Montezooma returns to Knott’s Berry Farm
On May 21, 1978, Knott’s Berry Farm debuted a cutting-edge coaster named Montezooma’s Revenge. A new revision on Schwarzkopf’s popular shuttle loop design, this coaster utilized a flywheel to launch riders through a nearly circular vertical loop and up a 148 ft. tower, only for gravity to take over and bring them through the whole thing in reverse. Despite the simplicity of the design compared to more modern thrill rides, the coaster remained a fixture of the park’s Fiesta Village area for decades, but age eventually catches up to all things and in early 2022 the park announced the closure of the ride. However, it was not the end, as following a major overhaul a new version of the attraction was scheduled to debut in summer of 2023.
Well, 2023 turned into 2024, then 2025, then 2026 as the project encountered delay after delay after delay. Unlike a similar refurbishment performed by Gerstlauer on the ride’s sister coaster Turbine at Walibi Belgium, Knott’s hired KumbaK for this project, a company primarily known for refurbishing outdated Vekoma ride designs. Ultimately, the project ran up a much higher than intended budget of $20 million, but for that the ride got a portion of its original track replaced with new fabrication following the same path, a new train with a design vastly different from what Schwarzkopf had originally crafted, a new state of the art LSM system capable of being programmed with multiple launch profiles, and a variety of thematic upgrades around the coaster to reflect the ride’s new tagline: The Forbidden Fortress. Finally, after years of waiting, the new version of Montezooma opened to the public on August 6th, and today I got the opportunity to try it out for myself.
While they didn’t have a ton of space to work with, Knott’s went all in on this refurbishment, and there isn’t a single portion of the attraction that wasn’t touched in some way. We begin by entering the queue under a new stone archway, resembling the remains of a temple that crumbled long ago.
Although the queue itself is still a basic outdoor switchback, static dioramas have been hidden in the walls depicting the fates of explorers who ventured out to the Forbidden Fortress before you. The queue also has an audio loop, but that was disabled during the media preview for the benefit of those conducting interviews just outside of the attraction.
After making your way through the queue, you ascend what used to be the exit stairs and enter an overhauled station. Structurally, this portion of the attraction hasn’t changed, but thematically it has been significantly upgraded. Props line the railings and hang from the rafters along with some of the most unique ceiling fans I’ve seen, and aged iron and wood adorned with cargo rope make up the loading gates and operator stations.
The new train features 12 individual cars, each seating a pair of guests side by side, and riders are restrained via an overhead lap bar and seatbelt-like shoulder straps. These are not the comfort collars of much ire and instead form part of the restraining device like the vest components of the RMC raptor model. Once seated and secured, we face the stone carving of Montezooma, a very nice set piece let down by the decision not to enclose the entire platform. After the train is checked and the “all clear!” is given, a short show scene begins with lights, smoke, and the angry voice of Monte (who is still seeking Revenge), then we’re on our way!
So how was that ride? I think the best way to describe it is “not quite as thrilling as the original, but still quite fun.”
The LSMs unfortunately don’t have the same punch of the original flywheel launch system, but it’s replaced with a bit of a ramp up effect as you accelerate faster and faster toward the loop.
Speaking of that element, it’s just as strong as ever, and the reported 5.5G felt at the ends of the train may very well be the reason for those shoulder straps. That said, it will force the restraints down a bit, so best be prepared for Montezooma to give you a squeeze.
Those restraints do also kill most of the airtime, though the thrill of the spikes is just as good as ever and it felt like this train goes slightly higher than the old ride. As someone who rode the original countless times, though, the last trick of The Forbidden Fortress caught me off guard, as instead of coming to a hard stop you now fly through the station once again, stop beyond it, then launch backward into the temple as if some unknown force is dragging you in.
I’ve been on more than 700 coasters, and I’d say the original Montezooma’s Revenge was a very solid 7/10 coaster despite its simplistically. I probably need a couple more rides on this new version before finalizing my score (I only rode twice today as shuttle coasters get to me when ridden repeatedly), but I’m inclined to say this one is probably about the same. The overall attraction is an improvement, with enhanced thematic presentation and more modern technology, but unfortunately I’d say the coaster experience itself isn’t quite as good as before due to the weaker launch and more restrictive restraints even though it still remains a very smooth and forceful ride.
Was it worth the $20 million spent to refurbish this ride? That is the real question, and I believe only time will give an answer. In a park where all the other thrill coasters would be at least an 8/10 if not 9/10 for me, I can see the public not connecting with this one as much, particularly if the single train nature of the coaster results in extended queue times. At the same time, however, this has truly become a one-of-a-kind creation, and I think it would be fair to call it the most unique coaster offering at the park. If the randomized launch sequences previously teased for the attraction are added later, I could very well see this becoming quite popular for the high re-ride value. As it currently stands, though, it’s a coaster I’d likely try to ride every visit but would be okay passing up if the line were more than a half-hour or so.
In addition to the coaster, Knott’s also gave us a preview of merchandise will be released with the ride.
Yes, that is a section of the coaster’s original rail on that plaque, only 350 of which were made, so if you’ve got $400 to burn and want a piece of history, get on those quick when they go on sale next weekend.
Montezooma: The Forbidden Fortress is NOW OPEN at Knott’s Berry Farm. If you not from the area I’m not sure I’d encourage a special trip just for this, but if you venture out west for Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift at Universal Studios Hollywood, next year’s to-be-announced coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain, or anything Disney’s unveiling this weekend at D23, it’s well worth stopping by the park to ride this piece of history.
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It's a shame it cost so much and took so long to refresh this coaster, but at least it looks like they put in the effort to make this a good as they could with details in the station, queue, and effects during the launch. Better late than never, I guess, but I'd ask the same question as AJ, was the result worth the cost in time, money, and negative PR?