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Credit: Knott's Berry FarmA popular Southern California theme park has announced an unexpected closure, ceasing all operations effective today.
Theme parks in California have released several thrilling news lately, including Disney CEO Bob Iger revealing an Avatar-themed area currently in development at Disneyland Resort and Knott’s Berry Farm announcing a complete reimagining of the Camp Snoopy area of the theme park, bringing all-new experiences for the whole family later this year.
Unfortunately, “California’s best theme park” just announced unfortunate news for parkgoers.
Knott’s Berry Farm (@Knotts) recently announced that the theme park will shut down early today due to inclement weather, with all theme park operations ceasing at 4:30 p.m. today, March 6, and select California Marketplace locations remaining open until 5:30 p.m. Theme park officials added that all unused tickets purchased for today will be valid until April 28, 2024.
Due to inclement weather, Knott’s Berry Farm will be closing at 4:30pm today, Wednesday, March 6. Unused tickets purchased for today will be valid until April 28, 2024.
Due to inclement weather, Knott's Berry Farm will be closing at 4:30pm today, Wednesday, March 6. Unused tickets purchased for today will be valid until April 28, 2024. pic.twitter.com/QOLiQpHZ40
— Knott's Berry Farm (@knotts) March 6, 2024
While the iconic theme park in Buena Park could resume its regular operating schedule tomorrow following this unexpected closure, its immediate schedule is uncertain.
During seasons of inclement weather in Southern California, Knott’s Berry Farm usually operates on a day-to-day basis, announcing complete shutdowns or early theme park closures on the day, making park operations unpredictable.
Last year, the Buena Park icon was forced to shut down at least ten times between January and March due to inclement weather. Unprecedented weather conditions in California caused a severe decline in attendance and revenue at Knott’s, impacting Cedar Fair Entertainment Company.
Cedar Fair CEO Richard Zimmerman said in a report, “Unfortunately, anomalous weather patterns — including unprecedented rainfall in California and wildfires in Canada — have significantly disrupted year-to-date attendance, as well as sales of 2023 season passes, creating a headwind on demand.”
Due to the nature of Knott’s Berry Farm, closures due to inclement weather are necessary to ensure the safety of all guests and employees.
Since most attractions and areas at the park are outdoors, rain, thunder, lightning, heavy winds, floods, and other weather conditions could not only affect the rides’ operations but also create potentially hazardous situations for guests and employees, as we saw at a carnival in Mexico where a thrill ride spun out of control endangering dozens of riders and witnesses.
Of course, additional closures could affect Knott’s Berry Farm and Cedar Fair Entertainment Company as they did last year. However, with the opening of the all-new Camp Snoopy at the Buena Park theme park coming up, the theme park could see a turn of luck in 2024.
The new Camp Snoopy area at Knott’s Berry Farm will be home to Camp Snoopy’s Off-Road Rally, the brand-new attraction Sally’s Swing Along — a super-sized swing that will take kids and parents up to 10 feet toward the sky — and the highlight of the ambitious expansion, Snoopy’s Tenderpaw Twister — an all-new roller coaster.
The reimagined land will also feature the Barrell Bridge and Waterfall area, a new play area packed with fun activities for the young and the young at heart; the newly upgraded Beagle Express, which will take guests on a locomotive ride through a new set of sights; the new Camp Snoopy Theater that will be the stage for a new Camp Snoopy show; and meet-and-greets with Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Pigpen, Sally, Marcie and, of course, Snoopy throughout the land at varying times every day.
Additionally, seasonal events like the iconic Knott’s Boysenberry Festival — taking place daily from March 8 through April 7 and on weekends from April 12 through 28 —Knott’s Scary Farm and Knott’s Merry Farm could boost theme park attendance and revenue this year.
Will this closure affect your visit to Knott’s Berry Farm today? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments below!