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.

IMG_1577

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.

IMG_1570

IMG_1572

IMG_1573

IMG_1574

IMG_1576

Spring at Knotts Berry Farm

Knotts Berry Farm is a garden of leafy trees and blossoming flowers as the weather warms for spring.

IMG_1581
The Main Gate is promoting the upcoming Boysenberry Festival.

IMG_1583

IMG_1584

IMG_1586
Inside Ghost Town the trees are coming to life.

IMG_1589

IMG_1590
The mine cart planters are overflowing.

IMG_1591

IMG_1593
The original wisteria trellis is in bloom.

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.

IMG_1594

IMG_1595

IMG_1596

IMG_1597

IMG_1598

IMG_1600

IMG_1601

IMG_1602

IMG_1603

IMG_1604

IMG_1606
more banners advertising the upcoming festival.
IMG_1608
Along Main Street, Boysenberry Festival stands are popping up where vendors will be selling all manner of goodies.

IMG_1609

IMG_1610

IMG_1611

IMG_1612
Good Ol’ Betsy is full of lovely flowers too.

IMG_1613

IMG_1614

IMG_1615

IMG_1616

IMG_1621

IMG_1623

Camp Snoopy

The charming Camp Snoopy is all awash with growth.  The warm, California sun is provoking foliage to explode.

IMG_1628

IMG_1629

IMG_1632

IMG_1638

IMG_1639

IMG_1650

IMG_1652

IMG_1657

IMG_1659

Fiesta Village

Even the blooming trees in Fiesta Village are draping the paths.

IMG_1660

Boardwalk

Creeping into the western side of the park we see that the Boysenberry festival decorations are popping up in the flowerbeds.

IMG_1666

IMG_1667

IMG_1669
It’s a fun touch.

IMG_1670

In Charleston Circle the stage is set for Peanuts Party in the Park.

IMG_1681

IMG_1682

IMG_1684

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.

IMG_1715

IMG_1709

IMG_1712

More Boysenberry Festival preparations are happening at the Wilderness Dance Hall.

IMG_1718
Wine tasting was a big hit at last year’s festival and returns this year.

IMG_1719

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.

IMG_1661
The Sky Cabin is closed for maintenance.

IMG_1663

 

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.

IMG_1672

IMG_1673
Loose areas are being sanded now.

IMG_1676

IMG_1677

IMG_1678

IMG_1680

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.

IMG_1679

IMG_1675
They manage to be thrilling even through they are really a very mild attraction.

IMG_1674

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.

IMG_1685

IMG_1686

IMG_1687

IMG_1693

IMG_1694

IMG_1695

IMG_1696

IMG_1699

IMG_1700

IMG_1701

IMG_1703

IMG_1704

IMG_1705

IMG_1706

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.

IMG_1774

IMG_1775

IMG_1778

Back on February 13th, the banjo player was covered with a blanket.
Back on February 13th, the banjo player was covered with a blanket.
IMG_1787
Now he is gone entirely. Much better to have a broken figure removed than covered up awkwardly.

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.

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