More shows than one can handle at Knott's MERRY Farm

After many years together, Eric and I finally became pass holders to Knott's Berry Farm. We hadn't been to "America's 1st Theme Park" since holiday time of 2010. Although there wasn't really anything added recently to the park, we found new experiences for ourselves.

We popped into to the Passholder Center and turnstiles about 30 minutes after the park opened. When they call something a "ghost town", an early arrival shows they really mean it. As we went through the western town we found ourselves alone on the streets. But, we weren't going to argue one bit. We were able to point out small items we missed last time (the Craft Fair clogged the streets). The area was so free of movement that we even noticed two rocking chairs being used by a ghost. There they were on the balcony, rocking on their own accord. It was a nice and subtle touch.

The rocker on the balcony was rocking away!

We arrived so early because we wanted to fit in as much entertainment as possible. The first show on our list was The Mystery Lodge. Seeing as it was just a bit early, we made a quick detour to Pony Express. With absolutely no wait in the queue, we walked right up to the front row. Getting that front row amplifies that windy sound in your ears as you careen down the track. The unique ride vehicles also presents an odd looking sitting position. One sits as though he is galloping away on his trusty horse. It's a lot of fun! 

Eric and I were now ready to be told an old story from a native Pacific Northwestern dweller. Knott's Mystery Lodge features a storyteller that takes the audience on a journey through his life and demonstrates Man's connection to the Earth. Through the use of in theater "smoke and fire" effects, the tale is enhanced and illustrated. There are even a few moments when the narrator vanishes and reappears elsewhere in the theater. The show is done very well and only had a handful of performances take place a day. For anyone heading to Knott's, I would highly suggest you take time to enjoy a seat and a good story.

Overlooking Big Foot Rapids. It was too cold for this one.

We heard that to get deeper into the wild west we had to take a stage coach. Well Knott's did a great job hiding the Stage Coach barn area so I had to ask a few Cowboys if they knew where we could find it. I thought he was lying, but he said I'd have to ride a bullet to get a better view of the land. Then, the cowboy that said from there we'd find the horses and coaches.

I should have believed him because Eric and I found ourselves boarding the Silver Bullet coaster. That suspended coaster flipped us every which way physics found possible! At some point time seemed to slow and we felt ourselves floating while the harness spun around us! Through this fun madness we saw the Stage Coach! We found our way and were ready to head deeper into the Wild West.

The views from the buggy were clear as day.

That coach dropped us off in an even colder environment than before. We needed coffee or hot chocolate fast! Luckily past a few saloons, and the haunted mine shaft of GhostRider, we got our hands on something warm, coffee. And as we sipped our coffee, in the shade, we watched people scream their silly heads on the nearby coaster. (not sure why we avoided the table in the warm sun)

Alas it was time for the big show of the day "It's Christmas, Snoopy!" We didn't have Dr. Who's Police Box to travel through time, so we just had to walk very fast to a 1920s style boardwalk. It was there, next to the dearly departed Kingdom of the Dinosaurs, that we found the Charles Shulz Theater. 

Once the house lights went down the show jumped right into the ice skating. We had seen this show two years ago and it was the same show. I was hoping for this because the skating is great and so are the interludes between the big numbers. The Peanuts gang (Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, and Sally) put on a skit while the rest of the troupe changes. As one might guess, the story follows the Charlie Brown TV special from the 1960s. 

There was a woman or man in the audience that screamed out as the performers leapt across the stage. I found myself waiting to hear the "Aaaah!" whenever a performer completed a triple or double axle. 

For those who don't know, the Log Ride is shutting down soon for a lengthy rehab. I don't know the specifics, but the point is we rode it. For Christmas time the attraction has been invaded by elves. 

The mountain is certainly showing its age and is crying for help. We heard this crying as we approached the queue. As it turns out, it was the sound of the small elf that was standing next to the North Pole signage. Eric and I were hoping we wouldn't get too wet while riding. As I mentioned earlier, it was a cold day running at about 55 degrees. 

As with most attractions this day, the queue was next to non-existant. We might have waited about 5 minutes. I'm guessing that the draw on this cold day was the the Christmas theme and the soon closure. When we rode Boomerang, a far more thrilling coaster you ride forward and backwards, there was absolutely no wait.

The cast member behind Eric is asking avoiding eye contact.

Puffy clouds set the backdrop for Supreme Scream(left), Log ride (front), and Silver Bullet(right)

After the Log Ride we found ourselves back in the Ghost Town. Aside from attractions mentioned earlier, this land is also home to The Bird Cage Theater . Eric and I planned to catch the performance of "The Gift of the Magi". To our surprise the theater had a building's facade, but it's actually made of a tent. We had hoped for something with a little more embellishments. Luckily the structure didn't take away from the actors' performance. They presented a story of a couple's struggle to give one another a Christmas gift. The same theater puts on A Christmas Carol. We will need to see that next year.

It was nearing 4:15 and the sun was starting to hide behind the haunted buildings of the Ghost Town. To warm up for the parade, we headed back to the coffee shop. But, on our way back toward the parade route we stumbled across a Native American Indian performing. He was chanting, playing instruments, and dancing with hoops. We hadn't expected to see this today, but we were glad to have passed by.

It was now parade time. Knott's had people in bright, red jackets lined up the parade route. We guessed no one wanted to put up ropes or drill any holes for poles. I wasn't expecting really anything for this parade. I was told it was four floats and had off-beat dancers. As they were younger, the performers seemed to be from a local dance/school group. They stayed "in-time" better than expected. The floats five or six were just ok, but still cute. 

The guy in the red jacket marks the route.

 

Now we were getting even more cold and planned to leave. We headed back through the Old West area and passed the Calico Saloon. Well, the saloon show was about to begin and before I asked Eric if he wanted to watch, he was halfway up the stairs. If I haven't already mentioned it, the entertainment at the park is generally done well. At this saloon show, the singers were professional, engaged the audience and were quite funny. It was clean, silly, American old west humor.

As he sings, the love of our damsel's life awkwardly photographed.

Piano player is cues the audience.

So as our day drew to a close we took a short stroll through Camp Snoopy. The area was lit up for the holiday one last time. It was the final day of Knott's MERRY Farm, until next year. As Eric and I wandered the camp, posting to Instagram, our numb fingers could barely type up our posts. As the park's crowd thinned out again, but never got busy in the first place, we were ready to go somewhere warm. Eric and I took in a lot of Knott's entertainment that day. We definitely accomplished the goal for our day.

Seize the Evening at Disneyland Resort

While living in Orange County, heading to Disneyland or California Adventure can be a fun Saturday night! Well this weekend it was just that. This is what happens when we crave ice cream, Flo's V8 Cafe, a Mojito, and a few thrilling adventures. Are we spoiled to be so close to the fun? Yes we are. To be truthful, I don't see how we would be able to live far away from Disneyland.

The end of Summer hours certainly didn't keep away our group of five or the other visitors. This day Eric and myself visited with his cousin Rey, Brandi (Rey's fantastic girlfriend), and Eric's Mother Mary. No. She is not a nun. Her name is Mary and she is Eric's Mother...but I digress. Buena Vista St. had a good sized crowd for 6 PM, when we arrived.



Mary had yet to see all the new changes to the park that opened this past June. (She has an excuse because she lives in LA County) She was amazed by what she saw before her! I must add that since this revamp, I too am very impressed when I walk through those gates. All the photos and videos don't give you the full experience! I was glad that since she hadn't been there before, we took extra time looking through the shops such as Trolley Treats and Elias & Co. Brandi and Rey were eyeing some merchandise in Trolley Treats!! Rey is a Peanut Butter fan and was dying to have to Peanut Butter sandwich. It's very good, but he opted to wait until after dinner. The visit also made me happy because I could tell Eric was having a great time showing his mom everything.

I had been hungry since about 4:30 and it was a little past 6 PM. I know we had our sights set on Flo's V8 Cafe so we "high tailed" it to where "Life is a Highway"! I needed to get that Turkey plate and the Apple/Chedder pie in my tummy!

For those still anticipating a trip to Cars Land, sit in Flo's dining area on the eastern end. Your group will have an excellent view of Radiator Springs Racers. 

 As we expected, the meal was delicious and satisfying. I told Eric that I don't even remember seeing the Turkey on his plate!! I'm use to seeing food disappear that fast from our great friend Ricky! I know for me, I was anxious to get to that pie. The cheese and apple together sounded rather odd as a pie. But, ever since I tried it back in June, I love it!

The sky when we first arrived in the park wasn't too impressive.  I would say that it almost looked white at the time. But as the sun began to set, I glanced out the huge window and I just had to go snap a few photos! I'm not at all a professional photographer, but I do enjoy taking photos. I jumped from the table immediately and called out a quick "be right back!"

After taking in our fair share of carbs and sugar, we felt we needed to fall down the rabbit hole. Brandi and Rey also became fans of Mad T Party when we visited with them in late May. I think Rey wanted to jump onstage with the band! Again, Mary loved it! She said it didn't even feel like the same park! I shot a short video of the DJ playing Kylie Minogue's song Timebomb, and I posted it to this link here : http://youtu.be/slBTW9V5Cag

Our Fast Pass time was rolling around for Radiator Springs Racers so we finished our beverages and dashed back to Cars Land. I accidentally cut out Brandi from the photo of our vehicle. Although she isn't shown here, I can say she was having a "race-tastic" time!

Eric made a good point as we waited to ride Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. How did they crush the can without hands?

Disneyland park seemed to be calling out to us because non of us were ready to end the evening at 10 PM. Fantasmic showings were over and so was pyro. This is the hour when the crowds really begin to thin out. I was glad that Brandi mentioned she had never been in Main St Cinema and you'll see my reason in just a bit. However; when she first said this I fainted right there on the spot! (I did win the Drama Queen award at Universal)

When we were at Clarabelle's Ice Cream Parlor Eric mentioned that Clarabelle, the cow, had a huge crush on Clarke Gable. I wasn't too familiar with this, but once in the cinema I would be.

To take a quick step back to DCA, you can see that Clarabelle keeps a photo of her beloved celebrity. Confused? I was. And if you already knew this, then just come along for the ride please.

Look! Here is Clarabelle kissing Mr. Gable in the Disney cartoon called "The Polo Match"! Although I had been in the Main St Cinema before, I don't think I ever caught this. Bravo for the cool detail over at the ice cream parlor.

We had an awesome time showing Brandi another new experience. She had never been in the castle walk through. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt that the castle entrance is somewhat hidden. Even though the rehab for the castle was a few years ago, it still looks great.

After riding a snob of a caterpillar on the Alice in Wonderland attraction, we also rocketed through the stars at Space Mountain! I love those rides! By now I had to admit my steam was drying up and I was starting to feel the fact that it was 12:30 AM. (awake since 3:15 AM for work...another story)

While heading back to the main entrance I felt lucky to know we could return very soon. I love seeing people eating ice cream on the curbs of Main St. so late at night. The guests look tired, but are holding onto the times they will always remember. I sometimes wonder if it is their first or maybe last visits here. See you soon Disneyland!!