KNOTT’S ANNOUNCES NEW INTERACTIVE 4-D ATTRACTION FOR 2015

Voyage To The Iron Reef Will Submerge Guests Under The Boardwalk In An Interactive Media-Based 4-D Adventure To Save The Theme Park

Buena Park, Calif. (November 13, 2014) – Knott’s Berry Farm announced plans for a spectacular new interactive 4-D attraction for 2015, Voyage to the Iron Reef.  Opening spring 2015, Voyage to the Iron Reef adds high-tech fun for everyone as guests save Knott’s from mysterious creatures emerging from the seas beneath the Boardwalk in a cutting edge media-based battle.

Ever since construction crews finished expanding the Boardwalk Pier in 2013, guests have happily enjoyed the many new attractions like Coast Rider and Surfside Gliders.  But all that activity on the Boardwalk shores has reawakened a mystic lair in the depths below, filled with creatures who have risen up to wreak havoc on the classic So Cal theme park.  

The Queen of the Kraken and her aquatic army have surfaced to feed on the steel of any attraction within their grasps.  Their unquenchable appetite for coaster metal has turned these creatures into swimming mechanical monsters unlike anything ever seen on the ocean floor. 

Guests who have what it takes to become brave deep sea navigators will climb aboard four-person submarine-inspired ride vehicles and embark on the four-minute gaming adventure into the Iron Reef.  Equipped with an interactive freeze ray, guests will aim for ballooning puffer fish, an iron clad octopus and other exciting 3-D creatures as they attempt to blast the most sea life and save Knott’s from a watery doom.

Through enchanting underwater forests, disorienting ocean current tunnels, and mysterious mechanical wreckage, high definition 3-D animation will surround guests at every turn.  Along the way, the submarines navigate 600 feet of track and 11 scenes featuring hundreds of media-based creatures and live action special effects.   

Altogether, it’s an interactive voyage that features a different experience every time and reacts to the actions and accuracy of the guests onboard.  Following the thrilling finale, the number of creatures taken is digitally displayed onboard and in the undock area.

Montreal-based Triotech, the multi-sensory attraction developer that animated the popular Wonder Mountain’s Guardian at Canada’s Wonderland, is the creator behind the groundbreaking gaming system and animation for Voyage to the Iron Reef. 

“Triotech is thrilled to cooperate with Knott’s team and bring our media-based interactive dark ride to Southern California, an area with a rich attraction and entertainment heritage.  We feel that guests of all ages will enjoy this unique attraction,” said Ernest Yale, Triotech’s President and CEO.

Knott’s is well prepared to integrate new technologies into traditional dark ride experiences.  Next year will mark the third consecutive year the park has reintroduced spectacular and unique family attractions.  Both the Timber Mountain Log Ride and Calico Mine Ride recently delighted guests after both underwent extensive technological and special effect upgrades, reestablishing Knott’s as a destination renowned for premier theme park experiences. 

The future home of Voyage to the Iron Reef is hallowed ground for Knott’s enthusiasts.  In 1975, the show building was originally the site of the wacky and whimsical Knott’s Bear-y Tales.  Designed by legendary theme park designer Rolly Crump, Knott’s Bear-y Tales transported guests to a county fair filled with anthropomorphized frogs, owls, and bears.  In 1987, dinosaurs once again ruled the earth as Knott’s Bear-y Tales transformed into Kingdom of the Dinosaurs, capturing the imagination of a new generation of fans.

 “The same commitment to storytelling and dedication to incorporating the most cutting edge ride technologies that made Knott’s Bear-y Tales and Kingdom of the Dinosaurs so popular is what has driven the Iron Reef creative process,” said Raffi Kaprelyan, vice president and general manager of Knott’s Berry Farm.  “The technology showcased in Iron Reef will honor the legacy of the attractions that preceded it, and propel the on-ride experience into the 21st century.”

Voyage to the Iron Reef is the centerpiece of an exciting 2015 at Knott’s Berry Farm.  For project updates and park information, visit knotts.com or download the Knott's Berry Farm app for your smart phone.  Join the conversation about the new attraction using the hashtag #KnottsIronReef on the Knott’s Facebook or Twitter page.

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It's been awhile since we've taken a look at "Non-Haunt" Knott's Berry Farm so we stopped by to take a look at preparations for the annual Merry Farm event as well as to look at offseason work being done and progress on the new dark ride. 

If you missed all of the info on this years Merry Farm event, click the link. 

It seems that haunt just ended, in fact it had ended a mere 5 days prior to our visit, but the park was already in full swing getting ready for Christmas. 

For the most part it seemed much of the work is simple decorations like wreaths, but I'm sure there are even more decorations on the way prior to Merry Farm opening on November 22. 

As far as Ghost Town is concerned, simple is the way to go. 

No more hanging. =(

More wreaths

Ain't she purty? 

Even Panda Express is getting decorations. This is still the one food location in Ghost Town that sticks out. Would be a much better fit in the Boardwalk IMO. But the food here is actually decent. 

No trip to Knott's is complete without a ride on the Timber Mountain Log Ride. 

The Bird Cage Theatre is getting decked out and will once again host the Gift of the Magi. 

As of this report we still don't know what the new attraction is going to be, only that Cedar Fair and Triotech will be announcing something next Tuesday at IAAPA. So we'll be sure to be on the lookout for that. 

Still not a whole lot of visible work going on, but they are definitely working on the inside. 

Some holes in the side of the building, you could hear them hammering away inside

Hoping that the Roaring 20's sign still being here is a good sign that it's not going anywhere. 

I know we are lucky here in Southern California that we don't really get an "off-season" when it comes to theme parks, still, this is the time of year when parks will rehab trains and rides to get them ready for next years busy time. 

Montezooma's Revenge is closed. This is still my favorite coaster in the park and it's great to see Knott's giving this classic the love and care it deserves. It's a dying breed but I love that the park has committed to keeping the ride and keeping it running great. 

La Revolucion is still closed but the refurb they've been doing on this looks great. It appears to be very close to reopening. 

The new gardens look very nice and I sat here for awhile buying Season Passes for the rest of the family since it was the last day of the sale. Isn't technology awesome? =)

Xcelerator was running 1 train. Seriously, when is the last time this actually ran 2 trains? It's been years since I've seen 2 trains running on it. 

There have been a LOT of rumors going around regarding Xcelerator and it moving to another park. While I love this ride (it's in my top 20) I don't think I'd be heartbroken if it got moved. 

Just depends on what would end up in this spot. Maybe a modern re-make of the Soap Box Racers? I don't think any Knott's fan would be mad at that. 

Not really a refurb, but Black Magic is still standing, as were quite a few of the other Haunt mazes. I saw Daniel Miller walking around and was going to ask him if I could go through. But he seemed busy. =)

Riptide is closed again. It went through a pretty major rehab, opened for a bit and then closed again. 

Pony Express is running 1 train

Some work is going on near the Schoolhouse. Not sure what, but they are building "something". 

Ghostrider is also running 1 train. I took a ride and it was probably the best ride I've had on Ghostrider in 5 or 6 years. It's still not "1998 Ghostrider", but it's probably the best woodie in Southern California at this point. 

Lastly, with very little fanfare, the popular Pink's hot dogs was replaced with an all new sandwich shop. While I really do like Pink's, it's hard to argue with the results of the new shop, I was very impressed. 

It actually does fit the market place quite a bit better than Pink's did. 

A look at the menu, it all sounds good. 

It was rather warm so I opted for a cold sub, The Boardwalk Sub. It was very good and very filling. While the prices may seem high, with the Cedar Fair Platinum discount my sandwich was around $7. Pretty good for "theme park" prices. And even without chips or a side, it was enough to fill me up. 

That's going to wrap it up for today's update, we'll have another Knott's update in a couple of weeks when Merry Farm kicks off. We are trying to finalize our Holiday schedule now, it seems there are as many events for Christmas as there was for Halloween. Which is great!! 

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BUENA PARK, CA. (November 2014) – Starting November 22nd, Knott’s Berry Farm is filled with the spirit of the holiday season as it wondrously transforms into Knott’s Merry Farm! The perfect place to make holiday memories and traditions invites guests to celebrate withnew attractions, live entertainment, a crafts fair, festive food, lavish holiday decorations including snow in Ghost Town’s Main Street, and more.

New this year, Snoopy, the Peanuts, and a cast of world class ice skaters will perform in a breath taking new ice show, Merry Christmas, Snoopy! in the 2,100 seat Charles M. Schulz Theatre. In this exciting new show filled with whimsy and spectacular skating, Snoopy enjoys all of the best parts of the season, including trimming the Christmas tree, awaiting Santa’s arrival, and attending the festive Christmas Ball! Select days November 22 – Jan 4.

Back for its second season, the Wilderness Dance Hall in Ghost Town will be home to Santa’s Christmas Cabin for the holiday season. Here, the young and the young at heart can share their wish lists with jolly ol’ St. Nick and take home a picture of the occasion.  Indulge in holiday delights like Santa’s homemade cookies, mouthwatering pastries, winter wine, craft beer, and more.

Savor the ultimate comfort foods with Knott’s world-famous holiday treats, including fresh made-to-order maple lollipops in Ghost Town, churros from the Churro Factory, cakes, cookies, muffins and gingerbread men in the Farm Bakery, as well as the legendary cooking at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant.  (Some experiences require additional fees)

The Ghost Town and Calico Railroad will once again invite guests to celebrate Christmas on Engine 41.  Climb aboard a vintage railcar and meet an ever-changing group of Ghost Town residents eager to share their Christmas plans, from 11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. daily.  Over in Camp Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus and Lucy invite you to dance, sing and join in on the holiday fun in the live show, Lucy’s Wish List in the Camp Snoopy Theatre.

Relax and unwind in Knott’s Christmas Crafts Village, as Ghost Town transforms into a shopping wonderland filled with dozens of local artisans selling their unique gifts. Can’t-miss highlights of the Village include powerful chainsaw sculpting and elegant glass blowing demonstrations. Entrance to the Knott’s Christmas Crafts Village is free Monday through Thursday and is included with daily theme park admission Friday through Sunday (available November 22 through January 4, 2015). Ghost Town also celebrates of the sounds of the season with the Dickensian vocal quartet. In the intimate setting of Ghost Town’s historic Bird Cage Theatre, catch a live performance of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol or O. Henry’s A Gift of the Magi.

When the sun sets on the Farm, the buildings and paths in Ghost Town’s Main Street will be filled with glow and snow! Thousands of sparking lights will dance to the beat of familiar holiday music while snow gently falls in this spectacular one-of-a-kind moment each night.  Another nighttime tradition at Knott’s Merry Farm is Snoopy’s Merriest Tree Lighting show on the Calico Square Stage. This whimsical tree lighting features a cast of marching Toy Soldiers, dancing Snowmen, and America’s most famous beagle, Snoopy!

The perfect stocking stuffer is now on-sale! 2015 Season Passes include one free admission in 2014, unlimited visits in 2015, as well as access to exciting seasonal events happening year-round at Knott’s Berry Farm. Season Passes offer exclusive discounts, special Passholder events, Bring-a-Friend Days and more.  For affordable year-round fun for everyone on your “nice” list, Season Passes can be purchased online at knotts.com starting at $79.50 or six easy installment payments of just $13.25 until January 4, 2015.

Make fun part of your holiday tradition at Knott’s Merry Farm! To learn more visit knotts.com or call (714) 220-5200. Join the festive conversation using the holiday hashtag #MerryFarm on the Knott’s Facebook or Twitter page.

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