Event Report: Knott’s Scary Farm 2016

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On September 22nd, we made a truly frightening trek (two hours and change in snarled L.A. traffic from Hollywood to Buena Park, CA) to the commencement of Knott’s Scary Farm, 2016. But was the event, now in its 44th year of operation, worth the drive? Step inside for a rundown on what we saw, what we missed, and a photo gallery.

With two more maze attractions than its competitor Halloween Horror Nights (nine in total), in this writer’s estimation, when it comes to park attractions turned “haunt” in SoCal, there’s no bigger bang for your buck than Knott’s: world-class coasters (we rode the Silver Bullet until we were nearly sick), Elvira’s comedic and risqué returning show (this year titled “Elvira’s Danse Macabre”) and the traditional “The Hanging”, that sense of sweet nostalgia for Los Angeles residents given the attraction’s four-plus-decade run, and oh, let me not forget two of the park’s best aspects – rather inexpensive tickets and short lines – all conspire to make for an entirely enjoyable experience.

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So, what did we see? First up on our maze tour was the all new “PARANORMAL, INC.”

Unlike its competitor HHN, whose mazes are derived from licensed and known film properties, Knott’s attractions and their narratives are often based on historical characters, urban legends, and in this case, the public’s fascination with reality TV shows focusing on paranormal investigation. Beginning with a “live” taping of a ghost hunting show, the opening scene of “PARANORMAL, INC.,” served as an entirely effective setup for a gasp-inducing punch line we couldn’t have predicted. What followed was a claustrophobic journey into a haunted hospital, complete with elevated production design, startling wire gags and more than a few jump scares.

Knotts Scary Farms 2016

On the heels of this ghostly encounter, we ventured into “Red Barn” (cannibal hillbillies galore), “The Tooth Fairy” (grim, gory, and unsettling with A Nightmare on Elm Street “boiler room” aesthetic), and “Trick or Treat” mazes. All are a good time, although the latter seemed lacking in that its impressive finale, last seen in 2014, is still missing (and the cheaply made, one-dimensional plywood tree, in lieu of the previous and altogether impressive one, still resides at the maze’s entrance). Still, the attraction remains eye candy for those with a love of the Halloween season, and the opening jack-o’-lantern strewn staircase effectively evokes the holiday.

Knotts Scary Farms 2016

Possessing perhaps the most top-notch production design of the mazes we experienced, we headed over to the returning “Voodoo: Order of the Serpent” attraction, and we weren’t let down. A descent into the haunted bayous of Louisiana and populated with nefarious voodoo priests, priestesses, corpses, crocodiles, and more, the maze delivers.

With so much to do we missed the mazes “Shadow Lands,” “The Dead of Winter: Wendigo’s Revenge,” and “Gunslinger’s Grave: A Blood Moon Rises,” as well as both Elvira’s show and “The Hanging,” though we did experience the upgraded zombie shoot “Special Ops: Infected” (and for fans of first person shooters, this is a “bucket list” item).

Knotts Scary Farms 2016

Knotts Scary Farms 2016

What we wanted more of? Fog. There wasn’t nearly enough (“Fog Alley” exempt), scare actors in the scare zones (there seem to be less each year), the missing tarot card and fortune teller tents in Camp Snoopy, and the sounds of the 90’s goth band Switchblade Symphony, the latter still suspiciously absent from the park (c’mon, Knott’s, don’t break tradition; we notice these things).

Additionally, “Skeleton Key” attractions are now stand-alone and no longer situated within any of the park’s nine mazes, and given that wait times for what ultimately are very short experiences, it seems an odd choice, and a bit of a let-down. And as for the now-shuttered “Fear VR”, closing fright attractions because a small segment of society deems them “offensive” is akin to shuttering the doors of a confectionery because someone deems it too “sweet.” What’s next? Canceling “The Hanging,” because of its political incorrectness? Or Elvira’s show, because someone deems her décolletage too racy? Get it together, Knott’s.

Knotts Scary Farms 2016

Overall, though, it was a blast, if not retaining the elevated production value exhibited by the park in the 1990’s (“Dominion of the Dead”, anyone?)

Recommendation? While the park’s lines are happily short, purchasing a Fright Lane pass with a Skeleton Key for $110.00 is the way to go, if you have hopes of seeing everything. Even with one, the park indeed has so much to offer, that you’ll probably demand a return visit in order to take it all in (we’ll be returning ourselves).

Knott’s Scary Farm is located at 8039 Beach Blvd. in Buena Park, CA, and runs on select dates from September 22 until Halloween. For ticket info and more, click here and don’t forget to check them out at Knott’s Scary Farm on Facebook!

Knotts Scary Farms 2016

Knotts Scary Farms 2016

Knotts Scary Farms 2016

Knotts Scary Farms 2016

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