Knott's Questions

I am thinking about stopping over in Los Angeles for a day or so coming back to the States for this summer, and was planning to go down to Knott's for a day, and I was wondering if I could get a few pointers on Knott's Berry Farm.

For one, is there any shuttle or anything that goes directly from LAX to the hotel or anything? Or will we have to rent a car?

Secondly, is there any pointers in general for the park? Rides, times to be certain places, etc. Thanks a lot.

If it's possible for you to fly into John Wayne Airport (Orange County), that would put you a lot closer to KBF than LAX would.

The Radisson may have a shuttle form John Wayne airport to KBF, but I'm not sure on that.

As for the park, Ghostrider is the clocest ride to the entrance and therefore the queue fills up quickly. If you are not there right as the park opens, you may want to wait & hit other rides first then hit GR near the middle of the day. It also gets a long line near closing tome, as it is also often the last thing folks do before they leave.

Step #1 - If you haven't done so already, check the travel tips topic in General Forums. Some of your questions may be answered there.

Step #2 - Call the Knotts Radisson and ask if they have an airport shuttle and, if so, to/from which airports and how often they run. Also ask if being a registered guest is mandatory to use the shuttle! A shuttle would be free, but not as timely as renting a car. You can find their phone number by going to Knott's website. If that doesn't work...

Step #3 - Call the park and ask for their assistance in getting from the airport to the park. You can find Knott's phone number by going to the park's website.

Any tips or hints would depend on what day you're visiting [weekend vs. weekday; holiday vs. non-holiday] and how long you're planning on being at the park. Can you be a bit more specific?

FYI, the closest airports to Knotts in order would be Long Beach, Orange County, LAX, Ontario, and then Burbank.

Two years ago there was a shuttle service from LAX that had stops at Disney, Knotts, and Universal. It was around $20, and since it only stopped at the parks it was pretty quick. In my case, I was going to Knotts and the only stop was at Disneyland, so it was pretty quick. I didn't ride it back the airport, but I know you could ride it that way as well.

Also, according to the Radisson's web site you can take plain old Super Shuttle from the airport for $16/$25 RT.

MUST RIDES:

- GhostRider

- Xcelerator

- Supreme Scream

- Perilous Plunge

- Timber Mountain Log Ride

- Montezooma's Revenge

ATTEMPT TO CHECK OUT:

Jaguar!

Calico Mine Ride

La Revolucion

Bigfoot Rapids

AVOID:

- Kingdom of the Dinosaurs

Check out KOD if the line is short.

I wish they'd kept Knott's Berry Tales. That was cool.

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ATTEMPT TO CHECK OUT:

Jaguar!

Calico Mine Ride

La Revolucion

Bigfoot Rapids

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I'd put Calico Mine Ride in the must do list. Although not a Disney caliber dark ride, it is pretty cool for what it is, has won several major dark ride awards, and was one of the main rides that pushed Disney to create more spectacular dark rides at Disneyland to compete.

I'd also check out Mystery Lodge if you have time, pretty cool show. And the Butterfield Stagecoach, not too many parks around anymore, if any, that still offer this classic ride.

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I wish they'd kept Knott's Berry Tales. That was cool.

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I agree, much better than KOD. With all the rumors of a replacement for KOD, really wish KBF would consider a heavily themed Peanuts dark ride. Something unique and if done right, the GP would eat it up!

Obviously with your access to the internet you are able to check out the knott's radisson http://www.radisson.com/buenaparkca . The joys of google.

I'd say be sure to do both Ghostrider and Xcelerator multiple times. Both are awesome in the front and back, but ghostrider is a MUST in the back, and even better if you can do it at night.

I was there a few weeks ago and lines weren't too bad, but even if they are long, the crew's at knotts do a great job of keeping the line moving quickly so long waits, I don't think, will be a factor.

I'm'a hijack this thread for my own questions --

I'm planning a five day visit to southern California in early June, flying in to LAX on the first morning and out of LAX on the last evening. I'd been considering visiting Knott's on the first half-day.

Is the time from when the discounted evening admission goes into effect until park close enough time to see this place? It's been 18 years since I was last there and it doesn't look enormous.

Depends on how much of the park you'll want to see. My friend and I just did the after 4pm deal recently, and we were able to hit all the major rides and a few minor. But that was on a March weekend, June will be MUCH busier with end of year school outings and such on weekdays, and just all around crowded on the weekends.

If you haven't been in 18 years, I'd suggest setting aside a little more time if you can to enjoy it all at a leisurely pace. Alot has been added since 1986, and KBF is the kind of park you do not want to rush through anyway, there's so many cool things to see and do. And you'll definitely want multiple rides on Ghostrider and Xcelerator, those 2 alone are worth the price of admission. You could probably do KBF in a 1/2 day, but to get the full KBF experience and catch all the amazing attractions during a busy period, I'd consider a full day.

If you are a AAA member, you can get tix out here at their offices for $27.00, only a few bucks more than the after 4pm deal.

Airport Bus runs busses from LAX and SNA (Orange County/John Wayne)...cost depends on where you are going....www.airportbus.com

Flying to LAX is what we'll probably do, since it's a direct flight from Singapore to Los Angeles. I'm thinking that for the amount of luggage we'll have, renting a car might be a better option. Thanks for all the advice.

Sounds like you already had your mind made up. ;)

Have a good trip.

I miss Knott's Berry Tails soooo much... that was my favorite dark ride of all time. I'd go to Knotts and ride it five or six times just looking for new stuff... sigh...

-Escher

It is discomforting to me that NO ONE has mentioned the Ghost Town and Calico railroad yet... even if you aren't a rail enthusiast like myself, the GT&CRR is a must do when you are at KBF. I mean come on, it's possibly the best themed park train in the world, complete with AUTHENTIC STEAM LOCOMOTIVES and comedic train robbers, great experiece and it only takes about 15 minutes. And no, this isn;t your standard park train with replicas of some engine from somewhere. All the rolling stock they have is ORIGINAL equipment from the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. *** Edited 4/20/2004 5:48:56 PM UTC by johnclark1102*** *** Edited 4/20/2004 5:49:41 PM UTC by johnclark1102***

I was gonna mention that johnclark1102, but I figured the only people who would truly appreciate Knotts amazing railroad are rail enthusiast. But I totally agree with everything you said, another Knott's classic that should be a must do.

I'd hate to do this but nobody's mentioned the Soap Box Derby Racers over by where Xcellerator is and the POS Windjammer used to be. In my opinion, that was one of the greatest rides ever made and one of the most unique, expecially for how old it was. I miss Haunted Shack and Beary Tales too, but what are you gonna do. They gotta move on and make some improvements some time. I'm looking forward to KOD being dismantled, its nothing like it used to be, and every time i go on it i'm depreseed how dilapidated its gotten. Now the question is, what to put there in place of it. Have a fun trip. Knotts is Knice.