49th Knott’s Scary Farm Recap and Review

About last night... Knott’s Scary Farm welcomed haunt fans to its 49th haunt season boasting 2 new mazes, a new live show and the return to the open ceremony fans of this event wait hours to witness. We were there as invited members of the media and official Knott’s Ambassadors. My opinions and experiences are my own and may differ from yours. Shall we get to it?

General admission vs Fright & Fast Lane? I always recommend Fright & Fast Lane. If you can swing it and are only attending 1 night, you will easily get through all the mazes, have time to catch all the shows and hop on some rides as well. If you can’t swing Fright and Fast Lane, theres a runner up option that comes with a huge bang for your buck. Cost starts at $135 and varies by date.

Boo-Fet was a little known secret that has gotten out recently. So what is It and why is it such a deal? You will get into the haunt 30 minutes before official opening. Doesn't sound like much you say? Oh trust me, you will be well on your way to knocking out the 4 mazes Beyond Ghostrider before the rest of the guests are allowed in through the main gates dodging all the monsters at the opening ceremony. Not only do you get early access, you'll also receive a souvenir drink cup to use the entire evening, fill your belly at the buffet offered and hang with the monsters during your dinner. Book that experience HERE. A valid Scary Farm ticket is required! Starts at $45 per person.

My hits and misses last night. After taking the Beyond the Fog tour I had an all new perspective of 4 of the mazes I toured with the lights on and was keen on putting my memory to the test. You can read all about that brand new tour HERE

Mesmer! I have to say the practical effects in that maze are great! Seeing it with the lights on furthered my experience with the lights down and all activations going. Heading in we made an effort to remember where the hidden alternate route was and we found it! Wax Works still fresh, love this maze and the talent was working it. So well designed and executed. Origins still one of my top picks, great clear story from start to finish. Pumpkin Eater stepped it up a bit this year with added talent inside but it still doesn't have the magic it had in it's freshman year.

The Depths. The scare actors totally make this one what it is! Enjoyed it more due to the lights on tour.
Dark Entities felt under staffed, never been one of my favorites but I'm not much of a sci-fy fan either. Dark Ride sadly needs to go dark. Literally zero talent in the first part of the maze and the last part lack energy, it literally felt like it went on forever and not in a good way.

As for the 2 new mazes...
Bloodline 1842. I so wanted to love this one and as a maze it was visually spectacular. The costumes, design, practical elements, it was so much to take in but then there was the added element of the weapons we were issued. I personally don't think they were necessary as it takes away from the maze itself. The maze is so confined, too many let in at once making it feel too confusing and redirecting my attention from the maze itself.

The Grimoire... hum. Me and my friend didn't agree on this one. I found it confusing, she seemed to get the story. I felt the holding/pre-show room was a lost opportunity to help understand the overall theme. Once into the maze the first scene was off being it was pre recorded vocals and you are literally standing feet away from the talent. From there, I’ll be quite honest, it was just a confusing blur for me. Maybe I needed to try it again.

My top takeaway from last night was Carnaval du Grotesque! This show is top shelf amazingballs, find it on the Calico Main Stage! Another must experience is the beyond entertaining and talented cast of the Gore-ing 20's scare zone. It’s definitely a sight to see, best scare zone in my opinion with the extra activations of live music, dancing and of course the scare actors!

Heading in on a GA ticket, I say hit the same area first as above. Pop on some rides, grab a show and hit Boardwalk mazes and Pumpkin Eater. Make your way back to to the Boardwalk to catch the scare zone show. Puppet UP is right there in the Walter Knott Theater if you are inclined and keep your eye on the standby line for Grimoire. Origins is also right there so watch for queue times.

I'm very critical of mazes, I don't get scared and jump scares don't phase me so understand my opinions and experiences are based off that. I'm a fan of set design, costume design and theater. That is the eye I see and experience haunts through. Oh and I do love watching other people get scared.

I can only imagine what it takes to put this event on and make it as successful as it is. The sheer manpower, staffing, talent and behind the scenes planning to make thos event look flawless is why Knott's Scary Farm is THE best haunt hands down. No other park creates an event so immersive, parkwide and diverse as Knott's while maintaining an increasingly higher quality year after year that the other haunts can only hope to achieve. If you can only make it to one major haunt this season, Knott’s Scary Farm is the one.

KNOTT’S SCARY FARM Select Nights Sept. 22 - Oct. 31

Knott’s Scary Farm is the largest and most haunting Halloween event in Southern California, with unimaginable scares and innovative thrills that can’t be found anywhere else. The fully transformed theme park features uniquely haunted mazes and attractions, sinister shows, and more than 1,000 horrifying creatures lurking in the fog and hiding in every corner of the park.

Knott’s Scary Farm is not recommended for children under 13. All guests, regardless of age, need to have their own paid admission ticket. Nights may sell out. Check their calendar page for available dates and hours. Buy your tickets online and get all the info on add-ons like Frightlane and Boo-Fet to customize your haunt experience to the fullest.