Monday, January 7, 2013

Knott's Berry Farm


I use to love going to Knott's Berry Farm. When we were kids, it was free to get in and walk around. And there was a lot to do for not having any money. When Rod and I were dating, we could still get in for free, but soon after, they fenced it in and started charging admission. When the kids were little, we would take them to the Merry Go Round that was still on the outside of the fence. There was also a little duck pond where we could feed the ducks. We went there for years just for the Merry Go Round and ducks. During Christmas time we would take the kids there to see Santa Claus. 

When the kids got older, probably once or twice a year, we would pay to go inside and have fun from opening to close. We would have a great time and have to drag ourselves to the car from exhaustion at the end of the day. I actually liked Knotts better than Disneyland. I could almost feel myself taken back in time to the cowboy days. Stage coaches, saloon girls walking around, jail houses, newspaper store where you could get a headline newspaper with your name on it. I think we even got a fake marriage license one time. 

I could never figure out the haunted shack. It was also called a gravity shack. You could walk sideways or two people would be at each end and one would appear big and one small..I loved that place. Confusing but fun. 

I even loved the smell of the place. It just had that ghost town feel. It was fun to watch the staged gun fights in the street every hour or so. I think the Calico Mine was awesome. It felt so real.


And the Log Ride, I had a love, hate relationship with..I think I hated it more than I loved it. No, I loved it, no, it scared me. But I couldn't NOT go on it. One time at closing we went on it over and over again, because there was no line. And each time I hated it, I think. lol

The train was fun when the masked robbers came on during the ride. I think my kids liked that. Maybe not..lol They were kind of gruff and scary. And you had to keep your hands in the air! 



Funnel cakes say Knott's Berry Farm. We always got those. I think it was Jennifer's favorite. 

I hope the theme park doesn't change any more of the old attractions. They now have a lot of big rides and roller coasters. It seems to take away from the Old Ghost Town feel. And who can afford taking the family there anymore. You'd have to rob one of those trains! 

What are you favorite memories of Knott's Berry Farm?


12 comments:

  1. We visited 2 years ago and was severely disappointed. So many roller coasters have now replaced the old western feel the park once had. At 45 the roller coasters really shook the head more then it needs to be at that age.
    It once was my favorite park, now not sure I would go back.
    I still love the food though, not heathy but who cares.

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  2. We had a great time too..i also hated the log ride b/c i'm afraid of heights...ha but i too went on it b/c it got you wet and it was always hot there...Free was great and we too went after we had to pay..There really wasn't anything to do there but the kids loved it..And of course i always got their jellies...They made great Christmas gifts for family back east..Now you can buy it anywhere...Fun times...

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    1. Yes, the water from the log ride always felt good. It was even more fun at night though.

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  3. I loved it and still do. When Jeff Brandon kasey and I were in so cal in 2011 we went. We had the whole park virtually to ourselves. I think though it has changed some, most of the old west charm remains. The only thing I truly missed was the old candle making shop. Kasey and Brandon loved it. The graveyard, saloons, pan for gold, haunted shack, all still there.

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  4. Not to mention the train, robbers, and Wild West show. We had a great time

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  5. I forgot about the pan for gold and the grave yard. I remember the jailhouse and the man would talk to you.

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  6. Remember the old Cork Screw ride? It's now located in Idaho! It's at Silverwood... Silverwood is a very small version of Knott's Berry Farm... we have fun there. But, I love Knotts!

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    1. Was the Cork Screw ride the one that twisted and had you upside down as you went through the screw? The one I let my children go on while I held my breath waiting for the ride to end?

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    2. Yes, that's the one! I loved it. I couldn't even look at it at this age let alone ride it! haha

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  7. Can you tell we were all raised in Southern California? lol

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