The Knott's Berry Farm (KBF) Discussion Thread

[WestCoasterKing]

Dude that is awesome! I think we all learned something new today I never knew about that on Google maps but thanks so much for sharing!

 

WestCoasterKing got me thinking, and I know that Knott's 100th Anniversary is coming up, and I had a cool idea. What if Knott's brought in Sally Corp to do a Knott's Berry Tales remake in the Boardwalk Ballroom? It'd be an amazing throwback to such an amazing attraction, all the older folks would come to reride such a classic attraction, and Knott's has finally realized that to compete with Disney, they need unique Dark Rides!! What do y'all think?!

 

A kind of cool idea, but I dunno, I miss Beary Tales, but I have to admit, I'm an adult now...and me going through something like that...well, at this point....I've let it go lol. I'd rather they do a Soap Box remake.

Ooo yeah. A new updated LSM slot car style versions. Using an old park map that showed WSBR and using the polygon measuring tool on Google Earth, I approximate they would need around 60,000 square feet for an exact replica layout. I wouldn't expect an exact replica of course. I'm just using that as a reference. That would make it a pretty big project, landwise. I can only see them doing if they ever expand into the south parking lot.

 

On a separate note. Are the spinning swings, swinging ship and Hat Dance in still all that popular? I don't know if it's just the season I typically visit (December) but I don't see that many people ever riding. That corner of Fiesta Village is around 25,000 square feet. They could fit a nice little coaster in that spot.

 

Lastly, if - and this is a big if let me tell you, Sol Spin doesn't make it, what else can they do with that spot?

[DILinator]

I'm not going to say too much on the matter, because I don't want to "out" people who received information that may be considered "privileged", but I will just add here that this situation with CF, Intamin, and the accelerator coasters may actually be a lot more on the "dire" end of the spectrum, than most of you, or any enthusiasts realize. After a conversation I had last weekend with friend, who is in regular contact with - we'll just call them "people who would know", to avoid publicly outing my friend - at CP regarding the situation with TTD, it's become more of a political matter with Intamin. In other words, the coaster could actually run again, but Intamin isn't signing off on it, as they want CP to buy their newest model of catch car (which is quite pricey). I don't know if there is a similar situation going on with Xcellerator, but I'm beginning to think that the rumored "bad blood" between Intamin and CP isn't just a rumor after all, because it definitely seems like Intamin is trying to hold a gun to their head, and force them to spend a ton on money on these coasters they don't want to spend, to "fix" them, and get them operating again. Kind of a "Oh, you won't buy our coasters anymore? Well, we'll find other ways to force you to spend money with us!"

 

Again, I don't know much beyond this, and it's second-hand information, from second-hand information. But I DO trust the person who told me explicitly, and he is somebody that I know has had established relations at CP for over a decade now. So this isn't just "dippin' dots guy" hearsay... Bottom line? We could see TTD open again by the end of the year, if CP gets their way. But if they are not permitted to by Intamin for some reason (I don't understand how these things work I guess... Can a manufacturer actually prevent a park from opening a coaster that otherwise can run???), according to my friend, this mess could stretch out into next season and beyond even. And I can't help but wonder if this applies to Xcellerator as well...

 

Well, TTD reopened today, so....

 

Assuming this is true, I read that as Intamin updated the design of the catch car to improve what they saw as a design/safety issue and Cedar Fair isn't happy that version is more expensive. Which would make sense, since it looked like whatever the catch car did caused a lot of damage and needed to be corrected. But design/fabrication of a specialized part isn't cheap. Cedar Fair doesn't have a say in the matter, as running a ride without manufacturer approved parts would be negligence on their part and illegal in states that do have amusement ride laws on the books (they all say something along the lines of "follow all the manufacturer guidelines").

 

This is in line with what I heard. And I also heard CP was considering opening it regardless, which it looks like they did. So bravo to them, I say! Hopefully Xcellerator can open up soon as well!

[firebird81]

bear-y tales coming back with that tasty boysenberry pie smell........yum.

[Nrthwnd]

^ Glad we experienced it, back then in ...Sept.1975...but I doubt they'll bring it back.

 

And remember, there's always Knott's annual (smell the) Boysenberry Festival to visit, starting mid-April!

For instance....Boysenberry Alligator Bites. At Knott's this past Festival. (Thank you Whoever took this.)

[thrillseeker4552]

On a separate note. Are the spinning swings, swinging ship and Hat Dance in still all that popular? I don't know if it's just the season I typically visit (December) but I don't see that many people ever riding. That corner of Fiesta Village is around 25,000 square feet. They could fit a nice little coaster in that spot.

 

Waveswinger, Dragon Swing, and Hat Dance are all still very popular. Lots of times I want to go ride them to take a break from the coasters, but they have lines that I don't think are worth waiting in given what rides they are. Fiesta Village already has a very clustered mess of coasters on the south side. They really should not add another coaster in that area of the park, unless they remove Jaguar and replace it with something more... comfortable and modern, which I am all for.

 

Also, with HangTime coming next year, I don't see a new coaster at Knott's for a long, long time. I think the most we could see is a new family coaster in the next decade, if they choose to retire Jaguar.

 

I heard Sol Spin was testing with water dummies over the weekend, so hopefully that is a sign of it reopening soon.

[WestCoasterKing]

Also, with HangTime coming next year, I don't see a new coaster at Knott's for a long, long time. I think the most we could see is a new family coaster in the next decade, if they choose to retire Jaguar.

 

I don't necessarily think it will be "a long, long time" before Knott's gets another coaster. Since taking over Knott's in 1997 Cedar Fair has added 7 roller coasters in 21 years (counting HangTime in 2018). 4 of those coasters are considered major attractions. GhostRider, Xcelerator, Silver Bullet and HangTime. There was four years between GhostRider and Xcelerator but then only two years between Xcelerator and Silver Bullet. Then there was 14 years between Silver Bullet and HangTime! But during those 14 years they still added three smaller family coasters in 2007, 2008 and 2013.

 

I think we could see another coaster by 2020 and I wouldn't be surprised if it replaced Coast Rider. Ever since they installed the shin guards everyone just hates that ride. I do however agree that the next major coaster won't come for at least another decade (unless Monty and/or Xcelerator completely bite the dust in the next few years) and that coaster will replace Jaguar. (Please keep the temple).

 

But I actually see more non-coaster related additions in the coming years. I think Iron Reef will get a makeover of some sort and Mystery Lodge will be upgraded to some type of show along the lines of Mass Effect at CGA, but western themed. And of course I see more flats. I also wouldn't be surprised if they replaced Timberline Twister.

 

Now I can see some you shaking your heads because I didn't include Windjammer in the timeline. That is because even though it opened in 1997, it was actually a Knott's family project, not Cedar Fair.

Edited October 24, 2017 by WestCoasterKing

[KnottsBerryMountain]

Hangtime track has already arrived at the farm. Some of it is sitting by the burned down fire station.

[WestCoasterKing]

Saw this on Facebook. HangTime track sitting over by the old fire station. All rights to the owner.

 

By the way, my god the framing for the new fire station in the background is huge!

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Felton. Originally posted on Knott's Network Forums.

[Gnome]

Really surprised at the lack of chatter on ghost rider. Went to Haunt last week and really wish we could have gone on GR more. It was running so fast and it's still incredibly smooth. I greyed out on the bottom of the first drop. Felt every ounce of airtime. Laterals were strong but not overpowering. I'm really happy with the way the ride has broken in. When I first rode it, I didn't think much of it. This last time, I would actually rank it above the likes of Boulder Dash and Tremors.

 

Go ride now while it's still in amazing shape!

[WestCoasterKing]

Saw this photo of HangTime footings over on Facebook (all rights to the owner). Does anybody know what's up with the spiral hole down the center of each concrete footing?

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Felton. Originally posted on Knott's Network Forums.

[Manic Monte]

**DOUBLE POST**

Edited October 24, 2017 by Manic Monte

[Manic Monte]

I'm not sure I would base Knott's next coaster possibility on what's happened in the past. Let's see what happens once HangTime opens. If it drives big revenue for the park, I wouldn't be surprised to see something else on the drawing boards in the near future. I'd love to see a ground up RMC at this park.

[WestCoasterKing]

I'm not sure I would base Knott's next coaster possibility on what's happened in the past. Let's see what happens once HangTime opens. If it drives big revenue for the park, I wouldn't be surprised to see something else on the drawing boards in the near future. I'd love to see a ground up RMC at this park.

I think any ground up RMC would take a big chunk of land and if they can swing that kind of project I'd rather they put in a giga hyper. Unless they can somehow get RMC to design a giga woodie hybrid.

[Manic Monte]

I'm not sure I would base Knott's next coaster possibility on what's happened in the past. Let's see what happens once HangTime opens. If it drives big revenue for the park, I wouldn't be surprised to see something else on the drawing boards in the near future. I'd love to see a ground up RMC at this park.

I think any ground up RMC would take a big chunk of land and if they can swing that kind of project I'd rather they put in a giga hyper. Unless they can somehow get RMC to design a giga woodie hybrid.

 

Or...RMC Raptor/T-Rex design

[WestCoasterKing]

I'm not sure I would base Knott's next coaster possibility on what's happened in the past. Let's see what happens once HangTime opens. If it drives big revenue for the park, I wouldn't be surprised to see something else on the drawing boards in the near future. I'd love to see a ground up RMC at this park.

I think any ground up RMC would take a big chunk of land and if they can swing that kind of project I'd rather they put in a giga hyper. Unless they can somehow get RMC to design a giga woodie hybrid.

 

Or...RMC Raptor/T-Rex design

I'll take a T-Rex. Not a Raptor. Knott's is just too busy a park to have such a low capacity ride. I would really love them to replace to Jaguar with a better ride but keep the temple. Maybe a custom T-Rex?

[Manic Monte]

I'm not sure I would base Knott's next coaster possibility on what's happened in the past. Let's see what happens once HangTime opens. If it drives big revenue for the park, I wouldn't be surprised to see something else on the drawing boards in the near future. I'd love to see a ground up RMC at this park.

I think any ground up RMC would take a big chunk of land and if they can swing that kind of project I'd rather they put in a giga hyper. Unless they can somehow get RMC to design a giga woodie hybrid.

 

Or...RMC Raptor/T-Rex design

I'll take a T-Rex. Not a Raptor. Knott's is just too busy a park to have such a low capacity ride. I would really love them to replace to Jaguar with a better ride but keep the temple. Maybe a custom T-Rex?

 

It's interesting you mention Jaguar, because I agree it's the next logical coaster removal for something better.

[joshfreund]

Feel like magic mountain will get the 1st T-rex....it'll be lame, leave you feeling like "where's the rest of it", and as usual be based on inversions not air....i can see it now...T-rex viper clone or same general layout as ninja with,...you guessed it, inversions

[susie zueck]

 

It's interesting you mention Jaguar, because I agree it's the next logical coaster removal for something better.

Can't say I agree. As much as I'd love to see jaguar get replaced by something better, Knott's won't get rid of it anytime soon. It's very reliable, has low maintenance costs, has great capacity, and is one of the most popular coasters in the park. If anything Knotts would probably take out Bigfoot Rapids or Xcelerator before Jaguar.

[WestCoasterKing]

 

It's interesting you mention Jaguar, because I agree it's the next logical coaster removal for something better.

Can't say I agree. As much as I'd love to see jaguar get replaced by something better, Knott's won't get rid of it anytime soon. It's very reliable, has low maintenance costs, has great capacity, and is one of the most popular coasters in the park. If anything Knotts would probably take out Bigfoot Rapids or Xcelerator before Jaguar.

Xcelerator and Bigfoot are both far more popular than Jaguar.

[Nrthwnd]

Jaguar is very popular with families. A lot of families.

[Manic Monte]

 

It's interesting you mention Jaguar, because I agree it's the next logical coaster removal for something better.

Can't say I agree. As much as I'd love to see jaguar get replaced by something better, Knott's won't get rid of it anytime soon. It's very reliable, has low maintenance costs, has great capacity, and is one of the most popular coasters in the park. If anything Knotts would probably take out Bigfoot Rapids or Xcelerator before Jaguar.

 

Yeah I disagree, but that's okay. I could see Bigfoot being removed and the space wasted on something like Phony Express. Jaguar is more of a centerpiece of the park, and the centerpiece of the park deserves better. IMO

 

Of course we could all be wrong and the park could find space elsewhere. I'm just going with my gut on this one.

[WestCoasterKing]

Jaguar is very popular with families. A lot of families.

True but I suspect Knott's invested money on several decent families coasters in recent years so they remove Jaguar and people would be okay with it.

Edited October 25, 2017 by WestCoasterKing

[Mr. Corn]

I see Knotts' next (non kiddie) coasters being an addition along the lines of The New Revolution. Take Jaguar, give it a new color scheme, get new trains and turn them backwards, add a fog machine as you go through the temple, and give it a modified name like Jaguar Unleashed. It'd be a HUGE hit that would be extremely cost effective compared to a brand new coaster. Thoughts?

[WestCoasterKing]

I see Knotts' next (non kiddie) coasters being an addition along the lines of The New Revolution. Take Jaguar, give it a new color scheme, get new trains and turn them backwards, add a fog machine as you go through the temple, and give it a modified name like Jaguar Unleashed. It'd be a HUGE hit that would be extremely cost effective compared to a brand new coaster. Thoughts?

Uh, no. Just don't see that happening. At all.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

I see Knotts' next (non kiddie) coasters being an addition along the lines of The New Revolution. Take Jaguar, give it a new color scheme, get new trains and turn them backwards, add a fog machine as you go through the temple, and give it a modified name like Jaguar Unleashed. It'd be a HUGE hit that would be extremely cost effective compared to a brand new coaster. Thoughts?

 

That might work if the place was Six Flags Berry Farm, but it would also need VR to be complete.