Traveling the Globe for the Best Coasters and Theme Parks
It’s that time of year again! Welcome to our 4th Annual “Twenty-Year Top 20”, where we rank the top coasters that turn 20 years old this year! 2002 was an extremely strong year, with the “Coaster Wars” at their peak – our favorite coasters in several countries, respectively, made their debut twenty years ago. Let’s get started!
Continue reading “Twenty-Year Top 20: The Best Coasters of 2002”The most immersive Halloween experience in Southern California, Knott’s Scary Farm, returns with unimaginable new scares and terrifying twists for its 49th frightful year. Every inch of the park transforms into everyone’s worst nightmare as the most horrendous monsters await around every corner ready to turn you into their next victim. This year, guests will come face to face with their most horrifying fears as they brave through the park’s 17 haunted experiences, including five spine-chilling scare zones, nine monstrous mazes, and three sinister shows. Knott’s Scary Farm is back for 26 terrifying nights from September 22 – October 31.
Continue reading “New Scares for Knott’s Scary Farm 2022!”
This week Cedar Fair announced exciting additions and improvements for six of its twelve amusement parks! The 2023 additions mark some of the largest chain-wide investment we’ve seen since Covid-19 put a damper on the amusement industry. We’re excited to see Cedar Fair continue to invest in their parks and look forward to experiencing many of these offerings next year.
All verbiage and images are courtesy of their respective parks unless otherwise noted.
Continue reading “Cedar Fair 2023 Additions and Announcements”
This past summer Alex, Sean, and Sven recorded an episode of Coaster Kings Radio discussing attractions they consider the weakest link at many major theme parks. Inspired by this episode we’ve decided to expand the concept to more parks starting with the Cedar Fair chain. Do note that we’ve decided to exclude kiddie coasters/rides while they might not be the best attractions, they do serve an important role at most parks.
Continue reading “Weakest Links of The Cedar Fair Chain”
October is around the corner and that can only mean one thing, it’s time for some spooks at the one and only Knott’s Scary Farm!
Continue reading “Knott’s Scary Farm – 2021 Opening Night Review”
Southern California’s largest immersive Halloween experience, Knott’s Scary Farm, returns with innovative new scares and bone-chilling thrills for its 48th frightful year. Terror comes to life as the theme park shifts into your worst nightmare, with horrifying monsters and hair-raising scares looming around every turn. This year, guests will have to confront their greatest fears with 15 haunted attractions, including five sinister scare zones, eight mesmerizing mazes, and two seasonal ride overlays to some of your favorite park attractions. Knott’s Scary Farm returns for 27 terrifying nights from September 16 – October 31.
Continue reading “Knott’s Scary Farm 2021 Details!”
Boysenberry Festival is in full swing at Knott’s Berry Farm through May 2 and it is a sanitized finger lickin’ good time!
Continue reading “Knott’s Taste of Boysenberry Festival – March 2021”
Today’s roller coaster landscape is becoming increasingly international. With the rise of streaming video, social media, and even Google Translate the coaster enthusiast community and industry is more connected than it’s ever been. With the recent rise of Chinese theme parks and Chinese ride manufacturers it’s easy to forget a time when Japan seemed second only to the United States as a thrill ride destination. The undisputed king of the Japanese coaster manufacturers was “Toyo Goraku Ki Kabushiki Kaisha” or TOGO. TOGO opened their first roller coaster in 1953 at Hanayashiki park in Tokyo and soon began building rides all over Japan. In 1983 their stand-up coaster model was opening at Kings Island as King Cobra, bringing TOGO to North America. Over the next two decades TOGO would try to capitalize on this success and expand into the American and European market. They eventually opened a subsidiary named TOGO International headquartered in Middletown, Ohio. While there was some success an ill-fated 1997 project at Knott’s Berry Farm would mark the end of TOGO’s presence as a leader in the coaster world.
Continue reading “Lost Coasters of California – Part 7: Windjammer”
The Golden State has long had the reputation as one of the recreation capitals of the world. Beautiful weather combined with a diverse landscape created an environment where leisure became a serious business. It is no surprise that California is home to some of the world’s most famous roller coasters. Unfortunately many great rides are no longer part of the California coaster landscape. In these series we will be exploring some of California’s great coasters that are no more!
Continue reading “Lost Coasters of California – Part 1: Corkscrew”
It’s been 2 years since our last comprehensive countdown of California coasters, so for 2020 we bring you now a Top 20 for the Golden State. Things in California have changed a LOT in 2 years, and the landscape and hierarchy of its coasters is no exception. Continue reading “Coaster Kings’ California TOP 20 – 2020”
Off the heels of Knott’s successful new “Taste” experiences, Knott’s Berry Farm is excited to announce a new seasonal food and retail event, this time celebrating the merriest season of all, with Knott’s Taste of Merry Farm. While the theme park remains closed, Christmas spirit still shines bright this year with holiday charm brimming out of every corner of the park, as Knott’s wondrously transforms with enchanted décor, thousands of twinkling lights, miles of festive garland, and a variety of picturesque holiday settings, all serving as a backdrop to the tastiest holiday foods around. Continue reading “Knott’s Taste of Merry Farm”
After months on top of months of waiting, California theme parks finally received reopening guidelines yesterday during the state’s weekly COVID-19 briefing. Governor Gavin Newsom along with other high-level representatives from the Golden State have decided to split up theme parks into “larger theme parks” and “smaller theme parks”. The placement of a theme park is based on its capacity. The state says it will allow smaller theme parks to reopen at 25% capacity (or 500 people, whichever is fewer) once the county the park resides in is placed into the orange tier. Reservations will be required, all park guests must live in the same county the park is in, and only outdoor attractions will be allowed to operate. For larger theme parks, the restrictions are even more suffocating, with the guidelines stating that the county the park resides in must be in the yellow tier in order to reopen. Like the smaller parks, reservations will also be required and the park capacity will have to be 25%. Continue reading “California Theme Parks – Where Do We Go From Here?”
We got quite some news this week from parks around the US, including seasonal events, food festivals, and combinations of both! Continue reading “Special Events News – United States Theme Parks – Week Ending September 13, 2020”
Knott’s Berry Farm reopened their hotel, and Randy from the FUNnelcake Blog was there to check it out!
“Stay where you play.” The Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel has always been a favorite place to spend the night. Back in March, the hotel closed for what we all thought would be just a few weeks. Well, five months later, guests are finally being welcomed back into the 320-room facility, just steps away from Knott’s front gate. Continue reading “Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel Reopens – Take a Look Inside!”
While Knott’s Berry Farm theme park remains closed, Knott’s Ghost Town is the setting for the all-new, limited time outdoor food and retail experience, Knott’s Taste of Calico. During this specially ticketed outdoor event, guests will be able to take a nostalgic stroll through the streets of Calico, sample unique Knott’s culinary creations including boysenberry specialties, visit local crafters and shop at our unique stores. Continue reading “Knott’s Taste of Calico”
Sean: The unique collection of Cedar Fair parks are home to some of the world’s greatest and biggest coasters. While all parks are currently closed due to COVID-19, now’s a good time to discuss the company’s best coasters: Continue reading “The 5 Best Cedar Fair Coasters”
Southern California’s original theme park, Knott’s Berry Farm, will commemorate its 100th anniversary with its largest celebration ever, all paying tribute to the Knott family’s rich history and legacy of family fun for all. Kicking off May 15 through August 30, “A Knott’s Family Reunion,” will bring together old classics with new favorites, which includes the return of the beloved Bear-y Tales story in an all-new 4-D interactive dark ride, bringing to life a continuation of the classic attraction initially commissioned by the Knott Family and created in 1975 by the legendary attraction designer Rolly Crump. Continue reading “Knott’s Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair – New for 2020!”
Preston: To continue our Halloween haunt coverage in SoCal, today we’re going to discuss all things Knotts Scary Farm. We had the privilege of attending this year’s media event and it was a fantastic time! So let’s jump into some maze reviews! Continue reading “Knott’s Scary Farm 2019 Review”
Alexander: Welcome to our comprehensive countdown of Cedar Fair parks! Before we begin, let’s talk about the two Cedar Fair parks that are not featured on this list, and why:
Derrion: It may be a surprise to some but an adventurous new excursion opened at Knott’s Berry Farm May 18th. Calico River Rapids is an all new thematic take on the classic Big Foot Rapids. Lets take a look at the new changes and effects that can be found on the newly themed rapids attraction. Continue reading “Calico River Rapids Media Preview”