Knott's Berry Farm or SFMM?

Well it looks like I may have a completely free day in SoCal coming up next week. However I really can't decide which park to hit. I have both Cedar Fair and SF passes, so admission is not an issue. I really would love to go on X and Goliath...but it sounds as if KBF is run much better. I don't care about Deja Vu or Batman at MM, since those are also at my home park SFGAm. Any advice or suggestions is appreciated. Thank you.

X is a brilliant brilliant ride in the back, but everything else at MM (including Goliath) leaves me yawning. DV is nice, as is S:TE but since you already have one, there's not that much going for it.

GR is one of my favorite woodies and right up there with X for must ride coasters, though you really have to ride it at night to get it at its best. Xcelerator is also a great little ride, but much like the bigger rocket cousins, it's a bit on the short side.

Overall, if you haven't been to either and haven't ridden a rocket, KBF is almost certainly a better bet. X is great but with its downtime and the shoddy park that it's in, you could do much better than SFMM.

i would have to go with KBF the only thing you are missing by not going to SFMM is X, then again u might not get on it if you are there, and a larger number of coasters. KBF doesn't have as many coasters--but the ones they do they make count. Would be fun to check out Silver Bullet also.

Would it be possible for you to go to SFMM in the morning and ride x, then brave the traffic to KBF? X is awesome, but I think if I had to chose KBF would be a less stressful day.

I found Silver Bullet pretty middle of the road. The overbank was quite awesome (one of my favorite elements on any invert) but other than that, it didn't have much unique or different from any other invert.

SFMM and KBF are about 60 miles apart, which in LA is a good 2 hours of driving. Is it possible? Sure. Would I recommend it? Heck no!

I like both parks, but if I were visiting only one park from out of town, it would definitely be Knott's. Knott's is operated more efficiently, and not to mention GR, and Xcelerator are not to be missed. It's really quality over quantity, and to be honest it has a lot nicer park atmosphere, it's a unique park. So, IMO you should visit Knott's it will just be a lot better of an experience for you I think. Edit: Oh I cannot forget Monte, one of the best coasters around. *** Edited 7/1/2005 3:43:21 PM UTC by black sabbath***

Knott's Anton is in *almost pristine* condition...:)

SFMM's Anton has been "Revulsion-ized"...:(

bill, can NEVER understand the lack of love for Monte...

If you were to phrase the question, "Should I go to Knott's instead of Magic Mountain?" I'd reply with a question: "Does a fat baby sweat?"

;)

Flip a coin?

If I were in your situation I would take Knott's, although Riddler's and Goliath are VERY tempting.

-Tina

<--Love the Monte

I'd pick neither! I'd go to Disneyland instead, lol. Knott's was just absolutely... average. The most interesting attractions are what's left of the old before CF days. The Calico Mine Ride and the Log Flume. Rest? Bleh... I wasn't too impressed with GR, Xcellerator and Silver Bullet.

SFMM was bad... but at least, had interesting rides. Riddler's is great fun, as well as BTR, Ninja and my favorite ride in the park... Viper. The wait was so long, it soured my opinion of X. Revolution wasn't half as bad! The harnesses were not too oppressive, I didn't feel any roughness and the 2 spots where we were braked were the only thing that felt "wrong on the ride".

I would go to SFMM if it was me.

I would go to KBF for a number of reasons:

1) Drive time is somewhere around 1 hour less from LA.

2) Crowds are generally less, even on Saturdays, as the park is somewhat "overshadowed" by Disney.

3) Knott's creates a better, safer, less rowdy atmoshpere, and actually cares about theming aspects.

4) Mrs. Knott's chicken dinners are some of the best in the world.

5) Knott's actually runs all of its coasters.

6) Knott's size is managable in one day. SFMM will leave you with miles of walking, and long lines for coasters running only one train. Knott's is much smaller, and it runs two/three trains on everything, including Xcelerator.

7) IF you get bored, you can walk to Disneyland.

8) GR provides a spectacular nighttime ride – nothing close to any coaster at SFMM.

9) Knott’s isn’t known for riots and fights breaking out within the property.

10) Knott’s has a great collection of flats

11) Coaster-wise:

SFMM higlights:

RR (yes, it is an amazing standup, but it is often wrecked by stagnant, slow-moving lines and annyoing queue music that never gets past the first 15 seconds.)

X (of course – the main reason why I would consider going)

Batman – amazing, but you’ve probably already been on it at SFGAm

Goliath, for some.

Revolution (historical reasons ONLY)

Superman (same)

Déjà vu – that is, if it’s open.

Knott’s highlights:

GR – amazing any time of day. Because ops almost always run two trains, the line is constantly moving. Intense air.

Xcelerator – Powerful launch – much better than Superman: the Escape. Short ride, but that means short lines.

SB – haven’t been yet. Sounds like at least a good ride to me. Definitely better theming than SFMM’s new B&M (not mentioning any names…)

MR – Scharwzkopf at his best.

Perilous Plunge – prepare to get wet!

Riptide – see above.

You see, the decision is totally up to you, and either way I’m sure you’ll have a great day. Just HOW great it will be depends on where you go. I’d just like to say, I’ve been to both parks 3 times all on busy days, (alla weekends) and in my own experience, I would definitely go to Knott’s.

Either way, have fun!

7) IF you get bored, you can walk to Disneyland.

True, you could...but it would take at least an hour. They're not THAT close.

They're, what, about five miles apart? That's a good walk.

I'd go for KBF because the park is much more consistant. It's a fun place, no matter how Knottzi their operations are.

And one other thing... SFMM doesn't have an Anton. Revolution is an Intamin in the style of a Schwarzkopf. Seriously. Look it up. :)

I was in this position a couple of years ago. I chose MM. I still regret it to this day.

Go to KBF. I've never been there, but it would have to be a complete dump to lose to MM. If you're traveling far, and never been, go for the safe bet.

p.s. rollergator, if monte is anything as good as greezed lightnin' then i've got nothing but love for it. those rides are AWESOME.

Monte > Greased Viperwave.

The poopy coaster is flywheel launched, while Greased Viperwave is weight drop. The flywheel gives just a little bit more of an "oomph" on the take off. Plus, it's not braked on the return trip, like I believe GVW is.

^Walk to Adventure City instead. ;-)

I found Monte to be a little more insane than GreasedViperWave, but they both deserve ALL the love they can get!

Cute name. I thought I was the only one (hence Batmaninator, SuperSteelVenom, etc.) ;-)

-Tina

*** Edited 6/30/2005 6:13:10 AM UTC by coasterqueenTRN***

slowmotion *might* be referring to GL at SFAW, which is the same style as Monte, and a GREAT ride. Those flywheel launches are "THE DEAL!" :)

LOL, took Stan Checketts and 20 years to top Anton's flywheels...Jimvy has a right to be PO'd... ;) *** Edited 6/30/2005 6:20:18 AM UTC by rollergator***

Unfortunately, Gatur[sic], the only thing Stan the Man topped was the launch. The trains, track, and, well, the rest of the ride leave a bit to be desired (if we're talking about XLC and I havn't ridden Dodonpa).

And, oh. You're right. I missed that apostrophe. And the Z's. In that case, the poopy coaster should be on par with Greezed Lightnin'.

- John, who hopes somebody gets the poopy joke.