Knott's Scary Farm 2024

[DTH]

I'd love The Hanging in the Walter Knott. As long as it doesn't go back to standing, I'll be happy.

 

[downunder]

@Wesker69 I went through Eight Fingers at different times through the night over three nights and never saw anyone in place, so not sure if it was someone on break. If they do staff it, will be a good jump scare. Hopefully, there'll be reports of it operating on future nights.

Also I thought the hanging was a bit too long, I had it clocked at 35 minutes. I've found on the three nights I went, you had to be lined up 45 mins before to safely get a decent spot. In saying all that, better having a Hanging than no Hanging. Good to see my own country's Raygun make an appearance lol.

 

[deadbydawn]

@Wesker69 I went through Eight Fingers at different times through the night over three nights and never saw anyone in place, so not sure if it was someone on break. If they do staff it, will be a good jump scare. Hopefully, there'll be reports of it operating on future nights.

Also I thought the hanging was a bit too long, I had it clocked at 35 minutes. I've found on the three nights I went, you had to be lined up 45 mins before to safely get a decent spot. In saying all that, better having a Hanging than no Hanging. Good to see my own country's Raygun make an appearance lol.

For what it's worth, Cinema Slasher didn't have anyone on the bungee scare at the end of the maze most of the time I went through it last year. The two times I've been through it this year, there was someone there. I'll check on Eight Fingers Nine throughout the run.

Outside of the small stage (for stunts) I think the Wagon Camp works well for The Hanging. There isn't really a bad seat in the house and taking a few to get off your feet at an event like this is always appreciated.

 

[Disneyland/DCA]

Ya the hanging could have been a little shorter, but also glad it's still around. Loved the guy who played Mr. Sixpoints.

Wasn't too impressed with who they hung this year, but also didn't care for who was hung last year either so ymmv,,,

 

[Brian G.]

REVIEW: Knott's Scary Farm 2024 Brings The Frights

Last year marked a major milestone for Knott's Scary Farm as it celebrated 50 years. Understandably, there was a lot of excitement and they made sure it was a big celebration. We covered the event and loved it. However, the big question is, where do they go from there? It's quite challenging to foll

www.insideuniversal.net

 

[Spookies n' Stuff]

@Wesker69 I went through Eight Fingers at different times through the night over three nights and never saw anyone in place, so not sure if it was someone on break. If they do staff it, will be a good jump scare. Hopefully, there'll be reports of it operating on future nights.

Staffing for stunt positions like that is always kinda weird, so it's possible there were additional training or safety check days needed that they couldn't do within the first week. Ideally they'll sort it out but I can attest that sometimes effects or scare spots aren't filled on opening weekend and then they just never get the time to fully install them during the run. It's a shame.

 

[Disneyland/DCA]

The bungee actor was in place on eight fingers nine last night.

 

[highdefrex]

Went to Knott's yesterday for a daytime event and we decided to say screw it and get tickets for Scary Farm. Being at the park during the day wasn't that great -- really busy, wait times over 90 minutes, and I think Beary Tales might have the worst loading I've ever experienced -- but Scary Farm was (almost) the complete opposite.

I wasn't able to go last year, so it was nice being back this year, and I swear, I had more of a good time than I did at HHN this year. Between 7pm and 10pm, we got all ten mazes done, a quick drink break, and even squeezed in a ride on Timber Mountain. We couldn't stay much later because we had an hour-plus-long drive to get home and had to work in the morning, so we had to sacrifice The Hanging, for instance, but it was like a breath of fresh air and just solidified just how much I hate the Express situation at HHN these past few years.

I only had two annoying experiences last night, both related to teenagers (no surprise), and I didn't really see the chaperone policy enforced...? The second of two instances, a group of teen girls was ahead of me walking through Ghost Town, got scared from a character coming at them, started screaming, and two of them turned directly at me, put their arms up, and straight shoved me together like I'm not even a human being so hard trying to get away that I got knocked back, tripped up on a rope, and they just toppled over a number of linked rope posts without even caring what they'd done. I ended up helping an employee fix it all (who thanked me) but even with several employees having witnessed it (an unchaperoned group of four)... no one did anything.

But other than that and the other instance, which was just a girl in Widows behind us who ruined the maze because she started screaming from the moment the maze started to the moment it ended with the most high-pitched, attention-seeking screams while her little friend laughed, to the point we and people ahead of us and behind them were telling her to shut up (which of course made her start doing it more), the night was great.

Cinema Slasher was my most anticipated, and while it wasn't perfect, I really loved the concept and a lot of the execution. I loved the simplicity of Room 13's backdoor entrance, and a lot of the actors inside were having a lot of fun, but the second half wasn't as strong as the first. Things like Mesmer, Origins, and Grimoire were same old, but still fun in a lot of ways (and me skipping a year probably helped). Eight Fingers was cool, but felt... empty? Maybe I just had a bad run. But overall, I surprisingly loved Chilling Chambers, and had the experienced not been ruined due to the perpetual distraction a foot behind us, I feel like Widows could've been my house of the night.

Again, I'll always love HHN, but man... Scary Farm is just far less stressful and frustrating, especially in terms of line flow actually moving at SF compared to Express at HHN getting to just go and go and go while general is at a standstill for five, ten, fifteen minutes, and we left last night agreeing that we were glad to have decided last minute to go and that we just had an overall better time this year than HHN.

 

[Freak]

Just realized I went to KSF twice and haven't posted anything yet!

Don't really have the time nor the energy to post a full review, but I have to say I really enjoyed this year. I will say that I also seemed to have a better time at Knott's this year than HHN knowing how poor the line management at HHN generally is. I'm hoping to go at least one more time on closing weekend.

I was happy to see some audio trigger scares places in some of the mazes! I feel like the talent has improved this year. While I enjoyed Eight Fingers Nine and Widows, I felt like I've had a stronger runthrough of the older mazes than the two new ones....which is odd. I also enjoyed Hanging. Their choice of celebrity to hang was understandable...but I feel like there were stronger choices. lol

 

[Wesker69]

Just realized I went to KSF twice and haven't posted anything yet!

Do you think "Fright Lane" or "Boofet Early Entry" is necessary?

It's weird being on the guest side of the event again

 

[Freak]

Do you think "Fright Lane" or "Boofet Early Entry" is necessary?

It's weird being on the guest side of the event again

As long as you’re inside the gates by rope drop, begin with Mesmer and the back of the park, you should be able to knock out all the mazes by 11. 10 if it’s on a Thursday.

 

[Wesker69]

you should be able to knock out all the mazes by 11. 10 if it’s on a Thursday.

My plan was to go on a Wednesday. Since it's an "early night" for LAHH, getting that night off won't be as bad since less hours.

My main house priority is Mesmer, Bloodline, Chilling, Cinemas & Origins + Hanging. Anything else is whatever.

 

[chris.g]

I'm going Friday, banking on the Freak plan.

 

[Freak]

I'm going Friday, banking on the Freak plan.

Both nights I’ve gone so far we’re on Thursday (Opening night and last week) so take that for what you will. But I’m pretty confident if you go for that approach, you’ll be able to knock everything out by 11 and for sure midnight. I finished everything by 10 and that’s with the Log Ride being thrown in there!

 

[Wesker69]

Was it "busy"?

When your on the "scareactor side" for houses, you don't know except for your own line if you're required to pass it to/from set.

 

[deadbydawn]

FWIW, the last couple of Thursdays have been pretty busy (busier than I remember them being this early in the season). Still, if you use the Freak Method you should be good. I've also found that things start to slow down around 11/12 AM.

Weekends have been more or less what you expect crowd wise, but I just wanted to double down on the chaperone policy not being enforced. I can't begin to explain how many groups I saw without chaperones last Saturday. Lots of groups messing with talent and just being disruptive. I hope that changes as we head into the rest of the season.

Also, not really huge news but if you still haven't purchased a Scary Farm pass, the last day to get one is this Sunday, October 13th.

 

[DTH]

My gameplan tonight is to head straight for Origins, then Grimoire, to Room 13, then go clockwise around the park, ending with the backstage mazes. Without fail, I always get a long line for Origins, so I just want to avoid that for once haha. Goal is to see The Hanging maybe its second showing, which I hear is 10:15pm or so? Will likely get in line around 9:30pm after dinner. What do y'all think?

 

[chris.g]

Went last night, my God how packed it was and my God what an annoyance with KIDS. Seriously, this is just a daycare for teens. Completely brought my experience down.

I will say, I did enjoy KSF this year better than HHN. Cinema Slasher and Mesmer were my first two mazes and they set the bar HIGH for the rest of the night since I hadn’t been in a few years… I was immersed and happy with the houses and energy the performers gave. Sadly, the rest of the event didn’t live up to those expectations. Every house following that was so so bad, sans Wax Works which had a really uneasy final hallway which was very well designed. Widows was so stupid and Eight Fingers Nine was very “cheap”, for lack of a better term. Bloodlines was worse than UCM’s empty runs and Grimoire was so so bad. Origins of Calico felt so boring, and I liked Room 13 but it kind of just starts and ends suddenly. The mashup of themes in Chilling Chambers was cool but it was very hot and cold with scare actors.

The scare zones had GREAT energy, was very impressed with them.

The alcohol was good and I caught the 10:15 Hanging showing, which was alright. The crowd was not into it despite some jokes actually landing, and the celebrity they hung was lame.

I still don’t think a great Scary Farm year touches HHN’s mid years, but I still had a lot of fun.

 

[Wesker69]

since I hadn’t been in a few years…

Go back in time to 2022, so i can scare you. I heard there's an available time traveling phonebooth you can use.

Bloodlines was worse than UCM’s empty runs

Not surprised. Also see above lol

 

[DTH]

KSF Mini Review Oct 12

Last night was FILLED TO THE BRIM. The security line stretched past the shops and around the corner. If there’s any doubt about people spending money on Haunts, look no further. I checked HHN for comparison, and their lines looked usual. All night, I heard HHN trash talk about how it’s not scary anymore, with many not even bothering to go this year. I have never seen KSF this crowded. Sierra Sidewinder had a line all the way to The Hanging area.

We went to TGI Fridays for drinks/apps, but half my group wanted dinner. We arrived at 5 PM, had to wait for a table until 5:20 PM, got drinks, but half got apps while the others didn’t get their food. By 6:45 PM, we learned our order wasn’t even put in (which made no sense). I thought we should head inside for quicker food, but my friends, being hangry, wanted to wait for their “real food.” Fast forward to 7:45, and we finally got to leave. After waiting in that crazy security line, it was 8:05 PM. One friend accidentally bought a day ticket, so another delay. At 8:30 PM, we finally entered.

ORIGINS
In Line: 8:32 PM | Advertised: 45 mins | In maze: 8:49 PM
It went well and started the night off with a bang. I’ve never had a bad run of this maze, but honestly, it’s time for something new.
B+

Skipped Grimoire; the line was insane. By the way, the line for the bathroom under Room 13 stretched out into the streets. WTF?

ROOM 13
In Line: 8:57 PM | Advertised: 75 mins | In Maze: 9:26 PM
Sadly, this run wasn’t as good as last year. The spots were mostly full, but they weren’t using their triggers. It had some dead areas, but overall it was great, just missing a bit of energy.
B

Skipped Mesmer due to the long line, plus it sucks.

CINEMA SLASHER
In Line: 9:54 PM | Advertised: 135 mins | In Maze: 10:25 PM
I’ve never seen this line so long stretching into the midway games, but I risked it. The main difference here to HHN I think is fewer people had Fast Lane, so the lines never came to a complete standstill. This was my favorite maze last year, but this run was…meh. The energy was lacking, and many monsters were missing. I had fun due to the overall theme but wished for some scene changes. My friends thought it was the best of the night, though.
B-

Stopped for dinner at 9 PM, but the lines for food were slammed -- like uncontrollably insane. I found a taqueria with a decent line. Their birria was terrible but edible.

CHILLING CHAMBERS
In Line: 11:18 PM | Advertised: 60 mins | In Maze: 11:37 PM
This was the first maze that truly felt “on.” It was full of talent and rocked all the way through. This maze was my least favorite of the new ones last year but easily the best this time.
A-

Nobody wanted to see The Hanging at midnight, sadly. Onward.

WAX WORKS
In Line: 11:54 PM | Advertised: 15 mins | In Maze: 12 AM
I’ve never liked this maze, but this time it got me a few times, even as I walked in - some guy poked their head OUT of the facade to get us. I was glad it didn’t suck for once.
B-

EIGHT FINGERS NINE: THE BOOGEYMAN
In Line: 12:06 AM | Advertised: 45 mins | In Maze: 12:17 AM
I LOVED THIS ONE. The imagery was creepy and the idea unsettling. It felt like a nightmare in a good way. I thought I was next to a tree but it was a person in stilts - one of the best scares of the night. The hair monsters give me that Grudge itch, and the sleep paralysis theme was conveyed well. I loved the lair seeing people sleep. I’m not sure if this will be one of KSF's greats since most reviews lean to Widows, but I thought it was the best maze of the night.
A

WIDOWS
In Line: 12:26 AM | Advertised: 45 mins | In Maze: 12:48 AM
Thematically, I didn’t understand this one—it seemed like a weird mix. The first half felt like all vibes and no scares, just grannies waving. Once the spiders came in, things picked up, but by then, the momentum was off. I liked it, but nothing stood out.
A-

Skipped Bloodline; total waste last year.

GRIMOIRE
Walked on at 1:20 AM. Nobody in front or behind us. My group made me go first -- an insanely personalized experience. The monsters were going INSANE. We got every intended scare for nearly every room and plenty of double scares. There were a few sections empty, but others were full of talent. Even in empty areas, unsettling performances happened off to the side - like a kid reading the book just twitching out. One scene, the monsters ganged up on me and wouldn't let me through; it was INTENSE. This was a top 5 KSF experience.
A+

CALICO CANDY MOUNTAIN
In Line: 1:30 AM | On Ride: 1:45 AM
This is still one of my favorites, but it was ruined by the SCREECHING wheels, making it less relaxing.

LOG RIDE
In Line: 2 AM—last people on.
Water was high, sloshing into the boat at several points. We got wet more at normal parts than at the drops. The Halloween Hootenanny is still a great addition!

SCAREZONES
As always, these were amazing. Ghost Town needs no explanation—A+. Goreing 20s keeps improving, but next year they should add more; A-. CarnEvil, not my usual favorite, was flooded with talent, so A-. The Gauntlet got me several times when it was a dud last year, gotta love the sliders; A-. I didn’t see Forsaken Lake. I wish they’d liven up Fiesta Village, but other than that, it felt like nowhere to hide.

OVERALL
I missed The Hanging and two mazes, but overall, it was a huge success for getting in at 8:30 PM on what seemed like the most crowded night I’ve ever experienced. I’ve waited in those lines much longer; I remember waiting 45-70 minutes for some mazes on less crowded nights. While the park was crowded, there seemed to be less Fright Lane this time. All things considered, it was a smooth experience, which could’ve been a disaster. Stick it out after midnight; the crowd thins quickly.

Now, is it better than HHN this year? Simple answer: yes. More complex: I think HHN on a good year would’ve beaten KSF this year, but HHN is just THAT mediocre, making KSF look good. KSF had its best year last year and beat HHN fair and square. This year, Eight Fingers Nine and Widows aren’t runaway classics, but KSF is the better value overall in 2024.

I’m proud of Knotts. Their quality has improved over two years, and they smoothed out operations for the mazes at least. I didn’t see any lazy or unprofessional monsters. I didn’t run into completely empty mazes. Everything went great, considering the crowd. Even their old mazes were rocking. I didn’t encounter any maze I’d give a C+ or lower, which is unusual; even last year which was my fav!

Final Grade: B+

P.S. Knotts, you’ve earned my respect. I’ll be returning yearly instead of every other year like I did 2012-2022. This might be the first year I don’t return to HHN for a second time since 2010—should I go to KSF again in November? Only time will tell, but I’m glad to be back “full time” at KSF, my home and first love that got me into haunts!