Another exciting reopening. After a slew of successful food festivals since summer of last year, Knott’s Berry Farm is now ramping up to their grand reopening on May 21st with a Season Passholder preview! And it’s quite the preview with all attractions open! But this is only a lead-up to the beginning of the 100th Anniversary celebration later this month. Brian Pinsky and I took a trip (or two…or more) around the park to check it all out for you.

Season Passholder Preview

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
The marquee is currently missing “A Cedar Fair Park,” you can see the shadow of the letters just below “Berry Farm”

Familiar, Yet a Bit Different

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

Knott’s is in a unique situation. The park has been mostly open in one way or another since last summer, hosting multiple food and merchandise events. They just wrapped the successful Taste of Boysenberry Festival; it was so good that I went three times! Because Knott’s has had guests in the park for a while, they’ve been able to tweak their approach to state mandates for a (mostly) smooth transition from the festival back to the theme park.

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
Temperature checks were eliminated this week

As a result, Knott’s didn’t have quite as much work to prepare for reopening as some other parks. Knott’s has been show ready for months. The experience isn’t much different than what we’ve had for some time, now it just means we can ride some rollercoasters. Oh, and also experience the brand new Knott’s Bear-y Tales, the awesome family dark ride nestled into the back of the park. But I’ll have more on that in a moment.

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
Arriving around 11, walkways were mostly clear of guests

Even after the season passholder preview ends (May 20), reservations will still be required to enter the park (you can make one as far out as September currently). They give you both a date and a time to visit. Times are set every thirty minutes so not everyone shows up at once. Although, we did see people bunching up a bit waiting until their reservation time began. We had no trouble getting in, otherwise. 

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

Three things all theme parks are asked to enforce are masks, physical distancing, and sanitization. Knott’s has done a great job with all three during their previous food festivals, so we expected that to continue… but unfortunately, that’s not what we can report for our first trip back.

While there were just as many sanitization stations around the park as before, we found masks and physical distancing to be a bit more inconsistent than our previous visits. In most cases, we don’t believe this a lack of Knott’s trying— there are a significant amount of distance markers around the park and plenty of reminders posted to wear masks. This is likely a guest-driven situation, the park will have to try harder to maintain its requirements.

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

At the start of the day, most people were diligently wearing their masks. Unfortunately, as time went on, we became aware of an increasing number of other guests around us taking their masks off outside of designated areas and/or walking around the park with it pulled entirely below their chin. Right now, masks are still required by state theme park guidance and by Knott’s policy. This was less of a problem during the Taste of Boysenberry Festival, perhaps because people were naturally in and out of designated dining areas. It seems Knott’s will have to increase staff enforcement.

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
Mystery Lodge has been turned back into a “relax zone,” where you can take off your mask (early festivals also used this spot as a “Relax Zone”)

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

When it comes to social distancing, what we’ve noticed just about everywhere continues to stay true: when six-foot markers are not used, guests won’t naturally stay physically distanced. One particularly poor example was guest services; it maintained long lines all the way to park closing. And for what? We aren’t quite sure, but it was likely related to season passes/pass benefits. We saw multiple employees laying down more markers throughout the park, so we know that Knott’s was paying attention.

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
This line was consistently long all day, even after park close

Overall, things were fine. During busier parts of the day, some areas did become uncomfortably crowded, but we’d just head to a less-crowded area of the park. Just as they tweaked and adjusted the first food festival, we anticipate things will be smoothed out by the official public re-opening on May 21st. 

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
All of the outdoor dining for Mrs. Knott’s was removed to allow for the return of thru-traffic again. 

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

Attractions

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

Speaking of minor issues, we found that many attractions were going up and down all day. Technically, all attractions are operating, at least according to Knott’s calendar. Even still, a few things weren’t quite ready yet and/or were having technical difficulties.

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
This banner has been inviting guests to check out the hootenanny for about a year. Only a few guests were able to see the updates until now.
, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
The flume wasn’t turned on for much of the day

We had intended to ride Log Ride and get photos of the few small changes Knott’s had made last year prior to the (original) start of the 100th Anniversary (some new figures and a new song by Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies).

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
Log Ride’s line got long really quick before it went down again

Unfortunately, the ride was down for most of the day and only came back up for a short time. By the time we returned to ride, it was down again. 

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

We never saw the train operate, either, although it seemed like it had meant to. The bandits were still out interacting with guests all day.

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

Hat Dance also wasn’t quite back together yet, though it has been freshly painted. The actual hats on top of the ride vehicles weren’t there when we arrived in the morning, but they were actually all on but one before we left; Knott’s is moving fast. 

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
One final hat to install

Huff and Puff was also closed, with most signs still covered. But they have enhanced the queue with plexiglass panels between rows. 

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

Despite technical issues and seemingly long lines, we were able to ride the new Bear-y Tales attraction twice with minimal waits. We rode the Calico Mine Train twice with similarly short wait times. Just keep in mind that your mileage (and wait time) may vary.

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview , Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

While attraction reliability appears to be fluctuating, it might take a while for them to all get back to their pre-closure efficiency. Average waits for the big rides seemed to be around 20-40 minutes for much of the day, not outrageously long. Wait times are not being posted right now, so it’s hard to tell.

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

The problem with judging lines is that they all ‘look’ long due to 6′ distancing between parties. 

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
Jaguar’s queue was all outside since they can’t use their indoor queue

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
Many switchbacks at attractions like Hang Time don’t have plexiglass in them, so this line looks much longer than it actually was
, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
Just keep in mind that you’re supposed to wear masks, even while on the rides. Many guests weren’t complying. 

Knott’s Bear-y Tales

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

Along with this passholder preview, Knott’s Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair is now open. While the official opening day is the 21st, anyone currently visiting the park can ride this charming new family dark ride. New is a relative term, as the theme of the attraction is a Knott’s classic in an updated, modern package. That said, I think it’s a slam-dunk for Knott’s; this attraction is not to be missed. 

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

Impressively, Bear-y Tales seemed to consistently hold an acceptable queue length every time we walked by (likely an hour max, but 40 minutes on average). In fact, Bear-y Tales may be one of the most efficient rides in the park just because they can seat every row (since there’s only one per car), and it loads/unloads quickly. That’s particularly nice for a new attraction since it means you can potentially ride it a few times during your park visit. 

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
There are enough markers to go pretty far into the Boardwalk, but Bear-y Tales was running pretty efficiently

If you want to learn more about the new Bear-y Tales, I previewed the attraction last week and detailed my thoughts in the article below. Included are also two videos, a ride preview and another I put together after chatting with the Knott’s team and Chris Crump, who worked on the original Bear-y Tales (with his father, Disney legend Rolly Crump). Also, I can’t get the theme song to get out of my head, which is a good thing.

Knott’s Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair is Jam-Packed with Family Fun!

While you’re here, you can pick up the new Bumble Bear-y’s Boysenberry Pie at the Coffee Hut. It’s a small boysenberry pie to tie into the Bear-y Tales attraction. It’s so delicious you probably won’t want to share it. 

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview , Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

Knott’s 100th Anniversary: A Knott’s Family Reunion

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

Postponed from last year, Knott’s will be holding their 100th Anniversary this year. The theme is “A Knott’s Family Reunion,” which will include many throwbacks for longtime Knott’s fans. The anchor, of course, will be the new Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair. We’re told there will be photo ops and other goodies to see for nostalgic fans.

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
The stage is already set for Summer Nights

Also returning this year will be an anniversary version of Knott’s Summer Nights, the bonanza of live music and food festival. It will culminate in a synchronized lighting show that centers around the Sky Cabin’s “K” icon. 

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview , Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview Knott’s 100th Anniversary will begin on May 21st, when the park re-opens to regular guests and will run through September 6th (when we hope Scary Farm will have a chance to return).

For now, entertainment mostly consists of the Ghost Town and Peanuts characters.

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview , Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview , Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

Some signs of the 100th Anniversary have already started popping up. The 100th Anniversary is all about nostalgic attractions, and Knott’s is particularly using Bear-y Tales, Sky Jump, and Soap Box Racers. All three now have their own midway games throughout the park. If you liked the Bear-y Tales ride, you’ll want to play the midway game since it’s (eventually) getting its own nostalgia-themed prizes.

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview , Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview , Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview , Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview , Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview , Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

It looks like Knott Radio is sticking around for the anniversary as well, leftover from the Taste of Boysenberry Festival. If you haven’t seen (or heard it), two DJs take over the Boardwalk area and do a live radio show. It’s cute and full of corny jokes. 

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

Knott’s Food and Treats

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
Two new items at Boardwalk BBQ: Meatballs in Boysbenberry BBQ Sauce and Hot Cheetos Mac and Cheese
, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
Check out the size of that rotisserie chicken

As we sat down to eat lunch, we were pleasantly surprised to see the Boardwalk BBQ had significantly changed their menu. We expected a limited menu, but in this case, it has been expanded. That likely has to do with the growing popularity of the all-season dining plan. Prices seem to have increased as well, although portion sizes have also increased.

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

While Boardwalk BBQ’s menu has expanded, its hours are more limited. Hopefully, this is a temporary change since it’s my go-to spot for food while at Knott’s. This was particularly true since Fireman’s Brigade BBQ had a line that was estimated around an hour for the majority of the day.

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
The ribs are gone, but new items took their place at Boardwalk BBQ. Ribs are still available at the Fireman’s Brigade BBQ.
, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
Boardwalk BBQ now has three kinds of Mac and Cheese, which you can also get as a bowl with your choice of meat on top.

As we made our way through the park, we realized that just about every restaurant had new menu items. Here are a couple of menus with new items, starting with the inconsistent Coasters, which has a printed and a digital board that doesn’t match right now. The printed board has a $56 item listed called “Xcelerator, The Burger,” which has us intrigued. We wonder if anyone actually ordered it, or if it’s just some sort of stunt. 

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
Coasters digital menu hasn’t been updated yet

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

Another interesting point, everything that’s new is missing the calorie count. Either it isn’t there, as with the Wilderness Broiler, or it’ll say “XXX Cal.”

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
Wilderness Broiler – Cajun Jambalaya
, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
La Papa Loca – Elote Fires and Chorizo Fries
, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
Fiesta Dog – BLT & A Dog, Elote Dog, Vegan Dog
, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
Fiesta Dog – Esquites (street corn)

Even the Calico Saloon had a few new items, which again have “XXX Cal.” 

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

I’ve been craving a Calico Soda for about a year, so I couldn’t resist getting one.

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview

One of the only restaurants not open was Johnny Rockets, which promises to be open on May 21st. 

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview , Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview


Video Walk-through of Knott’s Berry Farm

And to close out our trip from Knott’s Berry Farm, Brian and I did a live walkthrough around the park. Join us as we go into more detail about the reopening, tour through Camp Snoopy, plus take a look at the adorable Bear-y Tales merchandise in the video below:


Theme Park Ticket & Travel Deals

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
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Let’s Hear From You

That’s it from Knott’s Berry Farm for now, but we’ll be back soon to check out the 100th Anniversary at the end of the month. Have you attended a Knott’s passholder preview day or looking forward to visiting when the park opens to all guests? We look forward to hearing from you. 

, Ripe for Reopening: Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder Preview
I love that this is painted on the elevator on the Bear-y Tales station

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Scott Attula
Author, photographer, videographer, Disney Cast Member. Scott comes from multiple Disney generations and disciplines, including his Grandpa Fred and father at Imagineering and his Grandpa Bill and mother in Live Entertainment. For MiceChat, Scott focuses on other SoCal parks like Knott's Berry Farm and Universal Studios. He can be found at theme parks on a semi-frequent basis trying to get that perfect angle. Check out Scott on Instagram @AttulaPhoto