Knott's Berry Farm

[GAcoaster]

I'm not writing Cedar Flags off yet-- it sounds like the people they have running the parks regionally are some of the best they had. There's a lot of potential positive to be said about having someone creating a multipark strategy, especially when some of the markets have overlap.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I'm not writing Cedar Flags off yet-- it sounds like the people they have running the parks regionally are some of the best they had. There's a lot of potential positive to be said about having someone creating a multipark strategy, especially when some of the markets have overlap.

I'm hoping that's the case, but how they've handled the merger so far has been shaky.

 

[deadbydawn]

I honestly was hoping this merger would work out well with both companies learning the best from each other to improve the parks. Looks like they're pulling a SeaWorld/United.

The idea of each park losing it's "voice" to corporate/leadership is going to hurt them in the long-run.

The idea that they can take a "blanket approach" to each individual park is silly to me.

Your last point is my issue, and was my worry with this merger much like the Cedar Fair deal in '97. It took them a long time to course correct and realize that Knott's Berry Farm isn't Carowinds. A lot of irreversible damage was done to the park.

Simply put: Knott's is unlike any other park in the Cedar Fair/Six Flags roster for many reasons. Storbeck was a good leader for the park, but he also understood the importance of the legacy and history. I hope history doesn't repeat itself.

 

[Timchat2]

Parks like Knott's engrained enough in the hearts of locals to survive this chapter of its history. That said, it certainly helps to have people on the ground everyday working to serve that multi-generational love. Hopefully those who remain can keep their focus on how much these parks mean to us despite the hands they're dealt.

 

[Southerncoasterer]

My prediction: The parks (KBF, SFMM) will continue to improve (SFMM) and run well (KBF). But will just take on a more corporate feel with less of a personal touch.

 

[Freak]

My prediction: The parks (KBF, SFMM) will continue to improve (SFMM) and run well (KBF). But will just take on a more corporate feel with less of a personal touch.

Unfortunate, but as long as they especially maintain the integrity of Knotts, this is a worse-case scenario I can live with.

 

[deadbydawn]

I didn't see it posted here, but in addition to the news about Storbeck as well as the rest of the president positions at other parks, it was announced a few days ago that 135 jobs would cut between Knott's, Magic Mountain and the other California parks, with some of those positions having been eliminated entirely. According to the article, by the end of June the re-structuring will be complete. I am guessing it will take some time to see the what, if any, ripple effect comes from this.

https://ktla.com/news/theme-parks/six-flags-to-cut-135-jobs-at-knotts-magic-mountain-and-other-california-parks/

I also want to share what Matt Ouimet posted recently regarding this situation. I don't think he gets enough credit for his roles at both Disney and Cedar Fair.

I struggled with whether or not to post this, but it is a real-world reminder that creating fun isn’t always fun.

Those that are close to me know that I chose to retire from Cedar Fair before having to vote on the consolidation of SIX and FUN. I recognized that what was going to be required after the merger would be very different from the strategies that had worked for me previously and my sticking around would just make it harder on all involved.

That was an intellectual take on my reason for leaving.

What I am now admitting more publicly is that there was another concern that factored into my decision.

I recognized that I wasn’t up to watching talented colleagues being asked to exit in order to achieve the cost synergies that were promised to investors.

In recent days that parade of departures has stepped off. Several of the industry’s best are marching into the unknown on a timeline not of their choosing.

Some could accuse me of getting old (true) and lacking the courage to do what was best for the investors, but I’ve made unpopular decisions before.

This is different.

It isn’t because the business or the individuals were performing poorly. This is purely math.

It’s also not a surprise. This die was cast when the merger agreement was signed.

I’ve said many times before that I don’t miss the business, but I do miss my former colleagues.

True that!!!

 

[Wesker69]

I have more to post later... but I'll at least drop this photo for now..


The walls have been pushed out so they're flush up against the men's restroom in Fiesta Village.

 

[Wesker69]

Okay... here's that long-overdue post with current updates & updates that I was just too lazy to post weeks (months?) ago... sooo.. yea


The corner habitat of Virginia's giftshop has been purged of it's Scary Farm related content & replaced with the scariest thing of all- XMAS


Unknown construction continues just inside the main entrance near the park exit. Probably going to be a new Dippin Dots or Popcorn stand. Woo!


WIPEOUT has been back in action. Unfortunately, the exit wasn't relocated, nor was the queue extended or covered. BUT yay for a classic flat ride!


There is now a "Games Play Pass" kiosk in Boardwalk next to Xccelerator across from Boardwalk BBQ. It's a new addition to the park, rejoice!



NEW FOR 2025!!! The shooting gallery in Ghost Town got a full overhaul & upgrade. However only 2 handguns remain, the rest are the rifles as you can see. Hopefully you learned how to shoot at 7/11 like Marty McFly!


NEW FOR 2025!!! This little snack stand has been added to the exterior of the Wilderness Dance Hall (home of Origins & Santa's Cabin).



TEMPORARY FOR 2025!!! (One weekend only!!)
So the following weekend after Boysenberry Festival ended they reopened Wilderness Dance Hall as a bar to purge the rest of their Boysenberry beer supply, cosmos & mojitos (plus select noms).

This was a great idea/addition & I wouldn't be surprised if they have this as a bar location for 4th of July weekend to help with crowds.


The former Snoopy Meet-n-greet photo-op location that was supposed to become the new home for Woodstock's Airmail drop-tower has recently become an active construction site! It's possible SOMETHING is on the way... Stay Tuned ....for more picnic tables and/or concrete/astro-turf!


NEW FOR 2025!!!
Flying Ace in Camp Snoopy recently received this themed scenic backdrop. No more plain boring wall. It's not much, but still a good minor addition

LATE BREAKING NEWS:








NEW FOR 2025!!!
Thanks to the new maintenance manager at Knott's the Calico Mine Ride has been restored to it's former glory. Not only did they excavate the insides to fix the piping/plumbing to get the waterfalls back in action, the ride got full technical upgrades for the lighting (and projection for the haunt season version). You can actually see all the animatronic figures again & they actually move too (somewhat). The steam effect, the dynamite smoke & scent effect all work now too. It was a pleasant surprise for this old ride.

Now your bonus photo:

One of the stray cats just chillin in Ghost Town. Pretty sure he's the sheriff of Calico... or a bandit