Knott's Berry Farm ripoff Knott's disorganization wasted my money and time, ruining my entire group's night. Buena Park, California
This is the exact text that I emailed to Knott's Scary Farm's guest relations and also sent via snail mail. I'm filing this with RipOff.Com because Knott's has not attempted to contact me despite my threat to file online complaints.
10/18/04
Dear Customer Relations Department:
I'd like to express a formal complaint regarding my trip with 8 people to visit Knott's Scary Farm for the first time on Saturday, 10/16/04. I have enjoyed Knott's Berry Farm in the past and was very excited to see what Knott's Scary Farm would be like. When I dedicated our group to this evening, I was okay with driving three hours from Santa Maria, CA to the park and getting a hotel room afterwards. Little did I know how much I would regret the experience.
Knowing that the park opened at 7pm, my gang left our area at 2pm in order to give us time to eat dinner prior to entering the park. We decided to eat dinner somewhere in Anaheim but when we got closer to the area, the traffic slowed to an average of 20 miles per hour on the freeway. To make a long story short, our three hour drive became a 6 hour drive in the end! In fact, on Knott's Avenue, it took 28 minutes to drive one block at one point! So, although we carefully planned our timeline to get us to the area at approximately 5:30pm, we did not get parked until 9pm. We were ravenous but had to then stand in a very surly, unsystematic crowd for 55 minutes as we waited to be frisked.
There were entirely too many people allowed into the park. There is an obvious lack of quality control regarding ticket sales. I can only assume that ticket sales got out of hand between the internet and physical ticket selling locations because I can't imagine that any Knott's would enthusiastically allow so many people into the park for safety and comfort reasons. I blame this on the horrible experience we had.
Once we entered the park, we had only 4 hours to enjoy our $41.50 per person tickets. The park was so overcrowded that it took us 45 minutes just to order corn dogs, chips and sodas for our dinner. After that, we stood in line for the Xcelerator ride, which was suppose to be 2 hour wait. That is an extremely long wait especially considering the troubles we had entering the park, leaving us only 4 hours to enjoy ourselves. It started raining as we stood in line but we didn't mind and even enjoyed the rain. Unfortunately, after spending about 30 minutes in line at the Xcelerator, the ride shut down until further notice! So, there goes 30 minutes wasted leaving us only about 2 hours remaining until park closure.
Next, we stood in line for the Malice in Wonderland 3-D haunted maze. It was a 1.25 hour wait not too terrible. We were able to accomplish the Army of the Underworld mine ride after the maze. At 1:30am we tried to get on the Supreme Scream ride but the ride attendant said it would be a 2 to 3 hour wait even though the park closed at 2am! Only one of the three machines was functional for some reason. At this time of the morning, there was nothing more we could accomplish that wouldn't take place after until park closure so we decided to leave.
A complete breakdown of my complaints:
1. Knott's Avenue requires traffic control during Knott's Scary Farm activities Parking Attendants not properly trained (safety was at risk)
2. Over-sale of tickets/Lack of Quality Control
Inadequate security personnel to accommodate mass crowd (especially at entry to park)
3. Not enough entries to park to lessen congestion (one person in our party lost bladder control due to the unexpected long wait)
4. Equipment problems were endless (unusual compared to my past visits to the park)
5. Lines for mazes were disordered, misdirected and blended with other lines 3-D glasses disintegrated from rain falling apart (waste of money)
I'm extremely disappointed that we paid $41.50 each for a little over 3 hours worth of disorganized, regrettable events. We feel tremendously ripped off. Six Flags Magic Mountain keeps their park open all day during their Fright Nights; only opening the haunted mazes/houses at night. This method really helps with crowd control since people can drift in all day long. At any rate, I'm not going to demand compensation, I'm only asking for it. I'm so displeased that I spent so much money on tickets/hotel fees and my valuable weekend hours building a negative memory. I request your prompt response or I intend to express my frustration via Blogs, starting with www.Rip-OffReport.Com.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Regards,
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
Tina
Santa Maria, California
U.S.A.
8 Updates & Rebuttals
AngelesWife
United States of AmericaHow stupid..
#9General Comment
Sun, July 10, 2011
Fyi they do have Traffic control My husband works
Traffic and let me tell is its a very hard job
to do (Its not there fault though its the costumers)
1.They are morons who dont know how to drive.
2.They are stupid people who dont listen to traffic control
and 3. (THE TRAFFIC AT HAUNT IS VERY VERY BUSY)
so dont blame knotts for the customers stupidly
and why would u go to knotts ''Haunt'' to get on the
rides? That's what regular berry farm is for if you wanted to
get on the stupid rides get there by morning, but
be aware that they will kick you out early like around 5 pm
to get ready for knotts haunt. You know these are things
you would expect would happen when you go to a big
event like haunt I go every year I indeed went that year.
I had no problem in and out of traffic I didn't go on the rides
why? 1. when you go to haunt expect that there will be a 2 HOUR LINE
FOR ALL THE RIDES. Don't like it get the hotel package and get there early
to ride them without waiting so long =_=. People go to Haunt to get scared
anyways ,not to go on the rides. Your report probably made the employees at knotts and
think you where a moron.
Themalaise
Surprise,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Uh huh.....been said before every year as long as I can remember.
#9Consumer Comment
Wed, November 12, 2008
I may be totally off base here but here is my take on the following..
NONE of what you have indicated in your report should have come as a surprise. Knott's Scary Farm has gone on since the 70s and it is widely known as a HUGE hassle on Friday or Saturday nights.
Granted, I have always maintained that Knotts should raise the ticket prices and limit the attendence.
Granted, event traffic is a nightmare on any night. (Welcome to Beach Blvd & La Palma).
Granted, the employees are rude, attendees are obnoxious, the weather is fickle, the cleanliness of the park is questionable, and guest control is laughable.
ALL of this information has been posted ad nauseum every year that I can remember for the last 15 years.
A little research before you part with $40+ per person might be good for the soul in the future.
I advise visiting on Wednesday or Thursday nights the first week of the Haunt. Crowds tend to be lighter and the employees (monsters included) are a bit more fresh and will give you a better experience.
Richard
Santa Ana,California,
U.S.A.
Knott's Scary Farm is not for everyone
#9Consumer Comment
Mon, May 15, 2006
I was there at Knott's Scary farm on that same night. I already know how crowded it was going to be and purchased my tickets a week in advance, in person. I also purchased the VIP dinner so I don't have to be in a rush. The day of the event I came in from the back side streets to avoid the crowds and had no problem getting in. I only waited in line for five minutes when I arrived at 5:30PM. By the time I got in to enjoy the VIP dinner, it was only 5:55PM and took my time to eat. We were allowed to go in the park after we ate and met with other friends later. The park was crowded and the only ride we took was the roller coaster. I came for the fun of the mazes, monsters running around and the entertainment instead of the rides. Rides and can do in off peak times. Of coarse it rains which happens to us every year, but hey it was still fun. If your looking to get on all the rides without waiting or dealing with traffic, perhaps the bust time is go on the off peak time, like early in the day. Knott's Scary Farm is popular and many of us go there more for tradition.
You have to understand popular events are going to draw more people and it is just simply going to be a headache for a lot of other people. I don't see Knott's doing anything wrong. Other parks will be going through the same problem too. There is no easy solution. If you want to avoid the experience you encountered, there is Disney and I heard they have a neat haunted house; and it not very crowded. And besides, Knott's Scary Farm is not for everyone.
Richard
Santa Ana,California,
U.S.A.
Knott's Scary Farm is not for everyone
#9Consumer Comment
Mon, May 15, 2006
I was there at Knott's Scary farm on that same night. I already know how crowded it was going to be and purchased my tickets a week in advance, in person. I also purchased the VIP dinner so I don't have to be in a rush. The day of the event I came in from the back side streets to avoid the crowds and had no problem getting in. I only waited in line for five minutes when I arrived at 5:30PM. By the time I got in to enjoy the VIP dinner, it was only 5:55PM and took my time to eat. We were allowed to go in the park after we ate and met with other friends later. The park was crowded and the only ride we took was the roller coaster. I came for the fun of the mazes, monsters running around and the entertainment instead of the rides. Rides and can do in off peak times. Of coarse it rains which happens to us every year, but hey it was still fun. If your looking to get on all the rides without waiting or dealing with traffic, perhaps the bust time is go on the off peak time, like early in the day. Knott's Scary Farm is popular and many of us go there more for tradition.
You have to understand popular events are going to draw more people and it is just simply going to be a headache for a lot of other people. I don't see Knott's doing anything wrong. Other parks will be going through the same problem too. There is no easy solution. If you want to avoid the experience you encountered, there is Disney and I heard they have a neat haunted house; and it not very crowded. And besides, Knott's Scary Farm is not for everyone.
Richard
Santa Ana,California,
U.S.A.
Knott's Scary Farm is not for everyone
#9Consumer Comment
Mon, May 15, 2006
I was there at Knott's Scary farm on that same night. I already know how crowded it was going to be and purchased my tickets a week in advance, in person. I also purchased the VIP dinner so I don't have to be in a rush. The day of the event I came in from the back side streets to avoid the crowds and had no problem getting in. I only waited in line for five minutes when I arrived at 5:30PM. By the time I got in to enjoy the VIP dinner, it was only 5:55PM and took my time to eat. We were allowed to go in the park after we ate and met with other friends later. The park was crowded and the only ride we took was the roller coaster. I came for the fun of the mazes, monsters running around and the entertainment instead of the rides. Rides and can do in off peak times. Of coarse it rains which happens to us every year, but hey it was still fun. If your looking to get on all the rides without waiting or dealing with traffic, perhaps the bust time is go on the off peak time, like early in the day. Knott's Scary Farm is popular and many of us go there more for tradition.
You have to understand popular events are going to draw more people and it is just simply going to be a headache for a lot of other people. I don't see Knott's doing anything wrong. Other parks will be going through the same problem too. There is no easy solution. If you want to avoid the experience you encountered, there is Disney and I heard they have a neat haunted house; and it not very crowded. And besides, Knott's Scary Farm is not for everyone.
Richard
Santa Ana,California,
U.S.A.
Knott's Scary Farm is not for everyone
#9Consumer Comment
Mon, May 15, 2006
I was there at Knott's Scary farm on that same night. I already know how crowded it was going to be and purchased my tickets a week in advance, in person. I also purchased the VIP dinner so I don't have to be in a rush. The day of the event I came in from the back side streets to avoid the crowds and had no problem getting in. I only waited in line for five minutes when I arrived at 5:30PM. By the time I got in to enjoy the VIP dinner, it was only 5:55PM and took my time to eat. We were allowed to go in the park after we ate and met with other friends later. The park was crowded and the only ride we took was the roller coaster. I came for the fun of the mazes, monsters running around and the entertainment instead of the rides. Rides and can do in off peak times. Of coarse it rains which happens to us every year, but hey it was still fun. If your looking to get on all the rides without waiting or dealing with traffic, perhaps the bust time is go on the off peak time, like early in the day. Knott's Scary Farm is popular and many of us go there more for tradition.
You have to understand popular events are going to draw more people and it is just simply going to be a headache for a lot of other people. I don't see Knott's doing anything wrong. Other parks will be going through the same problem too. There is no easy solution. If you want to avoid the experience you encountered, there is Disney and I heard they have a neat haunted house; and it not very crowded. And besides, Knott's Scary Farm is not for everyone.
Bob
Reseda,California,
U.S.A.
Knott's Scary Farm
#9Consumer Comment
Mon, May 15, 2006
Knott's Sucks now any way universal and magic mountain are way better for Holloween but if lines you hate then Disney land is the best that time of year everyone is going to knott's, univeral, or magic mountain
Robert
Santa Ana,California,
U.S.A.
In Response to your statement
#9UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sat, January 29, 2005
I am an ex-Employee of Knott's Berry Farm. I was one of the personel that was in charge of ticket sales for knott's Scary Farm, in 2002-2003. In response to your trafic statement. There is trafic control. The Buena Park PD takes care of that. Security is tight because there are alot of idiots out there that think they can get away with things. I know it sucks for the customer that is there to have fun. The lines are actualy really well contained. As for the crowd. You need to expect a large croud for an event like that. The park will sell up to the max. allowed. And the Fire Dept. Watches that real well. And on a final note. About Excelerator. The ride goes is a high speed rollercoaster. Do you really want top be riding that in the rain? They shut it down for "YOUR" saftey not for the pure injoyment of making you mad. When you make acusations you need to support them. I know lines suck but thats life.