The news is out. That construction in the old Berry Tales/Kingdom of the Dinosaurs building at Knott’s Berry Farm is for a 4D dark-ride called Voyage To The Iron Reef, which will Submerge Guests Under The Boardwalk In An Interactive Media-Based adventure to save the theme park.
Knott’s Berry Farm has confirmed that they are building a new interactive 4-D attraction is being built in the old Kingdom of the Dinosaurs building in time for the 2015 spring season. Voyage to the Iron Reef will offer “high-tech fun for everyone” as guests are tasked with saving Knott’s from mysterious creatures emerging from the seas beneath the Boardwalk.
Click for larger view. ©KnottsEver since construction crews finished expanding the Boardwalk Pier in 2013, guests have happily enjoyed the many new attractions like Coast Rider and Surfside Gliders. But all that activity on the Boardwalk shores has reawakened a mystic lair in the depths below, filled with creatures who have risen up to wreak havoc on the classic So Cal theme park.
The Queen of the Kraken and her aquatic army have surfaced to feed on the steel of any attraction within their grasp. Their unquenchable appetite for coaster metal has turned these creatures into swimming mechanical monsters unlike anything ever seen before on the ocean floor.
Guests will climb aboard four-person submarine-inspired ride vehicles and embark on the four-minute adventure into the Iron Reef. Featuring 11 3-D digital screens and practical sets, riders will be equipped with an interactive freeze ray, taking aim at ballooning puffer fish, a steampunk-ish iron clad octopus and other 3-D creatures saving Knott’s from a watery doom. This will be an original storyline and attraction made exclusively for Knott’s Berry Farm as it will feature landmarks, past and present, from this area of the park.
Click for larger view. ©Knotts
As Knott’s explains it, you’ll journey through enchanting underwater forests, disorienting ocean current tunnels, and mysterious mechanical wreckage, high definition 3-D animation will surround guests at every turn. Along the way, the submarines navigate 600 feet of track and 11 scenes featuring hundreds of media-based creatures and live action special effects.
This is an interactive ride that features a different experience every time and reacts to the actions and accuracy of the guests onboard. Following the thrilling finale, the number of creatures taken is digitally displayed onboard and in the undock area.
Montreal-based Triotech, the multi-sensory attraction developer that animated the popular Wonder Mountain’s Guardian at Canada’s Wonderland, is the creator behind the groundbreaking ride system and animation for Voyage to the Iron Reef.
“Triotech is thrilled to cooperate with Knott’s team and bring our media-based interactive dark ride to Southern California, an area with a rich attraction and entertainment heritage. We feel that guests of all ages will enjoy this unique attraction,” said Ernest Yale, Triotech’s President and CEO.
Knott’s is well prepared to integrate new technologies into traditional dark ride experiences. Next year will mark the third consecutive year the park has introduced spectacular and unique family attractions. Both the Timber Mountain Log Ride and Calico Mine Ride recently delighted guests after both underwent extensive technological and special effect upgrades, reestablishing Knott’s as a destination renowned for premier family-focused theme park experiences.
Click for larger view. © Knotts
Knott’s seems to understand that the future home of Voyage to the Iron Reef is hallowed ground for Knott’s enthusiasts. The show building that will be the future home of Voyage was the home of both Knott’s Bear-y Tales in 1975 then Kingdom of the Dinosaurs in 1987.
“The same commitment to storytelling and dedication to incorporating the most cutting edge ride technologies that made Knott’s Bear-y Tales and Kingdom of the Dinosaurs so popular is what has driven the Iron Reef creative process,” said Raffi Kaprelyan, vice president and general manager of Knott’s Berry Farm. “The technology showcased in Iron Reef will honor the legacy of the attractions that preceded it, and propel the on-ride experience into the 21st century.”
We visited the park this week and saw that the iconic Roaring 20’s sign that has graced the top of the show building for years is currently being dismantled.
Change is something that cannot be avoided. This area of the park has gone through several theme changes over the years. Originally the Gypsy Camp, the area was changed to the Roaring 20’s in 1975, then it was changed to the Knott’s Airfield, and finally The Boardwalk. The sign itself really has no thematic tie any more. But it would be nice if Knott’s preserved the sign somehow. And if they can’t find a place for it in the park, it would be a fantastic gift to the Los Angeles Museum of Neon Art.
It should be another big year for Knott’s as folks flock to the park to check out the new attraction. Are you ready to voyage to the Iron Reef?