News & Press Releases

Knott’s Berry Farm rises above the competition with its new WindSeeker ride

Published

13 years ago

August 24, 2010

Southern California is an incredibly competitive market. Especially
when it comes to themed entertainment.

So what with the Disneyland Resort rolling out its new World
of Color nighttime water spectacular this past June and Mickey's Soundsational
Parade & DCA's "The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure" coming on
line in 2011 … Not to mention that "King Kong 360 3-D" sequence that just got
added to Universal Hollywood's tram tour as well as that "Transformers: The Ride"
attraction that will be opening on the Lower Lot in 2011 … Well, you just knew
that Knott's Berry Farm was going to have to do something in response.

But who knew that America's 1st theme park would go to such
heights in order to tower over its competition? Pulling down its 225 foot-tall Sky Cabin
attraction (which – back when it was initially built in 1976 — was
the highest structure in all of Orange County) to make way for the $5 million WindSeeker.

This 301 foot-tall structure (Which is just one of four
WindSeekers that the Cedar Fair Entertainment Company will be installing at some
of its North America theme parks in 2011. With the other three versions of this
ride being built at Cedar Point, Kings Island and Canada’s Wonderland) will
take 64 passengers aloft at a time. Where they will then experience the sensation
of weightlessness as they spin around at a 45 degree angle.

Of course, given that so many folks have fond memories of
Sky Cabin and the spectacular view that this ride gave them of Buena Park,
Knott’s hopes that they’ll be able to get this Boardwalk favorite
up and running once more so that people can then get in some last
rides. However, given the maintenance issues that have been bedeviling
this 34 year-old attraction over the past few years
(Knott’s Sky Cabin broke down back in June of 2008, leaving 24 riders
stranded
high in the air. Who then had to be rescued by the Orange County Fire
Department with 100-feet aerial ladders) … one wonders if that’s
actually going
to happen.

As for WindSeeker, this ride will be designed &
manufactured by Mondial, a company that's based in the Netherlands which has
been creating thrill rides for the amusement park industry since 1987. Mondial
is best known for rides like its Giant Wheels, which skillfully mixes safety,
heights and thrills.

Anywho … The current plan calls for Knott’s to begin
dismantling Sky Cabin sometime after Halloween Haunt wraps for this year. With
the giant K that stood on top of this structure for decades then being put on
display inside of this theme park as a place yet to be determined.

And speaking of Halloween Haunt … Tickets for the 38th annual edition
of Knott's Scary Farm (which officially opens on Friday,
September 24th and then runs for 27 horrifying nights) just went on sale.

If you'd like to experience the world's largest
Halloween-themed amusement park event (Which will feature 3 new mazes — Fallout
Shelter (in 3D), Sleepy Hollow Mountain, and Virus Z as well as a brand-new
scare zone, Necropolis – you should
probably purchase your tickets ASAP. Especially since Halloween Haunt
traditionally tends to sell out as we enter the final weeks of October.

Mind you, there's another reason that you consider buying your
tickets to Knott's Scary Farm early and online. Given that admission to
selected nights of Halloween Haunted will only cost $33. If you buy these
tickets via the official Knott's website.

Otherwise admission to Knott's Scary Farm will cost you $50
if you just walk up and purchase your tickets in advance at that park's Guest Relations
window. And if you're thinking about waiting 'til the actual night of the event
before you purchase your admission … Well, those Halloween Haunt tickets will
cost $56 apiece.

So – in this case, anyway – it pays to plan ahead.
Especially if you're looking to get the maximum amount of scream out of your
theme park dollar.

For further information on WindSeeker and/or the 38^th
annual edition of Knott's Scary Farm Halloween Haunt, I suggest that you head
on over to the official Knott's Berry Farm website.

News & Press Releases

Disney Will Bring D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event to Anaheim, California in August 2024

Published

3 days ago

September 9, 2023

Nancy Stadler

Expanded Disney Fan Experience Will Feature New and Exciting Events Across Multiple Locations, Including a D23 Takeover of the Happiest Place On Earth, Evening Entertainment at the Honda Center, D23 Day at Angel Stadium, and Much More

Fan Favorites Including Exhibits, Panels, Shows, and Shopping Will Dazzle Disney Enthusiasts at the Anaheim Convention Center

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is a one-of-a-kind fan experience like never before with spectacular shows, new venues, and multiple days of entertainment that will bring together the best of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and more!

Highlightswill include:

Sunday, August 4: D23 Day at Angel Stadium, where D23 fans are invited to attend the Los Angeles Angels vs. New York Mets game.
Thursday, August 8: D23 kickoff celebration at Disneyland Resort.
Friday, August 9 – Sunday, August 11: Shopping, exhibits, panels, and presentations will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center during the day, with the fun extending into the evening at the Honda Center, the bigger home to marquee shows.

Tickets for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will go on sale in Spring 2024, with ticketing options to be announced later for access to the Anaheim Convention Center and the Honda Center. Admission for D23 Day at Angel Stadium and the D23 kickoff celebration at Disneyland Resort will be available as separate ticketed events. Additional details for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will be announced in early 2024.

You can get updates by staying connected to D23 via social media (@DisneyD23 on Facebook, Instagram, X), D23.com, and our weekly D23 FanFare email (sign up for free as a D23 General Member at JoinD23.com).

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s nearly 100-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic year-round through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; the latest news and stories on D23.com; member-exclusive offers and discounts; the popular D23 Inside Disney podcast; and special experiences for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($99.99/year), Gold Duo Membership ($129.99/year), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube.

News & Press Releases

Star Wars Spoof: Space Robots in Outer Space Ep X: Battle for the Halcyon: The Last Starcruiser

Published

4 months ago

May 4, 2023

Jim Hill

Sure, Star Wars is cool and all. But let’s not forget about that other multi-part sci-fi cinematic spectacular, “Space Robots in Outer Space.” In fact, Hank Lonely (Hollywood’s ultimate hyphenate — actor / producer / director / writer / guy who makes sure the Porto Potties are kept squeaky-clean) just announced that there’ll soon be a 10th installment of this … Well, not exactly beloved. How about we say “admired from afar” instead? … series coming to a theater near you. In fact, here’s the highly anticipated teaser trailer for that project. Which is supposed to be titled “Space Robots in Outer Space X — Battle for the Halycon: The Last Starcruiser.”

Okay. Now the real story … In honor of Star Wars Day (i.e., May 4th. As in “May the Fourth Be With You”), Len Testa and I are sharing something that we produced with the help of all the nice folks who joined us last month aboard the Halycon.

We turned the Galactic Starcruiser as well as Black Spire Outpost into the backdrop for an affectionate send-up of all things Stars Wars. We hope that you (more importantly, the legal team at Lucasfilm) take this faux trailer in the spirit with which it was intended. Special thanks to Aaron Adams for so skillfully stitching all of this footage together. Also thanks to the team at Storybook Destinations, Touring Plans and the talented cast & crew aboard the “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser” for making this “Disney Dish” fan event so memorable.

News & Press Releases

Disney’s New Trailer Reveals How Ralph & Vanellope Get to the Internet in “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2”

Published

5 years ago

June 4, 2018

Jim Hill

When “Wreck-It Ralph” opened on Nov. 2, 2012, it turned in the highest opening weekend ever for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film at the time of release. Now Disney is hoping Ralph will not only break the Internet but the 2018 Thanksgiving boxoffice records as well.

The film re-teams the original director, producer and co-writer behind “Wreck-It Ralph.” The screenplay is currently being written by Phil Johnston and Pamela Ribon. Director Rich Moore, producer Clark Spencer, and co-writer Phil Johnston partnered with fellow director Byron Howard and co-writer/co-director Jared Bush to create the Academy Award®-winning blockbuster feature “Zootopia.”

ROYAL REUNION – In “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2,” Vanellope von Schweetz-along with her best friend Ralph-ventures into the uncharted world of the internet. When she finds herself surrounded by Disney princesses, she’s surprised to learn that she actually has a lot in common with them. The scene, highlighted in a new trailer for the film (below), features several of the original princess voices, including Auli’i Cravalho (“Moana”), Kristen Bell (Anna in “Frozen”), Idina Menzel (Elsa in “Frozen”), Kelly MacDonald (Merida in “Brave”), Mandy Moore (Rapunzel in “Tangled”), Anika Noni Rose (Tiana in “The Princess and the Frog”), Ming-Na Wen (“Mulan”), Irene Bedard (“Pocahontas”), Linda Larkin (Jasmine in “Aladdin”), Paige O’Hara (Belle in “Beauty and the Beast”) and Jodi Benson (Ariel in “The Little Mermaid”). Featuring Sarah Silverman as the voice of Vanellope, “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2” opens in theaters nationwide Nov. 21, 2018.