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BUENA
PARK, Calif. -- My
family and I had the opportunity to visit Knott's Berry Farm in
Buena Park, Calif., which is America's 1st Theme Park. It was
a comfortable 79 degrees and sunny on Thursday.
In
1920, Walter Knott started a berry farm selling berries, berry
preserves and pies from a roadside stand. By the 1930's, Knott
built a restaurant, shops and stores onto the property. By 1940,
he created Ghost Town with Western-themed attractions. World class
rides and free entertainment drew crowds. As more elaborate rides
were created, a fence was built around it and an admission was
charged, turning it into a commercial theme park. In 1968, 25
cents was the admission to the park. The
Calico log ride was added in 1969.
Each year
a new ride would be added to the park. After Walter and his wife
died, the children decided to sell the business. In 1997, the
Knott family sold the business to Cedar Fair Entertainment Company,
which also owns Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio.
As we
made our way in, we entered the Ghost Town. Set in the 1800's,
the employees were dressed in the clothing of the era. There was
the blacksmith shop where we watched the worker make a candle
holder. There was also a mercantile shop, gun and knife shop,
turquoise shop, ice cream parlor, leather shop, a saloon and a
BBQ restaurant that lined the Old West Town. The Ghost Rider was
the wooden roller coaster in this section. We also watched the
children pan for gold and they got to keep the gold to take home.
We stayed
to watch the Calico Saloon Show which was hilarious. The actress,
Kate, chose people in the audience to participate. There was a
piano player and Kate sang songs. It was very entertaining.
We also
stayed for the Wild West Stunt Show at the Wagon camp. The show
consisted of fist fights, guns, dynamite and the bad guys falling
into a well, as they were trying to rob the bank.
We rode
on the log ride and Big Foot Rapids. We got a little wet, but
not soaked. That was ok with me. We also rode the Stagecoach and
the Calico Railroad which both goes around the park. The Calico
mine ride was excellent as the cars go down into the dark mine
and you can see men in mining scenes below.
Camp Snoopy
had several rides such as the ferris wheel, the Mexican hat dance
and a boat ride that wasn't in the water. At the Camp Snoopy Theatre,
we watched a show starring Charlie Brown, Lucy and Linus playing
a game of baseball. Guests were entertained with lots of singing
and dancing on stage.
Several of the rides were roller coasters such as the Boomerang,
Xcelerator, the Perilous Plunge, Silver Bullet and Ghost Rider.
The Supreme Scream and the Sierra Sidewinder needs no explanation,
as far as I'm concerned. It's something I wouldn't attempt.
The Sky
Cabin rotated on a pole in the air and you can see the entire
park from its highest point. I liked that one.
The Boardwalk
is a section of the park which has the xcelerator shop which looks
like an old gas station but really is a souvenir shop. It also
contains a blast from the past with Coasters Restaurant, Johnny
Rockets and Hollywood Hits.
Next we headed for the California Marketplace which is located
out front after you exit the park. We stopped at Mrs. Knott's
Chicken Restaurant for some chicken and fixings. The food was
excellent and the service was great. My husband ordered the half
chicken which comes with mashed potatoes, vegetable, hot bisquits,
salad and boysenberry pie for dessert. My son and I each had the
two-piece chicken dinner. The place was packed but we managed
to get the last table.
Our adventure
at Knott's Berry Farm was fabulous. We had the greatest time.
It made you feel like you were back in time in the 1800's. How
simple life was back then.
Single-Day
Tickets are $57.99 for adults, $28.99 for juniors and seniors
and $15 for parking. Online discounts of $21 off adult admission
and $2 off junior and senior admission are available. A special
discounted rate applies for guests arriving after 4 p.m. Single
day parking is $15.
For
more information or to purchase tickets to Knotts Berry Farm,
visit www.knotts.com.
Related
Story: Tour
the Queen Mary on your next trip to southern California
PHOTO
BY GLORIA RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
Knott's Berry Farm sign on Beach Boulevard (CA-39)
PHOTO
BY GLORIA RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
The
Knott's Marketplace features gift shops and restaurants including
Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant.
PHOTO
BY GLORIA RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
When
entering the Knott's Berry Farm property, there is free parking
for shops and restaurants and timed parking for the theme park.
PHOTO
BY GLORIA RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
This
windmill is one of the sights of this western-themed park in Buena
Park, Calif.
PHOTO
BY GLORIA RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
AmericaJR.com's
Jerome Rzucidlo stands behind the concrete jail wall.
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