Theme Park Insider

Knott's Berry Farm reviews

Written by
Posted: February 20, 2012

Location: Knott's Berry Farm is located in Buena Park, California, about 45 minutes south of Los Angeles and five minutes west of Disneyland. You can get driving directions by clicking the Knott's Berry Farm link on Theme Park Insider's Google map of U.S. theme parks.

History: Knott's really once was a berry farm. Walter Knott built a themed Ghost Town to entertain diners waiting for tables at his wife's fried chicken restaurant. Over the years, the park grew into a destination of its own. Today, the park is owned by the Cedar Fair company.

Hours: http://www.knotts.com. Knott's is open 365 days a year, except Christmas.

Tickets: Buy and print online. Always try to buy your tickets in advance, to save time when you get to the park.

Reservations: Beginning in 2012, Knott's offers the Fast Lane pass allowing priority boarding on up to ten of the park's rides, including six roller coasters (Boomerang, GhostRider, Pony Express, Sierra Sidewinder, Silver Bullet, and Xcelerator). Price is $40 to $50 per person depending on how many are purchased.

Strategy: Silver Bullet is located right by the front gate, and should be your first stop when the park opens. From there, head to Ghost Town to ride GhostRider, then work your way to the back of the park for Perilous Plunge, Supreme Scream and Xcelerator. Those are the park's five top thrill rides. From there, fill in the rest of the day with old-school rides like the Log Flume (where Disney got the idea for Splash Mountain), the Mine Train (ditto on Thunder Mountain) and the Stagecoach.

If you've got little kids, head to Camp Snoopy and just spend the day there until the kids tire out. Wrap up with a ride on the Carousel, a chicken dinner at Mrs. Knott's then call it a day.

Note on food: The star food attraction, Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant, is actually located outside the park. That means you do not need park admission to dine there, but it does mean you'll have to get your hand stamped and exit if you are visiting the theme park.

[Update this description | Read previous versions]

Photo of Knott's Berry Farm

See all photos | Submit Photo

Readers' Tips for Visiting Knott's Berry Farm

[111 + / 41 -] Go directly to Xcelerator first! It's in the back, and the line can get long. Everyone else will go to the front of the park first, and you will get multiple chances to ride without a wait.

[60 + / 20 -] When the park opens, go ride Ghostrider first. From there, continue in a clockwise rotation around the park hitting Pony Express, the boardwalk, etc.

[46 + / 20 -] Arrive to Knott's when park opens, as it does not open to early. First hit silver bullet and ghost rider. Then, going in that same clockwise direction hit pony express, perilous plunge, boomerang, and Xcelerator!

Where to stay at Knott's Berry Farm

Readers' reviews:

Attractions
Calico Square(Rating)(Height)
Silver Bullet954
Timber Mountain Log Ride9
Calico Railroad8
Calico Mine Ride8
Stagecoach7
Camp Snoopy(Rating)(Height)
Sierra Sidewinder842
Charlie Brown Speedway8
Rocky Road Truckin' Co.7
Joe Cool's GR8 SK8636
Woodstock's Airmail636
Flying Ace Balloon Race6
Timberline Twister636
Camp Bus5
High Sierra Ferris Wheel536
Huff n Puff5
Log Peeler532
Snoopy Bounce4
Red Baron332
Lucy's Tugboat3
Fiesta Village(Rating)(Height)
La Revolucion848
Montezooma's Revenge848
Carousel8
Jaguar748
Hat Dance636
Dragon Swing642
Windseeker648
Waveswinger548
Ghost Town(Rating)(Height)
Mystery Lodge9
Bigfoot Rapids846
GhostRider748
Pony Express648
Knott's Wild West Stunt Show6
The Boardwalk(Rating)(Height)
Xcelerator952
Supreme Scream952
Perilous Plunge948
Wheeler Dealer Bumper Cars742
Riptide754
Sky Cabin7
Boomerang748
Wipeout648

[Add a missing attraction]

Dining
Camp Snoopy(Rating)
Lucy's Lunchbox3
Fiesta Village(Rating)
Fiesta BBQ6
Cantina2
Comidas Fritas2
Fiesta Dog2
Ghost Town(Rating)
Fireman's BBQ7
Bigfoot Broiler7
Panda Express7
Ghost Town Grill6
Auntie Pasta's Pizza Palace4
Chow House4
Sutter's Corner3
The Boardwalk(Rating)
Johnny Rockets9
Hollywood Hits6
Coasters Restaurant6
Angels Diner4

[Add a missing restaurant]

Now in paperback! Stories from a Theme Park Insider
"Stories from a Theme Park Insider" includes 40 fun stories about life working at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, in a feel-good book any theme park fan will love. Order a copy today in paperback, or as an eBook from Amazon or Apple!

Search Theme Park Insider

News, Video and Photo Updates

Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube RSS Newsfeed E-mail Newsletter

Reader Reviews, by Theme Park

United States Top 10 *

International parks

Readers' Top Themed Rides

Top Roller Coasters

Top Theme Park Shows

Theme Park Reviews, Features, Advice

Theme Park News Archive

2012

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May

2011

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2010

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2009

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2008

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2007

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2006

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2005

Dec.

2004-2005

Staff column archive