UPDATE: Either someone at
KBF realized that this new program was going to mean far fewer toys donated, or the initial description on the
KBF events page was way off base.
Now, the description of the revised
Toys for Tots program is:
TOYS FOR TOTS December 5-20
Get Free Admission when you purchase a toy ($15 value) at Knott's for Toys for Tots. Or donate a toy online and receive one e-ticket valid for admission Dec. 5 - 20, 2009. Click here to donate online now.
Guests wishing to bring a toy (purchased elsewhere) to donate, valued at $15 or more, will receive a coupon for $15 admission into Knott's.
First, the program is
apparently valid for every day from Dec. 5 to Dec. 20 - it was only on weekends in the past.
Second, I
was skeptical about "purchase a toy .. at Knott's" until I saw this at the bottom of the page:
Admission will be FREE when a toy, valued at $15 or more, is purchased at a Knott's Berry Farm merchandise location. Proof of purchase required. I still don't see how it's practical, unless some store in the Marketplace opens quite early on
T4T days.
Third, the online option is best, since it allows you to skip lines at the ticket booths and where toys are purchased and/or dropped off.
Fourth, the option of actually bringing a toy to
T4T is now the worst for a visitor, as it equates to paying more than $30 for admission.
The line to drop off toys had gotten
tremendously long in the past few years, and I think this was a major factor in
KBF revising the program.
I'm sure there will still be long lines on
T4T days, especially on weekends.
The bottom line:
If at all possible, make the donation online and get e-tickets.