Around Knott's Berry Farm

Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park, CA

We've been showering Knott's Berry Farm with a lot of attention recently, and today continues that trend with a look around the park in general.  Knott's has spent the past few years slowly refurbishing and improving various areas around the park, and though this might not come in the form of splashy, new, high-profile attractions, the TLC has had a noticeable impact.  Almost everything looks newer and fresher, and little details have added charm and whimsy to the park. 

So here are a bunch of photos showcasing some of what Knott's has to offer.  Consider this a photo gallery, really.  It's just my excuse to post pictures I took during golden hour on my pair of visits to the park the past two weekends!

Ghost Town

We've paid plenty of attention to the wonderful event that is Ghost Town Alive! and even walked around Ghost Town's refurbished facades and sets refreshed for its 75th anniversary.  Here are photos of a select few of Ghost Town's other offerings.

The classic Calico Log Ride.

Silver Bullet looms in the distance.

A log goes up the first lift hill of the Log Ride.

Over at Silver Bullet, they've planted some boysenberry vines.

The B&M inverted coaster.

Swinging through a corkscrew.

The final helix over what's left of Reflection Lake.

A vertical loop over the water.

From Fiesta Village side, Silver Bullet banks down its first drop.

Silver Bullet and the corpse of the attraction formerly known as Windseeker.

Silver Bullet going through that cobra roll.

The loops of Silver Bullet and Montezooma's Revenge.

Overbank turn!!

Another corkscrew.  The first one, technically.

Calico Park in the evening, after the Ghost Town Alive! hoedown.

It's a nice, peaceful space.

Here's a couple more shots of Ghostrider.

It's back and better than ever!  Really!

Fans of odd things can go to the Pony Express Outpost, next to the Wilderness Dance Hall, to check out a collection of educational things.

This space is often used with education tours from school field trips.

There are creatures both preserved and alive.  These guys are live.

These... not so much.

This is Jake the Intern's favorite.

A map of the Pony Express.

More creatures.

And dead things preserved.

It feels kind of bizarre for a place like Knott's to have this, but also kind of cool!

Camp Snoopy

The home of the Peanuts gang underwent a lovely refurbishment a couple of years ago and looks fantastic.  New attractions, a fresh coat of paint, and some cute little theming elements have renewed the appeal that this land has, both for children and adults who used to visit when they were young. 

Entering the future home of The Hollow (new for Knott's Scary Farm 2016).

The adventure area to the side has always been beautiful and rustic.

No zombies here this fall, though.

Staring back toward the entrance.

The Balloon Race ride is still there.

But Linus Launcher is relatively new.

Adorable characters have been added along the Grand Sierra Scenic Railroad.

Charlie Brown's Kite Flyer is also a recent addition.  The tree eats kites!

The ambiance looks great!

Another classic, the Rocky Mountain Trucking Company.

Fiesta Village

Fiesta Village is one area that hasn't had any high profile improvements, but as I was in the area as the sun was setting, I snapped a few shots here as well.

Jaguar in the afternoon light.

Gazing up the temple.

Sign detail.

La Revolución.

The Boardwalk

Naturally, the west side of the park is the most lovely as the afternoon turns to evening.  That warm, low angle sunlight really amplifies all the attractions here and heightens the beach theme.  With plenty of thrill rides, The Boardwalk will satisfy the adrenaline junkies out there.  But there are attractions for those seeking lower key fun as well.

Xcelerator in the setting sun.

This Intamin ride go zoom zoom.

0-82 mph in 2.3 seconds!

Rocketing up that top hat.

Then into the first overbanked turn.

There's the second overbank.

It's a short ride, but quite intense and fun!

Cresting over the hill.

Xcelerator, with Supreme Scream in the background.

The Sky Cabin is also still around.

It offers great views around the park.

If only they'd clean the windows...

Coasters diner at The Boardwalk.

Onto my own stomping grounds, Supreme Scream.

I worked this ride for a summer while I was in college.

It's still one of my favorite rides in the park.

For stomach lurching drop factor, you can't beat this one.

Artsy fartsy diagonal shot.

Tall ride is tall.  252 feet tall!

And then onto a Boardwalk classic, Boomerang!

Classic in the sense that it's been around a long time.

Boomerang occupies the site of Corkscrew, the first looping roller coaster in the world.

A newer addition is Coast Rider, a wild mouse.

It's a fun ride and a vast improvement over the old Perilous Plunge--in that it works!

And finally, a relic of the old Roaring 20's area.

Charleston Fountain is a reminder of what The Boardwalk was like before its re-theme, so many years ago.

Come a couple of weeks, this too will also fall under the fog of Haunt.

So that's Knott's for this week.  The next time we visit, the park will have disappeared behind the veil, into the fog, and transformed itself into Knott's Scary Farm--America's first haunt.  We bid summer farewell, but not without too much regret.  For autumn brings the most wonderful time of the year.  Is it Haunt yet?