While in college, I attended a performance of "Tamara" by John Krizanc. The play was staged inside Hollywood's American Legion Hall, a perfect setting for the interactive production. Rather than observe the performance from their seats, the audience followed a cast of 10 performers around the sprawling mansion as the play unfolded all around them. Members of the audience could follow an actor as he left a scene, stay in a room to see what happened next, or switch gears and follow a more intriguing character if they chose. The members of the audience each experienced a different version of the story depending on the choices they made. I was completely enchanted, and regret that I only got to see it once.
What does this have to do with theme parks? Absolutely nothing—but it probably explains why I find the new Ghost Town Alive experience at Knott's Berry Farm so compelling. Like "Tamara," Ghost Town Alive puts you into the middle of the story, as the citizens of Calico go about their day. There's mystery, mayhem, romance, politics, intrigue and crime, and a cast of characters ready to take you as deep into the action as you care to go.
Read the rest at MousePlanet
Thursday, June 30, 2016
'Ghost Town Alive:' Visitors interact with characters in Old West drama at Knott's Berry Farm
Visitors can help the sheriff catch the bad guys, deliver telegrams, or even help out the bad guys, all in a day in Calico during “Ghost Town Alive” at Knott’s Berry Farm.
It is all part of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Ghost Town at the Farm.
For the anniversary, designers wanted to bring the town to “life” by infusing it with characters from the Old West, much like would be found in a town back then.
Read the rest at the OCRegister
Knott's News: They have footage of the evening hoedown in it's new location at the recently opened Calico Park.
It is all part of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Ghost Town at the Farm.
For the anniversary, designers wanted to bring the town to “life” by infusing it with characters from the Old West, much like would be found in a town back then.
Read the rest at the OCRegister
Knott's News: They have footage of the evening hoedown in it's new location at the recently opened Calico Park.
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Eddie Sotto shares concept for unbuilt Ghost Town attraction "Flash Flood Rapids"
Knott's News: The ambition of pre-Cedar Fair Knott's has yet to be matched. People like Eddie Sotto and Robin Hall really went all out when designing attractions. While Knott's has been heading in the right direction since Matt's arrival, they're still afraid to let their imaginations run free. They say "These are legacy attractions, we can never do those again and can't compete with Disney, so why bother".Fun yesterday on Knott's berry panel. Shared unbuilt ghost town ride "flash flood Rapids" 1979. pic.twitter.com/58dddqX6EA— Eddie Sotto (@boss_angeles) June 11, 2016
Pre-Cedar Fair Knott's never stopped trying and produced wonderful things like the Roaring-20's and Camp Snoopy areas, Knott's Bear-y Tales, Kingdom of the Dinosaurs, Wacky Soapbox Racers, and Mystery Lodge. My worst fear is Cedar Fair slipping back into old habits and throwing in coasters and flats again.
Prove me wrong Knott's, blow my mind!
Monday, June 27, 2016
Knott’s Eyes Land for Parking
Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park plans to buy 1.1 acres for $250,000 as part of a $5 million expansion of its Soak City water park by May 2017.
Read the rest at the OCBJ
Read the rest at the OCBJ
Friday, June 24, 2016
Imagining what a Peanuts dark ride at Knott's Berry Farm could look like
A Peanuts dark ride.
You'd think adding one to Knott's would be a no-brainer, even more so than reviving the Knott's Bear-y gang. And yet, 30+ years later, nothing. Sure, The Peanuts gang was added to the Grand Sierra Railroad via Garner Holt as part of Camp Snoopy's 30th anniversary, but that was more of a half-measure. It only served to wet our appetites.
You'd think adding one to Knott's would be a no-brainer, even more so than reviving the Knott's Bear-y gang. And yet, 30+ years later, nothing. Sure, The Peanuts gang was added to the Grand Sierra Railroad via Garner Holt as part of Camp Snoopy's 30th anniversary, but that was more of a half-measure. It only served to wet our appetites.
Then the movie came out and while it only garnered moderate success at the box office, I thought for sure Knott's would throw together some kind of attraction tie-in. Unfortunately disappointment set in again, as a red carpet for the movie was about all they did.
Knott's, it's time to take the plunge and deliver us that dark ride.
Vintage Photos of Ghost Town at Knott’s Berry Farm
It was 1940. Walter and Cordelia Knott had a farm growing berries and rhubarb along Highway 39, a few miles south of the little agricultural town of Buena Park, California. Their farm had something that others in the area didn’t have: an incredibly successful restaurant selling chicken dinners to families who drove down from Los Angeles.
That year, Walter Knott began adding Ghost Town near the restaurant. He artfully arranged authentic historical buildings along with matching new construction. By mid-1941, visitors could enjoy a wild mining town of the Old West, full of delightful details. Although there was no charge for admission or parking, Ghost Town would make the farm even more of a destination.
It was the beginning of Knott’s Berry Farm as arguably the first true theme park in the United States—and still one of the greatest.
Knott’s is celebrating the 75th anniversary of Ghost Town this summer with a spruced-up Ghost Town, a restored GhostRider roller coaster, new shows, and an interactive entertainment experience, Ghost Town Alive!
But this is Yesterland. So today you’ll find 14 never-before-published historical photos of Ghost Town from an earlier time—around 1958, give or take a few years.
Read the rest at Yesterland
That year, Walter Knott began adding Ghost Town near the restaurant. He artfully arranged authentic historical buildings along with matching new construction. By mid-1941, visitors could enjoy a wild mining town of the Old West, full of delightful details. Although there was no charge for admission or parking, Ghost Town would make the farm even more of a destination.
It was the beginning of Knott’s Berry Farm as arguably the first true theme park in the United States—and still one of the greatest.
Knott’s is celebrating the 75th anniversary of Ghost Town this summer with a spruced-up Ghost Town, a restored GhostRider roller coaster, new shows, and an interactive entertainment experience, Ghost Town Alive!
But this is Yesterland. So today you’ll find 14 never-before-published historical photos of Ghost Town from an earlier time—around 1958, give or take a few years.
Read the rest at Yesterland
Ghost Town Alive! An In-Depth Look at Knott’s Berry Farm’s Newest Interactive Offering
As someone who got really in-depth with Disneyland’s Legends of Frontierland a couple of summers ago, it’s hard not to compare the two experiences. It’s clear that while both Wild West experiences were setting out to create a more interactive land experience, I think that Knott’s Ghost Town Alive comes out the champion, and could be a model for other short-term interactive events in the themed environment space. This look offers no direct spoilers, but some images may spoil story aspects.
Read the rest at MiceChat
Read the rest at MiceChat
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Monday, June 20, 2016
Friday, June 17, 2016
Monday, June 13, 2016
Gwen Stefani Takes Kids to Knott's Berry Farm and Celebrates Parents' 50th Anniversary
Gwen Stefani had a family fun day Saturday with her three sons and parents, who marked a very special occasion.
The group celebrated Dennis and Patti Stefani's 50th wedding anniversary with a party, complete with a gorgeous three-tier wedding-style cake covered in white fondant, adorned with white roses, gold leaves and trimming and topped with a pair of wedding bells.
Read the rest at ENews
The group celebrated Dennis and Patti Stefani's 50th wedding anniversary with a party, complete with a gorgeous three-tier wedding-style cake covered in white fondant, adorned with white roses, gold leaves and trimming and topped with a pair of wedding bells.
Read the rest at ENews
Sunday, June 12, 2016
New Experiences for Knott’s Ghost Town at 75 Years Fun
Knott’s Berry Farm is celebrating a very special milestone, the 75th anniversary of Ghost Town. Yes, the very heart of Knott’s Berry Farm has been entertaining guests with its rich theme of western life and lore, capturing the hearts of theme park fans for generations. What began as a small berry stand evolved into a chicken dinner restaurant which later added an interactive western town and attractions. Arguably, Knott’s is America’s first Theme Park.
Read the rest at MiceChat
Read the rest at MiceChat
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Stunts take center stage in Knott's new Wild West show
Fists were flying and guns were firing as a new stunt show premiered Thursday at Knott’s Berry Farm.
“Frontier Feats of Wonder!” is performed several time a day in Ghost Town’s Wagon Camp. It joins several new offerings this summer in honor of Ghost Town’s 75th anniversary.
“It took seven months to write and stage the show,” Jo Bilotti, the director’s assistant on the show, said.
Read the rest at the OCRegister
“Frontier Feats of Wonder!” is performed several time a day in Ghost Town’s Wagon Camp. It joins several new offerings this summer in honor of Ghost Town’s 75th anniversary.
“It took seven months to write and stage the show,” Jo Bilotti, the director’s assistant on the show, said.
Read the rest at the OCRegister
Friday, June 10, 2016
Review: Knott’s opts for an old and familiar GhostRider over a new thrill ride
An extensive renovation of GhostRider has returned the aging wooden coaster to its original glory and left the Knott’s Berry Farm ride running smoother and faster than it has in a decade.
I rode GhostRider five times during media previews on Thursday and found the renovated coaster to be once again “wilder than a pot-bellied possum in a pine tree,” as advertised in the pre-ride spiel.
GhostRider has long been my favorite ride at the Buena Park theme park. I loved the unrelenting speed of the classic double-out-and-back wooden coaster. But like other ride enthusiasts, I found myself riding GhostRider less as it got rougher over the years.
The restored GhostRider is better than it has been since the ride debuted in 1998, but not everything a wooden coaster could be in 2016.
I rode GhostRider five times during media previews on Thursday and found the renovated coaster to be once again “wilder than a pot-bellied possum in a pine tree,” as advertised in the pre-ride spiel.
GhostRider has long been my favorite ride at the Buena Park theme park. I loved the unrelenting speed of the classic double-out-and-back wooden coaster. But like other ride enthusiasts, I found myself riding GhostRider less as it got rougher over the years.
The restored GhostRider is better than it has been since the ride debuted in 1998, but not everything a wooden coaster could be in 2016.
Read the rest at the LATimes
Knott's Ghost Town comes alive for its 75th anniversary
Knott's Berry Farm celebrated the 75th anniversary of Ghost Town today with a media event showing off its newly retracked Ghostrider roller coaster, the Ghost Town Alive interactive experience and the newly refurbished Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant.
Read the rest at ThemeParkInsider
Read the rest at ThemeParkInsider
New POV of GhostRider is here
GhostRider opens this Saturday, June 11th! New ride POV video here! #GhostTown75 https://t.co/KbeLL36YEV— Knott's Berry Farm (@knotts) June 9, 2016
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Cedar Fair CEO gets indefinite contract extension
In a statement, Mr. Ouimet said he was pleased to receive the extension.
”I appreciate the opportunity Cedar Fair has given me and look forward to working with the board of directors, our leadership team and all of our associates to create even more fun for those we serve,” he said.
”I appreciate the opportunity Cedar Fair has given me and look forward to working with the board of directors, our leadership team and all of our associates to create even more fun for those we serve,” he said.
Read the rest at the ToledoBlade
Review: Daylong ‘Ghost Town Alive’ show turns Knott’s into a Wild West improv stage
The new interactive “Ghost Town Alive” entertainment experience at Knott’s Berry Farm injects Wild West characters and improv storytelling into the original heart of the Buena Park theme park.
On a recent visit to the park, I spent a few hours wandering around Calico, the Wild West ghost town at Knott’s, as about two dozen characters in 1850s-period costumes interacted with visitors and assigned them duties to complete throughout the Wild West ghost town. The live-action role-playing adventure features an extensive backstory that develops throughout the day and changes daily.
I found the improv play to be thoroughly engaging. The daylong show drew in kids and adults, who ran around completing chores at the behest of the actors. The story was so enveloping I never left Ghost Town and at times forgot I was at a theme park with roller coasters and other rides.
On a recent visit to the park, I spent a few hours wandering around Calico, the Wild West ghost town at Knott’s, as about two dozen characters in 1850s-period costumes interacted with visitors and assigned them duties to complete throughout the Wild West ghost town. The live-action role-playing adventure features an extensive backstory that develops throughout the day and changes daily.
I found the improv play to be thoroughly engaging. The daylong show drew in kids and adults, who ran around completing chores at the behest of the actors. The story was so enveloping I never left Ghost Town and at times forgot I was at a theme park with roller coasters and other rides.
Read the rest at the LATimes
GhostRider reopens at Knott's, and now it's all about speed
Riders’ screams from Knott’s Berry Farm’s wooden roller coaster will soon be heard again across Beach Boulevard.
GhostRider is back – and now the ride is all about speed.
After months of refurbishment, GhostRider opens to the public Saturday as Knott’s celebrates its 75th anniversary of Ghost Town. The theme park has quietly opened the coaster at times throughout the week, for trial runs, so some from the public have been able to experience the latest version.
The 17-year-old ride now features a new look for its cars and overall more speed.
GhostRider is back – and now the ride is all about speed.
After months of refurbishment, GhostRider opens to the public Saturday as Knott’s celebrates its 75th anniversary of Ghost Town. The theme park has quietly opened the coaster at times throughout the week, for trial runs, so some from the public have been able to experience the latest version.
The 17-year-old ride now features a new look for its cars and overall more speed.
Read the rest at the OCRegister
Knott's Soak City: The park will expand in 2017, adding add two more water-slide towers
More water is on its way to Knott’s Berry Farm’s Soak City in 2017.
The water park, next to the theme park, will add two more water-slide towers, cabanas and expand the restaurant, said Raffi Kaprelyan, regional vice president of Cedar Fair, which owns Knott’s.
The water park, next to the theme park, will add two more water-slide towers, cabanas and expand the restaurant, said Raffi Kaprelyan, regional vice president of Cedar Fair, which owns Knott’s.
Read the rest at the OCRegister
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Sarah Hyland and Dominic Sherwood getting ready to ride the new Ghost Rider
Yeehaw!!! Its @Sarah_Hyland and @DomSherwood1 getting ready to ride the new GhostRider #GhostTown75 pic.twitter.com/7nF4OZNREN— Knott's Berry Farm (@knotts) June 4, 2016
.@Sarah_Hyland and bf @DomSherwood1 have their hands up in celebration of Ghost Town's 75th anniversary at #Knotts!https://t.co/QzHJFZiyOR
— People Magazine (@people) June 9, 2016
Taking suggestions on a new submission process!
I currently use Google drive as opposed to direct access to my email, as I got ridiculous amounts of spam mail when I did it that way, but Google drive is not really meant to be used as a messaging service. I don't get notifications when I'm contracted, so it can be awhile before I check them, and worst of all it mixes all my messages together, so I don't know what person/email asked what or who to respond to.
That said, I'm open to any process that doesn't directly give out my email for spammers to find. I do get notifications for comments, so feel free to leave one!
That said, I'm open to any process that doesn't directly give out my email for spammers to find. I do get notifications for comments, so feel free to leave one!
Friday, June 3, 2016
Rumor: Lara Hanneman leaving Knott's?
I've gotten no verification on this, so I'm putting this here and hoping someone in the know can help shed some light on this rumor: Is Lara Hanneman leaving Knott's and if so, why? If this simply isn't true, please let me know so I can remove the post. Thanks!
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Circus of Wonders comes to the NEW Calico Mine Stage later this summer
Prepare for awe-inspiring stunts and death-defying acrobatics in CIRCUS OF WONDERS, performing later this summer! pic.twitter.com/PxOMHpxf8O— Knott's Berry Farm (@knotts) June 1, 2016
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