Originally Posted By Moon Waffle I don't know about the rest of you, but I love this park. Whenever we take a trip from our home in the NW down to SoCal (usually in the Spring), we always spend one day at Knott's. This day at Knott's is always so laid back and quiet in comparison to the DLR as far as crowds are concerned. Also, it helps those in our group who need it get our thrill-ride fix with multiple rides on incredible coasters with virtually no wait. At the end of the day, the park is usually just DEAD, and we stroll over to the chicken dinner for a great meal and a piece of boysenberry pie. I'll admit that in recent years Knott's may have lost a bit of its charm with the addition of all of the mega-coasters, but I still find this park to be a great break from the DLR. Disneyland is still my favorite but Knott's will always hold a special place in my heart.
Originally Posted By SifuJustin Soda machines, carnival games, carnival rides, Ghosttown slowly being replaced by rollercoasters, no more Roaring 20s themed area. Knott's is a sad shell of what it use to be. I can't believe I would ever actually pay to go inside (except for Halloween Haunt...which is getting a little old too). Me
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb I have a feeling Knott's will be our next park because the boys are asking us for a trip there (but I think I'll try to sneek over to DLR for a little bit). My problem with Knott's is the level of filth, old gum everywhere, yuck. I had APs a few years ago and we ended up going a total of 3 times in the year and our last trip was only for a few hours.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer I am another lover of Knott's, they have a lot more to offer than just Roller Coasters.... The place is kept clean, has a lot of shows and entertainment, and some great food, including freshly made funnel cakes, and the Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant. Go ride the Log Ride, the Mine Train, the Stagecoach, the Railroad, watch Mystery Lodge, walk thru Ghost Town and enjoy yourself... Go across the street and visit a true replica of Independence Hall. Take the Kids to Camp Snoopy, Watch the Wild West Stunt Show, and the Calico Saloon show... Great place to visit, and a lot better pricing than Disneyland, kids 3 thru 11 are just $16.95, and Adults can usually find a deal around $30 a person... <a href="http://www.knotts.com/hot/index.asp" target="_blank">http://www.knotts.com/hot/inde x.asp</a>
Originally Posted By Elderp I like Knotts and usually go at least once a year. It isn't the same as DL to me but it has some nostalgia factor to me. It is having the danger of encroachment of carnie rides but still the price is good. I personally love the accelerator.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad I am not a fan of Knotts. I went once in 2001. I have not been back since so maybe it's better? Anyway no offense to anyone at all, but I would much rather go to Legoland or Seaworld or Universal Hollywood. I can get Fried Chicken that is far better off my own stove. Not that it's not great, cause it is. But just sayin'.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad And before you yell at me for being an East Coast'er, I hope it buys consolation with you that I prefer DL over the MK.
Originally Posted By dsnykid I used to love Knotts Berry Farm cuv it was a quiet break from DL... I really miss the cheesy dark ride in the Roarin 20's, I think it was called Knott's Beary Tales, but not sure... and the soap box racers were my first introduction to any type of fast ride, my brother took me on it to prepare me for the faster rides at disneyland that I was scared of at 7 y/o... good memories. But the park is full of coasters now, and I just don;t like those.
Originally Posted By Mickeyfan1 Just to let you know where I am coming from generation wise, I can remember going to Knott’s Berry Farm when it was FREE admission. There was something about the “cheesy†dioramas that made Knott’s really unique. Gone is the diorama show that explained how the Knott family came out here in a covered wagon with the Son’s of the Pioneers singing at the end. Gone is the Chapel by the Lake that had the painting of Christ and at the end the lighting would change and with the magic of “black light†his eyes would open. Somewhere I have one of the souvenir cards that during the day would show Christ with his eye’s closed and then at night would glow in the dark with his eye’s open. Gone is the Mission Trail with the dioramas of the California missions. Anyone remember Henry’s Livery outside the Park where you could drive a Model-A type car? (The Knott’s’ version of Autopia). How I miss the Haunted Shack, and the corny melodramas at the Bird Cage Theater…is it ever open? And who remembers the wonderful “Candy Place†over by what use to be the very nice Steak House restaurant? The Candy Palace was a beautiful store filled with wonderful treats, and you could go outside to the side of the building and see them making the suckers, candies and other goodies. Now it is a locker and arcade facility. I know things have to change with the times, but for me what made Knott’s, Knott’s were these early adventures for a “theme†park. Thank goodness they still have a few things, Sad Eye Joe, The Calico Mine Train, Log Ride, etc, but I do miss the old stuff. I love coasters, but some of the newer ones at Knott’s are a little extreme for me. As for the Chicken Dinner Restaurant, personally I think the quality and service have gone down. The last time I was there it just seemed so rushed and the place was very dirty, especially by the bussing stations, with food on the floor, etc. I have a restaurant near my home in Fullerton (The Hungry Bear) that in my humble opinion serves a chicken dinner that is far superior to Knott’s. I now go to Knott’s once a year in November when they offer free admission for veterans. This is a wonderful tradition that the new owners have carried on. I always have a good time when I go, and at that price (FREE) which includes one guest how can you go wrong? OK, that’s my comments on Knott’s…..and don’t get me started on the demise of the Pike in Long Beach, and POP (Pacific Ocean Park) in Santa Monica, or Santa Clause, California just outside of Santa Barbara….what wonderful memories!
Originally Posted By allthingsdisney i had loved Knott's ever since i was a little girl always loved beary tales and the soap box races and my first real coaster the corkscrew but our last trip in Sept. 2006 we had a horrific time and were treated terribly so i had said we wouldnt go back i contacted the management of the park and was invited on our next trip to so cal to be guests of Knott's for our bad exp. on our last trip i havent made up my mind if i'll try it again but if i do it will be for free if only to see if they can redeem themselves .... when i say horrific i mean horrific there is an old post from a couple months ago where i explained in detail what happened ....but as i am still debating whether i'll try it again i would say it still holds a special place in my heart also but from when i was going as a child in the late 70's and early 80's
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 Yeah, as a kid going there in the 70's and 80's it was great. It's not nearly as charming as it once was, but it still has something about it. The Ghost Town and western areas were always my favorites, and it's nice that they are still there. I have about as many memories of Knott's as I do of Disneyland as a kid, so maybe I'm a bit nostalgic about it, but still, I think it's got some quaint charm left...under the big steel coaster.
