Knott’s Berry Farm Theme Park

History

From its beginnings as a berry farm to the theme park it is today, few parks have the history that Knott’s Berry Farm has. The park began in the 1920s on just 20 acres when Walter Knott conceived the idea of a theme park when people began waiting in line for hours to dine at the family restaurant. What started as a small Old West ghost town attraction in 1940 grew over the years to include more attractions over 160 acres. With its central location in Buena Park, California, visitors can also plan trips to nearby Soak City Water Park and Disneyland for a complete theme park vacation.

Knott’s Berry Farm Theme Park Attractions

Guests have access to six different themed areas:

• Ghost Town – True to the original attraction at Knott’s Farm, Ghost Town still includes some of the buildings that Mr. Knott had on the premises in the 1940s. Themed rides include the Timber Mountain Log Ride (flume ride), the wooden roller coaster GhostRider, and the Silver Bullet inverted coaster.
• Camp Snoopy – This fun area will keep the kids entertained with child-sized rides and characters from the famous Peanuts comic strip.
• Fiesta Village – Experience the fun of this Latin-themed area, complete with Montezooma’s Revenge steel roller coaster (featuring speeds from zero to 55 miles per hour in under five seconds) and an old-fashioned merry-go-round.
• The Boardwalk – If you’re seeking thrills, check out the Xcelerator hydraulic catapult coaster (boasting 0 to 80 miles per hour in just 2.3 seconds!), Supreme Scream tower ride that reaches 254 feet in the air, the Boomerang steel coaster, and the Perilous Plunge water ride for heart thumping excitement.
• Wild Water Wilderness – This area may be small, but it includes one wild river raft ride – Big Foot Rapids. Don’t miss the Wilderness Scrambler either, a classic amusement that’s dizzying to ride and to watch.
• Indian Trails – Visitors won’t want to miss this area that celebrates Native American culture, including crafts, dancers and art.

Visitors may also want to take on the nearby water attractions at Knott’s Soak City Water Park, which is open May through September.

Entertainment

Each themed area has a variety of shows and attractions for guests to enjoy. In Ghost Town, park visitors can watch the Calico Saloon Show and Knott’s Fool’s Stunt Show. A blacksmith, crafters, storytellers and entertaining cowboys can also be found in Ghost Town. Camp Snoopy features a theatre with the famed Peanuts gang, and Broadway-style entertainment can be enjoyed at the Charles M. Schulz Theatre in The Boardwalk area of the park.

Other Attractions

In Wild Water Wilderness, the Mystery Lodge provides an interesting Native American storytelling presentation, and the Ranger Station offers visitors a peek at spiders and other creepy-crawlies.

Food

Knott's is famous for fried chicken.

While a variety of snack kiosks and restaurants are available for hungry guests, no trip to Knott’s Berry Farm would be complete without the ultimate dining experience – Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant. Cordelia Knott started serving fried chicken dinners in 1934 at the family restaurant and the tasty chicken has stood the test of time. The restaurant is located just outside the admission gate.

Events

A visit to Knott’s Berry Farm in the fall and winter is sure to delight guests of all ages. Knott’s Scary Farm (from late September through early November) transforms the park into a haunted house, with a variety of spooky areas and decorations that reflect the spirit of Halloween. In early March, the Winter Coaster Solace provides a unique opportunity for coaster enthusiasts, allowing guests to come before opening and leave after closing. Knott’s Merry Farm is an annual tradition that brings the Christmas spirit to the park.

Visiting Knott’s Berry Farm

Tickets

The park is open every day except Christmas. Admission fees are $50 for adults and $20 for children (ages 3-11) and senior citizens. Adult tickets are available for $43 if printed online. Southern California residents and AAA members receive a slight discount, and admission is just $25 for adults for admission after 4 p.m. A variety of season passes are available, with some options including admission to other Cedar Fair theme parks around the country.

Lodging

The Knott’s Berry Farm Resort Hotel became the official park hotel in 2004, providing convenient and affordable lodging on-site. Guests can even reserve a Snoopy room, which includes a nighttime visit from the famous dog himself! Packages are available that include lodging, breakfast, and admission to Knott’s Berry Farm theme park, as well as packages with admission to Soak City Water Park.

Contact Information

For more information about Knott’s Berry Farm theme park, interested individuals can visit the official website at Knotts.com, call (714) 220-5200, or write to the park at:

Knott’s Berry Farm
8039 Beach Boulevard
Buena Park, CA 90620