Knotts Berry Farm is the focus of In the Parks today as we hit you with two articles geared towards their spring happenings. Promotion for the new attraction, Voyage to the Iron Reef is beginning to appear outside the park in the Knotts Marketplace as construction on the new 4D attraction continues inside. Meanwhile decorations, preparations, sights and sounds are all evident as springtime and the amazing Boysenberry festival roll into the park. Last night a taste preview was held where we were able to try the endless boysenberry goodies that will soon be available at the park. Read Shelly Valladolid’s coverage of that event here. After the massive springtime pictorial we have prepared for you from the farm, we walk around to check on the projects throughout the property including refurbishments on the Sky Cabin, Surfside Gliders, The Boardwalk Lagoon, and the missing figure in the Timber Mountain Log Ride.
Knotts Marketplace
One of the prominent display cases in front of Virginia’s Gift Shop has been turned into a promotion for Voyage to the Iron Reef. It appears it is not quite finished yet as the portholes have been blacked out at the moment.
Spring at Knotts Berry Farm
Knotts Berry Farm is a garden of leafy trees and blossoming flowers as the weather warms for spring.
This vine is over 70 years old and was part of the original pathway from the Chicken Dinner Restaurant to Ghost Town. This is the last big of trellis as well, which was originally built in the 1940s. So this is really the original entry to Ghost Town. A beautiful reminder of the past.
Camp Snoopy
The charming Camp Snoopy is all awash with growth. The warm, California sun is provoking foliage to explode.
Fiesta Village
Even the blooming trees in Fiesta Village are draping the paths.
Boardwalk
Creeping into the western side of the park we see that the Boysenberry festival decorations are popping up in the flowerbeds.
In Charleston Circle the stage is set for Peanuts Party in the Park.
White Water Wilderness
Bigfoot Rapids enjoys the advantage of towering trees in certain areas of the ride, offering a surprisingly beautiful ride down the river.
More Boysenberry Festival preparations are happening at the Wilderness Dance Hall.
Overall, Spring is in fact springing throughout the sprawling acreage of this beloved old theme park. If you haven’t been yet, you really should make time for the Boysenberry festival this year. It is filled with amazing food, wine, flowers and all sorts of berry inspired treats and products.
Sky Cabin
Now we move on to the refurbishments happening around the park. While none of them were listed out in front of the park entrance, there are a couple attractions down for maintenance.
Boardwalk Lagoon
The lagoon surrounding the two Boardwalk flat rides is receiving some much needed care. Over the short couple of years since this area reopened, the blue lining has been peeling, offering a gnarly view during the day. Thankfully, they are addressing this issure just in time for the new ride to open next door, voyage to the Iron Reef.
Surfside Gliders
Since we are talking Boardwalk Lagoon, the Surfside Gliders were getting some attention this week. This wonderful little flat ride is a must do despite the painfully slow load time. It’s worth running to early in the day to get a ride in without a wait.
Voyage to the Iron Reef
Speaking of the new ride, the load platform for the new 4D attraction, Voyage to the Iron Reef is being constructed now. With just under two months to open, they are really coming down to the wire here. Thankfully Knott’s has done far more with much less time. We are confident that things will come together here and the Knotts team will once again have a family dark ride up there in the old Kingdom of the Dinosaurs building after years of sitting closed.
Timber Mountain Log Ride
The amazing Timber Mountain Log Ride continues to shine as a wonderful example of ride designer, Bud Hurlbut’s genius for dark rides, and Garner Holt’s animatronic wizardry. We did notice though that the troubled banjo player figure from the second show scene is now completely missing – a good sign that he’s out for repair.
We sincerely hope that this character is enjoying a refurbishment, much like the many characters at Pirates of the Caribbean do when they need repair. Every so often a figure will disappear to receive special care that can’t happen onsite or overnight. Knott’s clearly understands the importance of this attraction and wants to protect their recent investment in its reinvigoration.
And that’s our update from Knott’s Berry Farm. This park is really making tremendous strides from where it was even two years ago and we could not be happier with everything we are seeing. If you are a foodie, love live entertainment, or just enjoy a lively atmosphere, do NOT miss the Boysenberry festival running from March 28-April12. You’ll even find Disneyland’s old Billy Hill boys playing under the name “Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies.” The Boysenberry Festival a fun and affordable event that no one in Southern California should miss. Pay the tiny bit extra for an annual pass and get ready for some down home fun on the Farm.
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