Knott’s Berry Farm Closing GhostRider for Refurbishment

Knott’s Berry Farm’s Ghost Town is turning 75 next year, and in preparation for the anniversary they’ve announced a couple of closures.  The more positive of the two announcements is that GhostRider, the park’s huge wooden coaster, is closing on September 8 for “a comprehensive restoration.”  On the same day, the upsell ride Screamin’ Swing, the original installation of the S&S pendulum ride, will close permanently.

Knott's Berry Farm has announced the closure and restoration of 17 year old GhostRider (photo courtesy the OC Register, http://www.ocregister.com/articles/knott-678371-ghostrider-park.html)

Knott’s Berry Farm has announced the closure and restoration of 17 year old GhostRider (photo courtesy the OC Register, http://www.ocregister.com/articles/knott-678371-ghostrider-park.html)

The seventeen year old GhostRider is the longest wooden coaster on the west coast, and with the conversion of Colossus last year is also the fastest out West.  It was the final major project started at the park under the ownership of the Knott family, prior to the sale of the park to Cedar Fair, so in that sense the ride is an important part of the history of Knott’s.  Unfortunately, after being highly rated in its early years, the quality of the ride has gone down over time as it’s gotten rougher and rougher, so a major refurbishment is very welcome.  The ride was frequently down for maintenance work with multiple long closures each year, so hopefully this restoration will also help reduce downtime.

Opening run of GhostRider, courtesy the OC Register, http://www.ocregister.com/articles/knott-678371-ghostrider-park.html

Opening run of GhostRider (courtesy the OC Register, http://www.ocregister.com/articles/knott-678371-ghostrider-park.html)

“GhostRider is one of the most beloved attractions at Knott’s Berry Farm,”said Raffi Kaprelyan, vice president and general manager at Knott’s. “The full restoration of the ride is just the beginning of what we have in store for the 75th anniversary celebration of Ghost Town in 2016.”

Hopefully the work will restore the quality of GhostRider back to it's original level.  (Photo courtesy OC rRegister)

Hopefully the work will restore the quality of GhostRider back to it’s original level. (Photo courtesy OC rRegister)

There are some rumors GhostRider will get an RMC refurbishment, but I think this is unlikely (Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and Roar seem the more likely RMC project in California), especially with this ride being the last “Knott” ride ever built.  My guess is it’s more likely that it will be restoration by a company like Great Coasters International, Inc., which did track work as well as profile and banking updates to GhostRider back in 2004.

Knott’s officials said they will announce more details on the refurbishment as well as other events and updates planned for the 75th anniversary in November, so stay tuned for more info this fall.

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