Photos from Knott's Berry Farm

By: Andrew Bermudez

     Right before Christmas, my brother and I got the chance to visit Knott's Berry Farm. After all, being an EMT now, Daniel can get himself and one guest in for free. It was also the most opportune time, as the entire park was decorated for Christmas and we live only a short distance away. How could you refuse an offer like that? With Christmas only a few days away, we gathered our snacks and headed down to Buena Park.

     Owned by Cedar Fair, Knott's Berry Farm is located in Buena Park, CA and is just 10 minutes away from the Disneyland Resort (depending on traffic, of course). This facility actually predates Disneyland by a few years, but did not become an admission-charged theme park until later. Here are just some of the photos we took that day.

The entrance to Pony Express, a roller coaster where you straddle a pony, then accelerate away for this 20-second ride.  

This old west schoolhouse is now in Knott's Berry Farm, acting as a gift shop.

We take a ride on a Knott's Berry Farm classic: The Calico Mine Train!

Bandits rob the steam train.

The skyline for Knott's Berry Farm

The finale for the ice show, It's Christmas, Snoopy!

One of the floats in the Peanuts Christmas Parade

A nighttime decoration in Camp Snoopy.

There is plenty of action to be seen in the Wild West Stunt Show.

The secret weapon is revealed (Cue dramatic music)!

     At the end of the day, we were...er...less than impressed. Granted, many of the attractions we've experienced are either the highest quality possible or nearly so, but very few excuses can be made about the state of this park. Only three of the attractions we experienced (Mystery Lodge; Wild West Stunt Show; It's Christmas, Snoopy!) could easily fit in with big-budget attractions at another theme park without modification, most of the attractions are jarring, big, and compete for space in an unnecessary way, and the theming of the lands could be better. You could even say that the Boardwalk area of the park makes LEGOLAND California's Fun Town look like Disney California Adventure's Buena Vista Street.  O.K. That might be an exaggeration, but you get the idea. If nothing else, though, Ghost Town looks decent and has plenty of interesting museums, curio shops, and street entertainment. That is, if you're Knott (Get it? *GROAN*) facing any direction in which jarring roller coaster track dominates the skyline.
     However, Knott's Berry Farm is still considered a piece of history. In fact, one of the gift shops in Ghost Town is an actual designated California historical landmark. If you have a knack for the old west, the Peanuts characters, and/or roller coasters, then consider planning a trip at the Knott's Berry Farm website. You can also check admission prices, refurbishment schedules, operating hours, and more there as well.
     While we're still on the subject, be sure to check out this great article on Theme Park Insider, where a pressing question is asked: Why do regional theme parks, like Knott's Berry Farm, keep on building roller coasters, when the strong competition from elsewhere is investing in big-budget dark rides like Radiator Springs Racers and Transformers: The Ride - 3-D?