Nowt2Do Archive: Nowt2Do before Spring 2006 - Nowt2Do.Com: Listings and Reviews for Bristol and Beyond!

OUR REVIEW

Two years ago when visiting Knott's Berry Farm, I was distinctly unimpressed; I had a horrible experience in the park…the question is why? I had no idea, and after visiting today I am deeply confused…as Knott's is fantastic! I love the place!

One of California’s oldest parks, Knott's has a distinct Americana feel to it, it’s homely, it’s real, it’s not fake, it’s original, it’s different and it’s perfect. The major thing I noticed about Knott's is the amount of families; with young children and grandparents all they’re to experience a day out, which most certainly fulfils all their desires for a family day out.

The kitsch value of Knott's , especially to an English Tourist, makes a visit a must do. If you want Thrill Rides go elsewhere, but it you want a fun and relaxing day out, without having to rush around Knott's is the place to be. It’s not Disneyland, and I’m not saying it’s better or worse, it’s just different…but in a good way. It is steeped in history, and is a Californian Classic.

A wonder round the park is delightful, with the different themed areas offering plenty of unique foods, enjoyable rides, enthralling games, and exciting shops, completely with ye olde arts from the Wild West era on show.

The kids have the delights of Camp Snoopy, a massive area that is perfect for the younger family. There are plenty of easygoing rides, which are sure to attract the attention of the youngest thrill seekers. Heading to Ghost Town you can find Ghostrider, a no-holds-barred wooden coaster that will drop you, and throw you round it’s wild track, and leave you with a scream and a cheer. Heading over to The Boardwalk though and you’re n for something completely different. If X is the reason to go to Six Flags Magic Mountain, then Xcelerator is the reason to go to Knott's , but you get famous jam thrown in at Knott's !

Xcelerator sends you to 80mph in 2 seconds, and then shoots you up a 90-degree vertical climb to 205 foot, before you drop down the other side. It is exceptionally themed to a 50s style Chevy/dragster race, and will blow you’re mind. The launch will take your breath away, then you’re suddenly looking directly up at the sky, before you know it you’re vertical to the ground speeding towards it, and there is more to come. This ride is fun, thrilling and the must ride in Anaheim! Couple this with Perilous Plunge, a near-vertical drop boat ride, which will soak you, in fact I’m sure you will stay drier if you jumped in a swimming pool! It’s fun with a capital F, and wet with a WET!

Add some exciting shows and you have a theme park for the whole family, which is real; it doesn’t seem fake like areas of Disney. It’s captures the spirit of America from years gone by, and will enchant one and all.

4 ¼ out of 5.

What Is Knott's Southern California Resort?

What began as a roadside berry stand and Chicken Dinner Restaurant in the 1920s has evolved into one of Southern California’s most popular resort destinations. Knott’s Southern California Resort is home to Knott’s Berry Farm® Theme Park, America's first theme park and one of the country's most-visited parks according to Amusement Business, Knott’s Soak City U.S.A.^SM Water Park, and the Radisson Resort Knott’s Berry Farm hotel.

Where Is Knott's?

In Buena Park, Orange County, Calif., ten minutes from Disneyland Resort and a 30 minute drive from downtown Los Angeles, OC Airport, Long Beach Airport and LAX.

How Did Knott's Begin?

The Knott Family arrived in Buena Park in 1920 to farm 20 acres of land. The famous Berry Stand and Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant followed. In 1940, Walter began building Ghost Town as a diversion for the thousands of hungry guests lining up each day – and the rest is history!

What Does Knott's

Berry Farm Theme Park Feature?

Celebrating its 83^rd year, Knott’s Berry Farm Theme Park is just the place to go for family fun! More than 165 rides, shows, attractions, restaurants and shops in six themed areas shape the Knott's Experience. From world-class thrills like Supreme Scream^®, GhostRider^® and Xcelerator^SM to action-packed Old West Ghost Town® and six-acre Camp Snoopy, Knott’s has something for every member of your family.

Camp Snoopy, celebrating its 20^th Anniversary as the home of Charles Schulz’s Snoopy and the PEANUTS gang, remains the most beloved children's wonderland anywhere. Lushly themed to the California Sierra, this six-acre playland features dozens of kid-sized adventures for the young -- and young at heart! All new for 2003 is Joe Cool’s GR8 SK8 a mini-thrill ride for the whole family and the Camp Snoopy Theatre, home to a variety of shows starring Snoopy and the PEANUTS Gang. Charlie Brown Speedway^SMis exclusively for little racers and their parents. Snoopy’s Red Baron airplanes, Rocky Road Trucking Company’s mini-18-wheelers, the kid-sized Timberline Twister roller coaster and many other adventures also await.

Old West Ghost Townâ, the heart and soul of the Park and home of 1998’s GhostRider^® wooden coaster, is a rough 'n' ready 1880s Old West Boom Town of cowboys, gun fights, can-can dancers, stagecoaches, a real steam train and panning for real gold. Plus the world’s first and best log ride!

Fiesta Villageâ, the prowling ground for Knott's Jaguar!â adventure, explodes in a festive salute to California's rich Spanish legacy, complete with architecture, food, eye-catching works of art, and spicy rides including the brand new addition of La Revolución.

The Boardwalk pays tribute to the celebrated Southern California beach lifestyle. Brave Perilous Plunge^SM, the world’s tallest, steepest and wettest water ride or Xcelerator^SM, the latest thrill to hit the Boardwalk that will send you 0-80 mph in just 2.3 seconds! Other gravity-defying thrills include roller coaster fun on Boomerang and the high-flying HammerHeadâ ride. The 2,100-seat Charles M. Schulz Theatre and ‘50s-style Coasters Diner round out the fun.

Indian Trails celebrates the lore, legends, crafts, music and dance of Native American tribes with participatory learning adventures for all ages.

Wild Water Wildernessâ recreates a California river wilderness park of the late 1800s, highlighted by Bigfoot Rapidsâ, a tempestuous outdoor white-water river excursion. And don't miss Mystery Lodgeâ, a multi-sensory journey into the Native American West.

Dozens of stages throughout the Park offer nonstop live entertainment, including big-stage seasonal productions in the 2,100-seat Charles M. Schulz Theatre; legendary Wild West Stunt Shows in the Wagon Camp; spirited saloon shows at the Calico Saloon; and Native American dances and presentations in Indian Trails.

While Knott's Berry Farm preserves and food products are known the world over, Park guests will find more than 40 unique in-Park places to eat. We're widely applauded for serving the finest food at any theme or amusement park anywhere.

You'll find what your appetite craves -- from grilled hot dogs and flame-broiled hamburgers to beef dip sandwiches, spicy Mexican fajitas, open-air barbecues, roasted corn, delicious desserts and the recipe that started it all, Mrs. Knott's famous fried chicken!

Don’t-miss restaurants include Auntie Pasta’s Pizza Palace, and the ‘50s-themed Coasters Diner. For a more international flare try, Hollywood Wok, serving Chinese favorites including Teriyaki Chicken Bowls and Egg Rolls.

More than 50 shops offer everything from classic souvenirs to PEANUTS collectibles, fine gifts and Native American handmade crafts. Favored shopping destinations include GhostRider^® Goods and the elegant Gold Trails Hotel and Mercantile in Ghost Town.

California MarketPlace^â, a free-admission dining and shopping complex outside the Park's gates, is the home of Virginia's Gift Shop^â; the delightful Snoopy Headquarters; and world-famous Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant, a legend since 1934.

Camp Snoopy's six acres of rides, shows and adventures are designed especially for children under 12. Outside Camp Snoopy, kids of all ages will love our 1896 Dentzel Carousel, classic Timber Mountain Log Ride, Calico Mine Ride, Ghost Town and Calico Railroad and authentic Butterfield Stagecoach.

Does Knott's Have Real Thrill Rides?

Absolutely! Not only does Knott’s have great new attractions like Xcelerator^SM, the park features many other thrills like: GhostRider^®, the longest wooden coaster in the Western U.S., which quickly climbed to the top of roller coaster Enthusiasts’ “best-ride” lists since opening in December 1998. At 312 feet, mega-thriller Supreme Scream^® is one of the world’s tallest descending thrill rides. For still-more thrills, try Boomerang, Montezooma’s Revenge^®, Perilous Plunge and HammerHead^®.

During summer and seasonal periods, Knott's is open late nightly. During the off-season, the Park is open 10 am to 6 pm weekdays, 10 am to 10 pm Saturdays and 10 am to 7 pm Sundays. Knott's closes Christmas Day (12/25) to allow its employees to spend the holiday with their families.

Does Knott's Have Real Thrill Rides?