Advice for a Knott's virgin...?

[shirleyfilms]

I am a DLR AP and just won a pass to go see the Toy Story ride preview on June 9.
We are going for the weekend, and booked a cheap hotel which happens to be close to Knotts. So. Instead of paying the blackout fee for DLR on Saturday, I was thinking of suprising the troop and taking them to Knotts for the day. (Pepsi promotion gets us in for 29.99)

I am assuming it will be busy, being a Saturday. So. I guess I am just looking for a little advice. Which rides are the BEST? What should we make sure not to miss? How much can we realistically expect to get done on Saturday? Since there is no Ridemax or Fastpass for Knotts... any advice about wait times?

About us: We like coasters, but too many coasters gets old quick. If pressed for time, one or two is enough (which are best?). Its hard to tell from the website, but the flume ride looks cool. The mine cart ride too. And the river rapids ride. How do they measure up to DLR?

Also - I have read a lot of of the negative Knotts reviews on here, so I am not getting my hopes up too high (I am not expecting Disneyland. Just something different. We have been to DLR about 7 times in the past 2 years. I thought this might change it up a little. However, if its going to be a TOTAL disappointment... feel free to warn me!

Thanks for any help!

SF

[PirateMunkee]

My advice for a Knott's Virgin...Don't go. Unless you are going to Haunt of course. Other than that.......AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!!

[sir clinksalot]

^ Stole the words right from my mouth.

Honestly, 10 years ago I'd say go for it. Now, your MUCH better off paying the $10 extra and going to DL.

Unless you like roller coasters with terrible operations (5 minutes between dispatches).

[PirateMunkee]

Originally Posted by sir clinksalot

(5 minutes between dispatches).

If you're lucky!!!!

[sir clinksalot]

^ I was trying to be nice.

[ALIASd]

Plus this event will be going on:

What better way to start off your summer than being one of the first 500 cars that let a JACK FM Sticker Pimp put a JACK FM sticker on their ride . . . and then get tickets to Knotts good for Saturday June 7th or Sunday June 8th, a JACK FM t-shirt and an Otter Pop to lick all the way home?

Saturday, June 7th
at 8 AM
Knott's Berry Farm
8039 Beach Blvd.
Buena Park, CA 90620

http://www.931jackfm.com/Stick-It-An...Knotts/2287586

[vfire]

You might want to reconsider losing your virginity... but if you do lose it, the Log Ride is excellent, and the Calico Mine Ride is good, though it would be better if they improved the audio so I could understand something the conductor was saying. Silver Bullet is a good inverted roller coaster though it ruined the ambiance of the park entrance and it takes forever to load. The new coaster, Pony Express, is getting good reviews for its unique seating mechanism. Ghost Town, what's left of it, is still awesome. Jaguar is a decent coaster that takes you around the park without getting you sick. The train is pretty impressive, and the stagecoach is good, but could be better if it had more period scenery. The geodesic rock shop in Ghost Town is a must see. That's the good.

Camp Snoopy is a miss with generic carny flat rides and the food is pretty bad (yes, that includes the undercooked, raw chicken). There are a lot more teens than at DLR and the crowd can seem a bit more unruly. It could be cleaner, up kept better and more organized. In short, Knott's is not what it once was (a bona fide competitor to DL that drew as many guests in a year) but it still has some fun stuff for a day trip.

You went to DLR 7 times in 2 years so I can see the temptation to see something different. If you have little ones, under 10 tens years old, then I'd recommend Legoland as a change of pace. For tweens give Knott's a try, though you might regret not doing another day at DLR. It's getting crowded at DLR now so you might need that extra day to do everything you want.

[Rex Dopey24]

knott is not what it used to be but it is still fun. I don't blame you for trying something different, so I went to knotts in may because I needed a break from disney.

But if you choose to go, enjoy the rides especially the mine train, that is my favorite attraction at knotts.

I hope one day knott's can improve itself.

[PretzelSouls]

Save your money, go to Disneyland!

[Richard=fun]

I enjoy Knotts on occasion, if the weather is warm, why not opt for Soak City across the street? Makes for a nice relaxing day...

[k_peek_2000]

I never thought I'd see the words Knott's and Virgin in the same sentence.

Originally Posted by PretzelSouls

Save your money, go to Disneyland!

LOL What?!

I never thought I'd see that sentence EVER!

[Aladdin]

Some of the Ghost Town entertainment is still around:
Knott's Fool's Gold Stunt Show
Come join us at Knott's historic, open-air Wagon Camp theater for our new stunt show, "Fool's Gold." With more stunts, more effects, fancy gunplay and comedy, it's perfect for the whole family. Watch as Elmo and Sarge take on Nefarious Neddy and his cohorts in crime in an old-fashioned battle of the good guys versus the bad.

And Since DL's Golden Horseshoe doesn't have a since female entertainer, you would probably enjoy:
Calico Saloon
Belly up to the bar and have a cold sarsaparilla while Dakota Dan and the beautiful Miss Cameo Kate entertain you with music, mayhem and comedy. Don't forget to stop by during the summer to catch Dixie and Trixie in their famous French Can-Can number.

This attraction has some pretty neat effects:
Mystery Lodge®
Our Old Storyteller takes you on a mystical, multi-sensory journey deep into the Native American culture. A high-tech tribute to the magic of Native American storytelling, it's a moving, memorable adventure you and your family won't want to miss!

And Disneyland hasn't had this type of entertainment for decades:
Native Dance and Music
Guests exploring Indian Trails can enjoy daily demonstrations of spectacular and dramatic performances by authentically costumed Native American and Aztec dancers, singers and musicians performed in the round on the Indian Trails stage. Check our Entertainment Schedule for performance dates.

And even after all these years the Log Ride is still a classic! And I believe it was the first ever themed log ride!
Timber Mountain Log Ride
Careen through the darkness of a twisting 2,100-foot waterway at speeds of 8 - 12 feet per second and plummet down a furious flume propelled by 24,000 gallons of water at your back.

And unlike the DL Railroad, the one at Knott's has more of Western feel to it, and be on the lookout for gunslingers!
Ghost Town Calico Railroad
Despite years of bandit hold-ups, one of the last year round operating narrow gauge railroads still departs daily from Ghost Town Station for a round-trip tour of the Park.


With the New Pony Express ride opening, Knott's does have a special promo for kids age 3 to 11 (free cowboy hat and stuff)
Knott’s Western Round-Up
Weekends beginning May 24 - June 22, 2008
Get ready to wrangle up some fun and venture into undiscovered territory out in the Old West during Knott’s Berry Farm’s first ever Western Round Up. Cowboys and cowgirls ages 11 and under can lasso their very own cowboy hat, western bandana, and a Pony Express commemorative poster. You don't want miss the new stage show in the Birdcage theater, "Cowboy 101," where kids can become “deputy” for a day. Be on the lookout for Cowboy J, the fastest gunslinger in the West, as he strolls the streets. Journey into the Wild Wilderness and finally claim their stake at Pony Express the Ride, Knott’s newest family coaster. All cowboys and cowgirls, 48” and over, can take the 1,300 foot route astride one of 32 unique “pony” coaster cars. Traveling at 38 miles per hour, this delivery is guaranteed to make it every time!


And of course, no trip to Knott's would be complete, without cooling off with some of their boysenberry punch!!!!

Some people love the chicken dinner as well, but I'm not sure if it's still as good as what they used to serve.

I'm not big on all the carney rides, so I will let others vouch for the coasters. But what I suggested will still give you a glimpse of the older and better aspect of this park, that really made Knott's.

It's not as clean or neat, or beautiful as DL, so when I do plan trips, I always do Knott's first, and save DL as the best for the later in the trip. Don't do Knott's as the last part of your trip, it would just be a let down after going to DL.

Oh, and for a little more old west fun, you can go panning for gold, although there is a separate fee for that.

[Hakuna Makarla]

I loved knotts. I say go and enjoy. looks like its going to be super packed, how about going to sea world or something closer? if not have fun at knotts we did!!

[PirateMunkee]

Originally Posted by Aladdin

And unlike the DL Railroad, the one at Knott's has more of Western feel to it,

Yeah like they had roller coasters in the Wild West. Every time I'm on the train as it passes Xcellerator, I think of the OK Corall.

[pratt55]

Do not miss the funnel cakes topped with boysenberry jam and the Knott's fried chicken. If we are staying a hotel nearby you can get a bucket to go with a boysenberry pie.