Originally opened in 1920, Knott’s Berry Farm bills itself as “America’s First Theme Park.” However, it wasn’t until 55 years later, well after the additions of Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Restaurant, The Ghost Town, Calico Mine Ride and Timber Mountain Log Ride, that Knott’s Berry Farm opened their first roller coaster.
Though the first two roller coasters that Knott’s opened, Corkscrew (opened 1975, closed 1989) and Cycle Chase/Wacky Soapbox Racers (Opened 1976, Closed 1996), are no longer located at the park, Knott’s Berry Farm’s current lineup of 10 roller coasters make it an ideal location for coaster enthusiasts of all ages.
Like in past versions of our “Tame to Thrilling” series, we have created a “natural progression” of Knott’s Berry Farm’s roller coasters, so that “thrill seekers in training” can work their way up from the tamest roller coasters at Knott’s Berry Farm to the most thrilling. We’ve divided the park’s roller coasters into three “levels:” Thrill Seekers In Training, Thrill Seekers, and Thrill Junkies, in order to help future park visitors learn more about the roller coaster lineup.
Level I: Thrill Seekers In Training
1) Timberline Twister
One of two existing roller coasters from defunct manufacturer Bradley and Kaye, Timberline Twister is classified as Knott’s Berry Farm’s coaster that’s “just for kids.” With a track height of 30′ and track length of less than 500′, Timberline Twister is a great “introductory” coaster for “enthusiasts in training” who are at least 36″ tall. (And for taller coaster enthusiasts, might be a slightly difficult coaster credit to get, due to its maximum rider height of 69″).
2) Jaguar!
Knott’s Berry Farm invites riders to “Brave the ancient mysteries of the Temple of the Jaguar as this ferocious journey takes you high above — and through — the other rides and attractions of the park.” The “through” not a misnomer, as it travels through the loop of Montezooma’s Revenge! Jaguar!’s 35 mph maximum speed and gentle first drop make this an ideal coaster for those who might get a little queasy on coasters further down this list. Riders must be 48″ tall to take on this exclamatory Tivoli-manufactured coaster.
3) Coast Rider
One of the more common roller coaster types out there is a classic “Wild Mouse” coaster. With the traditional tight, hairpin turns on a Wild Mouse, guests feel like there’s a chance of flying “off the rails” at any second. However, when you crest the top of Coast Rider’s 52′ drop before you even start your twists and turns, you’re in for a thrill not found on a wide variety of Wild Mice. Riders who are 44″ call can ride with a supervising companion, but you have to be 54″ tall to ride alone.
4) Sierra Sidewinder
Not the tallest or most imposing coaster at Knott’s Berry Farm by a wide margin, the 62′ tall Camp Snoopy coaster features a drop that is less than 40′ tall. Riders will careen like a pinball throughout the 1,500′ of track, and each car spins on its own. If the car is weighted a certain way, you could be spinning during the entire duration, resulting in a forward, backward, or even a sideways ride through the twists and turns. Riders who are 42″ tall can ride with a companion, but must be 48″ tall to ride alone.
Level II: Thrill Seekers
5) Pony Express
Pony Express is a great coaster for individuals who are looking for the thrill of a roller coaster without the size and speed of larger coasters. Utilizing a “flywheel launch,” the horse-themed trains accelerate from 0-38mph in just 3 seconds. (I’m not sure of the “horse”-power!) The “moto-coaster” trains result in an open-air ride for riders at least 48″ tall that flies over Calico River Rapids before the horses come back to the stables. It’s a quick one, with a ride time of under 40 seconds!
6) Montezooma’s Revenge
Knott’s Berry Farm’s oldest operating coaster is also the first coaster on this list to upside down (and it goes upside down twice!). The United States’ lone operating Schwarzkopf Shuttle Loop, Montezooma’s revenge features a 55mph flywheel launch in 4.5 seconds, sends riders through a vertical loop and up a steep hill, before completing the circuit in reverse, ascending a second steep hill before coming into the station. Be sure to wave to the Jaguar! riders who coast through the loop! Montezooma’s Revenge is a true coaster classic, and provides the perfect amount of thrills while remaining true to its roots.
7) Ghost Rider
Knott’s Berry Farm’s lone wooden coaster, Ghost Rider, could have easily landed in level III, but in an effort to balance out the levels, it’s at the top of the “Thrill Seekers” division. This Custom Coasters International woodie features more than 4,500 feet of track, and a 51-degree, 108-foot tall drop. In 2015-2016, Ghost Rider was re-tracked and re-profiled by Great Coasters International to create a smoother, (albeit still wild) ride experience in Ghost Rider’s 14 hills, 10 crossovers and 3 bridges.
Level III: Thrill Junkies
8) Silver Bullet
Arguably one of Knott’s Berry Farm’s photogenic coasters, the Bolliger & Mabillard Silver Bullet has the most inversions of any roller coaster at Knott’s Berry Farm with 6. Despite standing nearly 150′ tall, Silver Bullet’s first drop barely cracks the century-mark, standing at 109′ tall. Though small in stature, the coaster packs a punch in a short amount of track (3,125′) with its 105′ loop, cobra roll, zero-G roll, and twin corkscrews.
9) HangTime
The “new kid on the block,” HangTime, a Gerstlauer Infinity Coaster that opened in 2018, comes in as the penultimate coaster on our list. Hangtime has a bit of everything; height (150′), speed (57 mph), inversions (5), and a beyond-vertical (96-degree) drop with a stall at the top. While the coaster is very fun to ride, it might be even more fun to watch, especially at night. This is thanks in part to a custom-designed lighting package from KCL Engineering, adding even more to the thrill factor.
10) Xcelerator
How do you top HangTime? By being a coaster 55 feet taller that launches riders from 0-82mph in 2.3 seconds. Xcelerator’s launch alone is enough to claim the top spot on our list, but when you throw in the height and speed throughout the coaster’s 1:02 duration, you’ve got the most thrilling roller coaster at Knott’s Berry Farm!
Have you visited Knott’s Berry Farm? Let us know in the comments below!
Be sure to check out our other “From Tame to Thrilling” Articles! Carowinds, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Kings Dominion, and Walt Disney World! More parks are on the way! Stay tuned!
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