The Knott's Berry Farm (KBF) Discussion Thread

[rcdudeAm I allowed to eat donkey during lent?]

While I know the park could get one and make it fit somehow, I don't see Knott's getting a giga coaster in the near future (aka in the next ten years). A mega coaster I could see, or a similarly sized ride, but I think anything larger than that is probably not going to happen just because it wouldn't be the right fit for the park. Based on what the park is getting this year and the way the new Cedar Fair management is going, I think they realize Knott's is more than a thrill park and will take that into consideration when planning future additions.

Honestly, if I were to guess, I'd say the next coaster at the park will be a replacement for Timberline Twister, then a replacement for Boomerang after that. Maybe once those two are done they'll start considering replacing Bigfoot Rapids and/or something else with the next major coaster, but it's probably close to 10 years away. Personally, I'd value a topper track makeover of GhostRider more than a giant new coaster, at least at the moment.

[LaresonBeware of the Magic Donkey at Lotte World!]

Knott's is kind of in line for 2015 with the current 5-year plan as I thought they said the major parks were going to rotate with what the headline attraction for the company is going to be for that year. What that could be is anyone's guess but it's going to be on the high-side of investment.

Now a hyper coaster I can see happening. Something similar to Skyrush would be nice, small footprint but packs a big punch. Even if the park doesn't have a clearing for it, it can go over stuff. Hersheypark for example, they managed to fit Skyrush in right next to their oldest wooden coaster without taking that down. Google Maps actually has an updated view with Skyrush installed. Quite interesting how it's kind of wedged in there.

[XYZA village is missing its IDIOT!]

Knott's is kind of in line for 2015 with the current 5-year plan as I thought they said the major parks were going to rotate with what the headline attraction for the company is going to be for that year. What that could be is anyone's guess but it's going to be on the high-side of investment.

Now a hyper coaster I can see happening. Something similar to Skyrush would be nice, small footprint but packs a big punch. Even if the park doesn't have a clearing for it, it can go over stuff. Hersheypark for example, they managed to fit Skyrush in right next to their oldest wooden coaster without taking that down. Google Maps actually has an updated view with Skyrush installed. Quite interesting how it's kind of wedged in there.

I really doubt that Knott's would be going with Intamin with their new coaster. They had lots of troubles with Intamin rides (Xcelerator's cable, Perilous Plunge's down-time, Sky Cabin getting stuck midway). What I could see is a B&M hyper with colors like brown track and black supports and replacing Bigfoot Rapids. Plus, B&M hypers are more out and back while Intamin hypers have more of a "twister layout". B&M's out and back layout is a lot more space saving.

[thrillseeker4552Did the donkey fairy give me this title?]

What I could see is a B&M hyper with colors like brown track and black supports and replacing Bigfoot Rapids.

I highly doubt Knott's will remove Bigfoot Rapids. They already removed one water ride, and with the extreme California heat in the summers, water rides are essential. If Bigfoot Rapids got removed, all Knott's would have is the TMLR. I understand that they have Soak City next door, but people like to ride water rides without paying extra for another park. I think the only place we have hope for KBF's hyper coaster is between Bigfoot Rapids and Ghost Rider. Fiesta Village and Boardwalk are both tight on space, and Ghost Town is the only area where they could possible fit a B&M Hyper. As long as they have a place for the station, transfer tracks, and queue, they can raise the entire layout and put it anywhere.

[Double0KevinJar-Jar Binks smells like Donkey]

I highly doubt Knott's will remove Bigfoot Rapids. They already removed one water ride, and with the extreme California heat in the summers, water rides are essential. If Bigfoot Rapids got removed, all Knott's would have is the TMLR.

Lets be honest here. California has some of the easiest summers in the country. Go somewhere were they have heat AND humidity, then tell me the heat during California's summer is "extreme." Also, this isn't inconceivable; you have Disneyland just down the street hosting almost 17 million visitors a year with only Splash Mountain (DCA only has Grizzly). Also there is Universal, where you only have Jurassic Park. It's not like a major park would suddenly fail if they only have one water ride, especially one in California.

All that said, I don't think they will get ride of a popular attraction that is still well within it's operational lifetime to build this mythical B&M Hyper that everyone keeps bringing up.

[SLUSHIEIt's hot outside, and I have a headache]

You don't actually get wet on TMLR.

Since Knott's is limited on space, it's easy to pick on the rapids ride because it takes up a lot of land, but I think it's a valuable ride to have in the summer. I don't have any idea how long of a line it normally has, but with my cousin not really liking heights (roller coasters) it's one of his favorite rides there. I'm sure there are other people out there that feel the same way.

That location also probably has the biggest concerns to height and noise with the houses right there.

Having said that, I don't think Knott's past problems with Intamin would have any effect on them working with Intamin in the future. They are owned by Cedar Fair now after all.

[Double0KevinJar-Jar Binks smells like Donkey]

^ I agree about Intamin. Cedar Fair has had a great relationship with Intamin; and with them paying the bills, the parks get what the parks get. The parks do typically have a say in the additions to the park, but the final decision comes from the people writing the check.

But, if it does comes down to whether they build and Intamin or a B&M, I have trouble seeing a negative.

[rcdudeAm I allowed to eat donkey during lent?]

I went to visit the park today (February 7th, 2013) for a few hours after class (yay for a one class day ending at 11:00 A.M.) and it was about as dead as I've ever seen it. The parking lot appeared to have around 50 cars in it plus 20 or so school buses. Even though every coaster except Sierra Sidewinder was only running one train (and that rarely loaded the second one), a quarter of the seats were empty on almost every run that I saw (unless the school groups were riding). Basically, if it is possible for the rides to have shorter lines than they do during a WCB ERT session, they did today.

I've got some pictures of the current state of things, but here are a few notes:

-WINDSEEKER LIVES! Okay, it isn't open yet, but the ride was moving up and down the tower with maintenance personnel on the platform. According to a ride operator, it should be operating again by the end of the month.

-The same operator said that Boomerang (currently closed for repainting) should be reopened in time for spring break, and that the new attractions would reopen at the same time as Timber Mountain Log Ride.

-GhostRider is closed for track work. The website says it will reopen on February 16th.

-Several other small rides were closed. However, almost everything that wasn't in maintenance was running even if nobody was riding.

-Lines were non-existant except for the Calico Mine Ride and whatever school groups happened to be riding. Even the front seat of Xcelerator was only a one train wait.

-There are several path closures in the park currently, especially in the Boardwalk and Ghost Town.

-Ride Count: Twice each on Montezooma's Revenge, Sierra Sidewinder, and Xcelerator, once on Jaguar!, Pony Express, Silver Bullet, Sky Cabin, Supreme Scream, and Wheeler Dealer Bumper Cars

-Time in park: Just over two hours

Pictures:

[Intimidator305Challenge me at Donkey Kong...I dare ya!]

I'm glad to see Boardwalk construction in full swing! I can't wait to see the finished product and see Boomerang's new look. Thanks for the update.

[G-Force!Beware of the Magic Donkey at Lotte World!]

I too saw Windseeker doing some testing earlier today while driving by the park. This is good news because it means they may very well be getting closer to re-opening. On a side note, in the field across the street by the park, north of Xcelerator, there was plenty of cement they were smashing and sending away on trucks. Also, I saw purple railings too in a trash pile from Boomerang's perimeter fence. Lots of work and progress going on in the park it seems.