“California’s Best Theme Park” Under Fire After Shocking Announcement

Following a shocking announcement, disappointed fans have put “California’s best theme park” under fire, saying it has “officially lost the plot.”

Since Walter Knott and his wife Cordelia first settled in Buena Park in 1920, Knott’s Berry Farm has been a staple of family fun in the Golden State, quickly earning the title of California’s best theme park.

Unfortunately, in 2024, America’s first theme park—one of the largest theme parks in the United States — has faced multiple complications.

A family walking in front of the Knott's Marketplace at Knott's Berry Farm, California's best theme park — Credit: Knott’s Berry Farm

After multiple sudden closures and operational changes throughout this year and an unexpected delay in the completion of the reimagined Camp Snoopy area at Knott’s Berry Farm, the Buena Park icon recently released an announcement that immediately caused conflicting feelings among fans in the United States.

Knott’s Berry Farm suddenly changes Camp Snoopy project

Earlier this week, Knott’s Berry Farm officials confirmed the long-awaited opening date of the updated Camp Snoopy area at the California theme park: June 27, 2024.

The news quickly sparked great excitement among fans, eager to live Beagle Scout adventures alongside Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the beloved Peanuts gang.

You can see the announcement below, as shared by Knott’s Berry Farm (@knotts) on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Get your backpacks ready! The new Camp Snoopy opens on June 27! The reimagination of Camp Snoopy will allow campers of all ages to explore new rides, including a new family rollercoaster, new character experiences, and most importantly, the carefree fun of summer camp!

Get your backpacks ready! 🏕️ The new Camp Snoopy opens on June 27! The reimagination of Camp Snoopy will allow campers of all ages to explore new rides, including a new family rollercoaster, new character experiences, and most importantly, the carefree fun of summer camp! pic.twitter.com/zFpL0Vejtt

— Knott's Berry Farm (@knotts) June 6, 2024

Unfortunately, the grand opening of Camp Snoopy also ignited concerns, speculation, and debate among fans of the Buena Park theme park.

As of the publication of this article, the official Knott’s Berry Farm website lists Camp Snoopy’s Off-Road Rally, Sally’s Swing Along, the newly upgraded Beagle Express, and Snoopy’s Tenderpaw Twister — the land’s highlight — as opening day attractions.

Sadly, the Barrell Bridge and Waterfall area, a new play area for younger guests, and the new Camp Snoopy Theater, planned to stage a new live show, are nowhere to be found in the park’s website. The attractions were even removed from the announcement video above.

Digital rendering of guests enjoying the new Camp Snoopy show at Camp Snoopy Theater, part of the upcoming expansion at Knott's Berry Farm — Credit: Knott’s Berry Farm

Among the speculation caused by the sudden changes, a rumor emerged, stating that the new Camp Snoopy Theater would be replaced by a play area called Beagle Scout Acres, likely merging Camp Snoopy Theater and the Barrell Bridge and Waterfall area into a larger play zone.

However, since the publication of this article, Knott’s officials have not confirmed or denied this rumor. This also means that the permanent or temporary removal and transformation of these two attractions remain pure speculation.

Fans voice their disappointment at recent projects

The stern news quickly stirred up debate online. Redditor u/somewhereinapark posted that Knott’s had “officially lost the plot,” igniting a heated conversation surrounding California’s best theme park.

Their post reads: “It’s WILD that they’ve managed to botch 2 projects in a row, but to now be left and right cutting entertainment, the thing they’re known for and a massive swath of adults come for, is just insane.

I’m down from CGA, but have been making it to KBF frequently, the absolute NOSEDIVE in quality I’ve seen is mind numbing. If they keep down this path I would barely place them above magic mountain. What the hell has happened? New management? Shit corporate directives? Both?”

Digital rendering of Guests riding Snoopy’s Tenderpaw Twister, an all-new roller coaster coming to Knott's Berry Farm in Summer 2024. — Credit: Knott’s Berry Farm

In the comments, the Redditor added that “Montezooma’s renovation was completely fumbled for a whole list of reasons.”

Montezooma’s Revenge is one of the most popular attractions in the Buena Park theme park and is the longest-standing shuttle loop in the United States. Sadly, the beloved attraction closed in January 2022 to undergo a significant renovation and reimagining, with an expected reopening date of summer 2023.

Unfortunately, when summer 2023 came and Knott’s opened the all-new Fiesta Village area, no word from the theme park or its parent company, Cedar Fair Entertainment, was released regarding the future of the roller coaster.

This inexplicable delay and lack of information led to concerns that the park had decided to give up on the promised upgrade, leaving Montezooma’s Revenge to be barred from guests forever.

Rendering of the new entrance for Montezooma's Revenge at Knott's Berry Farm — Credit: Knott’s Berry Farm

However, earlier this year, Knott’s Berry Farm released an official update, assuring fans that “work is Work is ‘re-zooming’ on our reimagination of Montezooma’s Revenge.

The update, shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), stated that the park would launch guests into new thrills when MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress opens in 2025. You can see the announcement below.

Work is “re-zooming” on our reimagination of Montezooma’s Revenge. Get ready to launch into new thrills when MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress opens in 2025.”

Work is "re-zooming" on our reimagination of Montezooma's Revenge. Get ready to launch into new thrills when MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress opens in 2025. 🎢https://t.co/iCcFa3i69Z

— Knott's Berry Farm (@knotts) March 1, 2024

The theme park also shared a teaser of the long-awaited addition to Fiesta Village, stating that the roller coaster will be “a new twist on a revered classic coaster experience that may alter your ability to escape with the treasure once and for all!”

You can see the video below or click here to watch it.

Despite this update, the original poster’s disappointment continued. They added that “Camp Snoopy additions are behind schedule by a lot” and that delays and budget cutting had caused a returning ride, a play area, and the new Camp Snoopy Theater to be axed from the updated area.

The Redditor commented that food portions at the park are shrinking and have been doing so for a while and that Knott’s Summer Nights have been massively pushed back and shrunken.

This year, Knott’s Summer Nights will be held on select nights from June 14 through September 2. The event will include live music, unique summer food offerings, Instagram-able photo opportunities, interactive experiences, and family-friendly games.

Calico Mine Train at Knott's Berry Farm, California's first theme park, at night — Credit: Knott’s Berry Farm

Other Redditors joined the conversation, criticizing the price and quality of the food at the park, the disappearance of the Wild West stunt show, and the missed opportunity of introducing mobile ordering at the park, a convenient offering currently available at Disneyland and Disney World.

Redditor u/No_Gr0cery_1192 added, “The ride operations has gone severely down hill too! I recently visited and couldn’t comprehend how bad it was. ”

User u/dylansesco responded to this comment by saying, “The same length of line at Knott’s that takes an hour takes 15 minutes at Disneyland. They run one train on almost all the rides and take 5 minutes to unload and reload every time. It’s absolutely infuriating how much time is wasted.”

Silver Bullet track at Knott's Berry Farm — Credit: Knott’s Berry Farm

Despite recent upgrades, including Knott’s Hotel, many users feared that the multi-million merger plan between Cedar Fair Entertainment Company and Six Flags announced last year would affect theme park operations and the overall experience.

What was the original plan for Camp Snoopy?

The reimagined Camp Snoopy at Knott’s Berry Farm was first announced in December 2023. Sadly, the expansion of the Peanuts-inspired area forced California’s best theme park to shut down three attractions permanently.

Per an announcement released by Knott’s, Huff and Puff, the High Sierra Ferris Wheel, and the Rocky Mountain Trucking Company closed permanently on January 7, 2024.

High Sierra Ferris Wheel, closing permanently at Knott's Berry Farm on january 7, 2024, for the reimagining of camp Snoopy — Credit: Knott’s Berry Farm

The main attraction of the California theme park expansion will be Snoopy’s Tenderpaw Twister, “the only family coaster that takes parents and kids up a lift hill and delivers a pint-sized launch, making this a first, big coaster experience for everyone.”

Guests riding Snoopy’s Tenderpaw Twister will get twice the fun and double the adventure, as the upcoming roller coaster takes two laps every time.

Additionally, the reimagined Camp Snoopy will be home to 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.

The park’s iconic Beagle Express will also receive exciting upgrades, taking guests on a locomotive ride through a new set of sights.

Replacing Rocky Mountain Trucking Company in the land’s transformation, Camp Snoopy’s Off-Road Rally will allow guests to drive through an expanded track and terrain, racing to the finish line aboard colorful four-wheel jeeps, each themed to Snoopy and other characters of the Peanuts Gang.

Digital rendering of guests entering the new reimagined Camp Snoopy area, an upcoming expansion at Knott's Berry Farm — Credit: Knott’s Berry Farm

The original announcement for the Peanuts gang-inspired expansion listed two attractions that have been removed:

The Barrell Bridge and Waterfall area, a new play area packed with fun activities for the young and the young at heart.
The new Camp Snoopy Theater originally planned to be the stage for a new Camp Snoopy show.

Fortunately, meet-and-greets with Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Pigpen, Sally, Marcie, and, of course, Snoopy are still planned to be offered daily throughout the immersive area.

Camp Snoopy was originally scheduled to open this Memorial Day Weekend. However, Knott’s Berry Farm officials delayed the land’s opening to “early summer” last month. This week, California’s Best theme park announced that the highly-anticipated opening would take place on June 27.

A lively theme park scene features a water fountain with large statues of characters in green hats mounted on a rocky base. Trees and people enjoying outdoor activities are in the background, and a character's flag waves from the statue. Benches, strollers, and height restrictions signs are in view. — Credit: Carowinds

Camp Snoopy is a popular area for the young and the young at heart inspired by Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts Gang. The immersive area can be found at several Cedar Fair Entertainment Company-owned and operated theme parks, including Carowinds, Cedar Point, and Michigan’s Adventure.

More fun at Knott’s Berry Farm, California’s best theme park

Creepy circus clowns at Knott's Scary Farm — Credit: Knott’s Berry Farm

California’s best theme park is home to several seasonal events that draw massive crowds to the Buena Park theme park, including Summer At Knott’s, Ghost Town Alive!, Knott’s Summer Nights, Knott’s Scary Farm, Knott’s Spooky Farm, Knott’s Merry Farm, and the beloved Knott’s Boysenberry Festival.

Adding to this year’s summer fun, Knott’s Soak City, the 15-acre water park located steps away from the iconic Southern California theme park, resumed operations last month and will remain open on select days through September 8, 2024.

What do you think about this discussion? Share your opinion with Inside the Magic in the comments below!