Friday, September 23, 2011

Knott's Berry Farm Construction 2012/2013

From Screamscape:

Late 2012 / 2013 - Giga Coaster - Rumor - (9/21/11) Westcoaster stops by Knott’s once again to check out the Haunt build up duing crunch time, as well as checking on that new land clearing. According to the latest rumors, this could be for the park’s long anticipated new mega/giga coaster, though at this point in the game, we may be looking at a 2013 opening or perhaps even a late 2012.
(9/12/11) There may be hope for some kind of new attraction in the works for Knott’s after all it seems, as the latest update over at Westcoaster reports that two sites near GhostRider have been cleared suddenly, sites which should have nothing to do with the Haunt construction taking place elsewhere in the park. Curious… anyone know more?
(8/11/11) It has been awhile since any new rumors have leaked out from the Knott’s camp, as they have been very busy trying to play catch-up with Windseeker all summer, but once again the rumor of a large hyper/mega/giga coaster project in the works for the park’s next big attraction has been reaffirmed.


Here are some links to some pics of the land clearing:

http://www.westcoaster.net/community/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=4392#p99755

http://www.westcoaster.net/updates.php?updateCD=091311&page=10 (for the rest of the update)

http://www.westcoaster.net/updates.php?updateCD=092011&page=14 (also for the rest of the update)

If the rumors of a possible station in the old Kingdom of the Dinosaurs building is true, this will be one MASSIVE coaster. This will also link to the rumors of this coaster traveling through quite a bit of the park, from the old KOD building, over the Bigfoot Rapids, and into the backstage area by the KBF Resort Parking Lot, all the way to Ghost Rider (where the land clearing is taking place) and back into the park (these next quotes are old rumors from last year):

So rumor has it, the sky tower and perilous plunge are out, KOD will be the loading dock. It will be 300 feet tall, and run from Sky tower/ Xcellator to Big Foot, to Ghost Rider. If you get back stage look for the markers around the Four Corners Café, and in front of the rides office.


When I worked there back in 2006, somebody had gotten to see blueprints for what was supposed to be a new hyper coaster. We had seen all the higher ups scouting out the area as well, they were monitoring foot traffic, and it was all supposed to take place in the old Kingdom of the Dinosaurs building, thats where the station was going to be, with the queue taking out the arcade below and the drop turning out over I believe the street behind it was Western, can't recall, and into the employee parking lot for a Hammerhead turn, then over Bigfoot Rapids, and continue all over the place. Then, out of nowhere, in our eyes, everything was dropped, or put on hold. Maybe this is it, but changed a bit? It was supposed to be at least a 2 year construction process since it took up so much room. Hopefully something of the same is going to happen. It would actually give me a reason to visit again.


Also a new rumor from Bolliger&Mabillard at ThemeParkReview:

There is a rumor that when (if) this coaster starts to go up, every area except Snoopy and Fiesta will be affected. Is it possible that this clearing has to do with a 2012 attraction? Maybe. But me thinks it has to do moreso with GhostRider's rehab. I don't know, haven't seen which area they're referring to.


As for the opening, I kind of expect it to be in late 2012. They are starting construction now, and it just makes sense for a late 2012 opening, as Knott's has done openings of new rides late in the year, particularly December (Ghost Rider in 1998, Silver Bullet in 2004). I can really see this attraction opening in late 2012, and the LATEST would be 2013.

I think this project will be one of the biggest coaster projects I have ever seen, and if the rumors are true, this may be the tallest and fastest non-launched coaster in the world. Once it gets announced (if it happens that is), I think it will be a very big day in the amusement industry.

2 comments:

Maria Lisa said...

I agree that the possible station in the old Kingdom of the Dinosaurs building is true, and one thing i will say that your profile picture is awesome and magnificent!


land clearing

rickayyyy said...

i went to knotts this last Monday and I asked an employee about this rumor and he said that the coaster WAS the inital plan, but Knotts got a new general manager and know they dont know if it will ever happen.