Knotts Scary Farm
- Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, late September through October
- Cost: Separate admission fee. Extra parking fee
- Location: Buena Park
- How Long: About 3 to 4 hours
- Best Time to Visit: Knotts Scary Farm is busy throughout the run, but weekdays during the first weeks are your best bet
- Knotts Scary Farm Website
- More: Visiting Knotts Berry Farm
What to Expect at Knotts Scary Farm
Many of the regular Knotts rides are open and they're fun to enjoy in the dark. Besides that, you'll find a lot of shows to choose from and should check the schedule when you arrive.In 2009, Knotts Scary Farm features 13 mazes and 7 shows, each with its own creepy theme. You'll find some blood and gore here, but also some old-fashioned, fun house-style effects.
Some parts of the park are designated "Scare Zones" with theatrical fog creating a mysterious atmosphere and costumed monsters popping up when you least expect it. If you scream or run, they'll chase you, but if you stand your ground and talk to them, they'll talk back and pose for photographs.
Rating Knotts Scary Farm
The long lines and crowds we experienced its first week tell us that lots of people like Knotts Scary Farm. Some may think it's a little too tame or corny, but compared to Universal, we enjoyed the less-threatening atmosphere and had a lot more fun with the cast.The crowd is mostly made of young adults and Knotts Scary Farm is not recommended for anyone under 13 years old. This 50-something travel writer enjoyed it and had fun messing with the cast, snarling back or remaining poker-faced when they appeared.
If you like your Halloween fun a bit on the old-fashioned side, Knotts Scary Farm may be the best place for you. Judging from the number of young ladies we saw clinging tightly to their male companions, it's also a good place to take a date.
For kids aged 3 to 11, Knotts offers Camp Spooky Treasure Hunt during the day. It's designed to be fun and not scary.
Tips for Knotts Scary Farm
- If you buy Knotts Scary Farm tickets in advance online, you can avoid waiting in line. You'll also save as much as $20 per ticket over the day of event price. You can also save by getting your tickets at the box office ahead of time. However, they say it seldom sells out and tickets are still available most evenings at opening time.
- Add-ons include a "Pre-Scare" dinner or "Post-Scare" breakfast at Mrs. Knotts restaurant and a VIM (Very Important Monster) behind-the-scenes tour.
- The characters are scary enough, so you don't need to be. No costumes are allowed.
- Unlike daytime policy, no re-entry is allowed for Knotts Scary Farm, so be sure you've got everything you need before you go in.
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary tickets for the purpose of reviewing Knott's Scary Farm. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
