Windjammer Surf Racers

All posts tagged Windjammer Surf Racers

Knott’s Berry Farm

Published April 5, 2012 by myberriesfarm

walking, which is prohibited during the trip. During winds 25 mph+ or rain it is closed. When built, Sky Tower was the tallest structure in Orange County (a distinction now held by nearby WindSeeker.) The illuminated “K” in logo script atop the Sky Tower was designated a landmark which prevented Knott’s plan of converting the foundation to support WindSeeker.

English: Walter Knott (in front) and ride desi...Image via Wikipedia

Corkscrew debuted in 1975 as the first modern-day roller coaster to perform a 360-degree inverting element, twice! It was designed by Arrow Dynamics of Utah.

Motorcycle Chase – A modernized steepelchase rollercoaster built in 1976 featured single motorbike themed vehicles racing side-by-side, each on one of four parallel tracks, launched together. One or two riders straddled each “Indian motorcycle” attraction vehicle. The tubular steel monorail track closely followed dips and bumps in “the road” and tilted to lean riders about the curves. Gasoline Alley, an electric steel-guiderail car ride below, was built together and intimately intertwined, which enhanced ride-to-ride interaction thrill value. Rider safety concerns of the high center of gravity coupled with the method of rider restraints caused it to be re-themed Wacky Soap Box Racers with vehicles now attached in four car trains, each car seated two riders, strapped in low (nearly straddling the track), surrounded by the close fitting car sides, and the dips and bumps of the track were straightened flat in 1980. Motorcycle Chase/Wacky Soap Box Racers was removed 1996 for a dueling loop coaster Windjammer Surf Racers and now a vertical, launch coaster takes its place Xcelerator.

December 3, 1981 Walter Knott died, survived by his children who would continue to operate Knott’s as a family business for another fourteen years.

In the 1980s, Knott’s built the Barn Dance featured Bobbi & Clyde as the house band. It was during the height of the “Urban Cowboy” era. The “Barn Dance” was featured in Knott’s TV Commercials.

During the 1980s, Knott’s met the competition in Southern California theme parks by themeing a new land, and building two massive attractions:

View of Silver Bullet from the Sky Cabin.Image via Wikipedia

Kingdom of the Dinosaurs (1987) (primeval re-theme of Knott’s Bear-y Tales) Bigfoot Rapids (1988), a whitewater river rafting ride as the centerpiece of the new themed area Wild Water Wilderness.

The Boomerang roller coaster replaced the Corkscrew in 1990 with a lift shuttle train passing to and fro through a cobra roll and a vertical loop, for six inversions each trip.

Mystery Lodge (1994) Inspired by General Motors “Spirit Lodge” pavilion, a live show augmented with Peppers Ghost and other special effects, which was among the most popular exhibits at Expo 86 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada which was produced by Bob Rogers and created with the assistance of the Kwagulth Native reserve in Alert Bay, British Columbia. Mystery Lodge recreates a quiet summer night in the village of Alert Bay, British Columbia then guests “move inside” the longhouse and listen to the storyteller weave a tale of the importance of family from the smoke of the bonfire.

Related articles