Disclosure: The opinions in this article are 100% my own. I do not work for, or with, any brand mentioned in this article, nor do I have any official relationship with them. I have a relationship with GigaSavvy, for whom I create original editorial content.
After reading about all of the new things at Knott’s this summer, I was beyond excited to be attending their Summer Media Day to kick of my summer. I could barely sleep past 5 a.m. that morning! As I sipped my morning coffee in my favorite Peanuts mug, I put together a list of things I wanted to accomplish that day. I think it’s good to set goals, even if they are “Knott’s Goals”, right?
With my need to be matchy-matchy all the time and deep love for the Peanuts gang, I had already purchased the cutest little Snoopy knapsack the day before, along with a box of Peanuts bandages.
So, I proceeded to pack new my knapsack full of park necessities because I was planning for a marathon of a day. Yeah, I’m a planner AND a packer!
One of the most special parts about this particular visit to Knott’s was that I got to spend the day with my dad. I hadn’t been to Knott’s with my dad since I was a little girl! We used to visit every summer and he was the one that took me on my first upside-down rollercoaster there, “Corkscrew”! It’s not there any more but Knott’s holds a special place in my heart and that’s one of the reasons.
My dad knew JUST what I needed when we got through Calico Ghost Town….a grande, nonfat, boysenberry latte WITH whipped cream! Knott’s serves Starbucks. This particular flavor of drink is exclusive to Knott’s and you can grab one of our own at the Gourmet Coffee Hut. In addition to their extensive drink menu, you can also choose from a variety of yummy pastries!
After enjoying our Starbucks, we were ready to take on the latest attraction to open at Knott’s: Voyage to the Iron Reef! This brand new attraction opened on May 15 and I was dying to go on it since I’d heard it’s really cool.
Voyage to the Iron Reef is a 4-D interactive adventure that has you taking on The Kraken Queen and her aquatic army, all while wearing 3-D glasses and going head-to-head with your friends for the highest score!
It was a REALLY cool experience and we kept getting back into line because we were on a quest to beat our previous high scores. When you exit, you can see your scores. I don’t mean to brag but check out my score from my first time!
Next, we were ready to preview the all-new Blockbuster Beagle…on Ice! What a treat, considering I usually only see Snoopy on Ice shows during Knott’s Merry Farm! If you’ve never seen any of the Snoopy on Ice shows in the Charles M. Schultz Theatre, not only are they adorable, but the skaters are incredibly talented!
In this new production, Snoopy and his Peanuts buddies “go Hollywood“, bringing Walk of Fame glamour, dazzling movie lot escapades, and California excitement to a brand new ice show adventure.
I enjoyed the show immensely. The music is so good and there is so much going on the entire time. I need to go back to watch it a couple more times because it’s just that good!
This is where a Knott’s Season Pass comes in handy! With this much stuff to see and do at Knott’s. you can keep going back when you have a Season Pass because there are no blockout dates. With Knott’s Soak City open, a Gold Pass is even more ideal. Unlimited visits to Knott’s AND entry to Soak City? Yes, please!
Another cool show I got to watch for the first time was Vertical Impact! I squeezed myself into the middle of the anxious crowd in Calico Square, who were all waiting to watch this ultimate blend of extreme stunts with high flying acrobats performing a one-of-a-kind performance. This high energy show is set to the most popular songs of today, combining everything from trampoline stunts, BMX, skaters, dancers, and aerialists.
I think my mouth kept dropping open watching the amazing performers!
There are so many things to do at Knott’s this summer! Fun on all of the rides, yummy food to eat, and TONS of shows to see, too! Summer nights at Knott’s are one of my favorite parts about summer, especially when they’re spent with friends!
What’s YOUR favorite thing to do at Knott’s in the summer?
The opinions in this article are 100% my own. I do not work for, or with, any brand mentioned in this article, nor do I have any official relationship with them. I have a relationship with GigaSavvy, for whom I create original editorial content.
Summertime is my favorite time of year! (Although it’s hard to really ever complain about the Southern California weather here) I love the relaxed feeling of summer, especially the slower pace of life since I’m off work (I teach school). Summer is when I get to enjoy extra time with my family! One of our favorite things to do together is go to Knott’s! We can’t get enough of the attractions, the food, and all the entertainment.
If you haven’t already heard, one of the biggest things to hit Knott’s this summer is the opening of the latest attraction, Voyage to the Iron Reef™! This brand-new attraction opened on May 15, 2015 and is a spectacular, interactive 4-D ride for the entire family.
Inside the attraction, you’ll help save Knott’s from mysterious creatures emerging from the seas beneath the Boardwalk in a cutting edge media-based battle. Through enchanting underwater forests, disorienting ocean current tunnels, and mysterious mechanical wreckage, high definition 3-D animation will surround guests at every turn.
Take a look at the action inside the Iron Reef:
Not only am I am anxious to get to Knott’s this summer to go on my own Voyage to the Iron Reef™, but there are also 2 new exciting shows to see! I love the shows at Knott’s! The first new show features some of my childhood favorites, The Peanuts Gang. Watch Snoopy and his friends appear in the newest production to hit the Charles M. Schultz Theatre, Blockbuster Beagle!…on ice.
You can join Snoopy and his Peanuts buddies “go Hollywood” bringing Walk of Fame glamour, dazzling movie lot escapades and California excitement to a brand new ice show adventure. Join Snoopy and our World-class ice skating stars at the Charles M. Schulz Theatre for this amazing new production! Blockbuster Beagle!…on ice runs June 13 – August 23 and is dark on Wednesdays.
The second new show at Knott’s this summer is the Vertical Impact & Vertical Impact Geared Up Show. This show is guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat as you witness the ultimate blend of extreme stunts with high flying acrobats performing a one of a kind performance perfect for the entire family! The fun continues after dark with Vertical Impact, Geared Up! This high energy show is set to the most popular songs of today, combining everything from trampoline stunts, bmx bikes, skaters, dancers, and aerialists. Every show ends with an informal meet & greet for the guests with the entire cast on stage. The cast pumps up the volume with the latest hits, the biggest tricks and awesome special effects. The pace is intensified, the stunts are electrified, and the cast is breaking down the walls, defying gravity, and taking it all to the next level. Watch the show for the amazing aerial acrobatics, and crazy trampoline & vertical wall stunts, then stay for the after party and be a part of the show! Our own “DJ Nytemadness” will keep the party going mixing all the best of current EDM, dance & pop hits after each show while the cast joins the guests of all ages to dance, party, take selfies, and just be a part of it all. The show runs June 13 – August 23 and is dark on Mondays & Tuesdays.
In addition to these 2 brand-new shows at Knott’s this summer, there’s a TON of other entertainment going on at the park this summer too. This is where I feel like I should stop and talk about Knott’s Season Passes because there is WAY more than one day’s worth of fun to take in at Knott’s. You’re going to want to come back to Knott’s (and Knott’s Soak City Water Park) a bunch of times! Especially during the summertime!
Do you know how awesome a Knott’s Season Pass is? Not only is it the most affordable ticket in town, Knott’s also offers the option of payments to make it even more do-able for your family. The passes pay for themselves within a few visits too.
Knott’s offers the following variations of their Regular Season Pass:
You can also upgrade to a Gold Season Pass! The Gold Season Pass allows you to enjoy all the cool waterslides and fun in the sun at Knott’s Soak City Water Park, in addition to all the thrilling rides at Knott’s Berry Farm! The Gold Season Pass pays for itself in less than 2 visits!
Charlie Brown’s Happy Campers – Camp Snoopy Theatre: Join Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy and the world’s most popular beagle, Snoopy in a show that’s sure to make an outdoorsman out of anybody! The show runs daily from June 14 through September 1.
Big Band Swingin’ Sundays: Jump, Jive & Swing to the sounds of Orange County’s best local Big Bands. Catch them on Sunday evenings from June14 – August 30.
Boardwalk Dance Party – Boardwalk Circle Stage: Dance ‘til you drop and wave your hands in the air until you just don’t care with DJ Howly, one of Orange County’s most requested “mixers & spinners”. Catch the Boardwalk Dance Party on Monday & Tuesday evenings from June 15 – August 25. (Plus September 7)
Ghost Town Streetmosphere: Ghost Town is alive with townsfolk who will put you smack dab in the middle of the Wild West. New residents have put down stakes recently… Clem Culpepper, the ever hopeful gold miner, Ma & Pa Shine, our resident moonshiners & Nathan Quickly, the Pony Express Agent. And as you mosey on through Ghost Town, say “Howdy” to returning favorites, Dusty Trail, who’s never without her six-shooter, Miss Ruby, the purtiest Saloon Gal in town, Miss Apple the School Teacher, and the rest of the Calico townsfolk. The Ghost Town Streetmosphere runs daily from June 13 – September 7.
Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies – Birdcage Theatre: Things get krazy when Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies perform their toe tappin’, knee-slappin’, side splittin’ country comedy show that has Knott’s audiences clamoring for more! It’s the perfectly krazy way to spend some time at Knott’s Berry Farm! Come out to watch Fridays through Mondays from June 13 – August 23. (except 6/19 and 8/6 & 29)
Salsa Bands – Fiesta Plaza Stage: Nothing says a party at the Fiesta Plaza stage better than the energy created by some of Orange County’s most popular salsa bands. Enjoy the salsa bands on Friday, Saturday & Sunday evenings from June 13 through August 23, Plus August 29, 30 and September 5, 6, & 7.
The Ghost Town Miners – Spurs Stage: For a “Yeehaw” of a good time you won’t want to miss the Ghost Town Miners sing and play some of the best bluegrass this side of the Rio Grande! The show runs Tuesday through Thursday from June 16 – August 20.
The Marshal Purdy Show – Birdcage Theatre: Come on in for some old fashioned, homespun fun that’s sure to tickle your fancy and bust your gut on Tuesday & Wednesday from June 17 – August 21.
The Big Fat Steve Band – Boardwalk Circle Stage: Back by popular demand, The Big Fat Steve Band-The Kings of Kool is a fun, exciting dance band with a swingin’ beat. Enjoy the live musicality of rockabilly, swing and classic sounds. The only thing missing is your dance moves. Come on out Wednesday through Saturday from June 13 – August 29 Plus September 5 & 6.
The Peanuts Gang – Camp Snoopy: Meet and hug one of your favorite Peanuts characters!
Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Sally, Schroeder, Franklin, Woodstock, or Peppermint Patty. The characters are available in the park year round and vary daily. Calico Saloon Cancan Show – Calico Saloon: What’s a Saloon without a show? Don’t miss the Calico Saloon Show for some good old’ fashioned bar room fun. We heard that the dancin’ girls even perform that new fandangled dance from Paree, France, the Cancan! You might even want to cool off with a tall cool bottle of the hard stuff…Sarsaparilla! Enjoy the Calico Saloon Cancan Show daily from June 13 – September 30, Plus September 5 – 7.
Fool’s Gold Stunt Show – Wagon Camp: Will the bad guys manage to re route and steal the gold? Find out in this rowdy, comical, western stunt show presented on Knott’s legendary Wagon Camp stage. Watch the show year round.
Indian Trails: You won’t want to miss the beautiful music, authentic costumes and historically rich traditions presented at the Indian Trails Stage. The Indian Trails are presented Thursday through Monday on a year round schedule.
Mystery Lodge: Sit back and let this award winning, one of a kind attraction mesmerize you as our Native American Storyteller shares stories of his rich history and culture. The special effects of Mystery Lodge will amaze you daily, and is open year round.
So, raise your hand if YOU’RE ready for some summer fun at Knott’s? I know you can’t see me right now, but I”m raising mine! Hope to see you in the park this summer!
This post was written by me for GigaSavvy. I do not work for or with any brand mentioned in this article, nor do I have any official relationship with them. I am invited to attend a media event for the Knott’s Berry Farm Boysenberry Festival for which I will receive complementary tickets. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
Come celebrate the arrival of spring at Knotts Berry Farm’s Boysenberry Festival harvested in the theme park’s historic Ghost Town. The 16-day festival returns with an unforgettable lineup of exquisite Boysenberry Bites, dazzling daytime/nighttime entertainment, gourmet food and the Wine and Craft Brew Tasting Garden, plus the limited time return of the classic Bear-y Tales characters in a pie making kitchen, and more!
In the 1930s Walter Knott harvested the boysenberry, a cross between a loganberry, red raspberry and blackberry, and named the new berry after its originator Rudolph Boysen. Today, all boysenberries in the world can trace their roots back to Knott’s Berry Farm!
Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect to find at Knott’s Boysenberry Festival:
Boysenberry Bites
The Park will make delicious history with the debut of its very own farm-made Berry Market™ Boysenberry BBQ
Sauce during the widely acclaimed Boysenberry Festival. During the food fest, the tangy, finger lickin’
good sauce will add the perfect flavor to ribs, BBQ chicken, chicken wings, and more.
Other must-try Boysenberry Bites include:
fried cheese curds paired with a spicy boysenberry dipping sauce
fish and chips sandwich with boysenberry tartar sauce
Boysenberry ICEE Floats
Boysenberry Frappuccino & Latte (served at the new Gourmet Coffee Hut which proudly serves Starbucks drinks)
more charbroiled treats cooked on open-air barbeques throughout the streets of the festival.
Wine and Craft Brew Garden*
As part of the festival, the Wine and Craft Brew Garden, located inside of Ghost Town’s Wilderness Dance Hall, features an assortment of wine and craft brew labels, in addition to a variety of boysenberry inspired gourmet food that’s just bursting with flavor!
The Boysenberry Festival also features an extensive lineup of live entertainment from sun up to sun down. At the heart of all of the excitement is Birdcage Square, located in front of the famous Birdcage Theatre. Here, a stage will be set for daily contests like pie eating, a pie walk, and Grandpa’s Boysenberry PJs Contest, where guests will race to stuff the over-sized long johns with balloons.
In the evening, the Square will have guests kicking up their heels with vine dancing, a down home jug band and dueling fiddlers and banjos! At night, just inside of the Birdcage Theatre, things get krazy when Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies mount their toe tappin’, knee-slappin’, gut-bustin’ country comedy show that will have audiences clamoring for more!
The iconic Charleston Circle fountain transforms into a beautiful floral fountain, adorned with colorful flowers and boysenberries creating an iconic centerpiece for the celebration. Located in the Boardwalk area, the stunning monument will serve as a dramatic backdrop for two spectacular interactive shows.
Peanuts Party in the Park celebrates spring in a big way with infectious music, vibrant set design, and an invitation for the audience to be a part of the show!
After sundown, Jammin’ in the Dark will transform the blooming circle into an immersive dance party complete with illuminated boysenberries, vines and LED lighting effects affixed to the Charleston fountain; DJ HowLy will spin the hottest dance music for all ages!
Transformation of Ghost Town
While strolling the bustling streets of Ghost Town, guests can capture the moment and the memories at boysenberry themed stand-in cutouts like wanted posters, a boysenberry farming family and more. Festivalgoers can also watch special demonstrations including chainsaw wood sculpting, glass blowing, and blacksmithing. While enjoying the festival, guests may meet Ghost Town’s Mayor and other charming townsfolk. From day to night, Ghost Town has never looked so deliciously fun.
Boysenberry Festival Plants and Merchandise
Explore a craft fair filled with unique boysenberry inspired merchandise throughout the winding streets of the Old West. You will find a recreation of Walter & Cordelia Knott’s Original Roadside Boysenberry Stand near the Gold Trails Hotel, from which guests can purchase authentic boysenberry plants. The Knott family sold plants and freshly picked boysenberries from the original stand, and the rest, as they say, is history!
Interactive Pie Making
New for 2015, right up the road from Birdcage Square, kids can join the classic Bear-y Tales characters in their very own pie making kitchen inside of Ghost Town’s Craft Barn. With the help of Razz Bear-y, Boysen Bear-y and the other Bear-y family members, each beautifully painted scene will follow the world famous boysenberry from field to blue ribbon winning pie! The pint sized chefs can also make their very own delightfully sweet boysenberry tarts complete with a crumble topping. Additional cost applies for tart making.
Springtime fun has also taken root in Camp Snoopy, Fiesta Village and Boardwalk. During the limited-time event, the whole family can meet the Easter Beagle in his new home, blooming with colorful springtime décor, nestled inside of the recently rejuvenated Camp Snoopy area. The meet and greet location is the perfect place for shareable moments with the boisterous beagle and his friends –Charlie Brown, Lucy, Sally and Linus.
In Camp Snoopy Theatre, Lucy’s Really BIG Spring Show will showcase the Peanuts pals singing, dancing, and celebrating springtime. The theater will be filled with the sweet sound of little ones as they singing-along to the to the show’s cheerful tunes!
Guests don’t have to be experts at the cha-cha-cha to enjoy Salsa Dancing in Fiesta Village, where everyone can to take to the floor to the rhythmic beat of popular Latin dance music.
Knott’s Boysenberry Festival is included with admission to Knott’s Berry Farm, additional cost for food tasting experiences within the event, which also offers a full day of thrilling coasters and family fun rides, like the beautifully restored Calico Mine ride and the rejuvenated six-acre Camp Snoopy featuring three new rides.
Knott’s has extended their hours during the Festival (March 28 – April 12, 2015) from 10 am-10 pm, allowing guests extra time to take advantage of all of the limited-time offerings. For affordable year-round fun for everyone and to explore the all the Festival fun, Season Passes can be purchased online at knotts.com starting at $84 or with six easy installment payments of $14 now until April 12, 2015.
I’m having a giveaway! Yep! You can win 2 tickets to Knott’s that can be used for park admission during Knott’s Boysenberry Festival! All you have to do is enter below on the Rafflecopter! Read the instructions carefully! Good luck everyone! Hope to see you at Knott’s soon! It’s going to be “berry” fun!
When I heard Knott’s announce 5/5/15 as the opening date for their newest ride, Voyage to the Iron Reef, I screamed in excitement! Literally! I knew it was something I wanted to share with everyone! Voyage to the Iron Reef is a spectacular new 4-D interactive ride. Ever since construction crews finished expanding the Boardwalk pier in 2013, guests have happily enjoyed the many new attractions like Coast Rider and Surfside Gliders. But all that activity on the Boardwalk shores has reawakened a mystic lair in the depths below, filled with creatures who have risen up to wreak havoc on the classic So Cal theme park.
Get ready to grab a freeze ray and join the battle to save Knott’s from the mysterious creatures that are emerging from the waters beneath the Boardwalk! Catch your first glimpse of the hundreds-strong aquatic army threatening Knott’s in this exclusive teaser video.
The Kraken Queen and her aquatic army have surfaced to feed on the steel of any attraction within their grasps. Their unquenchable appetite for coaster metal has turned these creatures into swimming mechanical monsters unlike anything ever before seen on the ocean floor. Only you can save Knott’s from the mysterious creatures that are emerging from the seas beneath the Boardwalk!
After seeing all of these sneak peek pictures and watching the video, I’m even more anxious for May 15th to get here. For project updates and park information, visit knotts.com or download the Knott’s Berry Farm app for your smart phone. Join the conversation about the new attraction using the hashtag #KnottsIronReef on the Knott’s Facebook, Twitter and on Instagram!
I was invited to attend this wonderful media event at Knott’s and provided with a ticket for my admission. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.
I was so honored to be invited to attend a press conference at Knott’s Berry Farm recently, to learn more about a very special partnership between Knott’s and Susan G. Komen Orange County. Susan G. Komen Orange County is a local breast health organization which helps to serve women and men who are in need of breast health care and services, but do not have access to them financially. This is the second year in a row they are teaming up in a wonderful collaborative effort to help raise money for a very important cause. In 2014, they raised nearly $100,000 for the cause. That’s an amazing number and they’re hoping to raise even more in 2015!
From now through March 31, Knott’s Berry Farm is offering a special “Pink Ticket”, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Susan G. Komen Orange County. Knott’s limited edition, specially designed “pink merchandise” is also available for sale at select locations in the park. These proceeds help fund breast health services and research and also help promote breast health awareness.
75% of the funds raised for Susan G. Komen are used to provide local services throughout Orange County:
Breast cancer detection and treatment education
Information and support for breast cancer survivors and families
Funding for free mammograms for uninsured and underserved women
25% of the funds raised for Susan G. Komen support national research to discover the cure for breast cancer.
I love this! It’s right at the entryway inside Knott’s.
The press conference featured speakers that shared real statistics and real stories about breast cancer. 1 in 8 women will be affected by breast cancer! That is a very scary statistic! (Men can also affected by breast cancer) What was even scarier hearing a related statistic about Latina women. The reality is that there are a great number of Latina women who don’t have access to breast health care and services, so, because of this, they are being diagnosed with breast cancer at much later stages than white women. This partnership is helping to provide a mobile mammography unit to the surrounding Latino community and get these women the services they need.
A big highlight of the event for me was getting to hear my beautiful friend Jaime Jenkins, speak about her own story. Jaime is also a blogger, which is how I met her. She is a wife and a mother of 2 young children. After she attended the Knott’s For the Pink event in 2014, Jaime felt her own lumps in her breasts, went in to have them checked, and was diagnosed 2 weeks later. Jaime is living with stage 4 cancer and she has had the most positive attitude about her entire experience, even though it’s been a very tough one. She’s leaned on her wonderful husband, children and her family, her friends and I know her faith has played a big part in what has kept her so strong and positive. Jaime constantly expresses gratitude for everything and truly lives life to the fullest, appreciating every little thing. I admire her in a HUGE way!
She definitely greets each day with joy! I love her!
After the breakfast and presentations came to a close, everyone followed Snoopy and Lucy over to Fiesta Village to watch all of the incredible breast cancer warriors ride Jaguar together. When they asked if I’d ride it with them, to help fill up the back of the car, I didn’t hesitate.
All of the breast cancer warriors riding Jaguar! (photo credit: Westcoaster)
All of these women have overcome so much and to see pictures of them all together, brought a smile to my face. If you look at the smile on Jaime’s face as she rides in the front, you should know that she’s like that ALL THE TIME!
Jaime’s smile is infectious! (photo credit: OC Latina Moms)
If you ever get the chance to meet Jaime, you’ll be able to feel her positive vibes, the minute you say “hi” to her and there won’t be a handshake, it’ll be a BIG hug! She’s the best hugger ever! She’s truly an inspiration to everyone around her and so much fun to hang out with!
I hope you’ll consider making a trip down to Knott’s for a fun-filled day sometime between now and March 27th and purchase your own “pink ticket” to support this great partnership between Knott’s and Susan G. Komen Orange County!
The other day when I was at Knott’s, I overheard a woman asking her friend if she’d tried a Boysenberry Latte yet? I couldn’t help but stick my nose into the conversation at that point, because anything boysenberry is pretty much my kryptonite!
Yep, I have a few weak spots and one of them is definitely boysenberry. The woman pointed me in the direction of the Boardwalk area and told me to look for the Gourmet Coffee Hut!
I made my way over there in quite a hurry. It was drizzling on and off so this was the perfect day for something hot. When I looked up at the menu board I then realized they were serving Starbucks! It was like a dream! This wasn’t just brewed Starbucks, there were actual lattes and cappuccinos and mochas on the menu!
I was beaming from ear to ear when I ordered my “venti, non-fat Boysenberry latte WITH whipped cream“! I know the lady who took my order probably thought I nuts, too! (especially when I asked her to leave the top off so I could take a picture of it before it got smashed with the lid!)
Oh and it smelled SOOOOO good!
As I walked away from the window with my boysenberry latte in hand, I turned and just gazed back at the Gourmet Coffee Hut as I took my first sip!
It was heavenly! I walked along the Boardwalk, slowly sipping on my boysenberry latte. I can’t tell you how many other park guests stopped me to ask where I’d found Starbucks in the park! I felt like it was necessary to let each and every one of those guests know about it being a BOYSENBERRY latte and watched their eyes lit up as big as mine had, when I found out those even existed!
The Starbucks Boysenberry Lattes are just another thing I love about Knott’s Berry Farm! I suggest you get over there to try one soon! (like ASAP)
Disclosure: I was invited by GigaSavvy to spend New Year’s Eve at Knott’s this year with my family. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.
I cannot believe that it’s almost 2015! Where has the time gone this year? I love the holiday season and have been fortunate enough to fit in a ton of holiday activities this season. With it being the week before Christmas, I’m also already planning for New Year’s Eve! This year, our family is going to spend New Year’s Eve at Knott’s and I think you should too! Put on your party hats and get ready to ring in the New Year at Knott’s family-friendly New Year’s Eve event that offers something for everyone! Knott’s is a fun and safe options for families who want to ring in the New Year together.
Extended park hours (from 10 a.m. until 1 a.m.!), live entertainment, and a fireworks display are all included in the price of regular park admission! And if you have a 2015 Season Pass the value is even better, because each 2015 Season Pass includes one FREE visit in 2014 that can be used on New Year’s Eve! There’s still time to purchase Knott’s 2015 Season Passes (have you seen how low they’re priced at?) which also include a visit in 2014, and you could also use that 2014 visit for New Year’s Eve at Knott’s!
So what are YOUR plans for New Year’s Eve this year? Why not head over to Knott’s?
Disclosure: My family & I were invited by GigaSavvy to attend a Media Day at Knott’s Merry Farm in order to write this review of our experience. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.The holiday season has just began and our family had so much fun kicking it off with a visit to Knott’s Merry Farm this year. We live locally and love going to Knott’s Berry Farm but this was actually our first time getting a chance to visit during “Merry Farm”, which runs this year from November 22nd to January 4th! The park is adorned with holiday decorations and the Peanuts characters are dressed in holiday attire! The sunny Southern California weather justified us wearing summer attire that day.
Our first stop of the day was at Camp Snoopy! Emily loves the kid-friendly rides and all of the little areas to explore in Camp Snoopy. During Knott’s Merry Farm you can catch one of several performances of “Lucy’s Wish List” show, each day, over the Camp Snoopy Theatre.
Some of Emi’s favorite rides in Camp Snoopy include The Balloon Race, The Grand Sierra Railroad, and the Linus Launcher . While we were there, we decided to stop by and show Woodstock his other house. Emi also got to take a picture with Charlie Brown and sought some helpful (psychiatric) advice from Lucy. We love Camp Snoopy!
It was fun to walk through Ghost Town, which has been transformed into the Christmas Crafts Village for Knott’s Merry Farm. It’s a shopping wonderland filled with dozens of local artisans selling their unique gifts. Some of the highlights of the Village include artist demonstrations of chainsaw wood carving, pottery sculpting, and elegant glass blowing. We found a lot of photo opportunities in the Christmas Crafts Village. We also enjoyed listening to carolers sing.
As you continue to walk deeper into Ghost Town, you’ll find Santa’s Christmas Cabin, located inside Wilderness Dance Hall. Santa is right inside, sitting up on the stage, and waiting for you to bring your little ones to chat with him about what they’d like for Christmas this year. He also reminds them to be good for their parents, which was my favorite part! There are photographers on hand to capture the perfect moment with your little one(s) and Santa in photos available for purchase afterwards.
Inside Santa’s Christmas Cabin, there are plenty of treats to choose from including homemade cookies & milk, hot chocolate, gourmet coffee and hot chocolate, s’mores on a stick, roasted nuts, winter wines and beer. It’s a nice place to sit down and take a break for a snack. Emi loved sitting at one of the little wooden tables to share some milk and cookies with Snoopy!
During Knott’s Merry Farm, the Calico Railroad is converted into a special Christmas on Engine 41 train ride experience. After you climb aboard the vintage railcar, you get to interact with a whole cast of characters who are ready to brighten your holidays with songs and chats about their traveling adventures. It’s a Christmas train ride filled with holiday cheer.
Just past the Calico Railroad, standing in front of the Calico Square Stage, stands the Knott’s Christmas tree, adorned with hundreds of ornaments. It’s so beautiful standing tall against the sunny blue sky! Emi and Snoopy liked checking themselves out in the giant ornaments!
After the sun goes down, you can enjoy watching Snoopy’s Merriest Tree Lighting on the Calico Square Stage as it lights up with the celebration of the season. It’s a musical, whimsical tree lighting featuring a cast of Toy Soldiers, Snowmen, Elves and the world’s most famous beagle, Snoopy!
(photo credit: Knott’s)
After dark, there’s also snowy fun each night during Knott’s Merry Farm along the buildings and paths in Ghost Town’s Main Street, as they are filled with glow and snow! Thousands of sparkling lights dance to the beat of “Let It Snow” while snow gently falls in this spectacular one-of-a-kind moment you can enjoy with your family in the Ghost Town.
(photo credit: Knott’s)
Emi, Snoopy, and Woodstock really wanted to eat dinner at Grizzly Creek Lodge, located inside of Camp Snoopy! They loved having a cheeseburger, fries and some Knott’s Berry Punch together. It’s one of our family’s favorites that we HAVE TO have on each visit to the park. Emi loved the keepsake lunchbox that her kids meal was served in. She truly adores the Peanuts gang.
I think our most favorite show at Knott’s Merry Farm was the “Merry Christmas, Snoopy” Ice show, which is in the Charles M. Schultz Theatre. I grew up watching Peanuts on TV and now Emi loves them too. Watching her face light up as all of the characters came out to skate during the show was priceless. Skating Snoopy was precious, the costumes were beautiful, I loved the songs they chose and the story lines, and the skating was amazing! What true talent!
It was a great day at Knott’s Merry Farm and we’re already planning our next visit. Have you checked out all of the benefits that come with a 2015 Knott’s Season Pass? They’re very affordable and make great holiday gifts! We’re considering grabbing 3 of them for our own family! If you purchase a pass now, you get one 2014 visit to Knott’s Merry Farm for free! For more information, click here!
Thank you again, Knott’s! As you can tell by the smile on her face, she LOVED Merry Farm and our family is so grateful for the opportunity to have spent the day creating more memories together! Happy holidays!
Disclosure: I was invited to attend a social media day at Knott’s Merry Farm and provided with information to share with my readers about Knott’s Merry Farm and 2015 Knott’s Season Passes. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.
The holiday season is officially underway! There are decorations popping up in stores everywhere, Christmas commercials are playing on the radio and on TV, and moms like me are already starting to think out about WHAT to buy everyone on our Christmas Shopping List! (I already feel like I’m behind on that part!) There are so many fun family holiday activities and events happening around Southern California this time of year also. Our family is really excited to be invited to experience the opening day of Knott’s Merry Farm this year on November 22! It’ll be our first time and we’re counting down the days.
Knott’s Merry Farm has been a Southern California Holiday Tradition since 1985 and is one of Knott’s Berry Farm’s seasonal events. The celebration of the Christmas season will start on November 22 this year and go through January 4, 2015. The event includes park-wide lavish decorations, festive food, live entertainment, and a shopping wonderland filled with local artisans.
Festive Food
Knott’s Berry Farm’s culinary elves have created delicious festive treats including Santa’s homemade cookies, sundae bar, decadent hot chocolate topped with hand carved chocolate shavings, and winter wine and craft beer tastings. Savor the ultimate comfort foods with Knott’s world famous desserts, including fresh made-to-order Maple Lollipops, churros from the Churro Factory, cakes, cookies, muffins and gingerbread men in the Farm Bakery, as well as the legendary cooking at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant. I can hardly contain my excitement.
Live Entertainment
I think I’m most excited to experience all the things Snoopy that Knott’s has in store during Merry Farm, starting with going to see a performance by the world famous beagle, himself, as he performs a brand new ice spectacular, Merry Christmas, Snoopy!, held inside of the 2100 seat Charles M. Schultz Theatre.
Other live entertainment offerings include:
• Live performances of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” or O. Henry’s “A Gift of the Magi” in an intimate setting of the historic Bird Cage Theatre.
• When the sun sets on the Farm, Calico Stage lights up with the celebration of the season in Snoopy’s Merriest Tree Lighting. Join us for a musical, whimsical tree lighting featuring a cast of Toy Soldiers, Snowmen, Elves and America’s most famous beagle, Snoopy!
• Over in Camp Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus and Lucy invite you to dance, sing and join in on the holiday fun in the Camp Snoopy Theatre.
• Introduced in 2013, the Ghost Town and Calico Railroad celebrate Christmas on Engine 41. Climb
aboard a vintage railcar and meet an ever-changing group of Ghost Town residents eager to share their
Christmas plans and songs with you.
• Ghost Town also celebrates of the sounds of the season with its very own Dickensian vocal quartet, Calico Carolers and interactive country Christmas blue grass quartet, the Ghost Town Miners.
Santa’s Christmas Cabin
Christmas wouldn’t be complete without visiting Santa Claus. The Wilderness Dance Hall in Ghost Town becomes home to Santa’s Christmas Cabin for the holiday season. Here, the young and the young at heart can share their wish lists with jolly Santa Claus and take home a picture of the occasion. We’re excited to capture a special family memory like this because we like to use our annual Santa photo for our family holiday cards!
At Santa’s Christmas Cabin, guests can also indulge in holiday delights such as:
Santa’s homemade cookies
Hot fudge sundae bar
Decadent hot chocolate topped with hand carved chocolate shavings
Winter wine and craft beer tastings paired with fresh fruit, cheese and more!
Christmas Crafts Village
Relax and unwind in Knott’s Christmas Crafts Village as it transforms Ghost Town into a shopping wonderland filled with dozens of local artists and artisans selling their unique wares including a chainsaw sculptor and glass blower. Entrance to the Knott’s Christmas Crafts Village is free Monday through Thursday and is included daily with theme park admission.
So, let’s get back to when I mentioned about how I’m starting to think about WHAT to get everyone on my holiday shopping list! I came up with the best idea! It’s a one-size, fits all, and it’s sure to please EVERYONE who receives it! It’s a 2015 Knott’s Season Pass! Why not grab one for everyone on your list? Seriously though!
Look at some of the benefits of having a Regular Season Pass:
Six Easy Payments (as low as 13.25 each)
One FREE Merry Farm Visit
Additional 2014 Visits Only $9.99
Unlimited Visits In 2015
Early Ride Times
Food & Merch Discounts
Knott’s Hotel Discounts
Scary Farm 2015 Ticket Discounts
Bring A Friend Days
Knott’s is California’s best amusement park and the prices for a year-long season pass are incredibly affordable! All the fun activities, shows and entertainment happening during the holidays at Knott’s is something you don’t want to miss! Why not purchase a Knott’s Berry Farm 2015 Season Pass for someone (or your entire family), which makes the perfect holiday gift and plan your own day out at Knott’s Merry Farm this year, which would be included with your pass as your one 2014 visit?
We’ll be there on the 22nd and can’t wait to share a ton of fun pictures with everyone! Will you be going to Knott’s Merry Farm this year? I sure hope so!
With my need to be matchy-matchy all the time and deep love for the Peanuts gang, I had already purchased the cutest little Snoopy knapsack the day before, along with a box of Peanuts bandages.
So, I proceeded to pack new my knapsack full of park necessities because I was planning for a marathon of a day. Yeah, I’m a planner AND a packer!
One of the most special parts about this particular visit to Knott’s was that I got to spend the day with my dad. I hadn’t been to Knott’s with my dad since I was a little girl! We used to visit every summer and he was the one that took me on my first upside-down rollercoaster there, “Corkscrew”! It’s not there any more but Knott’s holds a special place in my heart and that’s one of the reasons.
My dad knew JUST what I needed when we got through Calico Ghost Town….a grande, nonfat, boysenberry latte WITH whipped cream! Knott’s serves Starbucks. This particular flavor of drink is exclusive to Knott’s and you can grab one of our own at the Gourmet Coffee Hut. In addition to their extensive drink menu, you can also choose from a variety of yummy pastries!
After enjoying our Starbucks, we were ready to take on the latest attraction to open at Knott’s: Voyage to the Iron Reef! This brand new attraction opened on May 15 and I was dying to go on it since I’d heard it’s really cool.
Voyage to the Iron Reef is a 4-D interactive adventure that has you taking on The Kraken Queen and her aquatic army, all while wearing 3-D glasses and going head-to-head with your friends for the highest score!
It was a REALLY cool experience and we kept getting back into line because we were on a quest to beat our previous high scores. When you exit, you can see your scores. I don’t mean to brag but check out my score from my first time!
Next, we were ready to preview the all-new Blockbuster Beagle…on Ice! What a treat, considering I usually only see Snoopy on Ice shows during Knott’s Merry Farm! If you’ve never seen any of the Snoopy on Ice shows in the Charles M. Schultz Theatre, not only are they adorable, but the skaters are incredibly talented!
In this new production, Snoopy and his Peanuts buddies “go Hollywood“, bringing Walk of Fame glamour, dazzling movie lot escapades, and California excitement to a brand new ice show adventure.
I enjoyed the show immensely. The music is so good and there is so much going on the entire time. I need to go back to watch it a couple more times because it’s just that good!
Another cool show I got to watch for the first time was Vertical Impact! I squeezed myself into the middle of the anxious crowd in Calico Square, who were all waiting to watch this ultimate blend of extreme stunts with high flying acrobats performing a one-of-a-kind performance. This high energy show is set to the most popular songs of today, combining everything from trampoline stunts, BMX, skaters, dancers, and aerialists.
What’s YOUR favorite thing to do at Knott’s in the summer?
