How would you compare Disneyland to Knotts Berry Farm? We%26#39;re a family of 4 (including a boy-6 and a girl-4). They%26#39;re adventurous kids with a lot of adrenaline but also my daughter has a fascination with all cute things (like Disney characters and kiddie rides).
Advise Disney or KnottsThey really can%26#39;t be compared. Disneyland is unique in that it is Disney. All the rides are theme based and the details are as enjoyable as the rides themselves. They do have rides that are also good for adventurous type kids (mine are) like thunder mountain, Matterhorn, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, etc... as well as some ride at Cal Adventure assuming they are tall enough. Even the kiddie rides are enjoyed by
Knotts, while Western Themed, is more your typical amusement park (others may disagree). They have a kiddie section, but I find it really young, except for toddlers, some wild rides, but my kids have been too short for them up until this year and some middle of the road rides. You can easily get through Knotts in a single day, with Disney - we find new things everytime we return.
Advise Disney or KnottsThanks juxie! I get the general picture.
I%26#39;d like to know:
1. Has Knotts Berry Farm enough details for a nice day strolling around, enjoying it? (a la Disney or Bush Gardens)
2. What would be ideal number of days for Knotts? For Disneyland? For California Adventure?
Well like the previous post stated. They cannot be compared.
Disneyland is a world in itself. It is the very first themepark in the world (dont let the knotts adds full you)! Disneyland has been aaround for over 50 years now and there is a reason that many people keep coming back and bring back their kids. There is a magic you can find at Disneyland that you cannot find anywhere else.
Disneyland resort has 2 parks and Knotts only has one. And I would say that the Disney parks are a lot more kid friendly then knotts.
There are 6 or 7 ';lands'; in Disneyland that will give you a different feeling in each. The more kid friendly and one that will be more fun for your kids will be fantasyland. There are several of the original rides taht were built in 1955. There are also a lot of roller coasters and such that will keep you kids happy with there no fear attitude.
Disney%26#39;s California Adventure Park (DCA), has a lot of great things for kids as well. There are also themed lands here as well however they ar ethemed to what is offered in the state of California. There is a Hollywood, farming area, Golden State, and a pier. The children rides here are offered throughout the park. They have in Hollywood Golden State, and the Brand NEW family ride is in pardise peir. Toy Story Mania opened on June 17 2008 and is a really great ride for kids.
So all in all I would choose Disneyland Hands down. If you have the time and money come down to SoCal and spend a at least 3 or 4 days where you can go to both Disney parks as well as Knotts. Knotts is close tpo anaheim and you can take a short drive.
Message Me if you have any more questions!
John, you%26#39;ve opened a ';can of worms'; here. Obviously, the prior%26#39;s poster%26#39;s loyalties are proclaimed by his or her screenname. I%26#39;ll refer you to this history of Knotts (which IS older than DL, btw) and was, for many years, larger than DL -- it may still be.
www.knotts.com/coinfo/history/index.shtml
Knotts does have different ';lands'; -- 6 of them, to be exact. Camp Snoopy which is particularly aimed at kids is a place that I, too, enjoy. (Where else can you run across a bridge, made only of rope and strung between 2 trees while your Mom screams from below: ';Johnny, be careful!';. Talk about adventure. Did I mention that the bridge swings from side to side while you%26#39;re running on it. Compare that to DL!
I would look closely at the Knotts.com website. They have DETAILED descriptions of the park and the rides if you click on ';Plan a Visit'; and then ';Theme Park';. There is also a waterpark called ';Soak City'; that is adjacent to Knotts (and owned by them). Lastly, the ticket prices are A LOT less. I have been to both parks and while DL is more polished -- every detail is there (they used to pump ';freshly-made candy smell'; out of a vent below the store window of the candy shop on Main Street even though, at the time, no candy was made there. It sure smelled great looking at the candies that were made in a giant factory somewhere else.
Yes, DL is a great park but Knotts is worthy of your consideration as well. For what it%26#39;s worth, my family prefers Knotts.
Have a great holiday.
First off, Knott%26#39;s is a ';Resort';, and has 2 parks (Knott%26#39;s Berry Farm and Knott%26#39;s Soak City) a on property hotel, a shopping and dining center, plus a true recreation of Independence Hall (a free exhibit). There is plenty of places to walk around at Knott%26#39;s, it started off due to how popular the Chicken Dinner Restaurant became, and the crowds needed something to do while waiting for a meal.
Ghost Town is a fun place to just walk around, they have a Museum and a few arts and crafts folks, including Glass Blowing, and a gentleman who turns coins into art, by cutting out certain parts of the coin to make the main feature stand out.
Knott%26#39;s also has a lot of shows, including a Peanuts themed show for kids at Camp Snoopy, the Wild West Stunt Show, a Ice Skating Show featuring Snoopy, the Calico Saloon Show and others.
And then there is the price comparison...
http://www.knotts.com/hot/index.asp
Kids (3-11) are just $19.99 for a day at Knott%26#39;s Berry Farm, and adults can find discounts, the most common one now allows Adults in for $35.99.
Compare that to Disneyland and DCA...
1 day at Disneyland is $56 for kids, $66 for adults (10 and over)
1 day ParkHopper is $81 for kids, $91 for adults
2 day ParkHopper is $112 for kids, $132 for adults
3 day ParkHopper is $139 for kids, $169 for adults (this is a special discounted rate for 3 day ParkHoppers bought in advance).
So how many days do you have, just 1, well, Disneyland is the classic, and I would say go there, it is a bit expensive, but it is open earlier and stays open later than Knott%26#39;s or DCA, so you can get a full day in (or plan for a nap in the middle of the day).
2 days, then I would do one day at Disneyland and the second day at Knott%26#39;s. First off, it will cost you less than a 2 day ParkHopper at Disneyland, second you would get some great variety, and a chance to have dinner at Mrs. Knott%26#39;s Chicken Dinner Restaurant.
3 days, now it looks like you should just opt for a 3 day ParkHopper and check out DCA.... Many of its attractions have height limitations, and there isn%26#39;t that much for kids to do. A few kids rides in Flik%26#39;s Fun Fair, which was added after a lot of folks complained there was very little for kids to do. A lot of the little kids play areas involve water, but you need to keep the kids dressed and have shoes on.
The most common comment to the question of how many days at Disney is 3, about 2 and 1/2 days at Disneyland and about 1/2 a day at DCA.
4 days, then 3 days at Disneyland and 1 day at Knott%26#39;s.
And by the way, Knott%26#39;s Theme Park opened in 1940, and Walt Disney and his team visited Knott%26#39;s many times in the early 50%26#39;, especially 1954 to get ideas and watch traffic flow patterns, etc to help them build Disneyland.
Walter and his wife Cordella were invited to the opening of Disneyland in July of 1955, and then return back to Knott%26#39;s Berry Farm, where they found the park packed with guests.
Another well known Theme Park opened prior to Disneyland, and that was Santa Claus Land (Indiana) in 1946 (now known as Holiday World).
I agree with both HopSkipJump and Darkbeer (loved your post, Darkbeer). Darkbeer has some great pictures of Knott%26#39;s. Maybe he can post a link for you.
I used to visit both Disneyland and Knott%26#39;s once every summer. I love them both. I only stopped going to Knott%26#39;s in the summer because I prefer Knott%26#39;s a Christmastime now.
Another interesting fact about the early years of Disneyland is that the two Walters had an agreement to each have their parks closed one day during the week so that they wouldn%26#39;t compete too much with each other and each park would have a chance on it%26#39;s own on that one day.
Both parks had burros rides in the early years. I think that Knott%26#39;s had them first. Anyway, my sisters and I used to get mixed up about where we rode the burros. When I was a little older than your six year old we sometimes visited both parks in one day.
From your description of your daughter I would say you should definitely try to visit both Disneyland and Knott%26#39;s. She will love all of the Peanuts stuff and may get to see Snoopy up close and personal. There is also lots of cute Snoopy and Peanuts Gang merchandise, both outside the park in the Snoopy Headquarters Store and inside Camp Snoopy. I guess I%26#39;m a big kid because I loved it when Knott%26#39;s created Camp Snoopy and find the entrance cute and whimsical. It%26#39;s not done on a big overwhelming scale like Disney does things, but that is what%26#39;s great about Knott%26#39;s - the simplicity.
Now, I haven%26#39;t visited Camp Snoopy in about three years and I thought the rope bridge was taken down for good. If HopSkip says it%26#39;s up I%26#39;m very happy and I would love to walk across it. The cool thing about that area of Camp Snoopy is there is also a couple of barrel bridges and a pond with huge rocks and a large walk through cavern and a waterfall, so kids can go back and forth and really enjoy. All the adults I have been with enjoy it too. Just to keep you really informed, there are rope bridges in Disneyland, on the island (you have to take a raft over there) and also up in Tarzan%26#39;s Treehouse (short one). There is a eatery right next that area in Knott%26#39;s - although I would say stick with the food in Mrs. Knott%26#39;s Restaurant or the Ghost Town Grill.
Your boy (and maybe your girl too) will enjoy seeing all the cowboy stuff. There is a wild west shoot out in the afternoon in Calico Square. Sometimes if you sit on the patio at the Ghost Town Grill you may see an impromtu shoot out or some sort of cowboy thing going on in front of the Blacksmith%26#39;s shop across the way.
The train is an authentic steam train. I love Disneyland and love the train there, but there is something about the train at Knott%26#39;s that seems special. And, by the way, if you take a ride on it you may be held up by some robbers, so look out for your valuables.
At least one of the stagecoaches is authentic. Even if you see a notice that says no priority seating ask if you can sit on the outside. Say you are willing to wait and they will probably accomadate you. Sitting on the inside gives you a feel for what it must have been like in the old west - especially if it%26#39;s a hot day. Cramped, hot, and maybe sweaty! But sitting on the outside really makes you feel like you are riding in a western movie. They may have the kids sit ';shotgun'; with the driver.
While Knott%26#39;s is a theme park, with themed areas, unforunately since the family sold the park to Cedar Fair Parks around 1999 that company has gradually been turning the park into more of an amusement park. So what has happened is the theming has been a bit interrupted with rides. Imagine looking at a new huge roller coaster over a stagecoach with a team of four horses while you are watching Native American dancers next to one of the original ';Ghost Town'; buildings built with bottles inlayed into the sides of the building. That%26#39;s Knott%26#39;s. A mixture of old and new, theme and thrill, history and present time.
And speaking of history, the Independence Hall mentioned by Darkbeer has a room with a pretty cool audio presentation of the days leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Also, a recreation of the Liberty Bell. Outside the Independance Hall are chickens and roosters roaming about and a duck pond. Very nice to visit in the morning before entering the park - or before getting an early lunch at Mrs. Knott%26#39;s (best time for no line at the restaurant is around 11 a.m.). The Independance Hall and the entire Market Place with the restaurant is totally free, with free three hour parking. So I would encourage you to at least spend some time walking around that area and having a meal even if you don%26#39;t want to actually visit the park. If you are going in the summer, spend a full day in the park and go early to avoid long lines. You may want to end your day around 9, maybe 10 at the latest.
Oh, and don%26#39;t forget to visit Mystery Lodge. It%26#39;s a fantasic Native American storytelling show that uses special effects that will leave you wondering how they did that. The story is a very touching one about family.
Make sure to check the schedule of shows for Knott%26#39;s because your kids may want to see the Snoopy show going on this summer inside the Charles Schulz Theater and I believe that does not play seven days a week.
If you do decide to go to Knott%26#39;s I would encourage you, for your own enjoyment, to discover whatever you can about it%26#39;s history (although it%26#39;s been covered here pretty good). Read about it on their website. I always find that reading about the history of a place adds to your enjoyment and appreciation of it. Some of the history is right there. While in line for Mrs. Knott%26#39;s restaurant you will be able to view pages from old menus and guest books and see the signatures of movie stars that visited the restaurant.
I think if you have three days you should throw in DCA, but do the two day park hopper and visit Knott%26#39;s on the other day.
Wow! I have no words to express how grateful I feel about all the information you guys have provided me.
WDWDisneyfan: I understand you. I%26#39;ve always liked WDW at Orlando and it really feels a magic world just entering its gates!
HopSkipJump: thanks so much for opening my eyes about Knotts. I enjoyed the website.
Darkbeer: wonderful info! I loved your days analysis!
I think we%26#39;re going to have 4 days at Anaheim, 3 at Disneyland and 1 at Knott%26#39;s Berry Farm.
Redhead: I really enjoyed all the details! It only makes me want to know more and more about the park. The Camp Snoopy sure will delight my daughter.
One more question, which day(s) would be the best/worst for each of the 3 parks?
Here is an interesting website with memories of Orange County, including Knott%26#39;s and Disneyland.
www.octhen.com/2005/04/knotts-berry-farm.htm
To give you advice on the best days to go we should know what time of year you are visiting. During peak summer season, ending on Labor Day, all days in DL and DCA parks are pretty much the same. Except that, of course, the 4th of July is very crowded. July days usually have heavier crowds than August. For Knott%26#39;s during peak summer season, I%26#39;m not sure if there is a difference between weekdays and weekends, but I know that I was looking at the schedule about a week ago and noticed that the Snoopy Ice show is dark on some days of the week. The website should show you. For other times of the year more specific advice would apply.
I checked the Knott’s website and not much information is up about the days and times of shows. Darkbeer may know, but here is their phone number (714) 220-5200 . I have found that if I don’t get the schedule information from Darkbeer the only other way is to call Knott’s and ask a representative. Ask about days and times for the Wild West Stunt Show (in the Wagon Camp), the Calico Shoot Out, the Camp Snoopy Theater Show, the Native American Dancers, and the Calico Saloon Show. You may also want to ask if Mystery Lodge has shows every day. Usually it does, but just to be safe.
This is all I found on their website:
';Snoopy%26#39;s Big Bow Wow - Ice Show
Now through August 24 (Dark Wednesdays)
Join the world%26#39;s most famous beagle as he struts his stuff on ice skates. You won%26#39;t want to miss this dazzling family entertainment for fans of both skating and Snoopy!
All Wheels Extreme
Now through September 1 (Dark Mondays %26amp; Tuesdays)
All Wheels Extreme opens on on the Calico Square stage. Heart pumping music, high-energy skaters, BMX riders and dancers with high flying action liven the dusty ghost town of Calico in this action packed exhibition of adrenaline.';
Personally, I wouldn’t want to go when the All Wheels Extreme is on. I’ve done it and don’t care for it, but maybe your boy would like it.
My screen name wdwdisneyfan does not make me partial to one park or one compnay in particular. Yes I like Disney the best but I also like certain things about otehr parks as well. I am just a bigger fan of disney then the other because I feel like when ever you go into the parks you feel like your in a different world. So next time if someone would like to criticize me or my opinion just send me a message and we can handel it that way instead of the forums.
I also would like to say I knew about the friendship of the 2 Walts. They have been friends for a very long time and became friends because of the dreams of creating a family freindly place where familys can have fun together. And this fact where they each closed there park one day of the week I did not know and find it interesting. I also wonder what the Walt (the one who created Knotts) thinks about the sucess of disney and that of his own park.
Message me if you have any questions.
No comments:
Post a Comment