Yesterday we were invited out to Knott's Berry Farm for the Calico River Rapids Media Night. The latest "plussed" ride at Knott's definitely does not disappoint. And just like they did with the Mine Train, Log Ride and Peanut's Train, they've kicked up the rapids ride to the next level. 

Let's head in and have some fun!! 

As we usually do when there is an evening media night at Knott's, I took a half-day of work so we could at least beat "some" of the traffic down. And of course, have some fun in the park. 

While we were trying to figure out what to have for a late lunch, we headed over to the ride to get some daytime pics (we ended up having a fabulous meal at Boardwalk BBQ). 

The ride looks amazing!! 

Hi Walter The Salmon!!! (there is a story here, but that comes later) 

More on these later as well. =) 

After a quick lunch we decided to ride a few things since the park was pretty empty. 

We took a LOT of video during the day, the first was a slo-mo of HangTime. Because why the heck not. 

Hadn't done the Dragon Swing in a LOT of years, so decided to give it a spin. Great ride. 

The stage is set for the opening of the ride!! 

Before you even get to the ride, the queue is simply spectacular. So much to see. 

There were some questions about the height requirement, so here you go. 46". Not sure if this is the same as Bigfoot Rapids. Can anybody confirm? 

We did a walk-through of the queue of course. 

The detail is amazing, and the smell of fresh wood is everywhere. 

Bear Cub 

Campground 

Hey little guy!! 

Arooooooooooo!!! 

Remember the old switchbacks from Bigfoot Rapids? 

Well, this is them now. 

The cabin looks amazing 

So much detail to take in 

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck ... oh, woodpecker!! =) 

For when you need to take a nap (totally don't take a nap here)

Even the ride loading area got some love

Armed and ready to go for our POV's!! 

So the story behind Walter the Fish. 

The Citizens of Calico were out and about the entire night, showing off their new adventure and having fun with the media. Note, can't wait to see the interactions in this area for Ghost Town Alive. 

One of the interactive parts is exploding of "dynamite" (as you'll see in the video below). 

In talking to one of the citizens, they asked if we lost anybody on our voyage. And we of course said yes. Gabe (from Theme Park Duo) said his name was Walter and that he ended up in the mouth of a bear. 

And then, without missing a beat, the citizen asked if it was a Salmon. 

And thus, Walter The Salmon was born. 

They also had Pony Express open for us, and because it was Media Night, we were able to get a POV of this as well. Score!! 

As the sun went down we were able to get some nice night shots of the ride. 

As well as a quick interview with Garner Holt who talked about the ride and the other creations he's done for Knott's. 

To say we were impressed and blown away with the updates to the ride would be an understatement. 

I think with this one, the upgrades are definitely more jarring than they were with the Log or Mine Ride (because, let's face it, those rides have always had a great story). 

Bigfoot Rapids was always fun, but it's story was that it was just a Rapids Ride. Now? The ride fits squarely in with the rest of Calico and has a great story and theme. And it's still the fun rapids ride you remember. 

Lastly, we'll leave you with our Nighttime POV. Sure it's kind of hard to see, it's night and we're using GoPro's with no lighting. But SO fun to ride at night. We seriously can't wait to ride this on those warm summer nights. Or those scorching Knott's Scary Farm nights. 

Thanks again to Knott's for having us out, we had a blast as usual. We can't wait for Ghost Town Alive in a couple of weeks. Make sure you head out and ride Calico River Rapids!! 

Last weekend we were invited out to the Knott's Berry Farm Boysenberry Festival to take in the festivities and of course the food. 

The event is growing each year and is definitely popular. We of course had an amazing time, but we also do have a few things we'd like to see updated since the event is growing so much, things to alleviate some of the growing pains. 

I think this is the right place

Let's get to eating!! 

Our first stop was for a waffle and chips with ice cream. You know, for Breakfast. Both were good, although the Waffle needed something, and that something is the ice cream. We got the chips later in the day and they were just as good.

​Both are found at the Ghost Town Bakery. 

Three things we got to try at the tasting preview, and they were just as good, if not better than they were then.

​All Three are available at Wagon Wheel Pizza across from Ghostrider. 

Something that we didn't know was coming, and isn't on your tasting card, but is delicious, found in Spurs Chop House. 

They are made to order, which is nice. I will say though, if we got this again we'd get it without the Hummus. I think that's part of the Shawarma, but I think we would have preferred a bit less of it. 

After eating all that food, it was time to take in some of the sights. 

Spring has sprung 

Goatses 

The merch game was on point 

Definitely my philosophy 

Cannot recommend the Boysenberry Cobbler enough. It's super easy and super good. 

Yo, Yo, Yo ... that's my jam

Our faces all day

You can smell the boysenberries as you approach, so if you want to smell like boysenberries after a bath, get all this stuff. 

And then of course, wrap yourself in your boysenberry towel

The wine and Beer tasting was back, although we have to say the "pours" you'd get with the tasting card were very inconsistent. By the end of the day you'd pretty much get a "shot" of Boysenberry beer. 

The chili was a hit in our group (Outside Wilderness Dance Hall)

As was the sausage (also found Outside Wilderness Dance Hall)

It's not very often you could spend all day at a theme park, only ride 2 rides and feel like you had a full day, but you can at the Boysenberry Festival

Green Frog, Blue Frog, Green Frog ... 

Purple Fly? 

We didn't catch the Jam-Boree, but I'm sure it's great for those who are into that kind of thing

BOBA!!! (Starbucks inside the park) 

Let's get back to the food, skirt steak skewer (also towards the front of the park) 

Chicken Wings (by Ghostrider)

Chicken Skewer (Indian Trails) 

Pulled Pork Fries (Calico Fry Co) 

Alright, we have a bit of a Rapids Construction update below, but before we get to that, we also have our top 5 food items to share: 

Let's take a look at the Rapids construction, there are finally a few walls up

Not a whole lot of visible work in this area 

They are definitely doing some work in the queue 

Alrighty, that's gonna wrap it up. We will probably head back to the park for more Boysenberry food at least once more during the Boysenberry Festival, probably in a few weeks. Be sure you head out to the park to check it out. You won't be disappointed. 

More details about the Boysenberry Festival can be found here. 

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The Holiday Season is here, and last night we were out at Knott's Merry Farm for our first holiday event of the season. 

It's another amazing year at Merry Farm, lots of great new things to see, holiday food and the parks merchandise game continues to improve. Let's head in and see!! 

Welcome to Knott's Merry Farm!!

Sure, it's only November, and I'm usually a Grinch when it comes to Holiday stuff so early in the year. But as I said on our social media during the event, I didn't seem to mind this year. There's been so much bad stuff going on lately that a bit of Holiday Cheer was exactly what we needed. We hope you feel the same. 

No fog, but lots of pretty lights. 

And snow

No more Dark Ride for 2018. Maybe next year they should have a holiday overlay to the Dark Ride for Merry Farm? =) 

Lots of great new decorations in The Boardwalk

Obligatory construction update 

Really loved the decorations in Fiesta Village 

Be sure to check out our video from our visit featuring Snow and Glow and more around the park. We'll cover the shows the next time we visit. 

They also had a great opening night tree lighting ceremony.

The park truly does look amazing all times of the year, but especially during Merry Farm

Camp Snoopy was very colorful 

These swans got stuck 

Santa's Christmas Cabin is back where you can try a variety of holiday treats, and of course, hang out with the big guy. 

Speaking of Santa's Cabin ... let's check out some of the food

Amazing

Elote is always awesome 

This was interesting. I'm not a fan of sweet potato so I didn't enjoy it as much as others did. 

If you get one treat at Knott's Merry Farm, make it this. I need this recipe. 

Some awesome Merry Farm merch available this year as well. May have to expand my closet beyond Halloween shirts. =) 

Thanks for checking out our Knotts Merry Farm Update. We wish you all the best. 

Don't forget, if you get cold, be sure to put your lamb over your shoulders. =) 

Over the weekend we headed down to Knott's Berry Farm to check out Ghost Town Alive 2018. Now in it's third year this event is bigger and better than ever. 

Follow along with the continuing story of this great event. 

First, let's check out some awesome video of the event! 

Welcome to Ghost Town

Happy Founder's Day!! 

The citizens of Calico are out and about 

Howdy ma'am 

Roger Rabbit Yell!!! 

Of course, we couldn't go to Knott's without spending some HangTime ... 

This years event is really amazing yet again, we really do need to just go down on a day we don't have to work the next day and take it all in. 

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During our visit to the Boysenberry Festival we of course had to take a look at the progress of HangTime. 

As you should know by now, the track has been completed and testing has begun (sadly not during our visit). 

As you can see from the pics below, progress is now being made on the station, store and queue!! 

Soon to be the home for all your HangTime needs 

If you'll look closely, some of the windows already have glass 

The station is coming along nicely 

All new mural which will look great with the ride in action 

So many twists and turns 

Some landscaping should be starting very soon 

This was also our first visit since the Sky Cabin reopened so we of course had to get some aerial shots 

Switchbacks right in the middle of all the action 

DIRT!!! 

And in another bit of awesome news, Xcelerator was testing but sadly never opened while we were at the park. If it hasn't reopened already, it's most likely coming very soon.