Knott's merry farm touring plan.

[Steven G]

I will be at knott's on dec 22 for one day. I'm a single parent with one son. I'll be staying at the knott's hotel. It's first time at knott's for the both of us. My son just hit 46 inches, so most of the thrill rides are off limits, because of height restrictions.

I just wanted a basic plan of what I should hit first of the available rides and basic idea of the rest of day. I'm thinking the calico mine ride, and the voyage to the iron reef rides first.

I will be at park at opening.


Also, no water rides, my son hates them, plus probably too cool anyway.

Any specific shows that are must see?


Also, we are going to medieval times at 7:15 that night, which I know I should be an hour at least early to, so that also eats into my available time.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Well, some of the shows are in the evening, but during the day,the Ice Skating Show is a not miss, there are shorten plays at the Bird Cage Theater that are fun to watch (Christmas Carol and Gift from the Magi), but not that popular. The Christmas Calico Saloon Show is another good option. So pick up the show schedule when entering. Also the Peanuts Show in Camp Snoopy. The Mystery Lodge is a good show offered year round.

As for rides,yes,starting at Voyage of the Iron Reef is good, then you could go to the Mine Train, and the Log Ride (you do get splashed, like Splash Mountain as a gauge to compare). Then Maybe Silver Bullet and Ghostrider, (If your son can ride) and then work you way around the park catching things you missed when you entered.

 

[Steven G]

Ok thanks! Yeah, he won't go on splash mountain anymore, so log flume rides are out. Don't want to upset him, especially since it will likely be cooler or cold that day.

Silverbullet and ghost rider are both out unfortunately, not tall enough.

I think the most thrilling ride we can go on is sierra sidewinder and coast rider in terms of coasters, and coast rider just looks like goofys flight school and other similar rides.

I guess we will miss some of the night shows, oh well.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Yeah, Coast Rider is the one I think my family calls Knott's Goofy's coaster and always skips.

My teenage boys really enjoyed the Christmas theming and shows, so that's what we took in after they hit the 3 big coasters they were interested in doing during our trip the weekend before Thanksgiving. We saw Gift of the Magi this year, but I liked A Christmas Carol better when I saw it a couple years ago. We also went to the Calico Saloon Show, Snoopy's Ice Show, and Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies. My older son also really likes the Mystery Lodge show which we watched on our two previous Knott's visits but didn't have time for this time. The Iron Reef Ride is not-to-be-missed for us, and I would suggest hitting it up first unless it's not running at opening which it wasn't the day we visited. We lucked out though that it rained most of the afternoon and evening, so there wasn't too bad a line when we discovered the ride running that evening.

 

[SMD]

I was just there on a weekday. The Camp Snoopy show was the only show that was even close to capacity and Iron Reef was the only line we had to wait in. I'd hit that first because you'll probably want to ride it more than once. The Calico mine ride is indoors, so I wouldn't rush to do that during the day as some other rides are outdoors and better when it's light out. Some of the thrill rides went down for wind and it didn't effect waits or shows (there's so many) at all. We did wait about 15 minutes for a good spot at the tree lighting and then waited for the snow 15 minutes later, but if you wanted to go into a few stores it wasn't so crowded that we needed to fight for a prime spot. Christmas Carol//Gift of the Magi were the only shows that didn't do late arrivals. I don't think a kid would like Gift of the Magi as much as Christmas Carol. It could get more crowded with the current 2017 pass promotion including a free day in 2016, but I don't think it will be prohibitively so.

 

[Steven G]

Thanks for the tips. I think I picked a bad time to go with my son, since he's not tall enough for the big rides, and he's pretty much over most of the camp snoopy rides, and he doesn't like the water rides. I think he will still enjoy the snoopy rides, but will keep on asking me why we can't go on some of the big coasters. Oh well.
I think the shows will work though. We should be able to hit the tree lighting ceremony as well as some of the other shows, which should keep him occupied.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I haven't been in many years, but I loved the stagecoach and steam train.
He may be at an in between age/stage, but I think if he enjoys cowboy type stuff, it will still be pretty fun. There's a boardwalk game type area, too. He may enjoy some of the Camp Snoopy rides. Just let him know that it isn't like Disneyland and that there are a "few" rides that you can both go on. That way, he will be prepped that there are off limit rides before you even start.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Family rides/attractions... Iron Reef, Maine Train, Log Ride, Stagecoach, both trains, Mystery Lodge, Sky Cabin, Carousel, wave swingers, Ghost Town, shows. (Wild West Stunt Show, Caliico Saloon Show, Indian Dancing, plus the Christmas shows

Family Coasters, Jaguar, Pony Express, Coast Rider, Sierra Sidewinder

So there is a start of things to do. And of course, there is the true recreation of Independence Hall across the street (free to visit).

 

[Steven G]

Hi all, thanks for your suggestions. I had most of them in my list, but I did not know about independence hall, I will have to check out.
Hopefully most people are on the big ticket rides, so lines won't be horrible, at least I'm hoping.


Sadly, my son isn't tall enough for Jaguar or pony express, according to the website. I think he would enjoy those, he has loved roller coasters since I first took him on a few in legoland, and those are always his first choice.