After seeing the latest Xcelerator construction photo updates, many people assume this is the first time this has been at a Cedar Fair, L.P. park and this is the work of CF. Well, it's not. Knott's, as the first themed amusement park in America, has been producing incredible themed rides even before many of us here were born. Anybody recall the Soap Box Derby Racers? Or how about their Ghostown section. Or Jaguar!'s queuing building? What about Windjammer Surf Racer's beach-like setting with it's man made tornado effect in the helix? Those are just some past examples of Knott's past efforts. They've also constantly recieved industry awards for their themed attractions as well, that paved the road for other themed amusement park attractions all over the world. Rides such as the Calico Mine Ride (the world's first themed amusement park attraction), Timber Mountain Logging Co., now Timber Mountain Log Ride (the world's first themed water flume), and the park's world-famous Mystery Lodge special effects spectacular immersing guests in the world of Native American history. Knott's Berry Farm was also the first park in the world to dedicate a section just for children below a certain age - Camp Snoopy.
And take a look at the recent additions to the park. GhostRider's spectacular old west theming with the mining building as a queue house. And a mine shaft as a queue entry from the midway. Take a look at Perilous Plunge, themed to a 1920's California Harbor, fully equipped with floating bouys in the splashdown pool and an oil derrick sporting the ride's logo. And the latest - Xcelerator. A fix on the 1950's Boardwalk scene with hot-rod 1957 Chevy Bel-Airs taking center track...
Just to give you a taste -
GhostRider's queue entry - www.ghostrider.org/Theme_Parks/KBF/knotts_ghostrider007.JPG
GhostRider's queue house - www.coastergallery.com/GA/ghost21.jpg
Entry to the "Temple of the" Jaguar! - www.ghostrider.org/Theme_Parks/KBF/knotts_park0015.JPG
Jaguar! makes a "swipe" at riders ;) - www.themeparkreview.com/knotts/fkbf2.jpe
Perilous Plunge's oil derrick sporting the ride's signage - www.ghostrider.org/Theme_Parks/KBF/KBF2/KBF3/knotts_perilous_plunge0073.JPG
Notice the surrounding elements around the ride noting it's theme - www.ghostrider.org/Theme_Parks/KBF/KBF2/knotts_perilous_plunge0067.JPG
The famed Timber Mountain Log Ride - www.ghostrider.org/Theme_Parks/KBF/KBF2/knotts_park031.JPG
The scenery seen while on TMLR - www.twistedrails.com/knotts/knottsimages/timber-02.jpg
Windjammer Surf Racer's open air "beach resort" loading platform and "Surf Board" trains - www.coastergallery.com/GA/jammer09.jpg
Windjammer Surf Racer's "surf & sand" look with a mini-pier with sand, palm trees, and a mini-lagoon. - www.rcdb.com/full/knotts-berry-farm/windjammer1.jpg
This "funnel" contraption dab right in the center of WJ's helix finale produced a fog/wind spiraling effect to simulate a hurricane as the trains whipped through it - www.geocities.com/Pipeline/Ridge/8441/Knotts/Knotts-2-01-Windjammer-Helix.jpg
The award-winning and world famous Calico Mine Ride -www.weak.org/pictures/honeymoon/knotts/alternates/800x600-PDRM0008.JPG
One of the many Boardwalk "Fish" or "seaside" props scattered around the Boardwalk area prior to Windjammer's removal - www.weak.org/pictures/honeymoon/knotts/alternates/800x600-PDRM0023.JPG
A waterfall into a large pond (with some fish yes ) greets people at the entrance to Mystery Lodge, a THEA award winner - www.fortunecity.com/victorian/klimt/121/121/pictures/knotts/mysterylodge.JPG
Another shot of the Mystery Lodge queue entry - www.geocities.com/Pipeline/Ridge/8441/Knotts/Knotts-2-01-Mystery-Lodge.jpg
Knott's The Boardwalk area with the WJ and the Parachute Sky Jump & Sky Cabin tower - www.themeparkreview.com/knotts/fkbf7.jpe
The incredibly well themed Soap Box Derby Racers (replaced by WJ in 1997), here's the ride signage - www.themeparkreview.com/solace/soapbox1.jpg
A look at the SBDR's soap box themed single rail wheel assembly cars -www.themeparkreview.com/solace/soapbox3.jpg
*** This post was edited by kRaXLeRidAh on 6/7/2002. ***
I agree completely. CF even stated upon the purchase of the park that they would continue with the theming of the park as new rides went in.
I think people are just surprised as compared with Cedar Point, which isn't even a theme park.
Nicely done!
Well said. I love Xcelerator's theme, but it is certainly worth mentioning that the whole park has great theming.
Particularly Ghost Town... The whole atmosphere there is as good as anything Disney has done (and a whole lot better than their frontierland!).
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X-Flight World's Only flying coaster!
Batwing World's only flying coaster!
S:UF World's only flying coaster! Don't you love SF ?
I think Knott's is one of the better "theme parks" that I've been to, although I haven't been to too many.
I was really impressed at how subtle the theming was. I'm not a huge fan of things that are "in your face," so I thought that Knott's was excellent.
Just a beautiful park.
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"He's blazin' away like the stars in the universe.." A. Vega + M. Rev "Ghostrider"
Someday there will be something here.
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