Let’s check in at Knott’s Berry Farm and see how she’s looking this summer!
A quiet Ghost Town on a gorgeous day. Notice the blacksmith shop to the right.
Knott’s has made amazing strides over the last year with restoring its rich theming, preserving its heritage, and plussing the overall guest experience.
So great seeing this lost art honored here, even if the blacksmith looks like he may be out of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I bet he makes great chili.
Still a classic, and a must-ride with every trip to Knott’s.
The Log Ride still looks great after its multimillion dollar restoration last year.
Actual working animatronics! Go Knott’s!
Ghost Rider is still one of the most thrilling wooden coasters I have ever been on.
That is one rough ride though, let me tell you. Seems to be getting rougher with age.
It lasts an eternity. It will rattle your brain. I even saw a young woman yack in a trash can after riding. But it’s worth it.
The Calico Mine Ride has just re-opened after receiving its own multimillion dollar makeover!
Another classic attraction restored to its former glory. Hooray, Knott’s! Now if only we could bring back the Soap Box Racers and Knott’s Berry Tales.
Fantastic landscaping now surrounds the attraction.
Let’s head into the mine!
These stalactites are millions of years old according to the new on-board pre-recorded narration!
Hard to get a good interior photo, but best to leave the glory hole for an in-person experience anyway.
Heading over to the Boardwalk and a great shot of Boomerang.
This area of the park is so much nicer now.
The family-friendly resurgence at the park is so apparent. It really is a pleasure.
Let’s get on Xcelerator quick before we get too sentimental.
Xcelerator was looking gorgeous today.
Seriously, does it get better than this?
Silver Bullet still running fantastically. In my opinion, the best suspended coaster on the planet.
No visible signs of damage after the fire inside the former Knott’s Berry Tales – Kingdom of the Dinosaur show building. What’s coming next?
You can still pan for gold! I did this as a kid. So great it’s still here! Bring back the Haunted Shack
And a final shot of the Mine Ride at night, making use of an all-new dramatic lighting scheme. Looks great
Knott’s Berry Farm has never looked better. Former Disneyland President, Matt Ouimet, now President & CEO of Cedar Fair, which owns Knott’s, has clearly been inspired by his previous employment. By investing not only in a restoration of it’s classic attractions, but of the entire theme park as a whole, with gorgeous landscaping, dedicated themed environments, and an overall cleanliness, the atmosphere has noticeably improved.
The Calico Mine Ride, just like the Log Ride, has been vastly improved. Show scenes are brighter, sound effects and lighting really create an immersive atmosphere. The animatronics work! There is still the freakishly zombie-like facial expressions on the characters, wide-eyed and maniacal looking. I wonder if this was a) an intentional wink and nod to the stoic figures of old, b) a decidedly more seriously toned expression than what we expect from smiling Pirates of the Caribbean faces, or c) a neutral look that is passable during the bulk of the year, but can appear a bit more frightening during Knott’s Halloween Haunt. Or perhaps a combination of the three.
The park experience wasn’t entirely without its flaws. We had a surprisingly miserable experience at the Mrs. Knott’s Fried Chicken Dinner Restaurant, but I’ll save that story for a later date at the risk of tainting an otherwise wonderful day at the park.
If you’re looking for a bit of charming nostalgia, an opportunity for thrills, and a more mellow experience than that big theme park in Anaheim, Knott’s is well-worth a summertime visit!