News Knott's announces post Perilous Plunge Plans, 3 new rides

[Fishbulb]

In an encouraging move, Knott's announced plans for three new family-friendly attractions for the Boardwalk section of the park. The three new attractions will be taking up residence in the large area once home to the Perilous Plunge boat thrill ride.

Coast Rider The 52 foot height, 1,339 feet of track. Mad mouse style coaster.

Surfside Glider - Pacific Scrambler - Basic, flat-ride, scrambler attraction.

The attractions announced are not groundbreaking. In-fact, some might look at this announcement as a let down. But let us
explain why we are thrilled at this news. To us, this bit of news indicates that Knott's is very interested in attracting more than just thrill-seekers. They are expanding their appeal to a wider audience, casting a larger net, so to speak, and giving guests more to do.

Instead of a towering rust-heap with a limited audience, even lower capacity, and a massive foot print, they are installing three separate rides that will churn through riders more effectively. Knott's is doing the smart thing and adding value to the park while enhancing the ailing Boardwalk theme.

What are YOUR thoughts on these additions? Do you like the idea of expanding the roster of family friendly attractions is a good thing? Do you think that a large roller coaster would have been a better choice?

[aashee]

Re: Knott's announces post Perilous Plunge Plans, 3 new rides

I like it. I have little interest in the rides BUT it replaces a ride that was very limited and an eyesore. If it fits the boardwalk theme I love the idea, anything to make Knotts go back to its theme park roots interests me a lot even if I won't be partaking in the attractions.

[sir clinksalot]

Re: Knott's announces post Perilous Plunge Plans, 3 new rides

I like it. But is this the same scrambler that used to be near Bigfoot Rapids (and originally where Perilous Plunge was)?

[iamdisneysgirl]

Re: Knott's announces post Perilous Plunge Plans, 3 new rides

Its not something that'll make me go to Knotts but its nice to see this layout. Anyways, I'll always still hope for something to go in the building of the Kingdom of the Dinosaurs.

[Ryan120420]

Re: Knott's announces post Perilous Plunge Plans, 3 new rides

What a joke! A wild mouse that can be found at Legoland and DCA. Sandusky sure is out of touch with this park.

Its now going to be 10 years since Knotts last thrill ride. Family additions are nice, but you can not neglect your audience that likes thrill rides.


Also its amazing how such a small park can be filled with so many terrible rides:

GhostRider
Boomerang
Pony Express
Coast Rider.

All wastes of space.

[sir clinksalot]

Re: Knott's announces post Perilous Plunge Plans, 3 new rides

If they had gone with a Gerstlauer Bobsled mouse that would have been one thing, but this is the same manufacturer and almost the same ride stats as the one at Legoland. Looks to be an exact clone of a ride 60 miles south.

To add, I don't have a problem with the "type" of ride, but there are so many other manufactures and models they could have gone with other than what we already have in SoCal.

[wiigirl]

Re: Knott's announces post Perilous Plunge Plans, 3 new rides

I like it!

[innerspacenut]

Re: Knott's announces post Perilous Plunge Plans, 3 new rides

Perfectly fine additions ... but they need a dark ride!

[sir clinksalot]

Re: Knott's announces post Perilous Plunge Plans, 3 new rides

Another plus (at least for me), it's not a spinning mouse ride.

[aashee]

Re: Knott's announces post Perilous Plunge Plans, 3 new rides

While it adds to the flavor of the boardwalk land, it's not something that will get me to go. It makes the park better, but enticement to actually patronize Knotts does not raise one bit for me.

[fifthrider]

Re: Knott's announces post Perilous Plunge Plans, 3 new rides

Bud Hurlbut was Knott's one-man Imagineering department. He came up with great rides like the log ride, the Calico Mine Train and Gasoline Alley. They weren't necessarily thrill rides, but they were themed and interesting.

Ever since, Knott's has been sticking in one carnival ride or roller coaster after another into the park.

A spinner and a scrambler? Hunh. Well, there's one more place I don't need to go to.

[sir clinksalot]

Re: Knott's announces post Perilous Plunge Plans, 3 new rides

With many families no longer feeling the need to purchase or being able to afford DL AP's, Knott's going after the family market is a good thing in that regard.

I just think it's funny that people complained about the "Six Flagsification" of Knott's earlier in the 00's but now they are adding in 3 rides that perfectly fit the boardwalk theme and people complain.

Again, I don't have a problem with the "type" of ride, just with the actual ride since there are 2 other mouse rides from the same manufacturer 5 (DCA) and 60 (Legoland) miles away.

[disneylandjunkie]

Re: Knott's announces post Perilous Plunge Plans, 3 new rides

Yes, it's the exact same ride. Knotts kept the Windjammer/Bigfootrapid scrambler locked in storage for future use. I heard a rumor that knotts always keeps at least one flat-style ride in storage for possible re-implementation.

[Dutchman]

Re: Knott's announces post Perilous Plunge Plans, 3 new rides

The Surfside Glider is the Larson version of the classic Bisch Rocco Flyers that used to be a mainstay at parks from the 1940's up until the late 1970's. Aren't too many of the originals left. From what I understand it's a pretty good reproduction of the ride, except they seemed to have engineered out the ability to "snap" the tubs like the old ones.

[mratigan]

Re: Knott's announces post Perilous Plunge Plans, 3 new rides

i like it
fits in with the theme and makes that area look nice
also a new coaster credit

[Dustysage]

Re: Knott's announces post Perilous Plunge Plans, 3 new rides

Spoke with a representatives of the park today to confirm elements which show up in the concept art.

The area will in fact contain a lot of water and lots more greenery. That wasn't just fluff thrown into the concept art. They are going for a more garden-like setting. This section of the park is a concrete jungle and they are going to soften and green it up considerably.

In my opinion, this is a very welcome move. While the whole thing is a bit of a quick fix, these are also not long-term additions to the park. They are all easily moved or removed as future plans for the park are solidified. That pleases me, as I do think that much higher quality and better themed elements are on their way in the future.

For those holding out for a dark ride. That too will come. I have it on very good word that the park has spoken to a number of people in the industry about that very thing. But timing and budgets are everything, so there's no telling how long it might take for them to move forward. I'd rather that they wait and build a great custom family dark ride than to act fast and do some off the shelf Sally shot-em-up style ride (resist the temptation Knott's).

The Boardwalk was the single most maligned and ugly area of the park. It's now getting some attention. The next logical area to fix would have to be the former Roaring 20's (which I believe they also technically consider to be part of the Boardwalk), which is an absolute mess.

All in all, I'm not overwhelmed with the ride choices, but very pleased with the new greener setting and lush gardens planned. AND, for one low capacity ride removed, we are getting three new ones (also fairly low capacity). That's a pretty good trade that you don't see happen very often these days!

[JerrodDRagon]

Re: Knott's announces post Perilous Plunge Plans, 3 new rides

For me it's not a must go type announcement....would have loved to see the Dinosaur ride return much more but I'll go on the coaster during Scary Farm when I'm there...usually most of the rides are walk on...so why not

[BlAcKoUt510]

Re: Knott's announces post Perilous Plunge Plans, 3 new rides

I think it's great they are catering to families. The boardwalk was always an underwhelming land for me & I feel these additions will add to the land's atmosphere.

But I do think that their choices are disappointing. Another mouse, which SoCal already has so many, & Scrambler are not anything to rave about. They could have built something better for families.


But despite the choice of rides, I'm still happy with the expansion as it seems to add to the park in a positive way.

[mratigan]

Re: Knott's announces post Perilous Plunge Plans, 3 new rides

It will help the park from looking like a thrill park
the pics from the Bridge of the train will look great

[Aladdin]

Re: Knott's announces post Perilous Plunge Plans, 3 new rides

While it adds to the flavor of the boardwalk land, it's not something that will get me to go. It makes the park better, but enticement to actually patronize Knotts does not raise one bit for me.

I'm sure you aren't the only one that feels like that.

Personally, I HATE the Boardwalk Theme at Knott's and I DETEST and DESPISE DCA's Putrid Pier Theme. We should be expecting MUCH better from Both of these two parks. Although Knott's has had coasters that look like coasters decades before DCA even came along, it's incredibly sad for the park that calls itself America's first Theme park.

Bud Hurlbut was Knott's one-man Imagineering department. He came up with great rides like the log ride, the Calico Mine Train and Gasoline Alley. They weren't necessarily thrill rides, but they were themed and interesting.

Ever since, Knott's has been sticking in one carnival ride or roller coaster after another into the park.

A spinner and a scrambler? Hunh. Well, there's one more place I don't need to go to.

Exactly! Knott's should be better than what they announced.