Back to Knott's, Pt. 4: Calico Mine Ride

When we last visited Knott's Berry Farm together, I left you at the entrance to the Calico Mine Company. Today, it's time to board the train!



Designed by Bud Hurlbut, this attraction has been entertaining guests since November 1960. And yes, guests of today need a simple common sense reminder:



Lighting can make all the difference:





These scenes with the animatronics look huge and are so impressive; would they be if the lights were on? Probably not, but that's all part of the illusion.



One of the almost fifty animatronic figures in this attraction:





My favorite scene: The Cavern/Heaven Room with the ethereal music playing in the background:





A brief trip back out into the sunshine:



Those vultures are just waiting for a snack:



And then back into the darkness...



for an explosive finale!



See more Calico Mine Ride photos at my main website.

Knott's Berry Farm, July 1963

Often, scattered amongst the vintage Disneyland slide sets I purchase are random views of Knott's Berry Farm. Many of the people who sell these estate finds have no idea which is which. Today, Knott's fans can reap the benefits with these July 1963 photos. Here we see the Butterfield Stagecoach attraction; unlike the Disneyland counterpart, it still operates today.



Knott's version of The Autopia; not quite as futuristic! I believe this one was called the Antique Auto Ride. In 1976, it was renamed the Tijuana Taxi.



The Calico Mine Ride attraction, not even quite three years old at the time of this shot:



A detailed view of the train; don't miss the couple in front with the cool boater hats!



More Knott's Berry Farm images at my main website.

Calico Mine Train Ride

As promised, today's post features photos from the recently revamped Calico Mine Train Ride attraction at Knott's Berry Farm. Unfortunately (at least in my opinion), the Scary Farm overlay was in place, which somewhat detracts from the experience. The voice of a scary hag and lighting that focuses on the ghostly overlay instead of the regular animatronic figures put a bit of a damper on the ride for me.



The queue area, which seemed like it was missing a few posters and props along the way from my last journey.



I waited patiently at Gate B:



One last look back before departing:



And away we go…



Bubbling colors…



Ghastly green light everywhere:



A scary hand for the Halloween themed overlay:



A thunderous green waterfall:



One of the many improved animatronic figures; unfortunately, I left my low-light lens at home, so these photos are not quite up to par.





Perhaps the oft-heard about "Canary in a coal mine"?



Bats and a skeleton in a mine car:



And the gorgeous "Heaven Room," complete with a few hellish elements:









The Calico Mine itself:



A miner reaching for something:



the photo reveals a little pup. I missed this when I was riding through.





A brief journey back outside:



How cool to have theme park legend John Waite in my car!



Two scary vultures overhead; notice they are all molded. No real feathers for these weather-resistant birds.



Back into the mine for the grand finale.



The explosion effects did not work when we traveled through.



The ride is beautiful, but I am looking forward to going on it when the overlay is removed. Hopefully the lighting issues are resolved after the transition.

See more Daveland Calico Mine Train Ride photos at my main website.

Hello Knott's and Goodbye October!

I am going to preface today's post with the fact that October was one helluva month. I am very glad it is gone and sure hope that November proves to be a happier one (and no, I won't bore you with the details). One of the highlights of October was a quick trip to Knott's Berry Farm to meet a few fellow bloggers and OC Historians in Ghost Town.

This was my first experience at Knott's with the Scary Farm overlay.



Ghost Town Skeletons: Check!



Since I was pretty early, I wandered around by myself and snapped a few shots of Ghost Town while it looked…well, like a Ghost Town: empty! Here's a panoramic view of the Wagon Camp:



The Gold Trails Hotel (I wouldn't mind staying there):



Two more panoramic views to round out today's post, including this one of Ghost Town itself:



and the Calico Mine Train attraction:



which is where I'll pick up this story tomorrow - hope to see you then!

See more Daveland Knott's Berry Farm photos at my main website.