The newly remodeled Boardwalk BBQ Restaurant is now open! Various savory options are included with your #KnottsBerryFarm Dining Plan. pic.twitter.com/oTPxvAiJ8z— Knott's Berry Farm (@knotts) July 20, 2017
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
The newly remodeled Boardwalk BBQ Restaurant is now open
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Step-by-Step of the Knott’s Berry Farm Technical Rescue
Technical Rescue Team members of the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) in Southern California train consistently and often. These firefighters are constantly striving to master their craft in order to overcome any and every possible scenario that may surface. And on Dec. 30, 2016, the OCFA team was toned out to a technical rescue that would test their skills and become an internationally covered incident.
Read the rest at Firehouse
Read the rest at Firehouse
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Review: Six Flags Magic Mountain finally has a dark ride worthy of the competition
After 46 years, Six Flags Magic Mountain finally has a dark ride worthy of standing up to the Disneys and Universals that have long ruled the Southern California theme park scene.
The new Justice League: Battle for Metropolis 3-D shoot-em-up dark ride is equal to Universal’s Transformers 3-D and Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man dark rides and better than Disney’s Toy Story Midway Mania and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters dark rides.
That’s high praise for the Valencia amusement park, which has never had a themed indoor dark ride and is better known for its towering roller coasters.
I had high expectations for the highly touted ride, and Justice League didn’t let me down.
Read the rest at the LATimes
The new Justice League: Battle for Metropolis 3-D shoot-em-up dark ride is equal to Universal’s Transformers 3-D and Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man dark rides and better than Disney’s Toy Story Midway Mania and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters dark rides.
That’s high praise for the Valencia amusement park, which has never had a themed indoor dark ride and is better known for its towering roller coasters.
I had high expectations for the highly touted ride, and Justice League didn’t let me down.
Read the rest at the LATimes
Knott's News: I disagree with the part at the end about Potter being better than Spider-Man. That said, its sad when Six Flags shows more ambition and better execution than Knott's did with Iron Reef. Lets hope Cedar Fair takes this as a challenge.
Saturday, July 8, 2017
Knott’s Berry Farm offers two takes on its historic Ghost Town for the Summer of 2017
How do you like your Ghost Town? Virtual or extra-lively?
Because – this summer — Knott’s Berry Farm actually gives you options. You can either experience a VR version of this theme park’s historic Old West section (where you’ll then get to battle robots in an immersive 360 shooter). Or you can explore Ghost Town Alive!where the streets of Calico are filled with dozens of performers dressed in authentic western garb. Who then – with the help of Guests who are visiting the farm for the day – then play out an 8-hour-long piece of interactive, immersive, theater.
Why did “America’s First Theme Park” opt to take on such an ambitious two-pronged project? To hear Ken Parks – the Vice President of Entertainment for Knott’s Berry Farm – talk, this all dates back to when Cedar Fair Entertainment was looking for a unique way to commemorate Ghost Town’s 75th anniversary.
Because – this summer — Knott’s Berry Farm actually gives you options. You can either experience a VR version of this theme park’s historic Old West section (where you’ll then get to battle robots in an immersive 360 shooter). Or you can explore Ghost Town Alive!where the streets of Calico are filled with dozens of performers dressed in authentic western garb. Who then – with the help of Guests who are visiting the farm for the day – then play out an 8-hour-long piece of interactive, immersive, theater.
Why did “America’s First Theme Park” opt to take on such an ambitious two-pronged project? To hear Ken Parks – the Vice President of Entertainment for Knott’s Berry Farm – talk, this all dates back to when Cedar Fair Entertainment was looking for a unique way to commemorate Ghost Town’s 75th anniversary.
Read the rest at the HuffingtonPost
Friday, July 7, 2017
A new friend has been spotted in Calico. What do you call a baby Catawampus? Kittywampus
A new friend has been spotted in Calico. What do you call a baby Catawampus? #Kittywampus pic.twitter.com/UAXrFt2KNr— Knott's Berry Farm (@knotts) July 7, 2017
Thursday, July 6, 2017
This Animatronic Life – GHP’s Been Working on the Railroad
Howdy everyone, and welcome aboard the GHP Scenic Railway, a short-runs-on-time-(almost)-all-the-time-fair-weather-route-railroad of a column. I’ve been thinking a lot about railroads and trains lately, and how my company (Garner Holt Productions, Inc.) has been part of a number of them in some very unusual locations, from theme parks to private estates, and more. ALL ABOARD!
Read the rest at MiceChat
Read the rest at MiceChat
Saturday, July 1, 2017
8 Things You Might Not Know About Knott's Berry
Knott's Berry Farm is one of those quintessentially Californian, weird-ass entertainment destinations. In addition to its eponymous berries, the park, which opened in 1920, probably is most famous for being one of the first theme parks of its kind (at least on the West Coast) and serving as inspiration for Disneyland (and all subsequent Disney parks).
Like the nearby Disney parks, Knott's is full of arcane lore, gobbled up by thousands of Southern California theme park aficionados. The park celebrated the 75th anniversary of the famous Ghost Town area in 2016, and this summer it holds Ghost Town Alive, which is kind of like Westworld except that you can't shoot the actors.
The Knott's mythos is rife with charming, quaint and actually relevant pieces of local history (for example, Mr. Knott's contributions to the conservative movement in California and Orange County). Here are some of the more interesting bits.
Like the nearby Disney parks, Knott's is full of arcane lore, gobbled up by thousands of Southern California theme park aficionados. The park celebrated the 75th anniversary of the famous Ghost Town area in 2016, and this summer it holds Ghost Town Alive, which is kind of like Westworld except that you can't shoot the actors.
The Knott's mythos is rife with charming, quaint and actually relevant pieces of local history (for example, Mr. Knott's contributions to the conservative movement in California and Orange County). Here are some of the more interesting bits.
Read the rest at the LAWeekly
Knott’s to pay for two full-time Buena Park police officers
Knott’s Berry Farm will pay $260,000 to have two Buena Park police officers at the park on a full-time basis.
The Police Department, which in the past has paid officers overtime to patrol the park during peak times, will assign those officers to the beat once it has enough staff in place, Chief Corey Sianez said.
Park guests can expect to see officers onsite sometime in the fall.
Read the rest at the OCRegister
The Police Department, which in the past has paid officers overtime to patrol the park during peak times, will assign those officers to the beat once it has enough staff in place, Chief Corey Sianez said.
Park guests can expect to see officers onsite sometime in the fall.
Read the rest at the OCRegister
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Off Topic: Disney further sanitizing Pirates of the Caribbean
Disney has announced that they are further sanitizing their Pirates of the Caribbean attractions as to not offend anyone by having their pirates act like despicable pirates.
Sorry, I know this isn't Knott's related but I'm NOT happy about this. Why empower people who are offended by something? Anyone can be offended by anything, its the easiest thing in the world to be. You don't even have to have a reason at all for being offended, just claiming you are is enough to get attention.
Being offended is a state of mind one puts themselves in. Instead of seeking self improvement and not allowing themselves to be offended, they shit on everyone else's parade. They'll rewrite history, censor humor, and neuter great storytelling in a selfish effort to avoid dealing with THEIR problem of being offended. Won't be long before Splash Mountain is removed to avoid offending someone.
This is just my opinion, feel free to disagree.
Being offended is a state of mind one puts themselves in. Instead of seeking self improvement and not allowing themselves to be offended, they shit on everyone else's parade. They'll rewrite history, censor humor, and neuter great storytelling in a selfish effort to avoid dealing with THEIR problem of being offended. Won't be long before Splash Mountain is removed to avoid offending someone.
This is just my opinion, feel free to disagree.
EDIT: Gotta say, upon revisiting this I was tempted to delete it. The childish rant just seems soo cringy in hindsight but then Disney decided to replace Splash Mountain...IDK, just something about spending millions of dollars to update one of your most popular attractions in your parks to just be an equally popular attraction - when they have plenty of other unpopular attractions that need replaced or updated to ease the burden of crowding - that screams corporate virtue signaling. Thank god for Tokyo Disneyland!
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Knott’s Berry Farm: Ghost Town Alive and Circus of Wonders
Howdy Partner, welcome to Calico. Ghost Town has come alive again this summer, as cowboys and townsfolk add a rich tapestry of story development to the heart of Knott’s Berry Farm. We also stop by the new Circus of Wonders, which lives up to its name . . .
Read the rest at MiceChat
Read the rest at MiceChat
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Is the Church of Reflections on its way out?
"21. DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION REGARDING THE CHURCH OF THE REFLECTIONS LOCATED AT KNOTT'S BERRY FARM
Present for the discussion was Jim Vanderpool, City Manager
City Manager Vanderpool reported that Knott's Berry Farm is desiring to relocate its Church of Reflections in anticipation of future park expansion. Knott's is proposing to donate the church to
the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Buena Park on Crescent Avenue. The Good Shepherd
Lutheran Church is desirous of taking ownership of the Church of Reflections and keeping it availableforpublicenjoymentaswellasprivateevents. Aneffortisunderwaytoraisefundsto relocate the Church of Reflections using the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast Committee (a 501( c)3 non -profit) as the entity to accept the donated funds.
Michael Schneider, pastor of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church spoke about the history of the Church of the Reflections and Good Shepherd' s commitment to create a suitable, natural
environment for the building, including a reflection pond.
Baron Night, Treasurer of the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast Committee, spoke in opposition to the manner in which the fundraising efforts are structured.
Following discussion, the City Council directed there be no official City involvement in relocating
Knott' s Berry Farm' s Church of Reflections to a private location; however, in sentiment, the City Council supported the efforts of private entities to do so. Mayor Pro Tem Vaughn and Mayor
Swift dissented, favoring non -monetary support by the City to preserve the historical building for the benefit of the public."
05/09/2017 5PM City Council meeting minutes can be found at CityofBuenaPark
Present for the discussion was Jim Vanderpool, City Manager
City Manager Vanderpool reported that Knott's Berry Farm is desiring to relocate its Church of Reflections in anticipation of future park expansion. Knott's is proposing to donate the church to
the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Buena Park on Crescent Avenue. The Good Shepherd
Lutheran Church is desirous of taking ownership of the Church of Reflections and keeping it availableforpublicenjoymentaswellasprivateevents. Aneffortisunderwaytoraisefundsto relocate the Church of Reflections using the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast Committee (a 501( c)3 non -profit) as the entity to accept the donated funds.
Michael Schneider, pastor of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church spoke about the history of the Church of the Reflections and Good Shepherd' s commitment to create a suitable, natural
environment for the building, including a reflection pond.
Baron Night, Treasurer of the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast Committee, spoke in opposition to the manner in which the fundraising efforts are structured.
Following discussion, the City Council directed there be no official City involvement in relocating
Knott' s Berry Farm' s Church of Reflections to a private location; however, in sentiment, the City Council supported the efforts of private entities to do so. Mayor Pro Tem Vaughn and Mayor
Swift dissented, favoring non -monetary support by the City to preserve the historical building for the benefit of the public."
05/09/2017 5PM City Council meeting minutes can be found at CityofBuenaPark
Friday, June 23, 2017
What’s new at Knott’s Berry Farm this summer
Last year, Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park launched “Ghost Town Alive!” — an immersive and interactive experience that visitors raved about. So much so, it’s back with new characters, stories and adventures through Sept. 4.
You can become part of the action or simply observe the fun as you walk the streets in the 1800s town of Calico, where Sheriff Wheeler is dealing with the Mayfield Gang.
You can become an official citizen of Calico and participate in an election or become a deputy, drawing wanted posters and locking bandits in prison. Plus, if you want to become more engaged, make up your own character and name and help out the various townspeople with their daily routines, delivering messages and packages and making decisions that will affect the town.
Read the rest at the OCRegister
You can become part of the action or simply observe the fun as you walk the streets in the 1800s town of Calico, where Sheriff Wheeler is dealing with the Mayfield Gang.
You can become an official citizen of Calico and participate in an election or become a deputy, drawing wanted posters and locking bandits in prison. Plus, if you want to become more engaged, make up your own character and name and help out the various townspeople with their daily routines, delivering messages and packages and making decisions that will affect the town.
Read the rest at the OCRegister
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
REVIEW: Knott’s Soak City is a refreshing water park alternative to Orange County’s other themed attractions
Not everyone is into water parks. Even in the fervent theme park fan community, water parks tend to take a back seat to the more heavily-themed, attraction-centric mothership parks at their respective resorts. A recent exception has been Universal’s high-profile Volcano Bay, which opened to rave reviews in Orlando despite some growing pains and first-week technical hiccups.
In Southern California, water park fans looking to alleviate the heat have a few options. Among others, there’s Raging Waters in San Dimas (made famous as “Waterloo” in the movie “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure”), Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Valencia, SeaWorld’s Aquatica down in San Diego, the new all-indoor Great Wolf Lodge in Garden Grove, and Knott’s Soak City, located just across the street from “America’s First Theme Park” Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, just a short hop up the 5 freeway from Disneyland.
This past weekend I had the opportunity to spend a day at Soak City, after having visited last month for a guided construction tour of its new attractions, and I took note of the park’s positives and negatives while enjoying my time there.
Read the rest at InsideTheMagic
In Southern California, water park fans looking to alleviate the heat have a few options. Among others, there’s Raging Waters in San Dimas (made famous as “Waterloo” in the movie “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure”), Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Valencia, SeaWorld’s Aquatica down in San Diego, the new all-indoor Great Wolf Lodge in Garden Grove, and Knott’s Soak City, located just across the street from “America’s First Theme Park” Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, just a short hop up the 5 freeway from Disneyland.
This past weekend I had the opportunity to spend a day at Soak City, after having visited last month for a guided construction tour of its new attractions, and I took note of the park’s positives and negatives while enjoying my time there.
Read the rest at InsideTheMagic
Saturday, June 17, 2017
The Catawampus has gone missing!
The #Catawampus has gone missing! If you know anything, please report it Calico Town Hall #MissingTheMoo https://t.co/ybUmhQkSwF pic.twitter.com/BhbmH8yunv
— Knott's Berry Farm (@knotts) June 17, 2017
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
New magic show with Snoopy and return of ‘Ghost Town Alive’ highlight Knott’s Berry Farm’s summer 2017 season
The Peanuts comic strip character Snoopy is appearing in a new magic show at Knott’s Berry Farm for the summer 2017 season.
The show, called “Snoopy’s Magnificent Magical Revue,” was conceived by the Farm’s entertainment division with the help of magician Greg Wilson, who developed the illusions.
Wilson, who also appears in the show on stage in the Charles M. Schulz Theatre, said the illusions he performs with the characters were picked fit their size.
“It’s an entirely different size magic illusion. We had to design everything so that Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus, Sally and Lucy could fit and be a part of,” he said.
The magic show runs six days a week, with no show on Wednesdays.
Read the rest on the OCRegister
The show, called “Snoopy’s Magnificent Magical Revue,” was conceived by the Farm’s entertainment division with the help of magician Greg Wilson, who developed the illusions.
Wilson, who also appears in the show on stage in the Charles M. Schulz Theatre, said the illusions he performs with the characters were picked fit their size.
“It’s an entirely different size magic illusion. We had to design everything so that Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus, Sally and Lucy could fit and be a part of,” he said.
The magic show runs six days a week, with no show on Wednesdays.
Read the rest on the OCRegister
Ghost Town Alive! – How Knott’s Berry Farm beat Disney to the immersive punch
At Star Wars Celebration 2017 in Orlando this past April, Disney revealed that the upcoming Star Wars expansions currently being added to its resorts on both coasts would be deeply immersive experiences, meaning that guests won’t just be riding Star Wars rides and buying Star Wars merchandise– they’ll be living Star Wars.
The immersive theater form, as we’ve explored in great detail here at Inside the Magic, offers participants the opportunity to interact with characters and stories in a way that far exceeds what fans are used to. Instead of watching a show unfold in front of you, the audience has the opportunity to become a part of the show. Of course there have been plenty of small-scale examples of this technique through the years in theme parks around the world (yes, including Disneyland’s 2014 game Legends of Frontierland), but none even approaching as in-depth as what Disney has planned for Star Wars– or what Knott’s Berry Farm is already doing with Ghost Town Alive!
The immersive theater form, as we’ve explored in great detail here at Inside the Magic, offers participants the opportunity to interact with characters and stories in a way that far exceeds what fans are used to. Instead of watching a show unfold in front of you, the audience has the opportunity to become a part of the show. Of course there have been plenty of small-scale examples of this technique through the years in theme parks around the world (yes, including Disneyland’s 2014 game Legends of Frontierland), but none even approaching as in-depth as what Disney has planned for Star Wars– or what Knott’s Berry Farm is already doing with Ghost Town Alive!
Read the rest at InsideTheMagic
Sunday, June 11, 2017
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