Knott’s Berry Farm is just about to finish up four major projects for summer 2013.  Three new rides will be added to the back of the park which are aimed at appealing to a broader demographic as Knott’s courts families this summer.  Then, a week later, their most popular attraction will emerge from a 5 million dollar overhaul which will add a whole new reason for folks to visit this vintage California park. A bumper crop of fun is being harvested at Knott’s in the coming weeks, we are here to fill you in on what you can expect to find.

BOARDWALK OPEN SATURDAY MAY 25th

In just a little under one week Knott’s will be launching a major expansion in what will be a very important summer for the park.  The Boardwalk area will open 3 new family attractions (2 flat rides and a mad mouse coaster).

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun
Two flat rides, the Pacific Scrambler, (Top) and the Surf Side Glider (Bottom) will be surrounded by water.
knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun
A mural is being painted on the side of the old Kingdom of the Dinosaurs building that is facing the new expansion area.
knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun
Landscaping surrounds the base of the flat rides.

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun
The new lagoon has been painted a deep blue.

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

Coastrider
The centerpiece will be Coastrider, a 52 foot tall, family coaster.  Testing of the vehicles has begun and crews are working furiously to meet the opening date.

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun
A look at the station.
knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun
The sign for Coastrider is nearly done too.

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

LOG RIDE REOPENING MAY 30th

One week after the opening of the three new Boardwalk attractions, the crown jewel of the park, The Timber Mountain Log Ride, will reopen as a completely updated family attraction.  5 million dollars later, the attraction will feature over 50 new animatronic figures that will depict a vibrant, madcap logging operation.

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun
The planking outside along the flume being replaced.

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

 

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun
The shingles on the logging mill have been replaced.

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun
The logs are  backstage near Xcelerator awaiting their return to the flume.
When the attraction reopens, you’ll find that it has been greatly enhanced with new effects, scenery and over 50 animatronic figures. This could very well be the family attraction of summer 2013.

OFFICIAL GRAND OPENING FOR BOARDWALK AND LOG RIDE MAY 30th

Knott’s announced on its social media pages that Ethan Wayne, son of the late John Wayne and a participant with his father in the original 1969 dedication ceremony of the ride, would attend the re-dedication ceremony of the Log Ride on Thursday, May 30th.

Here’s a great picture of Ethan and his father riding the log ride on the 1969 opening day.
Here’s a great picture of Ethan and his father riding the log ride on the 1969 opening day.

The official dedication ceremony of the new Boardwalk area will also take place on Thursday, May 30th, at 9 am. Season pass holders will have exclusive ride time of the three new rides from 7:30 am to 9 am that morning.

A special thank you to SpacemanSpiff on this info.

GHOSTRIDER

Don’t plan on taking a ride on Ghostrider at the moment.  It is currently down for maintenance and they are hoping to get this ride up and running in time for summer.

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

MISSION RESTORATION

In case you have missed it, there is a wonderful restoration happening in Ghost Town.  The Mission Santa Barbara Miniature that was on display for years is finally being restored.  It looks great!

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

JEWELRY SHOP

Knott’s General Manager, Raffi Karprelyan, came up with a charming solution for the old jewelry stand that used to take up residence in Ghost Town.  They have removed the temporary structure that housed the popular location and moved this vendor into the Ghost Town Bank. It’s a great fit.

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK

Many years ago, there was a playground near the Ghost Town School house. The playground has returned. While at the moment the equipment is just for looks,  it’s nice to see a reference to this piece of park history.

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

Fiesta Village Stage

And finally, the Fiesta Village stage is being refurbished.  Gone is the terrazzo floor in favor of a solid tile floor and a more permanent canopy above.

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

SEPTEMBER 28 HAUNT MEET – SAVE THE DATE

knotts berry farm, Knotts Berry Farm Prepping for a Bumper Crop of Summer Fun

Mark your calendars for a spooky good time at Knott’s Scary Farm on Saturday, September 28th!  Let us know if you will be joining us by signing up for our Halloween Haunt list below. We’ll send you an email when more information and tickets are available.

Vote in the thread here 

Subscribe to the MiceChat Halloween Haunt mailing list:

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That wraps things up from the farm this week Be sure to check back next week to see our coverage of the major attraction openings.  See you In The Parks!

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Norman Gidney
Norman Gidney, also known as Fishbulb, has produced and edited many of the articles on MiceChat over the years.