how many day at magic mountain ,knotts berry farm

[scaryguy]

would one day at each of the above parks be enough or would you need a second day? myself and mrs,and 3 sons 12,10,and 6 are the shows there good ?

 

[sonnyjane]

One day is plenty, and if possible, you might want to end your trip at Disneyland (I'm assuming you are trying to squeeze everything into one trip). The other two parks are NOTHING compared to Disneyland, so best, in my opinion, to build up to Disneyland and have that be your best memory.

 

[cccdisney]

I agree with the PP. One day at each of those parks would be plenty. And end with DLR - it puts the other parks to shame.

 

[scaryguy]

thanx for the advice its nice to have this info

 

[donaldduck1967]

Just did Knotts, wasn't thrilled with it at all.

 

[dapoteete]

I haven't been to MM in 23 years, however, it was all about the coasters and the wait was in excess of 2 hours on ever ride. Not to mention the heat.

Grew up at DLR and Knott's, last time I went to Knott's I was really disappointed. The "cast members" are no where near the caliber of Disney.

One day each would be plenty and maybe too many for Magic Mountain.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Knott's isn't DLR. But it doesn't try to be.

If you are going during an off time (not summer or the holidays) you can easily do all the rides at Knott's many times over. I love DLR but I really enjoy Knott's for what it is. The Xcelerator is awesome! Hate Ghost Rider and Boomerang-too painful to ride.

Your younger son will probably enjoy Camp Snoopy. My DD10 did when she was younger and still enjoys some of the rides there but she is more of a thrill seeker now.

Some things not to miss at KBF (besides the coasters) which give you the feel of what Walter Knott was going for are:

Calico Mine Train
Log Ride
Train
Stagecoach

Fried Chicken-yummy! We don't eat in the restaurant, usually, but get it to go next door. Ask them to get it fresh from the Kitchen (they will, an employee told me this) Then you can eat it at some tables outside near the entrance.

Shows, forget about it. They're very campy.

Magic Mountain. Great Coasters. I don't think they really have an shows to speak of.

 

[PAL_1]

I haven't been to MM in 23 years, however, it was all about the coasters and the wait was in excess of 2 hours on ever ride. Not to mention the heat.

23 years is stretching it for a timely report...

Neither Knotts or Magic Mountain is Disney. They don't try to be. They should be judged on their own merits.

Magic Mountain is one of the leading thrill parks in the world. If you and your older kids are into cutting edge coasters, you'll find plenty to do. X2 is unique in the country and quite a hoot, but also somewhat rough and intimidating. There's a world-leading flying coaster, and a 200 ft plus tall hyper coaster for speed and high Gs. The newest ride is a wooden coaster themed to Terminator. It gets pretty close to Disney caliber and accessibility (it isn't completely terrifying).

Otherwise Magic Mt doesn't have much to offer. This park is really all about the thrills. Lines can be long on weekends and holidays (at either park). Magic Mountain has an extra cost Qbot system that many visitors find helpful and worthwhile.

Knotts has its own charms. I was just there today. Its very close to the Disneyland resort. Its a fairly small park, with not much in the way of dark rides. The ghost town section is still charming. There are several attractions that go back to the park's early days, such as the Timber Mt Log Ride (a classic in every sense, as long as you don't expect Splash Mt). There's a steam train, a stage coach, a mine ride. There's a good mix of coasters, something to appeal to the very youngest on up to the maniac.

You might consider Universal Studios. Several attractions are every bit as good as anything the Mouse offers.

Have a wonderful vacation!

 

[scaryguy]

thank you very helpful advice

 

[pigby]

Knott's isn't DLR. But it doesn't try to be.

If you are going during an off time (not summer or the holidays) you can easily do all the rides at Knott's many times over.
Shows, forget about it. They're very campy.

I still think Knotts would be good for us to try out for a non -Disney day. How busy does it get during the summer - do they have anything resembling fast passes (perhaps to buy separately)? I presume it would be quieter during the week than weekends - I wondered what would be the best day to visit in summer?

And BTW, what does 'campy' mean?

 

[Dizneydaz]

I still think Knotts would be good for us to try out for a non -Disney day. How busy does it get during the summer - do they have anything resembling fast passes (perhaps to buy separately)? I presume it would be quieter during the week than weekends - I wondered what would be the best day to visit in summer?

And BTW, what does 'campy' mean?

If you are going in the summer, go on a weekday. I would expect Tues, Wed, Th. would be your best bet. No, KBF doesn't offer any type of a Fast Pass option

Get there before they open so you can buy your tickets and be in line to get in when they open. Since their AP are pretty reasonable they do tend to get a lot of local teenagers there but we all know teenagers aren't much for getting up early!

"Campy" 2 a : something so outrageously artificial, affected, inappropriate, or out-of-date as to be considered amusing b : a style or mode of personal or creative expression that is absurdly exaggerated and often fuses elements of high and popular culture <a movie that celebrates camp>

So what I mean by campy is outdated or silly. Some of the entertainment at KBF is similar, in nature, to The Golden Horseshoe Revue at DLR or Hoop De Doo at WDW. Though not of the same caliber.

That's not to say you shouldn't see some of it. The Wild West Stunt show is pretty good and if you get there early enough you can sit in one of the Conestoga wagons sitting around the edge. They do a show in the Calico Saloon that is okay too. Basically a singer and piano player. It's a small venue so it's pretty intimate. You may see a gun fight by the saloon/train. The show for kids in Camp Snoopy is pretty bad. Okay for kids if they are really young.

Besides the coasters (and they have some great ones) don't overlook the older section (Ghost Town) Spend some time exploring it. Check out the graveyard (find the grave with the beating heart). There's an old one room schoolhouse that was moved there. Visit the jail. Have one of the adults stop by the window near the entrance to the jail and you'll find a man sitting there with a microphone and a mirror. Tell him about your kids and the man in the jail cell will "talk" to them, using their names, etc. It's actually pretty cool and it took a few years for my DD to figure it out.

I previously mentioned the train-you will be robbed on it. So be prepared, the robbers come from the back of the train. If you ride the stagecoach, I prefer sitting on the top. Better view, less crowded.

I just checked out KBF's website and it's been reworked lately. Check it out, it even offers touring plan ideas.

There is also an Indian show. I haven't seen that one in years. The Mystery Lodge located near the entrance to the Bigfoot Entrance is pretty good.