46th Annual Knott’s Scary Farm Looking Decrepit as Ever

Knott’s Scary Farm had it’s season opener September 20th looking as decrepit and decayed as ever! We were invited to preview opening day of this annual event, all opinions are my own. In its 46th season at Knott’s Berry Farm, here are 5 new things you should know about this years haunt along with my top maze picks and tips on visiting!

1. New mazes: Knott’s maze designers pushed past their comfort zones with 2 new mazes debuting this year. The Depths takes place beneath a port village where terror lurks within it’s dark caverns. The Depths floors simulates the rocking of a ship and uses lighting effects to create the illusion of wading in waters full of creatures lurking just below the surface!

   Board a space station with the Dark Entities maze. Invaded by an alien monster out to destroy and infect the entire crew (and you), the detail of vibrating floors adds an additional layer of reality giving you the impression you are on a moving space station. Be warned! Time is running out as containment of the hideous monster becomes breached leaving you only seconds to escape with your life! Find both of these new mazes in the cluster back behind GhostRider.

2. New scare zone: Forbidden Lake located under the Silver Bullet depicts a marshland overrun with gothic creatures which have been ravaged by the dark and murky waters. As they wander their crypts preying on unsuspecting visitors, look out as they they drag their latest victim back to their watery graves. Any volunteers?

3. New entertainment: This year an improv troupe called Hacks takes over the stage at the Charles M. Schulz Theatre, after the departure of Elvia The Mistress of the dark. This Improv troupe has previously appeared from time to time at the Birdcage Theatre and now fills the void left by Elvira. The show, “Cutting Room Floor,” features clips from B-movies on giant screens with dialogue provided by both the cast and the audience. Suggested lines are provided via text messages sent from the audience. Shows times: 8:30, 10, 11:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. nightly.

4. New merchandise for this years haunt fan! The Knott’s Scary Farm 2018 T-shirt illustrates all of this year’s attractions on the back and costs $16.99. The pullover version is $39.99. Another T-shirt option is in a comic book style marking the haunt’s 46th anniversary for $22.99.

5. New Attraction overlays & experiences: Several rides got a spooky makeover, including the Timber Mountain Log Ride, which returns again this haunt as “Halloween Hootenanny” featuring the musical overlay by Krazy Kirk & the Hillbillies. HangTime roller coaster got a flashy lighting theme and many attractions will be enjoyed fully blacked out. The VR Showdown in the Boardwalk arcade has been switched out to “Time Zombies”.

My top tips for attending Knott’s Scary Farm this year

• Fright Lane Pass. If you can swing it there is no better way to enjoy all the mazes, scare zones and shows within one night. Scary Farm is one of THE most popular haunts in the area and wait times can reach upwards of 120 minutes for a maze!

• Boo-Fet option. Get your grub on, hang with some monsters and get early access to several mazes before the event opens to the public. Get more info HERE

• Can’t go the Fright Lane option, weekdays vs weekends are the way to go and the sooner in the season the better. Pricing info HERE

• Hit the mazes to the left first! Trick or Treat Lights Out, The Depths, Paranormal Inc. and Dark Entities. With 2 of the 4 being new, there will be a buzz to check them out.

• Forsaken Lake: Be sure to ask around when the show will occur within this new scare zone, filled with a huge group of scare actors it’s a mini performance that’s so worth seeing!

My top 3 Maze picks:

• I have to give it up for The Depths! Great theming, execution and featuring many areas within that were sketchy, keeping you on your toes and at the same time so off balance, literally! Most mazes have you looking up, be warned and keep a sharp eye down below.

• Paranormal Inc. Still bringing it with some new changes within the maze. As in the previous years you have 2 options to begin the maze with both merging together later on.

• Pumpkin Eater: Love the maze and entire area that includes the Scare Zone The Hollows. New this year is the addition of an exterior element at the entrance of the maze. The interior is even more creepier taking you down into the depths of the rotting inners of the pumpkin Eaters catacombs. Loved this maze last year, still one of my top picks this year

Special Ops: Infected was bumped up with a longer maze giving you even more opportunities for that head shot kill. Trick or Treat Lights On is back again this year with the not so trustworthy flash lights, love the start of this maze. Red Barn has a new entrance element but seamed to be lacking scare actors within. Shadowlands, fell short for me this year. Since it’s debut, this maze has gradually changed and lacks the gore from its first year. Still love the scare actors within and the overall design concept. Dark Ride, I somehow missed this one last year but heard rave reviews… great concept fell a little short for me. The second new maze Dark Entities concept and execution is very cool and for the Sci-Fi genre fans it will be a huge hit. Over all this years haunt for me was way more hits than misses bringing major Scare to the Farm once again!

Scary Farm Days and Hours of Operation: 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 27; 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Thursdays through Oct. 25; Sundays Sept. 30 through Oct. 28; and Oct. 31.

Car Parking: $22 (Available Online Or At Parking Booth)

There is no age minimum for the event. However, this event is recommended for mature audiences only and not recommended for children under 13.

KNOTT'S SCARY FARM TICKETS Buy online now to save up to $40 off the main gate price at the park with admission starting at just $42. Knott's Season Passholders save up to an additional $5 off Scary Farm admission! Get all the details below.

8039 Beach Blvd.,
Buena Park, CA 90620, USA

Couple last rules. Please be kind to the scare actors! Photos and videos are prohibited inside the mazes. Photos and videos are allowed in the scare zones and show performances as long as flash and video lighting is not used. Flashlights, including phone lights, are prohibited throughout Knott's Scary Farm.

I’m giving away my swag from Knott’s Scary Farm! One lucky fan will win this Signed Jeff Delgado "Say Cheese and Die" Into the Fog: a Scary Farm tribute print for the 46th anniversary! Enter below and good luck!

Get more During Knott’s Berry Farms Seasons of Fun below!