Returning to the Fair with Knott’s Bear-y Tales and Triotech’s Nol Van Genuchten

We’re using the same venue, we’re using the same ride system, but we’re re-configuring the ride system to give us a better journey through that space, and to better be able to tell the story that is Knott’s Bear-y tales. Yes, it will be a media-based attraction and yes, we’ll still have screens in there, but we’ll be re-configuring the riide system and the position of the screens to give us a more immersive experience, to create more space, to have better theming and a better overall environment.

Read the rest at Coaster101

All aboard the 2020 Hype Train for Knott's Bear-y Tales

The big reason that you don't see more revivals at theme parks is that parks - unlike film studios - are not constantly rotating in new productions. Popular, successful rides stick around for generations. It's the less successful attractions that get yanked in favor of new rides or shows. And who wants to bring them back?

Well, sometimes parks make mistakes. And other times, rides that fall out of fashion find new life when nostalgia brings them back into favor. Many Disney fans long for the return of Horizons. Universal fans pine for Jaws. And Knott's Berry Farm fans wish they could go back and get another ride on Knott's Bear-y Tales.

Read the rest at ThemeParkInsider

Cedar Fair Appoints Daniel J. Hanrahan Board Chairman

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), a leader in regional amusement parks, water parks and immersive entertainment, announced today it has appointed Dan Hanrahan as its independent board chairman, effective January 1, 2020. Mr. Hanrahan has served on Cedar Fair’s Board of Directors since June 2012, most recently as chair of the Compensation Committee.

Matthew A. Ouimet, executive chairman, and Debra Smithart-Oglesby, lead independent director, will serve in those roles through the end of 2019 and will continue to serve as directors under Mr. Hanrahan’s leadership.

Read the rest at SeekingAlpha

Knott's, take notes - This is how you announce a celebration!

Off Topic: The Imagineering Story (Final Thoughts)

Well that was a mess...

I don't know what I was expecting. Of course a documentary produced by Iger - one that was so honest and critical on previous administrations - would paint himself as Disney's savior. It's a shame that all the failures of the current administration are completely ignored and much of their mediocrity is glamorized (Shanghai Disneyland anyone?). Most of Imagineering's actual technological and creative achievements are glossed over in favor of pushing Iger's agenda revolving around brand integration in what seems like a desperate justification of bad decision making by management (one of which belittles any kind of genuine concerns fans have by painting it as nothing more than whining and overreaction). It really does just become an advertisement fluff piece that abandons the narrative that Iweks was crafting in earlier episodes.

If you really feel like watching this, you can stop after the first couple of episodes.

Knott’s Merry Farm Presents a Magical Down Home Christmas

It’s the merriest time of the year at Knott’s Berry Farm, where Christmas cheer is delivered boysenberry flavored. This year, Merry Farm hosts two new entertainment offerings, including an incredible stage show and a melodrama. While other parks are cutting back this holiday season, it’s merrier than ever at Knott’s. Let’s take a look around the park and see why.

Read the rest a MiceChat

The Whimsical History and Unexpected Future of Knott's Beary Tales

Knott's Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair IAAPA interview with Triotech creative

Knott's News: Interesting interview with the Triotech creative lead Nol Van Genuchten on the project. He talks about how long they've been working on the Bear-y Tales revival and even about possible expanded scenery / rearranged screens. It really is crazy the quick turnaround Knott's seems to have on all its projects, despite Cedar Fair constantly talking about their 5 year plans. Hopefully someone asks about the track layout, Art Engineering ride system, ride capacity (Triotech lists Iron Reef at 575 THRC) and reliability at some point. Really interested to know if any of that will change.

High quality version of the Knott's Bear-y Tales 2020 concept art

Knott's News: This is right off the Triotech website. The higher resolution doesn't really reveal any details you couldn't see otherwise.  What I'd really like are some high quality renders of the character standees they had at IAAPA. I really hope those renders represent the look they'll have in the attraction. I'll be disappointed if they look like the hideous character art they have attached to the logo.

Triotech IAAPA 2019 press conference

Today Triotech held their press conference for Knott's Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair at IAAPA 2019.There wasn't much new information we didn't already know, at least not presented by Triotech. 

Ernest Yale mentioned pouring over archives of Bear-y Tales production work to capture the aesthetic and be respectful to the original attraction. He also mentioned that in addition to the animation and gaming, they'd be producing the scenic theming (oh god NO).

Ken Park on the other hand mentioned the following: they consulted with Rolly Crump and his son to makes sure the new attraction is authentic to his artistic intent (this is cool but wish he would've taken on a more active role), that they're focusing on story even though there will be shooting (to me, story based attractions work better off screen where there are details surrounding you just waiting to be discovered, as opposed to the straight forward presentation a screen offers), and that the boysenberry smell will return.

Still worried about this one. Still have lots of questions that need answered. We'll just have to wait and see how it turns out.

Garner Holt Productions: Growing the legend

Calico Ghost Town is the original heart of Knott’s Berry Farm theme park in Buena Park, California. Comprised largely of a collection of authentic, 19th-century buildings brought to the park by founder Walter Knott beginning in the 1940s from the real ghost town of Calico in Southern California’s High Desert, Ghost Town is one of themed entertainment’s earliest and most successful immersive “lands” – it feels real because, in a major sense, it is real. When Knott connected with amusement ride impresario Wendell “Bud” Hurlbut, the attractions that would emerge from the relationship would grow the reach and legend of Ghost Town further than its narrow streets and charmingly crumbling buildings.

Read the rest at InParkMagazine

Timber Mountain Log Ride 50th anniversary musical additions retooled!

I'm not sure how long ago this happened but it seems that Knott's wasn't content with their first pass at adding a musical heart to Timber Mountain Log Ride and has done a little retooling to the music added during the 50th anniversary. As you may remember, I voiced some concerns regarding the flow of the music and as to whether it was scene appropriate. It seems Knott's felt the same way and has addressed many of these concerns of mine. To me, the music flows much better after the retooling (although, I do miss the whistling in the cave). For the most part, any vocals now heard seem appropriate to the scene and no longer like they're coming out of the sky, and there is much more use of instrumental. Most rewarding of all - I feel - is that there now is now a buildup to the final scene with the hootenanny and the music is much more grand because of it. This retooling is a major plus for the attraction.

That said, I still have a couple of suggestions. I maintain that the fully finished hootenanny sign in the saw mill should be removed, the new figure advertising it is enough to convey the story point. The log ride represents the passage of time and the next scene has a hootenanny sign still being worked on, which makes no sense that one would be completed earlier in the day for such an impromptu event. Also, there are vocals outside with the hitchhiker and logger. I feel this should be all instrumental. 

I already know this last suggestion is outlandish but I feel there should be music throughout most of the attraction. To me there are too many dead spots where you just hear music from other show scenes at a distance. I know this would require a massive amount of electrical work and engineering but I feel the light peppering of instrumental score in-between scenes would keep the energy and flow better.

Like I said, those suggestions are just nitpicking. Knott's has done a wonderful job retooling Timber Mountain Log Ride and we're soo lucky they're taking such great care of their classics.

Off Topic: The Imagineering Story

This has nothing to do with Knott's but is more for theme park lovers in general. I've been watching Leslie Iwerks' The Imagineering Story docuseries on Disney+ and it is fantastic. While there isn't much in the way of new information, there is - fortunately - a lot of great behind the scenes footage being shown for the first time, so definitely worth checking out. To further persuade any of my readers who may still be on the fence; ex-Imagineers and Knott's alumni Rolly Crump (Knott's Bear-y Tales), Bob Gurr (Kingdom of the Dinosaurs) and Eddie Sotto (Wacky Soapbox Racers) are all interviewed in it. While Disney nerds like myself are disappointed at everything being left out, I do see how the tighter presentation is creating a narrative easier to grasp that may've otherwise been lost had they delved any deeper. Only one episode in and I'm hooked. 

Can't recommend it enough!

Cedar Fair LP (FUN) CEO Richard Zimmerman on Q3 2019 Results - Earnings Call Transcript

"The growth in same-park attendance through the first 10 months of the year is very encouraging, particularly given the slow start to the season, most notably during January and February in Knott's Berry Farm. In spite of that slow start and the debut of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland, Knott's once again is on pace to deliver its best year ever."

"Meanwhile, we begun multiyear renovation projects on 3 of our resort properties, including last week at Cedar Point's indoor water park Castaway Bay; the Knott's Hotel at Knott's Berry Farm; and the recently acquired Sawmill Creek Resort near Cedar Point. Once fully renovated, we will have established a new level of quality and guest experience at these resort properties, which collectively represent more than 1/3 of our current room inventory."

Read it all at SeekingAlpha

Knott's News: So attendance is up at Knott's despite Galaxy's Edge, new initiative implementing targeted advertising at Knott's, investing heavily in Knott's with hotel renovation, 100th anniversary celebration and new Knott's Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair dark ride. Cedar Fair is very happy with Knott's.

Bear-y Tales Returns for Knott’s Berry Farm 100th anniversary

“Knott’s Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair” will be a new 4-D interactive dark ride that will take guests on an exciting journey through reimagined show scenes that are an homage to the original dark ride. Original scenes included the Boysenberry Pie Factory, Frog Forest, Fortune Teller Camp, Thunder Cave, and Weird Woods, culminating in a celebration at the County Fair. The story takes place 34 years after the original adventure and will follow Boysen Bear and Girlsen Bear as they travel to the Country Fair to earn the blue ribbon prize for their famous boysenberry pies, but Crafty Coyote is back along with his mischievous pups intent on stealing all the pies for themselves. Guests will climb aboard ride vehicles equipped with jelly blasters to try and recover the stolen boysenberry pies as they travel through whimsical and beautiful environments while competing for the highest score.

Jon Storbeck, Vice President & General Manager of Knott’s Berry Farm stated: “The return of Knott’s Bear-y Tales is perfect for the 100th anniversary because it brings back one of the park’s most nostalgic and beloved attractions in an innovative 4-D dark ride format that will delight an entirely new generation of fans.”

Read the rest at Micechat

Knott's Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair teaser trailer, opening summer 2020

Knott’s Berry Farm drops hints about new attraction for 100th anniversary celebration in 2020

Knott’s and Triotech will make an announcement on Nov. 19 about a new attraction coming in 2020 that will once again pair the park with the ride maker behind the Voyage to the Iron Reef interactive dark ride.

Read more at the OCRegister

Knotts News: Triotech doesn't exactly inspire confidence like Garner Holt would've. Lets hope they remember that this is opening the same year that the PS5 and next Xbox are coming out and that people are gonna expect the graphics to look better than their Nintendo Switch. This is your anniversary Knott's, don't cheap out again like the last time.

New Jeff Delgado artwork for Knott's 100th Anniversary Celebration

Excited to finally share the image I did for Knott's 100th Anniversary announcement! I spent my entire childhood in Buena Park and visited Knotts often with my family. So many good memories. This project was a dream come true to work on! #Knotts100 pic.twitter.com/TJgta9R90Y

— Jeff Delgado (@Jeff_Delgado) August 15, 2019

The Extinct History of Kingdom of the Dinosaurs | Expedition Knotts Berry Farm

Timber Mountain Log Ride 50th Anniversary Update

Yesterday marked the beginning of Timber Mountain Log Ride's 50th Anniversary Celebration. We had a general idea of what to expect. It was announced ahead of time that limited-edition souvenir buttons would be given to guests who visit during the celebration; with new merchandise also becoming available and that there would be some new Jeff Delgado artwork for the anniversary (yes, the same man who made that awesome Kingdom of the Dinosaurs poster). 

As nice as all that is, I'm sure to most people, the announcement of two new animatronics being added to the attraction probably garnered the most excitement. Two new animatronics. But where would they go? And how would they install them soo quickly without having to shut down for a lengthy refurb?

We got our answer yesterday and it was surprising in many ways. It seems to me the main purpose of this 50th Anniversary Update (besides celebrating an anniversary) was to minimize the logging aspect of the attraction without disrupting the theme and push the hootenanny storyline into the limelight, injecting the energy found at the end of the attraction all throughout. 

This all starts at the main logging mill at the top of the first lift, where a new animatronic logger is handing out fliers for the hootenanny and there is a new banner advertising it. Previously the hootenanny isn't first mentioned until the second show scene, where an unfinished banner is being painted. Speaking of which, our second new - but not really - animatronic is actually the welcome return of the hitchhiker, now relocated right outside the second show scene. This seems to be a much safer spot for him. Back to the hootenanny expansion, what I haven't mentioned yet is the biggest change of all...the addition of music throughout most of the attraction (which I'm told was provided by Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies). Think Splash Mountain. The loggers are now soo excited for the hootenanny that they can't help singing about it from the very first scene at the top of the hill. To me, this drastically alters the feel of the attraction. 

Some may hate it, some may love it. I'm not sure where I stand right now. I think I like the concept of adding music throughout the attraction to energize it a little more but I think the execution was a little haphazard. My rule, no vocals if there isn't any characters around, instrumental only. I feel they should've had an instrumental version of the song they're singing playing all throughout the outdoor sections. Instead they have some vocal sections and some silent sections with no music at all. I also feel there is a little too much celebration going on in the first scene with men hard at work. Probably should leave the vocals out of that scene and add a speech for the new animatronic logger getting these hard working men excited to let loose at the hootenanny (also, take down the banner. The speech will be advertisement enough and it makes no sense why the one earlier is more finished than the one later in the attraction). The whistling in the the cave is awesome (shows isolation while being upbeat) but the music in the forest scene doesn't match the chaos of whats happening to this lone camper. Its the full blown hootenanny music and it sounds like a town celebration while this guy is supposed to be alone in the forest. I guess another rule I'd have is that no music should be as "big" as the hootenanny. There should be some kind of musical progression leading up to the big climax.

Really, a little reorganization and refinement could make this musical redo of the Timber Mountain Log Ride something truly next level. As it is now, its the same great Bud Hurlbut classic but with a twist. Like it or not, I know I'm truly grateful Knott's is continuing to invest in their classics like this.

Remembering The Roaring 20's | Expedition Knott's Berry Farm

Calico River Rapids opening day set!

Knott’s has announced that expeditions into the Calico river territory officially begin on May 17th 2019. Traveler's are advised to beware the infamous "Skunk Ape."

Calico River Rapids Behind-the-Scenes

Knott's News: Just look in the background of Ken Parks and Bill Butler/Garner Holt for some blink and you'll miss it details. Behind Ken Parks you see a Wilderness Rapids sign (may be the main entrance sign), a new version of the Beware of Skunk Ape poster and a couple of new pieces of art that I can't quite make out. There are also gold bars, a gold pan,  and a scale behind him, possibly hinting at the Calico Mine Ride tie-in we were told about (I assume the downed tree that went up over the weekend is a Log Ride tie-in). Behind Bill Butler/Garner Holt you can see blueprints for the sluice channel attached to a water tower (the one that the woodpecker pokes holes in that will get riders wet). You also see what the final Potts and Colter cabin will look like once the chimney and all the other details are attached. The video then gives us a good look at the Chicken Coop and the Trapper Cabin.

Knott’s new Calico River Rapids overhauls BigFoot Rapids, adds Ghost Town backstory

An extensive renovation of the 1987 BigFoot Rapids at the Buena Park theme park debuting this summer will transform the river rapids water ride into an animated attraction with nine thematic scenes and more than 20 animatronic figures.

The new look, aesthetic and design of the reimagined Knott’s ride was inspired by legendary Disney Imagineer Marc Davis, according to Parks.

“Marc Davis was such an inspiration that I wanted to include a few nods,” Parks said in an email interview. “These are new scenes, but their sense of tone is definitely an homage to Mr. Davis.”

Read the rest at the OC Register

Knott's News: It sounds great but only time will tell how effective the staging will be on a river raft ride when they can't design the layout with the show scenes in mind. Still, I love the story and design direction they're taking. They've used Marc Davis-esque gags in their past renovations at Knott's but I'm incredibly thrilled that they're taking it up a knotch (see what I did there).

Behind-the-scenes look at animatronic characters coming to Knott’s new Calico River Rapids ride

“It’s a thousand times trickier to build something that is going to be outside all the time,” said Butler, who helps develop the backstory, characters and set designs for new attractions.

As a result, Garner Holt Productions built more robust characters for Calico River Rapids with stainless steel internal mechanisms that won’t rust.

The faces of the new outdoor characters on the Knott’s log ride turned green after installation due to an issue with the pigmentation of the skin and ultraviolet light exposure, Butler said. Garner Holt Productions fixed the problem.

Read the rest at the OC Register 

Knott's News: The baby bear and prairie dogs look soo cute!