Month: March 2017

VR Showdown in Ghost Town

On By maryimaginationIn Knott's Berry FarmLeave a comment

 

Get ready to enter a time machine and go back in time to defend the town of Calico from an army of robots! This new attraction is not only action packed and so much fun, but it is also brining the innovation of Virtual Reality to a theme park setting. When Tim and I tried this attraction this past Tuesday evening, our minds were blown away!

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There is so much love and care for the park that went into this attraction. When you are in the queue, there are easter eggs for Knotts fans to discover and there you can watch the pre-show and learn the backstory of the adventure you will embark on. The details are so amazing! For those of you worried about a theming clash by having a Ghost Town attraction in Boardwalk, Don’t You Fear! The facade, queue and attraction falls in theming continuity with Iron Reef with steam punk elements. It honestly feels like an extension of the Iron Reef world, so it fits in PERFECTLY inside the Boardwalk Arcade.IMG_4013wtmkIMG_4010wtmk

Then you are escorted to your time traveling pod by scientists who are experts in the field of time travel and the space time continuum. They prepare you for what is to come by equipping you with your VR headset, headphones and your weapon. I am not going to spoil the actual experience for you but all I can say is it is fully immersive, thrilling, and so much fun! When Tim and I were screaming at the surprises, yelling at the things coming right at us, and I even went “pew pew” mimicking the laser gun in my hand. LOL. We REALLY got into it.

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The technology will leave you astounded and in awe. In this attraction, you are free to move around freely to battle the robots. It honestly feels like you are transported into the wild west of Calico, any way you turn there are enemies all around you. No worries about running into your friends or into anything while you are playing, you can clearly tell within the experience where your friends and where the boundaries are. You can stand, crouch, back away, dodge, and move around the space as you want and need to. Tim and I were on the floor at times, LOL. This is a one of a kind VR system and as it is stated in Knotts’ press release, “No consumer VR platform allows multiple users to move around this large of a play space, and WITHOUT the limitation of cables connecting users to the PCs, players are free to move around each other and the space to take advantage of the full-motion nature of the system.”

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Here are a couple of tips from us that we learned and hope that it will assist you on your mission to save our beloved Calico! The glowing power ups that appear, to access them you must swipe your weapon through it, don’t shoot it. Follow the objectives you are assigned while you are on your mission, it will help you succeed. And above all, don’t get hit by the enemies or debris created by the chaos, you WILL lose points. Also, don’t move past the grids, when you play it, you will understand.

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This is truly a unique experience that you can only can only experience at Knott’s Berry Farm! This is the VERY FIRST Free Roaming VR Experience and it is so mind blowing. Wow, how far technology has come. We HIGHLY recommend you experience this New attraction, it is so Worth the upcharge! Have fun with it, Tim and I were all over the place and having a blast. It is a blast to the past, hehhehehhehehehhehe. Fans of Knott’s Berry Farm, thrill seekers, video game lovers, theme park lovers, and so many people will love this. We are definitely going to go through this attraction again and again! And here is the great part about playing it multiple times, the experience will change every time… and hey, you can even try to beat that high score.

Boomerang’s Grand Exit! The sun sets on Boomerang for the last time on April 23!

On By TimothyIn Knott's Berry Farm2 Comments

Knott’s Berry Farm says goodbye to the park’s veteran rollercoaster, Boomerang on April 23rd. Riders will have one last chance to ride the reverse shuttle rollercoaster starting now and throughout the duration of Knott’s annual springtime Boysenberry Festival which kicks off April 1-23.

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The 27 year-old rollercoaster has been a staple in the recently renovated Boardwalk area, replacing the historic “Roaring 20’s Corkscrew” in 1990. Since its opening, Boomerang has taken thrill-seekers on an enthralling two minute ride forward and backwards on its 875-foot track.
Guests will have the opportunity to take a last ride on Boomerang during the popular Knott’s Boysenberry Festival, a celebration of Knott’s Berry Farm’s historic roots anchored by the flavorful boysenberry. Newly expanded this year to 23 days, Knott’s will be showcasing a unique selection of over 75 boysenberry-inspired items from tasty food creations and rare wines to one-of-a kind merchandise that commemorates Knott’s renowned history.

For over 75 years, Knott’s has created memories for families and park goers of all ages; the park has been home to multiple thrilling rollercoasters and family attractions. The park’s team will continue to assist in strategically advancing the park’s development as it continues to grow throughout the years along with our guests.

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KNOTT’S BOYSENBERRY FESTIVAL RETURNS WITH OVER THREE WEEKS OF APPETIZING FOOD, GOOD OL’ FASHION FUN AND NEW LIVE ENTERTAINNMENT, FROM APRIL 1 – APRIL 23

On By TimothyIn Knott's Berry FarmLeave a comment

The Flavorful Celebration Will Feature a New Mouthwatering Food Lineup of Boysenberry Inspired Dishes and Entertainment For all Ages.

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This spring, join Knott’s as it celebrates the flavorful berry that started it all, the boysenberry, during the much anticipated Knott’s Boysenberry Festival. For the first time ever, the mouthwatering festival is expanding to three weeks, April 1–April 23, with delectable food and drinks, and festive live entertainment. The 23-day food festival features over 70 one-of-a-kind boysenberry inspired dishes, drinks and more, plus foot-stompin’ entertainment, Wine and Craft Brew Tasting Garden, featuring boysenberry and wine, and family fun that everyone will love!  For festival goers with a hankerin’ for some live entertainment, the options are endless with live music throughout the park, a nighttime dance party, and brand new shows like, Snoopy’s Boysenberry Jamboree at the Calico Mine Stage. Calico Park in Ghost Town is home to a good ol’ fashion hootenanny featuring pie eating contests, line dancing and country fair festivities with the local Ghost Town townsfolk. The limited-time festival is included with admission to Knott’s Berry Farm.

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The year was 1920 when Walter and Cordelia Knott moved to the community of Buena Park Calif. to farm 20 acres of rented land which included harvesting, and selling the first boysenberry, a cross between a loganberry, red raspberry and blackberry, and named the new berry after its originator, Rudolph Boysen. Today, all boysenberries in the world can trace their roots back to Knott’s Berry Farm.

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For 2017, the mouthwatering line-up of boysenberry inspired dishes will feature irresistible boysenberry pizza made with arugula and goat cheese, the unforgettable and delicious new ravioli dish packed with boysenberry flavors, freshly-baked boysenberry fry bread and lip-smacking corn on the cob with boysenberry butter and mayo, each dish will leave guests wanting for more.  Other must try items include crispy deep fried alligator bites paired with farm-made zesty boysenberry aioli, finger-lickin boysenberry BBQ wings, savory boysenberry meatballs, sweet boysenberry cream soda, creamy chocolate covered boysenberry cheesecake on a stick and many more delicious treats. Additional fee for tastings. Guests who want to take home the exquisite Boysenberry BBQ sauce, Boysenberry Butter, Boysenberry Dressing and Boysenberry Chipotle Sauce can do so by stopping by the Berry Market located in the California MarketPlace and General Store located in Ghost Town. Select items are available on the online Berry Market store.

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Guests can purchase boysenberry inspired products throughout the winding streets of the Old West at the Crafts Fair. This year’s boysenberry products include boysenberry soap, lip balm and the devilishly good rock candy. Festivalgoers can also watch special demonstrations including a chainsaw wood sculpting, glass blowing and blacksmithing.  From day to night, Ghost Town has never looked so lively.

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This year, in honor of the famous berry, Ghost Town’s Town Hall will feature a fascinating film which shares the story of how Walter and Cordelia Knott settled here in Buena Park and helped the world discover the amazing boysenberry. Guests can pull up a seat and catch a 10-minute showing of the historic film offered exclusively during the festival.

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The Knott’s Boysenberry Festival also features an extensive line up of live entertainment. Join Snoopy, Charlie and the entire Peanuts gang as they present an all new interactive, musical revue called Snoopy’s Boysenberry Jamboree! at the Calico Mine Stage. This new show will have families singing, dancing, and playing along with the beloved Peanuts characters and talented performers during the whimsical, high energy celebration of springtime. Country music and the aroma of deliciously good food will fill the air as the Ghost Town Miners take the stage in a fun, musical performance at the Firemen’s BBQ stage. Just across the Fireman’s stage, the Legendary Bird Cage Theatre pays tribute to Knott’s past; for the first time in over 20 years, the theatre will be the home of musical comedy melodrama, with a special presentation of the Old Time Melodrama. America’s longest running Melodrama returns with an original, interactive, comedy with a surprising boysenberry twist! In the evening, a group of krazy talented performers will have guests kicking up their heels with vine dancing, a down home jug band and dueling fiddlers and banjos!  At the Wagon Camp stage, get krazy when Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies mount their toe tappin’, knee-slappin’, gut-bustin’ country comedy show that will have audiences clamoring for more!

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The fun continues with new additions exclusively for the Boysenberry Festival. Brand new this season, The Old MacDonald Petting Zoo pays tribute to one of Knott’s original attractions. Young ones and young at heart are invited to cozy up to the cutest critters on the farm including horses, sheep, goats and other furry friends.

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Springtime fun has also taken root in Camp Snoopy and Fiesta Village. During the limited-time event, the whole family can meet the Easter Beagle at his Camp Snoopy home, blooming with colorful springtime décor. The meet and greet location is the perfect place for shareable moments with the boisterous beagle and his friends – Charlie Brown, Lucy, Sally, and Linus. Camp Snoopy Theatre will showcase the PEANUTS pals singing, dancing, and sharing stories for all to enjoy. Everyone in the family can join in the Camp Snoopy activities.  The theater will be filled with the sweet sound of little ones as they singing-along to the cheerful tunes! Guests don’t have to be experts at dancing to enjoy a nighttime Fiesta with DJ Cruz in Fiesta Village. The night comes alive with music and dance as everyone will be sure to take to the floor and dance to the rhythmic beat of popular music.

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The Boysenberry Festival is included with admission to Knott’s Berry Farm, additional cost for food tasting experiences within the event, which also offers a full day of thrilling coasters and family fun rides.  Knott’s will have extended hours, 10am to 10pm, from April 1 –  April 23, allowing guests extra time to take advantage of all of the limited-time offerings.

KNOTT’S BERRY FARM AND VRSTUDIOS UNVEIL DETAILS OF “VR SHOWDOWN IN GHOST TOWN” – THE FIRST PERMANENT FREE-ROAMING, VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCE AT A U.S. THEME PARK

On By TimothyIn Knott's Berry FarmLeave a comment

Custom VR Installation Opens in April, 2017, Exclusively at Knott’s Berry Farm
Buena Park, CA – March 8, 2017 – Knott’s Berry Farm, its parent company Cedar Fair Entertainment and VRstudios announced today the details of the first permanent installation of a free-roaming, multi-player VR experience in a U.S. theme park, which will be located inside the Knott’s Berry Farm Boardwalk Arcade. A new custom and industry first virtual reality (VR) experience, “VR Showdown in Ghost Town” will make its debut in April, and is exclusively available at Knott’s Berry Farm.

The immersive and interactive VR attraction will invite guests to embark on a time travel adventure, which will transport them to a futuristic version of Knott’s western town of Calico. Players will be met by robotic creations and embark on a daring mission with other groups of players to defend the town.
The one-of-a-kind immersive experience perfectly combines virtual reality and a competitive gaming realm that will captivate guests. Armed with state-of-the-art wireless virtual reality headsets and futuristic blasters, multiple players will compete against one another for the highest score and bragging rights, as part of this immersive adventure, while striving toward shared team goals. At the end of the VR competition, guests will be able to view and compare scores with their fellow opponents.

“We are always looking for new and exciting ways to entertain our guests,” said Christian Dieckmann, Cedar Fair’s Vice President of Strategic Growth. “By using a free-roaming system, we can take full advantage of the capabilities of VR and let our guests be the stars of the show. A majority of people have not yet experienced VR, and we anticipate there will be a lot of interest from guests to have their first taste at our park.”

“VR Showdown in Ghost Town” is one of the many exciting new experiences coming to Knott’s in 2017 and will be available to guests at an introductory price of $6.00, in addition to park admission.
For further updates and park information please visit knotts.com or download the Knott’s Berry Farm app for your smartphone. Join the conversation about the new virtual reality experience using the hashtag #VRShowdownInGhostTown on the Knott’s Facebook or Twitter page.

About Knott’s Berry Farm and Cedar Fair:
Knott’s Berry Farm is Southern California’s original theme park; featuring world-class rides, shows, attractions, the Knott’s Soak City Waterpark and Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel. Knott’s Berry Farm is owned and operated by the Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: “FUN”), a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio. The Company, which owns and operates 11 amusement parks, two outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and five hotels, is one of the largest regional amusement park operators in the world. Its parks are located in Ohio, California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Missouri, Michigan, and Toronto, Ontario. Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in California under a management contract.

About VRstudios:
VRstudios (www.vrstudios.com) is a leading global VR technology company, whose VR systems and content are installed in 11 countries. The company is delivering the first truly wireless, full-range-of-motion, multi-participant, immersive experiences for the location-based entertainment industry, such as theme parks, family entertainment centers, food and beverage outlets, movie theaters and arcades. VRstudios is the first company to offer an all-in-one VR solution bundle, including its own experience management software, wireless headsets and interactive devices, entertainment content and developer tools. The company launched in 2014 and is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington.

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