Knott's Berry Farm Update: Boardwalk Starts Coasting

Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park, CA

We wrap up the week by swinging by Knott's Berry Farm to check in on how things are going over at Walter Knott's old stomping grounds. Summer is just around the corner, and Knott's will have some fun things coming up.  Lets see what we can expect soon!

HangTime Progressing

The big news continues to be the push toward the completion of Knott's new roller coaster, HangTime, whose opening day has formally been announced as Friday, May 18th!  Yes, in less than a month, Southern California coaster fans will be able to experience the first dive coaster on the west coast!

On the construction front, the station is largely complete, and the souvenir shop building looks to be that way too.  The major work that's left is the landscaping, which is well underway, plus the testing and adjustment of the ride lighting package.  The tracer lights that will run along HangTime have already been installed.  They just need to be programmed.  But in just a few weeks, everything will be unveiled!

We’re back to check up on Sighlines: The Ride!

As of last Friday, they had pushed the construction walls around the old Charleston Square fountain.

It’s needed as the park heads down its home stretch finishing up HangTime, to tie the existing pavement into the new flatwork exiting the ride and souvenir shop.

There’s been a lot of progress on the souvenir shop itself.

The exterior is just about complete, with plaster installed and painted and windows and doors in place.

It’s not extravagant, but it fits the theme nicely!

You can see some curbs and planting being placed.

The sign isn’t done yet, though.

So I guess there are still some finishing touches to do.

Another peek inside. I’d angle more to the left, but the peep hole only accommodates my DSLR so much.

The station itself looks relatively finished, though.

The new mural they recently painted will provide a nice backdrop for the ride.

Some poster work has appeared on the side of the shop too.

Lets get back to the station.

It will be pretty open and airy.

The glulam beams and structure are pretty clean.

Railings have been installed.

A little screen serves… I don’t know what purpose, other than style?

The design is clean but relatively plain, similar to the Boardwalk BBQ.

Light fixtures have gone up along the pathway too.

As has an entry sign for the queue!

Here’s a clearer view. Note the shrubbery ready to be planted.

The landscape looks to be somewhat beach-y, with more sand and rocks than greenery and plants.

Probably helps to reduce irrigation water use too.

Things are coming along. The palms should spruce things up a bit.

Here are a bunch of miscellaneous coaster angles, because I can’t help taking photos every time. It’s very pretty!

This work wall has seen better days.

More curves…

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You can see the LED tracer lights along the bottom spine of the track. They face in the direction of roller coaster travel.

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The Sky Cabin is back up, so lets take a ride aboard it for an elevated view.

HangTime from the “front.”

And from above!

You can see the extent of landscape so far.

And there’s a pretty extensive set of switchbacks for the ride, which will probably be pretty full come next month!

Xcelerator Returns (Photo Proof)

In our last update, we mentioned that Xcelerator had FINALLY reopened after a very long hiatus.  But we didn't have any photographic proof.  Well, here's pics that it happened.  After all, that's what they say on the interwebz, right?

Hey, what’s that thing behind HangTime…?

OMG XCELERATOR IS RUNNING!!!

Watch it go ZOOOOOM!!

And up the top hat like WHEEEE!!

And then down the drop like WOOOOSH!!

Into that overbanked hill like WHIRRR!!

‘MURICA train is on rehab now.

It’s nice to have the ride back.

One of my favorite angles of the coaster.

Check out the coaster from high above the park!

On a clear day, you can see to Downtown L.A.! This… is still smoggy, but you can see the skyline behind Xcelerator!

Lets hope it doesn’t go down for an extended time anytime soon!

Ghost Town Alive! Coming Soon...

A big banner is up out front advertising the upcoming return of season 3 of Ghost Town Alive!  If you have no idea what that is, read our big update on its debut year and its season 1 finale.  And also our report from Ghost Town Alive last year.  And last year's plot finale.  In short, it's a wonderfully immersive, interactive, role playing theater where guests are part of the show and can interact with a cast of characters throughout Ghost Town.  This amazing summer event won the THEA Award (basically the theme park Oscars) for "Connected Immersive Theater" and has been a huge hit with fans.  This summer will bring a new storyline, but familiar characters.  Can't wait to see what happens!

Coming soon, starting Memorial Day weekend!

The Mayfield Gang is sure to be back. Not that this is a Mayfield right now… officially…

Nope. No Mayfields here. Just “bandits.”

Around Ghost Town

Finally, as long as we're in the area, lets take a little walk around a bit of Ghost Town.  Basically, these are a few more photos I snapped last weekend, taking in the nice afternoon light on a non-busy day at the Berry Farm.

This is what the Calico Stage looks like when no show is going on. The actual stage itself is removable and can clear a lot of room in front of the facade.

Silver Bullet is still zooming along, over 13 years after it opened.

The peaceful scene toward the School House.

Unlike Disneyland, Knott’s actually does have an offseason.

It’s quite relaxing when the streets are not crowded!

There are a variety of springtime florals throughout Ghost Town.

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Catawampus sez MOO!

This may very well be the final update we do from Knott's until HangTime opens.  It should be a great addition to the Knott's coaster lineup and definitely an improved successor to Boomerang, which stood in its footprint only a year ago.  Knott's is definitely continuing to up its game when it comes to a great theme park experience for guests of all types and ages.  We're happy to see the park continue to thrive and succeed and improve!