Beating the Winter Blues : Knotts Berry Farm 1/28

[tjpavlik]

I was assigned a trip to southern California for 1/28-1/29. Having nothing better to do (other than to get our passengers out there) I packed my platinum pass and made my way up the 710 to the 91 and was at the front gate within an hour of landing.

I figured that on a Monday during the school year the crowds would be minimal and I was right. Most rides were either walk right on or a very short wait. Most roller coasters were running with only one train and the other train was being be maintained on the maintenance siding.

The only hiccup was with the parking lot attendant who after scanning my pass he said it wasn't valid. I told him I had paid for it a few weeks ago and he let me in to park and told me to go to information booth.

I didn't see the information booth so I just went up to the gate where my pass was scanned in and welcomed into the park. As anticipated the WindSeeker was closed but unfortunately so was the Ghostrider, their wooden coaster.

The first coaster I had to ride was the Silver Bullet, a suspended roller coaster. It has six (and some say 6.5) inversions. The closest thing KI had to it is the Flying Ace (minus the invertions). A great ride that would fill a gap in the current KI lineup.

I then moved on to the Xcelerator. I think the Xcelerator was the inspiration for Kinga Ka and the Top Thrill Dragster. The ride is not nearly as tall but still an intense experience. 0-80 mph then straight up 200 feet, then down, around and back to the station. An added bonus was the view to the north of downtown LA and the Hollywood sign. (20 miles or so in the distance) In my mind the theming wasn't that great but it didn't detract from the ride. A space/aviation theme would work much better.

The Boomerang was next. The layout is exactly the same as Invertigo with a Vortex type train. The ride is quick and intense. It didn't bang my head around like The Vortex. But I only rode it once!

The next coaster was the Jaguar. The Jaguar is a small steel coaster with great theming. Unfortunately the ride is pretty tame. The best part of the ride is the view of the park it provides. Interestingly enough you could look under the station platform where numerous workers were rebuilding electric motors for the lift hill. On the lift hill I noticed at least three wheels not turning.

I then took a break from the coasters and did the Supreme Scream (up, then down, ok) and the La Revolucion (I thought it would be Delirium like but its much smaller and in my mind its better to look out rather than in). The Riptide was an outside version of the Crypt. (The inside setting of the Crypt gave it an big edge over the outside setting but it was probably the best non-coaster ride)

I went back to the coasters and tried Montezooma's Revenge. It was the closest thing I had been on previously was the old Screamin' Demon.(Minus the steps!) A very quick out and back looper with a power launch. The lights dimming in the station at launch was an ominious touch (or power surge, who can say) Neat older ride.

The Sierra Sidewinder was in kiddie land (Peanuts theme) and was a pretty intense little coaster. It is a small steel coaster with rotating cars. As my car crested the hill it spun and I ended up going down the hill backwards. Pretty cool! The ride ends with a small helix and with your car pointed down it seems as if the gravel is but a few inches away!

On the way across the park to re-ride a few of the previously mentioned coasters I stopped and did the Western Stunt Show. About 100 people watched the show which was heavy on slapstick type humor and a few jokes about other parks in southern California.

The last coaster was the Pony Express. Another power launch with horse themed cars. You actually sit on a horse like seat to ride. It goes up, around and through a tunnel. The cars were unique but the ride was disappointing.

I did the Ghost Town diner for lunch. $17 for a burger, fries and a drink. There were cheaper options out there but I was looking for table service.

At that point it was time to head on out. All in all it was a great quick day at Knott's Berry Farm. Having a platinum pass made the trip a no brainer cost wise. Their rides were pretty good and different enough from KI to make things interesting. Being able to walk on to rollercoasters in 60 degree temperatures (cool for SOCAL) in January was a great way to pass the time. Still waiting for the April KI opening!

[The Interpreter]

Thanks for the great report. Somehow, when I end up in that part of the country, I always end up at California Adventure, Disneyland and Magic Mountain, knott the Cedar Fair park. Did you happen to see if they were letting people ride the coasters with spectacles attached?

[tjpavlik]

I forgot to mention that! No glasses permitted! I normally wear my sunglasses with dork string but had forgotten it that day. Every ride attendant made sure no one was wearing glasses (sun or other).

[The Interpreter]

Sigh. My eye doctors absolutely forbid me from riding without eye protection. I therefore will not be going to Knott's.

My visits elsewhere will continue.

[westcoaster]

times I was at knotts no glasses of any sorts, sorry on your trip you could not try the log flume, its a classic, well themed, ride:

[The Interpreter]

No other Cedar Fair park does this.

No other California park does this.

With all due respect, this no-glasses policy is beyond stupid.

[tjpavlik]

I was puzzled about the no glasses policy. I have ridden every ride at KI with sunglasses on and never had a problem. I did ride the DB without glasses in the rain and wished for the entire ride I HAD worn them. There were no rides at Knott's that I felt I would have lost my glasses. ( I did cheat and put them on on the Silver Bullet; no problems)

The Log Flume looked neat but it was not operating as well. I'm not a fan of water rides when its under 80 degrees.

[CoastersRZ]

So why is Knott`s so strict with their glasses policy? I could see if it was a State thing or a company wide Cedar Fair thing, but it isn`t either of those. Does someone who works at Knotts have a fear about glasses coming off on a ride and injuring someone? I still find it puzzling.

On Nighthawk at Carowinds, they made me take off my glasses, even with an athletic strap. Every other ride there permitted me to wear my glasses.

I hope to one day get out to Knott`s. I don`t like not wearing my glasses because I can`t read anything and it gives me a headache. (And contacts are not an option either, given my past eye health issues).

[The Interpreter]

Carowinds has had a very inconsistent policy on that ride. At one time, they even made riders turn their pockets inside out to prove they were empty. Between that and their admissions staff, I find little to draw me to that park since Paramount Parks sold.

[CoastersRZ]

Indeed. I had a VERY poor experience there this past year, which resulted in me waiting outside the gates for thirty minutes when they tried to figure out an issue with my pass. I was not pleased at all (even writing them a letter to voice my displeasure). It will be quite some time before I return to that park.

Even with the glasses policy, I still want to visit Knott`s and its neighbor down the road, Disneyland!

[The Interpreter]

I also wrote a letter after my similar admissions fiasco. It wasn't even acknowledged. I was amazed.

[PKIVortex]

I had an issue with my pass at Carowinds in 2011, I instantly renewed my pass on the KI website, and we went to Carowinds before KI opened for the season. They made us pay 10 dollars to park, which was refunded, and then GR had to do give us comp tickets to get into the park the first day. The second day our Passes scanned at parking and at the gate.

My friend's CP PP wouldn't scan at KI on opening day last year, since CP wasn't open yet, but they gave him a comp ticket to get in. I renewed my KI PP today online, I hope I don't have any issues come April 27th.

[Diamondbacker]

Sounds like you had fun! Great TR!

That's a great way to beat the offseason blues. My current remedy is listening to music that reminds me of KI, such as Van Halen's "Right Now" or U2's "Vertigo."

[BB1]

Well, Knott's will not see a certain BB1 for awhile till they lift that idea of no sunglasses. Alas, I wish I could wear sunglasses on waterslides, that can be a hassle as well.