Last updated on May 23rd, 2024 at 08:13 pm
Looking for some tips on visiting Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California?
Whether you live in Southern California (like us!) or are just visiting the area, Knott’s Berry Farm is a great addition to your Disneyland vacation or day trip on its own – especially if you have older kids or just love big coasters!
Here are some great Knott’s Berry Farm tips, tricks and info you need to make the most of your day.
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Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California
What began as a fun little ghost town in the 1940s to entertain guests waiting for tables at Mrs. Knott’s chicken dinner restaurant, has morphed over the years into a thrilling theme park. Knott’s Berry Farm, Southern California’s oldest theme park, is an iconic destination in Southern California.
You may be tempted to pass it by in favor of Disneyland in nearby Anaheim or Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, but it is a fun destination to check out – especially if you grabdiscount Knott’s Berry Farm ticketsbefore your trip.
To make the most of your visit, here is an overview of Knott’s Berry Farm and some tips.
Knott’s Berry Farm Overview
Let’s start by getting a lay of the land!
Located in Buena Park, California, Knott’s Berry Farm is comprised of four themed areas and offers a wide variety of rides and activities for people of all ages. Outside the gates, you’ll also find a village of shops and restaurants you can explore.
The four areas of Knott’s are Camp Snoopy, Ghost Town, Fiesta Village and Boardwalk. Here is a list of what you’ll find in each area.
Fiesta Village
Fiesta Village recently underwent a complete overhaul! The area offers rides, live music, and some great Mexican food.
The reimagined Fiesta Village comes alive both day and night to celebrate the Hispanic influences in Southern California. Enjoy the sounds of Mariachi music, experience performances of the traditional dance Folklorico and be entertained by interactive puppets. In the evening there’s an immersive nighttime street party, Calle Celebración, spanning the entire village. Be sure to try Fiesta Village’s new restaurant, Casa California, featuring burritos, quesadillas, and tamales, and the Baja Taqueria for fish tacos.
Here are the Fiesta Village rides and attractions:
- Hat Dance
- Jaguar! *
- La Revolucion *
- Merry Go Round
- Montezooma’s Revenge *
- Sol Spin
- WaveSwinger
Ghost Town
Ghost Town is the original section of Knott’s Berry Farm. It was originally built to keep the hoards the visitors waiting to dine at Mrs. Knott’s chicken restaurant busy while they waited for a table.
You’ll find many of the park’s shows and live entertainment venues in Ghost Town, Including the Calico Saloon stage show and Wagon Camp Theatre. It is also home to the Old School House and the Ghost Town Blacksmith.
Over the years new rides have been added – including the GhostRider rollercoaster which is so big it expands outside the park!
Here are the Ghost Town rides and attractions:
- GhostRider *
- Pony Express *
- Silver Bullet *
- Butterfield Stagecoach
- Calico Mine Ride *
- Calico River Rapids *
- Timber Mountain Log Ride *
Boardwalk
Home to Hangtime, the first and only dive coaster in California, Boardwalk is a beach-themed area and Knott’s Berry Farm’s newest section of the park.
Here are the Boardwalk rides and attractions:
- Coast Rider *
- Hangtime *
- Knott’s Bear-y Tale: Return to the Fair *
- Pacific Scrambler
- Sky Cabin
- Supreme Scream *
- Surfside Gliders
- Wheeler Dealer Bumper Cars
Camp Snoopy
If you are visiting Knott’s with young kids, Camp Snoopy is where you want to be! What’s unique about this area is that it features rides that only permit kids under a certain height to ride – so no parents or older siblings allowed. My son’s very first solo ride when he was a toddler was at Camp Snoopy!
You’ll also find a show and meet & greets with Peanuts characters in this area.
Here are the Camp Snoopy rides and attractions:
- Balloon Race
- Camp Bus
- Charlie Brown’s Kite Flyer
- Grand Sierra Railroad
- High Sierra Ferris Wheel
- Huff & Puff
- Linus Launcher
- Pig Pen’s Mud Buggies
- Rapid River Run
- Rocky Mountain Trucking Co.
- Sierra Sidewinder–Fast Lane
- Timberline Twister
- Woodstock’s Airmail
Seasons of Fun
Throughout the year, Knott’s Berry Farm celebrates different seasons of fun throughout the park. In the spring, you can enjoy Peanuts’ Celebration and Knott’s Boysenberry Festival. In the summer, there is Ghost Town Alive! and Knott’s Summer Nights.
In the fall, check out Knott’s Scary Farm, the largest Halloween experience in Southern California. The fully transformed theme park features haunted mazes and attractions, shows and monsters lurking around every corner.
But if don’t let that scare you off – Knott’s Berry Farm becomes Knott’s Spooky Farm on Thursdays through Sundays during the same timeframe. This daytime event has family-friendly activities like trick-or-treating, themed decor and spooky surprises from the friendly townsfolk.
Knott’s Berry Farm also features a holiday celebration called, “Knott’s Merry Farm.” Enjoy holiday decor, activities for the family and joyful entertainment.
Knott’s Berry Farm Tips & Tricks
Now that you have an idea of what rides, shows and attractions are offered at Knott’s, here are ten tips to help maximize your time at the park and discover why Knott’s Berry Farm is one of the best amusem*nt parks in Southern California.
1. Buy Your Tickets Before You Arrive
There is no reason to waste time standing in line at the park to purchase tickets!
You can scorediscounts on Knott’s Berry Farm tickets and vacation packagesfrom our trusted partner, Get Away Today.
2. Arrive Early
Strive to arrive at least 30 minutes before the gates open in the morning, even if you already have your park tickets! This will give you time to park and go through security.
3. Plan Your Route
Check out the park map on Knott’s website and decide ahead of time where you want to go and the order you’d like to visit each area of the park. Think about where you’d like to have lunch, too, to help guide your plan! This will also help to minimize any unnecessary walking.
4. Carry a Map
Grab a park map when you arrive and be sure to check the schedule for the day. Knott’s is known for having really fun entertainment, but the schedule changes frequently.
5. Hit the Popular Rides First
Some of Knott’s Berry Farm’s popular rides – particularly the roller coasters – develop long lines early in the day and they stick around til closing. Some of these popular coasters include Hangtime, Timber Mountain,Ghost Rider and Pony Express.
If those rides are on your list, get to the park right when it opens and knock them out first. You can always do them again, but this will save time and ensure you get at least one good ride in without a long wait.
6. Use Fast Lane
If you’re visiting Knott’s Berry Farm during peak travel time, you may want to consider upgrading to a “Fast Lane” ticket when you get to the park. For a fee, you’ll get a wrist band that will take you to the front of the line of 11 of Knott’s Berry Farm’s most popular attractions.
Fast Lane passes are limited for each day and very popular during busy times, so purchase yours in advance so you don’t miss out!
7. Eat at Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant
Plan to have a meal at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant, located right outside of the theme park. They’ll accept reservations for parties of 12 or more.
If you have a smaller group, try to eat at an off time to avoid a long wait. And be sure to save some room for the famous boysenberry pie!
8. Visit on a Non-Peak Day
If school is in session, chances are good the parks won’t be packed. However weekends, spring break, summertime and holidays can be extremely busy at Knott’s Berry Farm.
If at all possible, plan to visit on a day when school is in session. We recently visited on a Thursday in the fall, and the park was empty! There wasn’t a ride we waited more than ten minutes to get on. Make this your goal!
Keep in mind, the parks may have reduced hours on days like this (the hours were 10 to 6 the day we went) but you will still come out way ahead!
9. Use the Knott’s Park App
Knott’s Berry Farm has a mobile app! Download it to access show times, wait times for rides, and even where you parked! The app also features an interactive map.
10. Consider a Dining Plan
Knott’s currently offers an All-Season Dining Plan and an All-Day Dining Plan, which allows you to eat all day but does not include a drink. Check their website for current pricing, and if you think you’ll eat enough to make this a money-saver consider purchasing a plan!
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* Rides that accept Fast Lane
