upon today's, Tuesday's waits.

[thrillseeker4552]

Hi there everyone. I've only got 16 in my count, so looking for any chance possible to increase it, my friends have invited me down to Los Angeles to experience Magic Mountain and Knott's Berry Farm. We're going on Friday the 14th, and with my friends, here is the schedule. Tell us whether or not it works.

 

1. GhostRider

2. Silver Bullet

3. Sierra Sidewinder

4. Montezooma's Revenge

5. Jaguar

6. Xcelerator

7. Boomerang

8. Coast Rider

9. Pony Express

 

- - - - -

 

If one of the locals could spot check it, that would be awesome. To remind you again, I'll be visiting in two days. Thanks!

 

Assuming you arrive at opening, I would hit GhostRider first, Xcelerator second (the back of the park is empty right at opening... you could probably get multiple rides), and the rest in pretty much any order you wish. Silver Bullet's line will move quickly if it's running two trains. I would definitely cut out some time to try some of the Festival food as well... you won't regret it.

[scottiemon]

Hi there everyone. I've only got 16 in my count, so looking for any chance possible to increase it, my friends have invited me down to Los Angeles to experience Magic Mountain and Knott's Berry Farm. We're going on Friday the 14th, and with my friends, here is the schedule. Tell us whether or not it works.

 

1. GhostRider

2. Silver Bullet

3. Sierra Sidewinder

4. Montezooma's Revenge

5. Jaguar

6. Xcelerator

7. Boomerang

8. Coast Rider

9. Pony Express

 

- - - - -

 

If one of the locals could spot check it, that would be awesome. To remind you again, I'll be visiting in two days. Thanks!

 

Assuming you arrive at opening, I would hit GhostRider first, Xcelerator second (the back of the park is empty right at opening... you could probably get multiple rides), and the rest in pretty much any order you wish. Silver Bullet's line will move quickly if it's running two trains. I would definitely cut out some time to try some of the Festival food as well... you won't regret it.

 

Totally agree with this advice. If you hit GhostRider right when the park opens, you should get on within 5 minutes. Then if you want a re-ride on it, do it then. In my experience, it is 15 minutes or so if you get right back in line. If not, expect to wait a minimum of 45 minutes any other time in the day, often times longer. Sierra Sidewinder backs up a lot, due to it's low throughput. You might want to keep that in mind. It is the most fun if you are in the back row, so you are facing downwards going up the hill! (IMHO)

[Kyle Coleman]

They also might open ghostrider a few minutes early so be there early in case they do. They did when I was there last Tuesday.

[Mr. Corn]

Hey everyone,

My Grandma for her 80th birthday told me that she wanted to go to Knotts for her birthday and get some fried chicken and see Ghosttown. Being the Coaster Nerd I am, I couldn't pass up a trip to Knotts, but we will be doing all mild attractions. Here's a list of things I think we could hit up, and I wanted to see if anyone else had any other ideas:

+Voyage to the Iron Reef

+Calico Mine Ride

+Mystery Lodge

+Calico Railroad

+Butterfield Stagecoach

+Berry Festival

+Stunt Show

+Western Trails Museum

+Red Schoolhouse/Blacksmith

+Mrs. Knotts Fried Chicken

 

I personally don't think I'll do any coasters, except maybe Boomerang as I don't think I'll get the chance to ride again. Any other suggestions?

[Canobie Coaster]

I also recommend getting a front seat ride on Xcelerator if you get the chance, but the line for the front row will get extremely long if you don't get to it early.

[scottiemon]

I also recommend getting a front seat ride on Xcelerator if you get the chance, but the line for the front row will get extremely long if you don't get to it early.

 

 

But keep in mind...the front car line is just that, front car. You can end up in row 2, which is second best. Try to line up by looking at people waiting in line. I have seen many time people refuse to get into row two, waiting for row one. Just sayin.

[thrillseeker4552]

I also recommend getting a front seat ride on Xcelerator if you get the chance, but the line for the front row will get extremely long if you don't get to it early.

 

 

But keep in mind...the front car line is just that, front car. You can end up in row 2, which is second best. Try to line up by looking at people waiting in line. I have seen many time people refuse to get into row two, waiting for row one. Just sayin.

 

The funny part is, row 2 is still excellent. That was the seat I marathoned at WCB 2014, and the airtime over the top hat is just as fantastic. And due to the elevated seating, you can still see quite a bit just one row behind. Of course, row 1 is the best.

 

But yeah, it's stupid that Xcelerator lines up by car rather than by row. Confuses the GP all the time. Sierra Sidewinder does the same thing, and I've always wondered why.

[scottiemon]

I also recommend getting a front seat ride on Xcelerator if you get the chance, but the line for the front row will get extremely long if you don't get to it early.

 

 

But keep in mind...the front car line is just that, front car. You can end up in row 2, which is second best. Try to line up by looking at people waiting in line. I have seen many time people refuse to get into row two, waiting for row one. Just sayin.

 

The funny part is, row 2 is still excellent. That was the seat I marathoned at WCB 2014, and the airtime over the top hat is just as fantastic. And due to the elevated seating, you can still see quite a bit just one row behind. Of course, row 1 is the best.

 

But yeah, it's stupid that Xcelerator lines up by car rather than by row. Confuses the GP all the time. Sierra Sidewinder does the same thing, and I've always wondered why.

 

It is kinda weird to me, I think the last row, the one facing backwards going up the lift hill, is the best on Sidewinder. As far as X goes, I will jump to get on row 2 if offered, knowing that they will let row 2 go empty because people will not go on waiting for row 1. IMHO, that should never be allowed. But CP staff is so nice, they never seen to do what we many think is the right thing. So, with row 2 going up empty, sometimes more than once, makes the line for the front car go even slower. *sigh*

[thrillseeker4552]

I also recommend getting a front seat ride on Xcelerator if you get the chance, but the line for the front row will get extremely long if you don't get to it early.

 

 

But keep in mind...the front car line is just that, front car. You can end up in row 2, which is second best. Try to line up by looking at people waiting in line. I have seen many time people refuse to get into row two, waiting for row one. Just sayin.

 

The funny part is, row 2 is still excellent. That was the seat I marathoned at WCB 2014, and the airtime over the top hat is just as fantastic. And due to the elevated seating, you can still see quite a bit just one row behind. Of course, row 1 is the best.

 

But yeah, it's stupid that Xcelerator lines up by car rather than by row. Confuses the GP all the time. Sierra Sidewinder does the same thing, and I've always wondered why.

 

It is kinda weird to me, I think the last row, the one facing backwards going up the lift hill, is the best on Sidewinder. As far as X goes, I will jump to get on row 2 if offered, knowing that they will let row 2 go empty because people will not go on waiting for row 1. IMHO, that should never be allowed. But CP staff is so nice, they never seen to do what we many think is the right thing. So, with row 2 going up empty, sometimes more than once, makes the line for the front car go even slower. *sigh*

 

I believe you mean KBF staff, but you're absolutely right.

 

This is unrelated to the front row thing and is nothing but a pipe dream, but I'd really like to see Xcelerator redone in some way so riders can exit on the curve before the station (TTD style), so running two trains has significant advantages. I believe Rita, Stealth, and several other Accelerators that launch right out of the station do this via a separate unload station. Also, maybe give it some sexy new Intamin trains with more efficient restraints. And some new paint.

 

Like I said, a pipe dream.

[scottiemon]

Yeah, I meant KBF. I meant to type CF, as in Cedar Fair. I have had nothing but wonderful interactions with staff at KBF, and CGA. They are obviously trained in the same manner. Every time I say thank you, they respond with "it was my pleasure". Little things like that make CF parks so much nicer to visit than SF parks. Even though MM scratches my coaster itch like no other, KBF is such a nicer experience overall.

 

I too agree it would be awesome if they disembarked the passengers on the curve! What a difference that would make. While we are at it, do the same for Fu11 Thrott1e!

[CaptainUnknown]

I too agree it would be awesome if they disembarked the passengers on the curve! What a difference that would make. While we are at it, do the same for Fu11 Thrott1e!

 

While I think a disembarkation platform would increase capacity at Xcellerator, I also think that it would cost a lot to do it. Not only would it cost a good chunk to redesign the curve for the purpose, you'd have to staff it. If it were to be done, it would mean the ride would enter into a lengthened period of downtime. Please correct me if I'm wrong. But I do think that the ride could use a can or two million of paint.

 

As for it happening at YOLOCoaster,

[Freestyle23]

Wow so that Boomerang car is just going to sit tightly in that garage? It should be out in the open, inside the house.

[Nrthwnd]

^ I was thinking that too, but then...he bought it, it's his and he can do

what he dang well feels like doing with it!!!

 

 

(And he also might build an entire "amusement zone" {& bar} in there, too.)

[MrSum1_55]

^^I separate load/unload platform would be great on Xcelerator if it ran two trains. But it is not practical since it only runs a single train most of the time. Nowadays, it usually runs two trains only during Haunt and Winter Break. (Peak visitation times).

[jonskinny12]

^^I separate load/unload platform would be great on Xcelerator if it ran two trains. But it is not practical since it only runs a single train most of the time. Nowadays, it usually runs two trains only during Haunt and Winter Break. (Peak visitation times).

 

It was running two trains on Sunday and it was a station wait while I was there.

[The49er]

^^I separate load/unload platform would be great on Xcelerator if it ran two trains. But it is not practical since it only runs a single train most of the time. Nowadays, it usually runs two trains only during Haunt and Winter Break. (Peak visitation times).

 

It was running two trains on Sunday and it was a station wait while I was there.

 

That figures...they never did manage to run two trains on Boomerang

[thrillseeker4552]

Yeah, Xcelerator has been running two trains pretty consistently since November... by the time summer comes, it's gonna need maintenance again!