Here’s What’s New at Knott’s Berry Farm

At 104 years old, Knott’s Berry Farm in Southern California’s Buena Park, takes so much pride in its heritage that even its new updates tend to reflect the park’s past. Part of Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, Knott's has undergone several significant enhancements, including a recently completed multimillion-dollar renovation of Knott's Hotel and an all-new Camp Snoopy kids area opening this summer.

Knott’s 2024 seasonal celebrations include the interactive Ghost Town Alive! (June 14 to Sept. 2); the separately ticketed Knott's Scary Farm (Sept. 19 to Nov. 2) the not-so-scary Knott's Spooky Farm (Sept. 26 to Oct. 31); and Knott's Merry Farm (Nov. 22, 2024, to Jan. 5, 2025), featuring the beloved Peanuts ice show.

Knott’s Hotel

The newly renovated Knott's Hotel features a refined farmhouse style that honors founders Walter and Cordelia Knott and ties the hotel to the history of the theme park (only a five-minute walk from the lobby).

According to Charles Myers, senior vice president for Cedar Fair Entertainment, Cordelia served chicken dinners from her kitchen on her wedding china, and to entertain people waiting for meals, Walter built a ghost town, which is still part of Knott’s Berry Farm today.

“When we thought about this hotel, the inspiration was Walter and Cordelia,” Myers said. “They would want a place for guests to stay at Knott’s Berry Farm with a great ‘backyard’ to play in.”

Ken Parks, corporate director of creative development for Cedar Fair Entertainment, adds that Walter and Cordelia also inspired design decisions, including a hand-blown glass chandelier by a local Orange County artisan that represents the mason jars Cordelia filled with boysenberry jam, as well as the couple’s wedding portrait, which is featured in the lobby.

“Walter and Cordelia spent their entire lives on this property,” Parks said. “I think they would be thrilled we continued their legacy of making people feel welcome here.”

Walter and Cordelia spent their entire lives on this property. I think they would be thrilled we continued their legacy of making people feel welcome here.

The hotel’s 322 guestrooms offer queen, queen-queen and king configurations. Oversize queen-queen and king rooms also have a sleeper sofa and eating counter, and up to three guestrooms can be connected to accommodate 12 guests.

The new Thirty Acres Kitchen (named for the size of the Knotts’ original farm) serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a seasonal menu highlighting local ingredients and, of course, boysenberry-forward dishes such as buttermilk pancakes with boysenberries and whipped cream, boysenberry-chipotle barbecue chicken pizza and a Berry Farm burger. The restaurant’s wrap-around bar extends into the lobby, serving locally inspired craft cocktails and small plates.

Travel agents should note that Knott’s Berry Farm is only 7 miles from Disneyland Resort, and complimentary daily shuttles from Knott's Hotel to Disneyland provide another reason to stay.

Updated Camp Snoopy

Camp Snoopy debuted in 1983 with Peanuts-themed experiences that adults and kids could enjoy together. In the reimagined area, opening this summer, guests of all ages will find new rides and entertainment at the camp’s annual jamboree.

“Experiencing first theme park moments as a family is what Knott’s is all about,” said Jon Storbeck, vice president and general manager for Knott’s Berry Farm. “Our newly reimagined Camp Snoopy allows parents and kids to immerse in a summer camp experience alongside the Peanuts Gang."

The new Snoopy's Tenderpaw Twister is the only family coaster with a lift hill and “pint-sized launch,” making it a perfect first “big coaster” experience. The best part? Riders get to go around twice.

At Camp Snoopy's Off-Road Rally, Peanuts character-themed jeeps race over, around and under obstacles to the finish line; the new Sally's Swing Along oversize swing set allows adults and kids to sit side by side as they fly 10 feet into the sky; and the guest-favorite Woodstock’s Airmail ride returns in a new Camp Post Office area.
Camp Snoopy also includes the Barrel Bridge and Waterfall play area, the newly updated Beagle Express train ride and the all-new Camp Snoopy Theater, with a daytime show and evening campfire experience.

Knott’s Bear-y Tales

The saying “everything old is new again” is certainly true for the 1975 Knott’s Bear-y Tales ride, which was reimagined with modern interactive 4D elements in 2021 as Knott’s Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair.
The charming attraction took riders into Knott’s Berry Factory, where they met boysenberry pie bakers Boysen and Girlsen Bear and pie thief Crafty Coyote. By the end of the ride (despite Crafty’s best efforts), the bears and pies safely made it to the Country Fair to win a blue ribbon.

Today, Boysen and Girlsen are again heading to the fair with their pies and, again, Crafty tries to steal them for himself (this time assisted by his cubs). However, riders are now equipped with jelly blasters to hit virtual targets and score points — and, of course, the bears still take the blue ribbon.

“The return of Knott’s Bear-y Tales brings back one of the park’s most beloved attractions in an innovative 4D format that delights an entirely new generation of fans,” Storbeck said.

That tried-and-true combination of nostalgic and updated experiences makes Knott's Berry Farm a unique destination clients should consider for their next theme park vacation.