Knott's "America's 1st Theme Park" - Huh?

keith - SuPeR K! · 07-03-2006, 01:43 PM

has anyone else noticed knott's has recently been marketing itself as "America's 1st Theme Park?"

i always was under the impression that disneyland proper held that title... anyone care to *shed* some light on this for me?

Darkbeer photo:

Knott's web site

*sir clinksalot* · 07-03-2006, 01:58 PM

^ They are going back to the date when it was a farm and they had pony rides, etc.

It's a well known fact that Walt visited Knott's when he was planning Disneyland.

Not sure if they are really the 1st, Holiday World in Indiana has some claim to that title I'm sure.

Darkbeer · 07-03-2006, 02:02 PM

Two parks try to claim the title of America's 1st Theme Park, Knott's Berry Farm and Holiday World (originally Santa Claus Land).

Knott's opened Ghost Town in 1940, and Santa Claus Land opened in 1946, and they both lay claim to the title. Since Ghost Town was a combination of historical buildings, shops and some attractions, IMHO it matches the description of a Theme Park, and since Disneyland hasn't sued to have the sign and claim removed, looks like Knott's is the 1st.

keith - SuPeR K! · 07-03-2006, 04:09 PM

Thanks for the info

bryangharwood · 07-03-2006, 04:10 PM

Knotts Used To Be Fun Till They Let It Go To Hell With All The Darn Roller Coasters I Loved It When It Was A Cowboy Themed Park Now Its Just Another Lame Six Flags Copy....its Sad Really!

A Disney Dreamer · 07-03-2006, 06:00 PM

It's been called that for quite some time...

A Disney Dreamer · 07-03-2006, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sir clinksalot

^ They are going back to the date when it was a farm and they had pony rides, etc.

It's a well known fact that Walt visited Knott's when he was planning Disneyland.

Not sure if they are really the 1st, Holiday World in Indiana has some claim to that title I'm sure.

And the Knott's came to the July 17th grand opening of Disneyland.

Cousin Orville · 07-03-2006, 06:38 PM

It's true, in fact. Walt Disney copied certain aspects of Knott's including hiring away their Indians for the Indian Village, that tore the rellationship.

RobotMirror · 07-04-2006, 01:02 AM

Knotts has been known to be "the first theme park" for some time, definitely predating Disneyland. Wikipedia has some information on the subject that might be of interest.

fjhuerta · 07-05-2006, 05:40 PM

Hmm. My bet is, the first Theme Park was Luna Park, at Coney Island, circa 1903. I don't think Steeplechase Park qualified as a Theme Park, although probably Sea Lion Park (which existed before Luna) could take the title. Then you have Dreamland, but that was after LP...

aimster · 07-05-2006, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjhuerta

Hmm. My bet is, the first Theme Park was Luna Park, at Coney Island, circa 1903. I don't think Steeplechase Park qualified as a Theme Park, although probably Sea Lion Park (which existed before Luna) could take the title. Then you have Dreamland, but that was after LP...

Those are actually amusement parks, not theme parks.

DisneyCraig · 07-05-2006, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryangharwood

Knotts Used To Be Fun Till They Let It Go To Hell With All The Darn Roller Coasters I Loved It When It Was A Cowboy Themed Park Now Its Just Another Lame Six Flags Copy....its Sad Really!

Yes, and I miss my Knott's Beary Tales!

DisneyCraig · 07-05-2006, 10:48 PM

Did Knott's have any rides before DL opened?

Darkbeer · 07-05-2006, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPH

Did Knott's have any rides before DL opened?

Yes, The Butterfield Stagecoaches, the Calico Railroad, and some basic kids rides, plus a few ticketed attractions (shows) such as the history fo the Old West opened prior to 1955.

Here is an old Kevin Yee article written back in 2001.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/beyond/bd010627.htm

barfownz · 07-05-2006, 11:44 PM

Disneyland is the 1st THEME park. Knotts was an "amuesment" park back in 55'

But in the Disneyland specials, its said that Disneyland is the first "MODERN" theme park.

07-03-2006, 01:43 PM	#1
keith - SuPeR K! DrinkUp Specialist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Vegas Posts: 405	Knott's "America's 1st Theme Park" - Huh? has anyone else noticed knott's has recently been marketing itself as "America's 1st Theme Park?" i always was under the impression that disneyland proper held that title... anyone care to shed some light on this for me? Darkbeer photo: Knott's web site __________________ My Roadtrip Photos

07-03-2006, 01:58 PM	#2
sir clinksalot Semper Absurda MiceChat News Team MiceChat Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 24,465 Blog Entries: 2	Re: Knott's "America's 1st Theme Park" - Huh? ^ They are going back to the date when it was a farm and they had pony rides, etc. It's a well known fact that Walt visited Knott's when he was planning Disneyland. Not sure if they are really the 1st, Holiday World in Indiana has some claim to that title I'm sure. __________________ -Gregg Sir Clinksalot's WDW Attraction Video Thread Peoplemover and Journey into Imagination available now!!! Join MiceChat GOLD!

07-03-2006, 02:02 PM	#3
Darkbeer Darkbeer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tustin Posts: 7,983 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Knott's "America's 1st Theme Park" - Huh? Two parks try to claim the title of America's 1st Theme Park, Knott's Berry Farm and Holiday World (originally Santa Claus Land). Knott's opened Ghost Town in 1940, and Santa Claus Land opened in 1946, and they both lay claim to the title. Since Ghost Town was a combination of historical buildings, shops and some attractions, IMHO it matches the description of a Theme Park, and since Disneyland hasn't sued to have the sign and claim removed, looks like Knott's is the 1st. __________________ Check out my Theme Park Photos at http://darkbeer.smugmug.com And check out my MiceAge weekly article, "Fridays in the Parks" http://micechat.com/forums/blogs/in-the-parks/ Last edited by Darkbeer; 07-03-2006 at 04:11 PM.

07-03-2006, 04:09 PM	#4
keith - SuPeR K! DrinkUp Specialist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Vegas Posts: 405	Re: Knott's "America's 1st Theme Park" - Huh? Thanks for the info __________________ My Roadtrip Photos

07-03-2006, 04:10 PM	#5
bryangharwood Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bakersfield Ca Posts: 188	Re: Knott's "America's 1st Theme Park" - Huh? Knotts Used To Be Fun Till They Let It Go To Hell With All The Darn Roller Coasters I Loved It When It Was A Cowboy Themed Park Now Its Just Another Lame Six Flags Copy....its Sad Really! __________________

07-03-2006, 06:00 PM	#6
A Disney Dreamer Banned User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,576	Re: Knott's "America's 1st Theme Park" - Huh? It's been called that for quite some time...

07-03-2006, 06:38 PM	#8
Cousin Orville Santa Barbara, CA Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,623	Re: Knott's "America's 1st Theme Park" - Huh? It's true, in fact. Walt Disney copied certain aspects of Knott's including hiring away their Indians for the Indian Village, that tore the rellationship. __________________ "As usual he's taken over the coolest spot in the house"- Father re: Orville 1963 [FONT=Arial Narrow]

07-04-2006, 01:02 AM	#9
RobotMirror Neep meep beep Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Seven miles from Disneyland/DCA! Posts: 7,688	Re: Knott's "America's 1st Theme Park" - Huh? Knotts has been known to be "the first theme park" for some time, definitely predating Disneyland. Wikipedia has some information on the subject that might be of interest.

07-05-2006, 05:40 PM	#10
fjhuerta Donald's #1 Fan Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 168	Re: Knott's "America's 1st Theme Park" - Huh? Hmm. My bet is, the first Theme Park was Luna Park, at Coney Island, circa 1903. I don't think Steeplechase Park qualified as a Theme Park, although probably Sea Lion Park (which existed before Luna) could take the title. Then you have Dreamland, but that was after LP...

07-05-2006, 10:48 PM	#13
DisneyCraig Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 195	Re: Knott's "America's 1st Theme Park" - Huh? Did Knott's have any rides before DL opened?

07-05-2006, 11:44 PM	#15
barfownz Suspended Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Temecula, California Posts: 9,153	Re: Knott's "America's 1st Theme Park" - Huh? Disneyland is the 1st THEME park. Knotts was an "amuesment" park back in 55' But in the Disneyland specials, its said that Disneyland is the first "MODERN" theme park.

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