Knott's Berry Farm - The "D" Ticket

The Knott’s Berry Farm “D” ticket had the shortest life span of all the lettered tickets and the fewest changes; therefore it’s going to fit in one big post. Before we continue, let me say it’s been such fun putting together this Knott’s "A Thru D" series, I’ve learn a lot and I hope you did to. You can see the entire Knott’s lettered ticket series here (Link).

The very first “D” ticket, this Child's ticket is from May 1975. There are only four attractions for this “least valuable” of the lettered tickets. However, they’re pretty decent attractions. The Shootin' Galley and Archery Range were at Knott’s for a while, odd that I can’t find a photo of either one!

The Merry go round, in its old location. The Merry go round is now near what’s left of the lake. At least it’s there on the 2008 map, tomorrow, who knows!






May 1976 has a new land added; the Roaring 20’s and the “25¢ Arcade Games” are on the “D” ticket. I remember the Arcade, but I don’t remember how you used these tickets for the games, did you exchange them for a token? I think the Arcade is still there.




The last of artists Wendy Pelzer’s great concept art work. “Cloud 9” Did they build this?






A nice “Grey Globe Paper” “D” ticket from April 1979. This is the same grey found on many Disneyland “C” tickets. This is the last appearance of the Cable Cars.





I believe the area for the Cable Cars was used to extend the park and the Camp Snoopy kid’s area. Where did the Cable Cars go? I hope not busted in half like the Cordelia K. Steamboat!





OK Knott’s experts, I need help on this March 1980 “D” ticket. I figured this post would hold no surprises; the “D” really didn’t change much. BUT, what the heck is “Black Bart’s Trail (Summer 1980)”? This will disappear off the next “D” in 6 months.

What was it? I only find two hard references to “Black Bart’s Trail”. (1) Disneyland 57/58 had a character named “Black Bart” (See post on Gorilla’s Don’t Blog) but that makes no sense in this context and (2) There is a reference on Ultimatehaunt.com (link) that talks about a 1978 “Black Bart’s Trail of Terror” which is described as a “fun house” maze of mirrors and hallways near the graveyard in Ghost town “One of the first things you encountered in this "fun house" maze was an upright coffin, which featured an authentic dead body!” WOW, Knott’s went for some serious realism! But I don't think that is what this ticket is talking about, does anyone know?





January 1981, last of the “D” tickets. No changes except “Black Bart’s Trail” is gone.

Here, take these and head to the Arcade, I hear there’s only a short line to play Asteroids!





Well folks, it’s been a fun series. There’s still plenty of Knott’s tickets and stuff in the vault, so fear not Knott’s fans. Check back soon for more Knott's fun.

Knott's Berry Farm - The "C" Ticket part 2

Part 2 is the final part of the Knott's Berry Farm “C” ticket series covering 1978 thru 1981. To be more specific on that date in 1981 “Knott’s Berry Farm went to an 'unlimited' park ticket on Friday December 18th 1981 - ticket books were discontinued and guests 'paid-one-price' thereafter.” This information comes from Ken at "Outside the Berm” (link), thank you Ken!

This May 1978 Adult ticket has no attraction changes from the May 1977 ticket where we left off in Part 1 (link). There is small change however, about a 5¢ worth! The “C” ticket now sports a 45¢ price tag.





For a change of color, here is a May 1978 Adventures Ticket. This is good for any attraction so we’ll pretend it’s being used as a “C” ticket.






April 1979, no changes, just posting it because I am officially obsessed with Globe Ticket paper….






I think the “Tail Spin” in this incredible concept art actually became the “Propeller Spin”. Chris Merritt was kind enough to supply this blog with the artists name; Wendy Pelzer, who worked under Art Director Rick Cambell's direction. Wendy produced some fine work for Knott’s.






December 1980, last of the larger style tickets. No changes again, just vivid Globe paper.





More of Wendy’s great concept art. Did they build the Sky Diner like this?






Last of the “C” tickets, from 1981. This is when the tickets shrunk down to the same smaller size that Disneyland had switched to in 1974! Knott’s also went to A-B-C with these smaller tickets, eliminating the “D” ticket. I would guess they knew the “pay-one-price” day was coming. The "Archery Range" and "Merry Go Round" join the "C " ticket, moved up from the old "D" ticket.






Where is the Cordelia K. these days? Is there enough water anywhere at Knott’s to float her?

Knott's Berry Farm - The "C" Ticket part 1

Knott's Berry Farm underwent many changes in 1975. You can see my prior Knott's posts by checking the "labels" section on the lower right side of this blog. I just added the "labels" function to the blog, I am trying to update the previous posts and should have them all done this week.

Part one of the Knott's "C" ticket post will cover 1975 to 1977. There was no "C" ticket prior to 1975, that year Knott's went from A-B to A-B-C-D. From May 1975, this Adult "C" ticket has most of the attractions from the 1974 "B" Ticket. A nice round up if you ask me.






Next is a Child's May 1975 "C" Ticket. Basically the same thing as the Adult "C" shown above. However, this "C" ticket came from a May 1975 ticket book that still looked like the old 1974 and prior books, see next scan.






This is the Admission ticket for the the May 1975 Child Knott's Ticket book. This is the "old" style with Whittles, I thought we left him in 1974?






Here is the back, again I thought we left the "Fun" family in 1974? Dad's pipe is way out of style, come on, it's 1975! See the "755" on the lower right side, May 1975.






Things must have been a little confusing at the main gate in 1975. This is also from May 1975, this matches the ticket style much better than Whittles!






Just to further add to the confusion, there are three different "New" style May 1975 backs of the ticket books! The first two I have no idea why they are different color, everything else is the same. The third one is for "Adventures Club" member's only.






Speaking of the "Adventures Club", here is a club "C" ticket from May 1976. The new Roaring 20's land gets two attractions on the "C" ticket. The Sky Cabin, still at Knott's and I still have never been on it. The Gasoline Alley Auto Race, making it's debut on the "C" ticket but moving UP to the "B" ticket in 1977 (link). I wonder why it moved up; Fuel prices? So popular that that it made sense to move it up? Also, the Antique Auto Ride became the Tijuana Taxi, more mini car confusion!






Was the Sky Cabin originally going to be called "Sky Flight"? Or is that just a reference to the entire attraction area?






This concept art is great and while it didn't come out exactly like this, it was pretty amazing when I saw it new.






May 1977, no changes. This mustard color Globe paper is starting to grow on me, at first I thought it was kind of ugly, but now I like it.






Lets go to the Summer of 1975 for this "Knott's Good Time Gazette". Was this used as a gate flyer?






Back side lists the actives and hours. Did anyone see that TV special on Channel 5?





And of course the inside is a big MAP!!! Full high resolution scan here:

June 1975 Knott's Map (10mb)






With all the Knott's maps posted lately, I completely forgot this oldie. From 2008, do you recognize the place?

Knott's Berry Farm - The "B" Ticket Part 3

If you missed part 2 of this series, you can find it here (link).

Today, part 3 will take us from 1979 to 1981. From some point after June 1981 Knott’s went to a “Password” unlimited ride system. I don’t know the exact date of this switch, if anyone has information please pass it on. (Same thing with Disneyland. Although I can pin-point that date in 1982 a little closer – future post alert).

From April 1979 this Child “B” ticket actually has no changes from the May 1978 Adult “B” ticket in part 2, but this “orange” Globe Paper is so vivid I just had to post it.






March 1980 has a new attraction on in its Roaring 20’s section; “Wacky Soap Box Racer (Summer 1980)”. Missing and not on any other ticket: Independence Hall and Henry’s Auto Livery. Independence Hall is still there; maybe it went to free admission at this point? “Henry’s Auto Livery” is this when it was removed?








On the Knott’s “A” ticket post (link) I was not very kind to the “Wacky Racer” or it’s first incarnation the “Motor Cycle Chase”. Well, after doing a little more research, maybe I was wrong. I never rode the “Wacky” version, but according to Rollercoaster Database, the “Motorcycle” version went 40 mph! The “Wacky” version was slowed to 30 mph. Both much faster than I thought. Here are some Wacky guests having a great race!





This attraction had an odd track system and cycles or racers. It’s kind of a “monorail” with the smaller lower rail keeping the whole thing upright. Check out more photos on the Rollercoaster Database website (link).





I rode Motorcycle Chase when it was brand new. I swear it seemed slow and kind of boring. Maybe I was traumatized because I had just rode the “Parachute Sky Jump” and almost fainted, twice!





Fiesta Village gets a new attraction on this December 1980 "B" ticket; The “Dragon Swing”. This ride is still at Knott’s today, or at least it’s on Knott's website (link).







The Dragon Swing in full swing!





December 1980 is also when Knott’s started to put the date codes on the tickets themselves, something Disneyland never did. Here is the back of the December 1980 “B” ticket above, the bottom left corner has “8012”. They started this a little late in the ticket game don’t you think?







Last of the line, this March 1981 Child “B” ticket has only one attraction change from December 1980. The Whirlwind is being renamed “Greased Lightning – Open Summer ‘81". Same ride, new theme.








March 1981's other change is when Knott’s downsized the tickets, Disneyland did this in 1974. Shown for size comparison: Top – March 1981 / Bottom – April 1979.







And last for today, a nice “Welcome” brochure. It’s not dated, but I would put it around 1981.












Tomorrow: Where is this slogan from: “'Love to fly and it shows”

Knott's Berry Farm - The "B" Ticket part 2

If you missed part 1 of this series, you can find it here; Knott’s Berry Farm – The “B” ticket part 1

Part 2 of the “B” ticket series will cover 1975 thru 1978, four years that saw many changes at the Farm. As you may recall, from the late 1960’s thru 1974, Knott’s only had the “A” and the “B” ticket.

The Knott’s family was getting very ambitious in the early 1970’s, new themed area’s and many of new attractions. As proof of this rapid expansion the ticket book went from 1974 having A-B to 1975 having A-B-C-D. The entire look of the tickets also changed and they sure look at lot more like the kind the mouse uses….

Due to the fact that there are now 4 ticket type’s versus just 2, the attraction lineup on this May 1975 “B” ticket is almost completely changed from 1974. The only attraction remaining on the “B ticket is the “Fiesta Wheel” in Fiesta Village.

From Ghost Town the “Haunted Shack” and “Calico Railroad” have moved in, down from the “A” ticket. In the “also usable” category; “Independence Hall”, “Henry’s Auto Livery” and “Burro Trail” all moved down from the 1974 “A” ticket as well.

The New Roaring 20’s land had two new attractions. The “Whirlwind” a Himalaya ride, later renamed “Greased Lightning” (you’ll see on a “B’ ticket in part three) And “Wheeler Dealer” bumper cars that I believe are still at Knott’s.






May 1976 finds two more new attractions for Knott’s Roaring 20’s land. “Propeller Spin” this is a “Roundup” (link) And “Loop Trainer Flying Machine” a “Schwarzkopf Enterprise” (link) both of these spinning wonders were removed in 1989. "Whirlwind" and "Wheeler Dealer" now show “min. height required” don’t panic, this printed requirement will be gone in 1978!





This Child “B” is from May 1977. Missing is the “Propeller Spin”, moved down to the “C” ticket already. See more info about this ticket below.




New on the above 1977 “B” ticket was the “Gasoline Alley Auto Race”. This is one of the many “mini-car” rides at Knott’s. Here from a post by Chris Merritt on Gorilla’s Don’t Blog This is what Chris had to say about this ride:

“Lastly, for those of you mentioning the Motorcycle Chase/Wacky Soap Box Racers area - you are describing yet a fourth (!) little car attraction - the 'Gasoline Alley Auto Race' little car ride, which would be..."Intertwined with the Motorcycle Chase … Gasoline Alley Auto Race featuring antique gasoline-powered cars popularized in the 20s era. The cars are the first of their kind to be powered by Honda engines. Cyclists and drivers will sometimes race side by side over the course which resemble a 1920s countryside with berry fields, fishing ponds, hobo camps, and wind their way through the three-level roadway interchange – making it one of the most exciting race layouts in the country…" These little cars were meant to be Stutz Bearcats, not Model T's.”

And Chris had a link to this picture, thanks Chris!






Last ticket for today, from May 1978. First notice its 65 cents now, darn inflation of the late 1970’s! “Knott’s Bear-y Tales” had moved down the country road from the “A” ticket. See a GREAT post about Knott’s Bear-y Tales at Outside the Berm (link). Also added to Fiesta Village was the Cinema Grande removed in the 1980’s.





Back in the days when everyone gave out matches!





Even the matches were promoting the new Roaring 20’s area!





Here is the cover of an amazing Knott’s Souvenir Edition guide book from 1975/76. This is the finest one of these I have every seen. 35 large pages, all color, zillions of photo’s, great text, nice clean layout, outstanding overall. I will have the entire guide available this coming Bonus Sunday.




Knott’s fans be sure to check back later this week. We will be having a Knott’s Map Comparison Blowout! Eight high resolution scans of the LARGE maps from 1951 thru 2005.