Next week Knott’s Berry Farm will be celebrating the 50th birthday of the Timber Mountain Log Ride, one of the most classic attractions at the park.
When the Timber Mountain Log Ride opened at Knott’s Berry Farm on July 11, 1969, it was the first of its kind. It wasn’t the first modern log flume ride, that was El Aserradero at Six Flags Over Texas, but it was the first to be elaborately themed. The ride was designed by famed theme park designer Bud Hurlbut (who also designed the Calico Mine Ride at Knott’s Berry Farm), and manufactured by Arrow Dynamics, the pioneers of the modern Log Flume. It is also widely acknowledged as the original inspiration for Splash Mountain at Disneyland.
Designer Bud Hurlbut and Walter Knott discussing the design of the Timber Mountain Log Ride.
And Bud and Walter going for a spin on the ride!
The ride sends you on an adventure through a mountain that is home to an audio-animatronic 19th century lumber camp. The ride is contained within eight-story, 330 foot long mountain, ending with a 42 foot long final drop. In 2013, the ride got a major overhaul, including getting new animatronics from Garner Holt Productions (Garner Holt also did the refresh of the Calico Mine Ride, and the newly opened Calico River Rapids). Scenes inside the mountain include traveling through the lumber mill and passing homes and homesteaders chopping tress. A pitch dark section set at “night” with wild animals besides the flume, and finally a hoe-down in town. Like with all rides set in a mountain, the final scenes warn of blasting and dynamite, before sending you down the fall.
Animatronic workers in the lumber mill of the Timber Mountain Log Ride.
To celebrate the Timber Mountain Log Ride’s 50th birthday, two NEW audio animatronic characters will be installed on July 11th. The park will also be selling exclusive Timber Mountain Log Ride anniversary merchandise, with limited edition t-shirts, pins, and artwork by artist Jeff Delgado. The merchandise will only be on sale from July 10-14, so make sure you go next week if you’re interested. Plus, anyone who visits the park on the 11th, you’ll receive a commemorative button marking the occassion (while supplies last).
For more information on Knott’s and the celebration, check out there website. I’d also recommend this more in-depth blog post from the park on the ride’s history from last year. If you make it out to the celebration, share your pictures with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, and tag them with #LogRide50!
Fun Facts about the Timber Mountain Log Ride:
- Opened on July 11, 1969. Christened by Cordelia Knott with a bottle of Boysenberry Juice.
The famed Mrs. Cordelia Knott christening the ride.
- The first rider was screen legend and friend of Walter Knott, John Wayne
John Wayne and his son were the first riders on the Timber Mountain Log Ride.
- The ride is 330 feet long
- 8 stories high
- 42 foot drop into a heart-pounding splash
- Reaches 30 miles an hour
Recent Discussion