Knott’s Berry Farm & A Great Big Broadway Show

My partner attends a California industry event every year around this time. I’m always grateful for the opportunity to tag along when the destination is inviting to this non-participating spouse. And the Californians know how to hold meetings. For only the price of air fare I’ve seen both Maui and Big Island Hawaii, and Palm Springs. When it was announced that this winter’s trip would be to Disney’s Grand Californian Resort I was all like “oh HECK YEEEESSSSSS!”
This report, as the title suggests, will cover a couple of side trips before the Disney mayhem ensued.
We flew to John Wayne Airport, Orange County on Sunday and the nice thing about Ohio to California is that even after a long day of travel you still arrive early in the day. Our park reservations were for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday so I hoped to put Knott’s on my solo schedule for Monday. Then I found out London’s production of “Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends” with Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga was trying out in the US before their Broadway run and had just opened to raves in LA. I was sure it was sold out but I looked and like some miracle there were 2 seats in the front row of the mezzanine. I jumped on them and our first evening in town was set. When it arrived I was thrilled to be at LA’s Music Center, where fabled places like the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall sit.
Ok I realize this is one of those CB niches that I don’t share with everybody so if you have any questions about the show (fabulous) or what I thought (I cried real hard) send me a message. IYKYK.
Now on to Knott’s which is one of my favorite “America’s First Theme Parks” (I think I’ve been to three that make that claim, lol) Hours were 11-6 so I was hoping for a weekday with light crowds. And oh boy was I ever happy. The place was about deserted (a Ghost Town you ask? what?), and rides ran half empty all day. New coaster credits for me included Pony ExpreZzzzz, HangTime, Sierra Sidewinder, and Coast Rider. Two HUGE disappointments however, and y'all better sit down, were the refurb closures of both GhostRider and Timber Mountain Log Ride. Lordt why me?! But I went anyway and was only a little pouty. I’d been on both but not since the latest refurbs so I was bummed. Montezooma remains a torn up eyesore. Those were the downs I think. Highlights included Xcelerator The Ride, certainly, it’s a great ride, but had it been any busier there I would’ve been mad at the slow loading. I rode quite a few flats and their selection is good. They have a beautiful old Dentzel carousel that I had forgotten about. I got Mrs Knott’s Chicken Dinner and bought jam for home and boysenberry pie for the fridge in the room. I’ve heard the jam is made (owned?) by Smucker’s now under the Berry Farm label. I’ll look into that- Smuckers is Ohio but we haven’t had Knott’s to buy here for a while. CP used to have a berry store but all that’s gone now. I haven’t tried this yet but I hope it’s as good as I remember.
Lastly, a word about HangTime. Reviews are good, but I seem to remember it took a lot of flack for being a step child of a dive coaster and somehow inferior. I thought it was quite thrilling with a couple of elements that turned my knuckles white, the vertical lift not being the least of them. The drop was great and the hang was omg so much scary fun. I don’t know how much these Gerstlauer coasters run but parks big and small would benefit and there should be more. (Adventureland Iowa, right? What else?)
Overall it was a great day at Knott’s. Oh, I fell down hard inside the park completely by accident and wound up at First Aid. First time ever in my life having to go for assistance. Hm… likely not the last I reckon…
Anyway that’s all for now.
Next is Disneyland, California Adventure.

Smucker bought Knotts Berry Farm food brand in 2008 from ConAgra. But they discontinued it (the jam at least) about a year ago. Not sure what is being sold at Knotts Berry Farm now.

https://www.fooddive.com/ne...ss/705520/

I never think of "Broadway" in California, even though shows tour there and some even start their out-of-town tryouts there.

Oh I know. Funny, when I was reading about the show coming across the pond I foolishly assumed they had opened in New York. I finally realized they were in LA and couldn’t believe my luck.
As for Smucker, I can’t believe that part of Knott’s history, and John and Cordelia’s legacy is gone. I bought boysenberry, red raspberry, and peach jams. I looked at the jars closely today and the brand is Berry Market, and the super small print says the usual “made expressly for” stuff. Finally comes the website Knott’s.com (for contact or maybe ordering?) and that seems to be the only mention of the original name.

RCMAC:

I cried real hard

Was it a proper cry like some people did when Kingda Ka was demolished?

Oh, even more proper. See, I wouldn’t walk across the street for Kingda Ka let alone cry. Now, the 1st Act finale to Sunday in the Park with George? Buckets.