Stay, Stray, Play and Feast: Knott’s Berry Farm: America’s Oldest Theme Park (Anaheim, Theme Park City Series 7)

Knott’s Berry Farm
America’s Oldest Theme Park
(Anaheim, Theme Park City Series 7)

I have visited Southern California several times
but never had a chance to visit Knott’s Berry Farm,

the oldest and very first theme park in the United States.

We have visited Camp Snoopy, its sister theme park at

the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and
the much smaller Snoopy World, in Hong Kong in the

past and finally, we decided to visit the real thing this time.

We actually visited Knott's Berry Farm on our last day in
the US while we were in Los Angeles, but I included this post
in this ongoing Anaheim Series, as Buena Park, where the
theme park is located is much closer here than it is to L.A.

This is the 6th theme park that we visited since we arrived in the US

but we never seemed to suffer any degree of theme park fatigue,
and everyone was excited on our way to Knott’s Berry Farm.

And our enthusiasm heightened when we caught the sight of the
park’s tegula roofed entrance that exuded a warm, old world charm.

Snoopy dressed in Santa was in the entrance,
so the kids lined up to have a photo with him.

We immediately headed to Camp Snoopy,
home to most of the park’s family and kiddy rides-

...so the kids were able to try almost all the rides
as they are meant for very young children.

From the Woodstock Airmail,

… Red Baron,

…Baloon Race,

...Linus Launcher,

…the unexpectedly very fast-
moving High Sierra Ferris Wheel,

…Camp Bus,

… Charlie Brown's Kite Flyer,

….Pig Pen's Mud Buggies,

…Rapid River Run,

…Rocky Mountain Trucking Company,

...including the moderately
extreme Sierra Sidewinder,

…and the Timberline Twister.

Just after we completed the Camp Snoopy rides, my daughter
met up with her former classmate from Naga City who is now based
in San Diego, and off they went on their own, and we instructed
them to see us at four PM so we could have dinner together.

While me, my wife and my young son
headed to the Indian Trails,

...and queued to the Butterfield Stagecoach.

It is a real stagecoach that takes guests on a leisurely ride

around and one of the original rides developed in 1949.

We then went to the Ghost Town Zone, the

most historic part of the theme park as it one

of the original and oldest attractions of the park.

The Ghost Town is a venue where craftsmen and

artisans can demonstrate their skills from metal crafts,

...glass blowing,

...traditional candy making,

...and cloth spinning to name a few.

This is also the site of notable historical structures

like the Bird Cage Theater that hosts seasonal shows,

…and the Calico Stage at Calico Square,

both are original attractions when this

very first American theme park was built.

Guests should not miss the Calico Mine Ride,

on of the oldest attractions in the park which was
recently renovated and re-opened June this year.

This is also where we rode Calico Ghost Train,

...populated with people dressed in turn of the century
costumes from the pretty Ghost Town Mayor's wife,

...the Sheriff and his sleepy deputy,

...and the friendly train conductor.

It is also in this zone where the Ghost Rider
is located, a classic wooden roller coaster.

We also feasted on yummy cookies and pastries
for snacks at the Ghost Town Bakery in this zone.

The Wild Wilderness Zone was located nearby.

This is where the Bigfoot Rapids is found and this

exciting white water rafting ride should no be missed.

Also in this area is the Timber Mountain Log Ride.

The Boardwalk area is where most
of the extreme rides are located.

I tried two rides with my young son,
like the Pacific Scrambler,

...and the Pacific Gliders.

Ironically this is apparently where my daughter and her
friend had the most fun and tried all the extreme rides.

Our last stop was the Fiesta Village,

…where the Merry Go- Round is located,

...together with other moderate to extreme rides.

My daughter and her friend joined us later in the afternoon
to watch the the Lucy's Christmas Wish at Camp Snoopy.

Of all the theme parks we visited during this vacation,
we unexpectedly had the most fun in Knott's Berry Farm.

It could have been due to the fact that this was our very
first visit here, unlike in other parks where we have visited
repeatedly in the past, the wide eyed- first time visitor's
awe and excitement have not weaned out yet,