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

Jim Hill

14 years ago

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.