Originally Posted By wahooskipper Something like that would be a needed addition in every Cedar Fair park.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox Personally, I don't see why they couldn't do an updated version of Bear-y Tales. Take what worked and improve upon it. Knott's needs a family dark ride like this and they already own the media used in the previous ride. The show building is empty, right? Why not?
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan When the ride first opened, Knott's created some children's books featuring the Bear-y Tales characters. What's interesting is that Knott's products are now widely available, so the brand is as well known as ever. With the foodie culture, playing up the boysenberry heritage of Knott's makes a lot of sense. There could be annual boysenberry food festival at Knott's (even a good Food Network special), inviting top chefs to create interesting dishes featuring boysenberries.
Originally Posted By Althegamefreak Anything is possible and they should revive Knott's Bear-y Tales as a way to bring a fair share of Nostalgia for the older Fans of Knott's, Improving in on the ride would also be well appreciated to keeping it in a Modern way. also for those who still think KOD is just a storage place, think again... <a href="http://micechat.com/forums/knotts-berry-farm-cedar-fair-parks/161510-kod-dead.html" target="_blank">http://micechat.com/forums/kno...ead.html</a>
Originally Posted By CDF2 Based upon current events, Knott's still has problems with space and seems committed to steel contraptions (last two new rides Pony Express and Windseeker - can't get more heavy metal than those). Ambience of Ghost Town area took big hits with Silver Bullet and Ghostrider dominating the sightlines, so while new management might clean up the floor the attic will still remain cluttered. I'm OK with Knotts as it is - great place in the summertime when you can get discounted ticket from 4-midnight and they still have a number of food items (funnel cakes, bar-b-que) that are much better than anything Disney offers in the parks. Sure, it would be nice if they would spruce up the old dark ride pavilion where Beary Tales or KOTD was housed - but that probably isn't needed or wanted much by the usual teens who frequent the place. At this point, I'd keep the focus of the park on the younger sets (either real small kids who dig Camp Snoopy or the the teens-young adults that like the metal thrill rides - the latter you can just drop off for a day or a night and let them enjoy the type of thrill rides they like and then pick em up when they're done). KBF is simply a great alternative to Disney for that teen-young adult thrillseeking crowd and I don't see anybody changing that model in the near future.
Originally Posted By Bob Paris 1 Yeah - I agree. Something about the whole change in leadership thing reminds me of the heady days when Lassetter rode in and every one here and elsewhere rallied around his white steed crying that he was going to come in and bring Walt's spirit back and return DL to its glory days. Sure DCA got a MASSIVE cash injection but he is pushing his own 'barrow with Pixar stuff. It's NEVER what the fanbois imagine or want it to be.
Originally Posted By crapshoot The countdown clock is ticking down to 01-03-2012. Dick Kinzel is O.U.T. and Matt Ouimet begins his glorious position at the helm of Cedar Fair LLC. The word is that he is not moving to Ohio. Smart plan.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I understand he is in Ohio, but not in Sandusky and his family didn't move with him.
Originally Posted By Manfried I understand different. He has to keep an eye on the Cedar Fair board, it still has some of Kinzel's cronies on it.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I think the Board is, by and large, buying into Ouimet. I've heard condo as he is hoping to be more of a west coast CEO. If you were Ouimet's family would you be thrilled about moving from Southern California to Sandusky Ohio?
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA A neat little feature about Matt Ouimet <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/news/New-amusement-park-boss-looks-apf-2363181362.html?x=0" target="_blank">http://finance.yahoo.com/news/...html?x=0</a>
Originally Posted By brotherdave Hmmm, more "family friendly rides". I like that!!!! Perhaps dark rides now have a future again in those parks.
Originally Posted By crapshoot Currently, Knott's is ripping up all pavement inside Ghost Town and replacing it with new. They aren't just topping the old with a slurry coat. I'll see it on Thursday and try and post pics.
Originally Posted By DlandDug I missed the Bear-y Tales, but I did experience Kingdom of the Dinosaurs in its prime. After I moved to Orange County I visited Knotts infrequently during the attractions declining years, and had a very unsettling experience there just before it closed forever. The ramp up to KotD was deserted, but the lights were on and there appeared to be a cast member in attendance. So I headed up, to find a small, but impatient group waiting. A long group of cars slowly passed by, as we all sort of stared at each other. As the last of the cars disappeared into the tunnel, I asked the attendant why no one had been boarded. He rather tonelessly replied that there weren't enough people in line. We continued to wait, until another party filled in behind me. Only then did the attendant allow us to step up as the next long train entered the boarding area. He was adamant that we were evenly spaced, and gave strict instructions that no one switch seats. And off we went into... the Kingdom of the Dinosaurs. This was such a painfully sad experience. The first room (with the crazy inventor at his desk) was overlit, and the figure behind the desk was slumped back and jerking spasmodically. In the various showrooms lights were either burnt out, or much too bright and without filters or focus. Worst of all was the rather scary effect as the cars would slowly labor over the "bunny hills" throughout the attraction. It felt as though the wheels were losing contact, and then dropping one by one as the cars that held guests made it to the top. Apparently, the ride system was seriously compromised, and trains would make it through only when they were empty, or carefully weighted to maintain contact. The next time I visited Knotts, KotD was closed, and even all the signs had been removed. I have no idea what condition the ride system is in, or if it even meets current industry standards or code for the State of California. I am sure that has been a major consideration in the decision to mothball this significant chunk of KBF real estate.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan I too remember the long train of cars in Kingdom of the Dinosaurs near the end of its existence. I always assumed this was done because of an increase in unruly guest behavior -- having more people riding might discourage individuals from switching seats or grabbing at the sets when passing by. Whatever the reason, it made for quite a diminished experience for all the reasons Doug mentioned above.
Originally Posted By crapshoot KOD was one of the highlights of the grade school tours. They had a paleontologist on staff that would teach the students about the dinos. The students were challenged to figure out what coprolite was. They loved the combo of ride and lecture while on their school tours. It was an amazing community service that Knott's provided. Too bad they couldn't have maintained that feature.
