Originally Posted By nevadarebel I will be in Southern California for a soccer tournament in August and our games will be over by around 11am each day so I am looking at things to do. I have never been to Knotts and I will have my 3 kids with me, 11,9 and 7 and I was thinking about going to there. Any information is appreciated. I would do DL but we are only going to have Saturday. Sunday we are coming home after the games (with a stop at the beach) so I would like to find something fun to do.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer I am a big fan of Knott's. A great deal kids 3 thru 11 are just $18.95. But here is an even BETTER deal... >>Every weekend through Sept. 30 That's Right! All You Can Eat BBQ Feast in private area, PLUS Knott's admission for one low price! Adult: $37.95 Child: $21.95 Senior: $23.95 Available Weekends only. Make your reservations today! 1-800-PICNICS or (714) 220-5163.<< So that is $3 more than admission for the kids, and the Adult rate is cheap the its full price admission of $48.95. You can't buy these tickets online, but you can buy them at the Main Ticket Windows. Here is a link to their website to check out the rides and attractions. <a href="http://www.knotts.com" target="_blank">http://www.knotts.com</a>
Originally Posted By Mrs ElderP I myself consider Disneyland the "Porche" of family parks and Knotts to be the "Honda"--much more practical, a much better value, but certainly not as plussed. You'll have a good time, they have lots of attractions and are a clean park. I'd do what I'd do with any park, figure out ahead of time what you want to do, which rides are a must see, and charge around the parks like mad men. (mad people? doesn't sound as good!) Not nearly as many details to really savor, but you'll only be there for the afternoon anyway!
Originally Posted By 1disneymom3boys nevadarebel, make sure you see Snoopy on Ice (always a fun show). Knott's is famous for its fried chicken, so you don't want to miss out on that. The funnel cakes are really good too. Your kids are various ages and probably enjoy different thrill levels, Knott's has Camp snoopy for the younger kids, and bigger thrills for the older kids (supreme scream and many coasters). For the whole family you can enjoy the Mine train, log ride and stagecoaches (just to name a few). Don't forget to see the Wildwest Stunt show too. Hope you have a great time! Darkbeer, regarding the All you can eat BBQ, do you know what food they serve? Does that include the famous fried chicken? If so, then I gotta try that deal. Also, do you know when the log ride should be done with their rehab and up and running again? It has been down for a few months now. We don't want to go back till its running again. There is a lot of work going on at Knott's, do you know what they are working on? Thanks.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer The BBQ feast does include chicken, along with beef ribs and all the fixens. The Log Ride return date has not yet been determined, it was closed due to structual issues.
Originally Posted By a1stav Knotts is good for a day. The coasters are top notch (Ghost rider is insane) and Mystery Lodge is a neat show. To note when I went I found that the park was not run very well (no posted wait times, not very clean, understaffed attractions etc.) I liked when I saw some "Bandits" (streetmosphere) hold up a dad and his kid asking for all their money, then they quickly corrected themselves saying "What am I thinking!? If you had any money you would have took him to Disneyland". That sums up Knotts pretty well, a fun park with a value price and a value level product. Have fun! Just don't expect Disney quality.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<The Log Ride return date has not yet been determined, it was closed due to structual issues>> If Disney allowed this to happen, some people would be all over it, ready to see heads roll for the shortsightedness of not keeping up regular maintenance and so on. But since there is no such thing as a KBF fan site (at least not that I know of) it apparently gets a free pass. Kinda like how if DCA runs a promotion, it's because the park is "crap" and they must bolster attendance, but if Knotts has a promotion, it's just a good deal.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Sad but true Trekkeruss. I used to love Knott's as a kid, but it's definately different now. Without the Log Ride and Calico Mine Train, the place would not be the same. It's like Disney letting PotC go.
Originally Posted By allthingsdisney i used to be a huge fan of knotts but after our trip there sept of 06 it was the worst exp. i have ever had due to lack of staff and extreme lack of respect for guests i complained to management and was offered free tix for our next visit to So Cal but i still havent decided if i even want to try again the rides are fun but the level of customer service is sooooo sub par that i find it hard to even think of going back for free.... i would say skip it and hit the beach or add a day to disneyland
Originally Posted By alexbook >>But since there is no such thing as a KBF fan site (at least not that I know of) it apparently gets a free pass.<< Out of curiosity, I Googled "Knotts Berry Farm Discussion." I found a fairly sluggish discussion page at <a href="http://www.themeparkinsider.com/news/index.cfm?resort=Knott" target="_blank">http://www.themeparkinsider.co m/news/index.cfm?resort=Knott</a>'s+Berry+Farm. I also found this thread!
Originally Posted By sherrytodd The KBF from my childhood is dead and gone. We went there in May because it is a family tradition to get kids photos on the horse and we needed to get one of my neice. After we got the photo we ran over to the Log Ride which was closed. We rode the Calico Gold Mine and then went over to Ghost Rider and waited in a 90 minute long line. There was no posted wait time outside the line. This was during a non busy weekday. The queue was hot and everyone was smashed together and many of our fellow guests did not smell so pleasant. We kind of just spent the rest of the day wandering around and couldn't really find anything we really wanted to ride. For the kids, Camp Snoopy was too little and is filled with a bunch of rides that we have here in our amusement park, but all the roller coasters were too big for them. We walked into the funhouse in Camp Snoopy and it was cheap, dirty and disgusting. Plus the people that KBF attracts now is really the Six Flags crowds and pretty annoying. We left there pretty depressed and decided we probably would not be returning.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I found that Sherrytodd. As a kid, we would always go to Knotts as well as DL. I went on about how great it was to Sarah, and when we turned up it had totally changed - ya, we rode the Log Ride, Calico Mine Train, Ghostrider, the Train, and Mystery Lodge. But the artisans, the streetmousphere and all my childhood memories seemed to be gone. The place was no longer a mecca to American History and culture, but instead was becoming a white knuckle steel park. No thanks. I like thrills, but not at the expense of the charm that KBF once had. Walter Knott must be rolling over in his grave. And now, Cedar Point are looking to have someone bail them out.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb You know when I was a kid and teen even Magic Mountain had a certain amount of "Americana charm" (Spillikan Corners). But that's long since gone. It's sad to know that Disney is the only So Cal theme park that has kept up with that sort of atmosphere. Esp since both the Western town at Knott's and Spillikan Corners at MM were better than Frontierland in many ways.
Originally Posted By nevadarebel Thank you for all of your advice and information. We are kind of on hold now because they are redoing the schedules so hopefully we will still be done by 11. All of my kids are thrill seekers so the big rides are what are attracting them right now. They want to go to DL but I explained that we would only have 1 day there and for the price, I can get all of us tickets for KBF for what 1 adult ticket would cost. I found a deal through my work for adults at 26.95 and kids at regular prices but the BBQ sound interesting. 1disneymom3boys, thanks for the information on the shows and stuff. And Mrs ElderP, we are already planning our day out on what rides they HAVE to go on and those that maybe are not so important. They have been with me enough to DL and such that they know I like to plan the details out and that I do my research ahead of time so our trips go a little smoother. We are going to the beach for sure on Sunday before coming back to the desert but they are now excited to go to KBF and ride the cool rides.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Knott's still offers a Glass Blower, who makes items while you watch (Disneyland used to do the same thing on Main Street). One of my favorite artisans at Knott's is a Gentleman who takes coins, and then in very detailed work, cuts out part of the coin to make the image stand out. (For example, cutting around the eagle, leaving the outside circle and the eagle, but the rest of the coin is removed). Makes great jewelry. Also they still have a Blacksmith that makes things for sale, along with a wood carver. And during Christmas, many Arts and Crafts booths are added featuring hand made products. IMHO, you can find a lot more unique, one of a kind and persoanlized items at Knott's, unlike the mass produced stuff that has taken over Disneyland.
Originally Posted By gardenrooms My favorite ride of all time is Xcelerator - my only complaint is it's just too short! I am sorry to hear about the bad experiences people have had. We were there in 2004 ago and the employees we came across were great, from the stagecoach operators(?)who chatted with us as we waited, to the motherly ride operator who nicely but firmly told a teenager he would need to turn his shirt inside out (because of what it said), to the lady who came up to us as we were reading our map to see if she could help us find anything. I was actually pleased with how much of the older things were left - I haven't been there for probably 25 years - and enjoyed all the entertainmant (though many times DS and DH would leave me as they weren't as charmed). True, it's not DL - not as clean, the back part is kind of chopped up with a lot of concrete. The ride I will never go on is Montezuma's Revenge - the line was claustrophobic even when it was moving, but when the ride broke down and we were stuck inside the pyramid with people in front and people in back and no way out, and it was hot and smelly, I just wanted out. Finally, after a very long time - I guess when they decided the ride was going to be down for a long time - they had the line move on up and out, not a minute too soon for my taste. Ugh! I doubt I will ever getin that line again. There was a very long line for the chicken restaurant, so that may not work in your time frame, though we really enjoyed it.
Originally Posted By Elderp I like Knotts, I like going over to the Judge and seeing what he has to say. Over by the wagon ride I still get a kick out of the guy coming out of the hearst. I always open the "door" in the 20s area. The birdcage theatre when it is operating is always fun. There are some hidden jewels out there, you just have to look harder. There are some things I also miss. For example I miss the laser light show they used to have and the crooked cabin tour. It definately has changed since Cedar Fair came in but it was really going downhill so overall I think it was a good thing. I would never call it as good as Disneyland but it is America's First Theme Park and still has some charm due that fact.
Originally Posted By CCMOM Can't miss the fried chicken and of course a slice of boysenberry pie!! My favorite and have to have it every time we are in Southern Cal. Also, you could try Soak City at Knotts. The kids might like the water park if it's hot out while you are there.
Originally Posted By jonvn Another Knott's Site: <a href="http://www.westcoaster.net/community/index.php?s=4590548fe559c886719cf71ad69d3e80&showforum=3" target="_blank">http://www.westcoaster.net/com munity/index.php?s=4590548fe559c886719cf71ad69d3e80&showforum=3</a>
