Theme Park Insider

Get News by E-mail

Calico Mine Ride

Dark ride

About Calico Mine Ride

One of the original and oldest attraction to Knotts Berry Farm, it can be enjoyed by all members of the family. You ride a small mine cart that is pulled by a miniature mine train. You pass by scenes depicting old mining operations. You also pass by bubbling mud pots, great, underground waterfalls and springs, a grand cavern full of colorful stalagmites and stalagtites being lit under a black light, and a blasting area where they are laying down their dynamite. Its a ride that you cannot miss. Although it is slow, its fun. -- Last edited by Christopher Bombon

[Update this description | Read previous versions]

Photos from Calico Mine Ride

Photo Photo

Safety

Readers' Opinions

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
30 votes, so far

A classic dark ride that is marred by horrible audio from the conductor. Nobody could follow the conductor's narrative because the audio system was so bad. It then just becomes a sightseeing ride that you can make up your own story for since it is impossible to follow with the current inaudible system. - Julia Xia

I used always skip this ride, thinking it was boring, but i finally went on it and it is really cool! i completely underestimated it! - Chloe !

I don't like this ride at all. I'm blind so I don't care about the visuals. It is very boring. I love thrill rides, and this is definetely non a thrill ride. - Sarah Meeks

8/10 Ahhh, the mine ride, good times, good times. - Jack Borgeson

The Calico Mine Ride is probably one of the older attractions still operating in the area and hasn't been updated in any serious way since it opened. The animatronic figures are extremely simple, and the scenery could definitely use some punching up. But the audio system is an abomination and you will be lucky if you understand even a small fraction of what your guide says. This ride is best for young children and adults looking for some nostalgia. - Joseph Boone

A very good mine train ride. So what if the Animatronic miners dont move? They're not Disney! - Sarah E

Simply the best -- as well as the FIRST -- of its kind anywhere. Taking its cue from the long-gone "scenic railways" of the old Coney Island era of classic amusement parks, this is a must-ride for the whole family -- even if you CAN'T hardly make out a blessed word of what your trains' engineer is saying! And it's especially a must if you've never experienced it before. A masterpiece of elaborate and authentic-feeling theming (heck -- it even SMELLS authentic!), this has scenic wonders waiting around every bend! And the unquestionable highlights are the cavernous central "Glory Hole" with its multi-levels of myriad miners toiling away in the kerosene-lamp lit darkness, and the gorgeous, near-psychedelic "Rainbow Caverns" stretching off into the murky, phosphorescent distance. Don't miss this one! 'Nuff said. - Paul Clemens

I am not just sure when I first rode the Calico Mine Ride at Knott's but I know it was long before Thunder Mountain was built. Both are Great Rides! - Drew Watson

Long live the old mine train--I've always been fond of this ride, ever since I was a kid. - Chuck Campbell

KREEPY AMz. I DAUGHT DEY WURR GUNNA KUM OUT AND STAB ME HA. IT WAZ OK DOUGH WATER SMELL LYK CRAP SO BAD DOUGH =[ - Anthony Hill

The only dark ride remaining in the park. Darn the removal of the Kingdom of the Dinosaurs and Knott's Bear-y Tales! This is another true classic at Knott's, next to the Log ride and Montezuma's Revenge (The world class thrills need more age to become classic, so they're destined to be classic.)! But ride it if the line doesn't exceed 20 minutes cause some thrill seekers may be bored. - lewis bryces


Search Theme Park Insider

Reader Reviews, by Theme Park

United States/Canada Top 20 *

Other U.S. parks

International parks

Water parks

Theme Park Insider on Twitter

@ThemePark

New HD video of Cedar Point's Millennium Force: http://bit.ly/5u8iiI That'll fire up your Friday!
2009-11-20 18:02 Link

By the way, @HolidayWorld. We're demanding cranberry sauce on the turkey next time! :-) http://bit.ly/6zDSup
2009-11-20 17:34 Link

Our vote of the week: Holiday traditions and cranberry sauce: http://bit.ly/6zDSup
2009-11-20 17:32 Link

Five Disney legends recall Walt's management style: http://bit.ly/uhv5B #IAAPA2009
2009-11-20 00:00 Link

Theme Park Reviews, Features, Advice

Theme Park News Archive

2009

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

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