Which day for Knott's?

[SKFamily]

We're going to be in Anaheim from Wednesday - Monday. (get in late Tues afternoon and leave the following Tues at lunch) We have 5 day park hoppers and passes for Knott's. I'm just trying to figure out which day would be best to go to Knott's? I'm thinking of avoiding all parks on the Saturday, and we'll likely want the Monday to be a short(er) day.

Suggestions?

 

[iceskatejen]

Actually Saturdays aren't usually too bad for Disney parks. Mondays would be the day to avoid Disney parks--for some reason lots of locals go on Mondays (Sundays can be packed, too). I would avoid Knott's on Saturday, though. I would suggest going Wed or Thurs.

 

[SKFamily]

Shoot - we have our PS arrangements on Wednesday and Thursday. I thought those would be the better days for Disneyland. Oh well, we're figure it out when we get there - I'm just trying to figure out if we're better off to do Disneyland on a really busy day, or Knott's on a really busy day. Should have actually done our flights on Sundays I guess, but we were trying to avoid the long weekend.

 

[Firefly777]

Well Disneyland has Fastpass, but Knott's doesn't have any form of it. So I would say Disneyland would be better on a really busy day.

 

[Amberle3]

This is just my opinion, but I'd say that whatever your shortest day is, that's the day to do Knott's.

Last time we were there we spent less than an hour there. It was very disappointing, the way it's gone from a theme park to a roller coaster park.

I'm not big into roller coasters. I can't handle free-fall, or going upside down. There was almost nothing at Knott's that I could go on (that wasn't a kiddie ride), the wait times were ridiculous, the staff was rude rude rude and the park was ... icky.

I've seen it slowly decline over the years, and it's gotten to the point where I just don't bother going there any more.

The only thing I like at Knott's any more is the geode stand. But I just don't think it's worth the price of admission to go and pick out a geode.

 

[SKFamily]

So from what you're saying Amberle3, we should be fine LOL. A 13 year old who is prepared to be a coaster freak, and a 3 year old. Personally I'm not much for the whole roller coaster thing either - West Edmonton Mall finished me on that. I was on their's a week before it crashed, in one of the cars that crashed.

I'm not one for huge crowds either... so this whole trip is more about the kids. Then we start saving for my kind of holiday... an all inclusive resort, sans kids. Thinking Mexico. In the mean time I'm prepared to put up with the crowds, etc. just to see the expression on my kids faces. But thanks for the heads-up - what you describe is actually what I expect the whole week to be like. At least I don't have to cook or do dishes for a week, and my family won't be hearing "the restaurant is down town if you don't want this" LOL.

Oh.. I checked a non-disney board for Knott's info. They do have guest assistance passes that will allow me and two other people in our party to enter through the exit line. Apparently it is faster, just might mean I go on some rides I'd rather not. It'll be a good shock for my 13 year old. "Mom... you're going on THAT??"

 

[Amberle3]

To me the difference between Disney and Knott's (or even Universal) is atmosphere. At the other parks if you're waiting while someone else goes on a ride, then you're sitting on a bench somewhere, maybe in the shade but no guarantees, usually staring at a long line of people or a gift shop.

If you're at Disney and you're sitting waiting, there are at least things to keep you amused. The river, the birds, the jazz band in NOS.

Other parks put a great deal of attention into the ride experience, Disney puts a great deal of attention to the overall details, whether you're on the ride, in line for the ride, or just sitting in the park.

I'll be really curious to know what your reviews of the parks are when you get back.

 

[emmabelle]

We are going to be in Anaheim in July on a Wednesday afternoon through Monday morning, so that gives us Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to do 3 days of Disney and 1 day of Knotts (we bought the So. California city pass). I had planned on doing Knotts on Sat., is that going to be a suicide mission? I thought we would be better off doing DL on Thurs, DCA on Friday, Knotts on Saturday and DL and DCA on Sunday. Knotts was such a less of a priority that I didn't want to waste a Thurs or Fri there. What do you think?

 

[smcbaker]

I have to agree that Knotts was a bit of a disappointment. Fortunately, I had a good discount otherwise I think I would have been upset. It seems that it's either hyper-coasters, rides that are on the lame side or kiddie rides. Also, many rides closed. The park was not nearly as clean and bright as DL, the lines were LONG, there was little line control and it seemed the staff was more interested in chatting amongst themselves than assisting guests. The best part of the day was the chicken dinner at Mrs. Knott's!! Glad we did it so we know....next time we just stay at Disney!!

 

[iceskatejen]

I wouldn't go near Knott's on a summer weekend. Do it on a weekday (I'd go Thursday--you'd be suprised how crowded DL is on Thursdays). You'd be much better off at DL or DCA on a Saturday since they have fastpass and single rider lines and Knotts doesn't. I was at DL this past Thursday and it was a madhouse with lots of local AP holders since thr So. Cal passes had their last week for a while last week (I was there last Tuesday also and it was much less hectic).

 

[jlmarr]

Whether you do the Knott's amusement park or not, be sure to try the Chicken Dinner Restaurant, which is how the entire Knott's operation began. It's in the free shopping/parking area adjacent to the park entrance. I'm partial to their breakfast, but then you'd miss out on the chicken dinners. Maybe the best compromise is to do both!

 

[emmabelle]

I guess I should alter our plans, but of course I want to go to Disney on our first full day in Anaheim since I love it so much. My kids love roller coasters though, so maybe I should go to Knotts on Thursday because I don't want to listen to them whine about not getting on anything. They are 12 and 14 and you'd be amazed at the childish behavior they still possess.

 

[SKFamily]

We might have to do it Friday since our ps's are Wednesday and Thursday. I've read in more than one place that Wednesday and Thursday would be the quieter (?) days at DL/DCA. We're not paying full price for the Knott's admissions. We'll see how things go. I'm preparing for absolute mayhem everywhere - then when we get there reality won't seem so bad.

 

[emmabelle]

SKFamily,
I was going to say that you could let know what the best game plan was for the parks when you get back, but I'll already be gone since we are leaving for CA on the 11th. Have fun!

 

[SKFamily]

And we won't be home home until the 20th of July. We're only at DL until the 13th, but have visiting to do between then and heading home again. This is what we do during the summer - drive all over the country side visiting family. And people wonder why I didn't want to drive to DL. I was just figuring out what we'll need for groceries between Friday (payday) and when we leave home on the 4th, and realized that we're actually gone for almost an entire pay period. Guess we won't need a whole lot for groceries. (not that we save money on these trips what with the food on the road and gas in the van at these prices... )

Anyway, have a good trip! We'll have to compare once I'm home again.

 

[KAMLEM]

Originally posted by iceskatejen
I was at DL this past Thursday and it was a madhouse with lots of local AP holders since thr So. Cal passes had their last week for a while last week

What does this mean?

 

[Amberle3]

There's an Annual Pass that those living in Southern California can buy that has a ton of blackout days. Basically most of not all of the summer. So lots of people with SoCal APs were at the park because their passes won't be good during the summer.

 

[KAMLEM]

I get it now, thanks!

 

[HenDuck]

I was planning on hitting Knotts on a Saturday in December, Dec. 11th to be exact. As I thought DL would be packed with the Candlelight Processional, etc.

Any thoughts on this strategy?

We will be in Anaheim from 12/8 through 12/15th if that helps.

Thanks!