Friday Feb 4th 2005:
We arrived at O'hare Airport just before 5 am today and proceeded to our American Airlines flight 2099 to LAX. The 4 hour 20 minute flight aboard one of American Airlines 737-800 jets.
Landing in Los Angeles, we where greeted by this annoucement in the airport. "Ladies and Gentlemen, please note that you are not obligated to give any solicitors any money in the airport."
Following baggage claim, we where off to Hertz to rent a car when we where greeted by this upon asking where the rental car places where "You do realize its Super Bowl weekend?" funny, i didnt know the game was being played in LA this year and why this effected us i have no clue.
Finally, we made it to Knotts Berry Farm just after 10am:
For it being a Friday, there where lot of school aged kids here in the park today, but never the less the crowds where light.
We headed for Silver Bullet. Brand new for 2005 B&M invert. This would ultimately be one of two rides on this coaster for us. Now if you've read anything about this ride so far this year, the reviews are far from spectacular. Those reviews where dead-on. Read more in the daily notes later.
Next we headed to Jaguar. A decent ride which i reminded me alot of Whizzer and was about the same length but had a lot more theming.
In fact Knotts has great theming and the over all atmosphere of the park was great.
After Jaguar we headed to Montozuma's Revenge, great launch and huge airtime on the back spike that reminded me alot of V2's back
Next we headed to Xcelerator. Awesome Awesome ride! huge airtime and a great launch. deffinately a great ride!
That pretty much sums up my day at KBF. after lunch we rerode SB once more and power rode Xcelerator including several rides in the front row.
Knotts Berry Farm Notes:
Ghostrider was down for rehab, which a few members on this forum decided to repeat what me and Chitown already knew
Silver Bullet lived up to its so-so reputation and is by far one of the worst inverts i have been on.
Monty was probably the most surprising of the coasters.
For this being a CF park, it was one train op land, sure it was an offseason Friday, but still people who live in die about CF's operations should take notice that yes, a CF park can run one train ops.
General Feedback:
Knott's Boring Farm is a great Family park, but it reminded me alot of Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, One great drawing Coaster (Xcelerator) and a few decent coasters.
The ride ops on Silver Bullet had more fun cracking jokes and just plain making BS comments on the PA annoucements rather then dispatch the train, which made longer then should have been wait times.
Ride Ratings
Xcelerator: 9/10 : Great Launch! better then V2's and awesome airtime.
Silver Boring aka Silver Bullet: 5.5/10 : No comparisons to Batman the
Ride needed here, the dark knight beats this bore hands down.
Montazooma's Revenge: Awesome launch and a great treat! 8/10 huge air on the back spike.
Boomerang: 6/10 decent ride. nothing special though.
Jaguar: 6.5/10 again decent ride, and again nothing really special.
Final thoughts and ratings:
Knott's Berry Farm is an awesome family park, no question on that, great family atmosphere, and while i enjoyed my stay there, I was reminded alot of SFKK. Silver Bullet is a weak ride and this maybe because of KBF's target of the family park, but I found it rather boring and decided to power ride Xcelerator instead. Caldico Mine Train: 10/10 awesome!
Cleanliness: 9/10
Food: 4/10 --> AVOID DINER BY Xcelerator
Atmosphere: 10/10
Employees: 6/10
Ride package: 6/10
Overall: 6.5/10
SFMM and USH Trip reports will be posted later.
