How has Cedar Fair improved Knott's?
In the CF aquires MA news thread, someone mentioned that CF has improved KBF. I havent been to KBF since *long* before it was in the CF chain. I know that they now have Ghostrider, but I thought that ride was designed and created under the Knott Family regime, as a sort of last gift to the park. Therefore with the exception of Supreme Scream (turbo drop towers, which I feel, in general, are less intense than giant drops) what other improvements have they made? Just curious.
lata,
jeremy
lata,
jeremy
KBF has always been a pretty darn good park. I would go at least once a year while growing up. From what I can remember, I do not think the CF purchace has made it better or worse. All things considered, they kept a good thing going strong.
Actually I heard that CF was going to scrap the Ghostrider project, but the Knotts had already sealed the deal with all parties involved. CF would have had to pay a bunch of penalties to get out of the deal, so they "allowed" it to proceed, THANK GOD!!! (as always, please correct me if I am wrong, Dutchman, do you know more on the subject?)
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"X" marks the spot in 2001!
*** This post was edited by Soggy on 5/9/2001. ***
Actually I heard that CF was going to scrap the Ghostrider project, but the Knotts had already sealed the deal with all parties involved. CF would have had to pay a bunch of penalties to get out of the deal, so they "allowed" it to proceed, THANK GOD!!! (as always, please correct me if I am wrong, Dutchman, do you know more on the subject?)
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"X" marks the spot in 2001!
*** This post was edited by Soggy on 5/9/2001. ***
Yes, it was Knott's call to put in Ghostrider, but CF put in both Supreme Scream and Perilous Plunge (the world's tallest and steepest flume ride, if I remember right). The park hasn't been doing nothing. They also opened Soak City last year. But so far CF hasn't done a thing as far as coasters go.
Actually, they end up removing one coaster. But I don't think anyone's going to slight them for getting rid of Windjammer...
Actually, they end up removing one coaster. But I don't think anyone's going to slight them for getting rid of Windjammer...
Here's a NEAR complete list and you'll be suprised in what they did to the languishing farm that it was back in 97' =
• Built Supreme Scream
- What: At the time, the tallest free-fall drop attraction in the world (now the 3rd tallest in the world) and currently the world's tallest 'turbo drop'.
• Built GhostRider
- What: Ranked the #1 wooden roller coaster by the A&E network and constantly placed in the top 10 wooden roller coaster polls. Also the west coast's longest wooden roller coaster
• Built Perilous Plunge
- What: The tallest, fastest, steepest, & 'wettest' water flume in the world. Boasting a 115 FT, 77.8° chute and a 45 FT high splash, it is utterly one of the most terrifying rides ever built.
• Restored the Independence Hall
- What: Re-built the world's only replica of this national landmark and restored it to it's opening day glory.
• Built WipeOut
- What: A CHANCE frisbee flat-ride
• Bought & Renovated adjacent hotel into Radisson Resort Knott's Berry Farm
- What: The 300+ room hotel became the official Knott's Berry Farm hotel and brought the park one step closer to becoming a theme park resort.
• Built Knott's Soak City U.S.A.
- What: With the addition of this adjacent water park which opened in late spring/early summer 2000, Knott's officially became a full destination theme park resort.
• Expanded The Camp Snoopy Area
- What: Camp Snoopy is home to two new rides since the official opening back in the 1980s. Woodstock's Airmail and Charlie Brown Speedway
• Introduced The Nighttime specatacles; Edison International Electric Nights and Edison International ElectroBlast
- These two nighttime spectacular shows utilize water, laser, and sound elements and the quiet of the night to present an awesome show.
• Built the Coasters restaurant
- What: Located in The Boardwalk area of the park, this walk-in-restaurant features 50s style shakes and old fashioned burgers. Cedar Point & Valleyfair! also boast this restaurant.
• Closed & Soon To Replace Windjammer Surf Racers
- Thank God
• Renamed Slingshot into Waveswinger
• Renamed Good Tyme Theatre into Charles M. Schulz Theatre in memory of the passing of a legendary man who created the 'Peanuts' characters.
• Renamed Nu Wave Theater to Boardwalk Ballroom
• Haunted Shack soon to be replaced by an attraction (SkyCoaster originally planned)
• Built Snoopy's Headquarters Retail Shop
- What: The world's largest Snoopy merchandise retail store/shop. Located in Knott's California Marketplace.
*** This post was edited by kRaXLeRidAh on 5/9/2001. ***
• Built Supreme Scream
- What: At the time, the tallest free-fall drop attraction in the world (now the 3rd tallest in the world) and currently the world's tallest 'turbo drop'.
• Built GhostRider
- What: Ranked the #1 wooden roller coaster by the A&E network and constantly placed in the top 10 wooden roller coaster polls. Also the west coast's longest wooden roller coaster
• Built Perilous Plunge
- What: The tallest, fastest, steepest, & 'wettest' water flume in the world. Boasting a 115 FT, 77.8° chute and a 45 FT high splash, it is utterly one of the most terrifying rides ever built.
• Restored the Independence Hall
- What: Re-built the world's only replica of this national landmark and restored it to it's opening day glory.
• Built WipeOut
- What: A CHANCE frisbee flat-ride
• Bought & Renovated adjacent hotel into Radisson Resort Knott's Berry Farm
- What: The 300+ room hotel became the official Knott's Berry Farm hotel and brought the park one step closer to becoming a theme park resort.
• Built Knott's Soak City U.S.A.
- What: With the addition of this adjacent water park which opened in late spring/early summer 2000, Knott's officially became a full destination theme park resort.
• Expanded The Camp Snoopy Area
- What: Camp Snoopy is home to two new rides since the official opening back in the 1980s. Woodstock's Airmail and Charlie Brown Speedway
• Introduced The Nighttime specatacles; Edison International Electric Nights and Edison International ElectroBlast
- These two nighttime spectacular shows utilize water, laser, and sound elements and the quiet of the night to present an awesome show.
• Built the Coasters restaurant
- What: Located in The Boardwalk area of the park, this walk-in-restaurant features 50s style shakes and old fashioned burgers. Cedar Point & Valleyfair! also boast this restaurant.
• Closed & Soon To Replace Windjammer Surf Racers
- Thank God
• Renamed Slingshot into Waveswinger
• Renamed Good Tyme Theatre into Charles M. Schulz Theatre in memory of the passing of a legendary man who created the 'Peanuts' characters.
• Renamed Nu Wave Theater to Boardwalk Ballroom
• Haunted Shack soon to be replaced by an attraction (SkyCoaster originally planned)
• Built Snoopy's Headquarters Retail Shop
- What: The world's largest Snoopy merchandise retail store/shop. Located in Knott's California Marketplace.
*** This post was edited by kRaXLeRidAh on 5/9/2001. ***
I don't think it was a present, like a birthday present, more like a "this is our last contribution to the park." I am fairly sure the GR cost was included in the purchase price (guessing)
Of course CF added things to The Farm. But if CF had not purchased it, I think additions would have happened anyway.
I never said I didn't like what CF was/is doing, just that they took a good park and kept the ball rolling.
P.S. bryang, is your Shift key broken?
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"X" marks the spot in 2001!
Of course CF added things to The Farm. But if CF had not purchased it, I think additions would have happened anyway.
I never said I didn't like what CF was/is doing, just that they took a good park and kept the ball rolling.
P.S. bryang, is your Shift key broken?
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"X" marks the spot in 2001!
My understanding was that they were contractually obligated to the project,regardless who owned the park. The papers were signed and the project was already under way when the park was sold. The penalties would have been heavy due to the fact of how far along the project was when CF took over. Most of the rest of the info I have heard has been second or third hand and I will not repeat it here. There is enough rumours that surround any CF property and I,being a CP alumni, will not contribute any more to it.
*** This post was edited by Dutchman on 5/10/2001. ***
I'm not real impressed with what they've done with the boardwalk area, although some of this is not really their fault. The boardwalk just seems kinda dead, while this should be the most alive area of the park. A new attraction where Windjammer stand will help some, but I just always feel like *something* is missing. It's my least favorite part of the park.
I agree with DWeaver, the boardwalk part of the park seemed to be lacking. It just feels unfinished to me. I wasn't all that impressed with that section of the park, save for Supreme Scream. Now, the other areas of the park blew me away, I loved them all, especially Ghost Town and Ghostrider. What a rush that ride is! Man, totally wicked. I just hope CF starts building more in KBF. Long live Knott's. :)
The Boardwalk is strange... It is still half Roaring 20's themed. And the worst part is that they even built a new restraunt (Hollywood Wok) and it is not boardwalk themed. This area has great potential, but needs help. The promised coaster from next year will help. Cedar Fair has done good for Knotts, but the really big thing is that they have lots of money and connections. It seems like that was why Jaguar was built by Zierer, Windjammer by Togo and Ghostrider by CCI. Now, I love CCI and everything that they do, but the point is that these are not your major expensive coaster designers (except CCI) It seems that now, Knotts will be more likely to connect with B&M or Intamin for example. But Cedar Fair has done well so far, and the best is yet to come.
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"Clear, Dispatch"
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"Clear, Dispatch"
One thing sticks out in my mind, Perilous Plunge. From what I have heard it is by far the best water flume in the world. Also, Ghostrider is often ranked as one of the top woodies in the country. You have to give Cedar Fair credit for what they've done, they haven't owned the park for that long just give them a couple of years and I'm sure that you will be satisfied.
I don't believe that CF is going to try to go head to head with SFMM, or Disney for that matter.The previous mamnagement tried to butt heads with the big boys and you have seen what happened. There is more than enough business is this market to keep all of these operations afloat.Walter Knott's attitude towards Disneyland when it was opened was the more the merrier. I think that's the view CF is taking. They are not going to sit back and let things stagnate, however,I can assure you of that.
It's ironic, with the purchase of Michigan's Adventure, Cedar Fair is also obligated to uphold a previous contract for a new steel coaster for next season.
Kevin said:
"Also, Ghostrider is often ranked as one of the top woodies in the country.
Try one of the best in the world. It ranked as the #8 wood coaster in the world on this year's Golden Ticket Awards (i think that's what it was), and #2 on the A&E Top 10 Wildest Rides, And #4 on the wooden roller coaster internet poll, and #3 on ThrillRide!.Com's Annual Poll in the wood coaster category.
Whoever did that bio on Knott's since CF took over, that was great. Saved me typing. Cedar Fair has given new life to KBF. The family was locking up on several expansion issues, including the Ghostrider. CF put that project back on track, as it was close to being dropped.
Knott's never would have taken the needed steps alone to develope a waterpark and hotel complex on site, and they also wouldn't have expanded into other parks nearby.
Knott's is vying for the family business, feeding off the Disney crowd, locals, and those who feel SFMM is a bit to intense for the kids. Knott's has a great core market, it knows its place in the industry, and Cedar Fair will continue to guide it in that direction. If you go there 50 years from now, it will still have a close resemblence.
Knott's never would have taken the needed steps alone to develope a waterpark and hotel complex on site, and they also wouldn't have expanded into other parks nearby.
Knott's is vying for the family business, feeding off the Disney crowd, locals, and those who feel SFMM is a bit to intense for the kids. Knott's has a great core market, it knows its place in the industry, and Cedar Fair will continue to guide it in that direction. If you go there 50 years from now, it will still have a close resemblence.
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