The Knott's Berry Farm (KBF) Discussion Thread

[Canobie Coaster]

Looks like a very strong addition. Considering the tight footprint the old Boomerang took up, this is a major home run for the park.

 

I don't think this alone is enough to get me back to SoCal but I'll definitely stop in Knott's the next time I go to Disneyland.

[cfc]

I think this is an excellent choice for Knott's--plenty of new thrills for the Boardwalk.

[The Great Zo]

If this is Karnan-lite as it sort of looks like, oh boy. Knott's might have a really good one here.

[Condor]

I see Knott's figured out how to keep Boomerang's cobra roll almost where it was

 

After riding Karnan, Novgorod, and Karacho this week I'm really excited for this. I had hoped for something slightly longer, but the elements it has all look great.

[LawlessBagel]

I see Knott's figured out how to keep Boomerang's cobra roll almost where it was

 

 

Lol good observation!

[ILoveRides]

Here's a behind-the-scenes look at last night's announcement!

We're at Knott's for their new coaster announcement!

It's National Roller Coaster Day, so first we headed to Ghostrider!

Happy National Roller Coaster Day!

I'm glad to report that Ghostrider is still running GREAT! The new track has been holding up really well.

Next we headed to the newly revamped Boardwalk BBQ for tonight's announcement!

They did a wonderful job on this restaurant!

Everything is shiny and new, and the food is great!

The meat looked so good it was making me wish I wasn't vegan!

Mmmmmm!

I almost ordered some Tri-tip, but alas, they had us vegans covered with a salad station, yay! Mmmmm, avocado!

And they had some awesome drinks too! Brittney says any drink with an umbrella gets an A+ in her book.

There was a great live band helping to set the surf-themed mood!

Announcement time! They began with a video showing the roller coaster history of Knott's.

Knott's is a park with a lot of history in general, but they have some cool roller coaster history too!

Xcelerator was the first hydraulic launch coaster! (And it still kicks butt!)

Jon Storbeck, VP and General Manager of Knott's, came on stage to announce the new ride!

And there it is! Hangtime! An awesome Gerstlauer "Infinity Coaster." What an awesome announcement!

Jeff Gahagan, VP of maintenance and construction, came on stage to give us the full scoop about the coaster.

Lots of stats!

More fun info!

The ride is also going to have a special lighting package that will follow along with the trains, and the lighting can be easily changed for holidays and special events like Scary Farm! This should be really beautiful at night and add some kinetic energy to the Boardwalk.

But enough talk, lets go look at the dirt that'll become the future roller coaster!

There it is! Dirt! Only a coaster nerd could get this excited to be staring at dirt!

We then got to check out the view from Lakeside Terrace, an employee dining area that happens to overlook the construction site.

Still looks like dirt from here too!

But we were kind of excited to get to go to an area of Knott's we hadn't been before - somewhere you can normally only go as an employee - so we of course took a photo.

I'm glad to see that the employees don't have to pay regular park price! 25 cent soda, you can't beat that!

Lumpy dirt is sexy dirt.

They had surfboards placed in the sand to help give us an idea of where things would go.

That blue surfboard way over there will be the lift hill!

Obligatory "I'm a coaster nerd standing in front of dirt" photo.

Back to The Boardwalk BBQ! It looks great at night too!

While we were at the construction site they set up some decorations and renders of the ride for us to check out.

John Chiu also gave a quick talk about the newly renovated Boardwalk BBQ. They're super proud of the food, and everyone at the event seemed to really like it!

Dessert time! Hangtime themed cupcakes and cake, and Snoopy cookies to go! Knott's knows how to throw a party!

A photo of the cake just seconds before it was sliced up and devoured!

Snoopy and friends joined in the fun and posed for photos with everyone.

They had "Hangtime" beachballs too!

So we played volleyball!

Beach ball boobs! (.)(.)

Brittney danced with the characters!

They even got a conga line going!

Here they come!

There they go!

A few more photos!

And some more volleyball!

We were having so much fun! But unfortunately all good things must end. The band drummed while Brittney took one last jump for joy!

Thanks Knott's for inviting us to attend, and thanks to you for checking out our report. Hangtime looks like a seriously great ride, and a perfect fit for Knott's. We can't wait to ride it when it opens in Summer of 2018!

Edited August 17, 2017 by ILoveRides

[PixelRush]

Glad you had fun!

[michaellynn4]

Awesome photos, guys!

[DoinItForTheFame]

Not going to lie... The support at the top of this loop:

 

 

Looks like something I would do in No Limits!!

 

That being said,

 

HOLY BALLS!!! This coaster looks awesome!! So. Many. Great. New. Coasters. For. 2018!! Where do I even start?! I need to do a mega US New Hotness trip!!

[rcjp]

^haha that's pretty cool. Hadn't noticed it. It does Indeed weird but that only makes the ride look cooler.

[Shut It Down]

I've never been on a beyond vertical drop coaster. Does going beyond vertical bring more to the drop?

[DBJ]

Good to see Knott's put in a solid coaster for the thrill seekers. Hopefully the entrance gets the same retro look as the BBQ, which turned out quite nice.

[DoinItForTheFame]

I've never been on a beyond vertical drop coaster. Does going beyond vertical bring more to the drop?

 

Yes.

[Steely Dan]

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Edited August 22, 2017 by Steely Dan

[DoinItForTheFame]

What are the substantive differences between gerstlauer's eurofighter coasters and their infinity coasters? many of them they seem to do very similar things with vertical lifts, vertical/beyond vertical drops, lots of inversions, etc. what's up with the different branding?

 

I'm thinking it has to do with the style, and type of trains used.

[coasterlvr]

I've never been on a beyond vertical drop coaster. Does going beyond vertical bring more to the drop?

 

they aren't my favorite drops. they are crazy because most throw you out, but then you slam back down into your seat.

[KBrylczyk]

side question because i've always been curious: what are the substantive differences between gerstlauer's eurofighter coasters and their infinity coasters?

 

I'm not sure of any exact differences outside of the train, but in my experience most Eurofighters are smaller-scale and, while fun, can be rough. Infinity coasters are much larger and capable of being the greatest, most intense, ridiculous, absurd ride on the goddamn planet (Karnan).

[snapfordakids]

I'll be in LA late April for Cochella. I hope this will be ready by then! Looks very fun!

[Derpologist]

This looks pretty good, but I am of the mindset that a full-scale B&M dive coaster would have made a much larger splash (har har), and served more guests per hour. I'm sure Cedar Fair/KBF are spending less this way, regardless, and maybe they'll even end up with a better coaster. I haven't been on an Infinity yet, but something like Monster *looks* a lot more intriguing to me.

[robbalvey]

Infinity coasters are much larger and capable of being the greatest, most intense, ridiculous, absurd ride on the goddamn planet (Karnan).

Except that Karnan was not what I would call a "smooth" ride by any stretch of the imagination.

[SharkTums]

^KT and I only managed two rides on it before we needed a break. It runs that dangerous line like Voyage between 'aggressive' and 'rough'.

[COASTERelic]

This looks pretty good, but I am of the mindset that a full-scale B&M dive coaster would have made a much larger splash (har har), and served more guests per hour. I'm sure Cedar Fair/KBF are spending less this way, regardless, and maybe they'll even end up with a better coaster. I haven't been on an Infinity yet, but something like Monster *looks* a lot more intriguing to me.

 

Whats with all the B&M dive coaster love. They are pretty much a one trick pony. I do think you are right as this is a much better coaster for the amount of space they had. Congrats to KBF/CF for their choice.

[MrSum1_55]

I am actually glad they went with a non B&M dive coaster. B&M dive coasters are fun, but they feel very much like one trick ponies. I am sure Gerstaluer will offer something much more unique.

 

That being said, I hope this thing is smoother than Karnan. Gerstaluer is not perfect at is making smooth coasters. The three big Gerstaluers I have ridden (Mystery Mine, Karnan, and Novgorod) all have some degree of problems with roughness. They are all still ridable, but the roughness does detract from the enjoyment a bit.

[Rill'o'beily]

They are all still ridable, but the roughness does detract from the enjoyment a bit.

 

I affectionately call it gerstache. Not that noticeable during the ride but afterwards you feel it in your head.

[KBrylczyk]

Infinity coasters are much larger and capable of being the greatest, most intense, ridiculous, absurd ride on the goddamn planet (Karnan).

Except that Karnan was not what I would call a "smooth" ride by any stretch of the imagination.

 

^KT and I only managed two rides on it before we needed a break. It runs that dangerous line like Voyage between 'aggressive' and 'rough'.

 

I was too busy being thrown around like a rag doll owned by a redheaded stepchild to notice. It was too much fun. Maybe I should see a therapist.