Autism Friendly Tips and Accommodations Offered at Knott's Berry Farm
Autism Friendly Tips for Visiting Knott’s Berry Farm: A Guide to The Parks Attractions and Gluten Free Dining Options
Updated: April 9, 2023
Shooting the breeze wit the sheriff of Ghost Town
Wondering if your ASD child can visit and enjoy Knott's Berry Farm? Not sure what to expect? Our family has visited on many occasions and I am pleased to share, it can work for our kids and young adults with autism. Knott's Berry Farm offers many family friendly things to do. At your own pace you can enjoy shows, rides, character meet and greets along with carnival games all year round.
If you are unsure what the park offers regarding accommodations for those on the Autism Spectrum, I have a quick breakdown of what they offer and some tips to help make it as fun and stress free as possible. Looking for Gluten Free food options, see below for that info along with ride height requirements.
The Attraction Boarding Pass Program and other helpful services: Where and how to request them:
Upon enter the park, visit Guest Services located near the exit of GhostRider.
Express your concerns/limitations, Additional questions may be asked to see if your concerns can be addressed.
The individual requiring accommodation needs to be present as well as everyone in your party while you are requesting assistance.
A pass (The Attraction Boarding Pass) may be issued depending on the needs of your group, for scheduling times to ride attractions. The Pass is good for the guest plus 3 in their party. For parties larger than 4 you will be offered an alternative way to wait outside the ride queue.
If you need, request KidTrack, a wrist band program, which will assist you and park personnel in reuniting your group should you become separated.
Parent Swap. This allows one parent to ride while another parent waits with the child. When the ride is complete, the parents swap the child at the exit. Rider Swap is not available at Knott’s Soak City waterpark.
Stroller and wheelchair rentals, proceed to Stroller Rental adjacent to the Geode Shop inside the front gate.
Fun with her favorite Snoopy during Spooky Farm
Attraction Boarding Pass for those with Autism.
Everyone in your group will receive a wristband EXCECT for the person the Pass is being issued to.
You are free to board your first attraction right away regardless of the standby time.
Upon checking in for your first ride, you will be issued a return time based off that first rides waitime, That becomes the next boarding time, again regardless of which attraction you choose.
Best part of this system is you are free to decide on the fly which ride you want to choose next.
Please re-visit Guest Services if you need any additional help with your day.
How to join the return line of any attraction:
When your time is up you are free to board the ride through the exit or alternative entrance. If the time passes you can still ride, just not before your time.
The guest listed on theAttraction Boarding Pass must be present as a rider when a Boarding Pass is being utilized.
Guests may not accumulate more than one boarding return time at a time.
After you have redeemed your return time, you are free to select another ride and repeat the process. While you are waiting, you can catch a show, meet some characters, grab a bite to eat or go on another ride while waiting for your return time. Note: you will have to wait in the rides regular queue to choose one that you feel will work for you.
In general if there is no line or very minimal wait, you may be boarded right then and there at the members discretion.
General Tips for visiting:
If you can, get to the park early just as they open. Ride standby times are at their lowest upon opening.
Have a plan. Try selecting the rides you want to experience and get those done first!
Eat before you arrive or bring snacks.
As an added safety measure, take a photo of members of your party (especially if you have a member in your party who tends to dart away or wander off) on your mobile device. This photo can be of great assistance to quickly reunite your party if you are separated.
Download the Knott’s App to access the daily entertainment schedule along with character meet and greet times/locations.
Have a pass? No need to cram everything into one visit. Theme parks can be extremely over stimulating. Our kids become exhausted faster when coping with all the crowds, sounds and excitement.
In the school house within Ghost Town, love the characters there!
Some general tips that work when visiting any amusement park.
Prime your child/young adult by watching Youtube videos, looking at pictures and finding what interests them at the park.
Visit the parks website to read up on what the rides height requirements and accessibility is. Nothing worse that having a kid want to ride an attraction they are not tall enough to board.
If your child still can fit in a stroller, take it. It serves as a great place for them to relax, avoid crowds and a way to transport snacks or reinforcers.
Have a plan in place, if you know you can't stay long plan out your visit and be sure to involve your child so they have an idea what to expect.
Have an exit plan, if your child has issues with transitioning prime them before you are going to leave.
Food can be an issue in the parks, bring snacks your child will eat.
Headphones can be a lifesaver and makes trying new things easier for our kids.
Many rides will get you wet, bring extra clothes.
Never force your child, even if you know they will love a ride or attraction, it might take several attempts to get them to try a new ride.
Try visiting on off peak seasons or during the week, I know it's tough here in SoCal but weekdays always better than weekends and holidays .
Great place to practice the premack theory too, first this then that! Compromises and patience will make your day smoother.
Another great resource is the Guest Assistance Guide It gives you info on every ride with a rating system. Listing ride height requirements, level of ride and even seating layouts (single rider per car and so on) Great resource to read before your visit! It takes time for some of our kids to enjoy the parks but don't let that keep you from taking them. I waited till my daughter was five to introduce her to amusement parks. By then she had some basic knowledge of following the rules and the ability to use coping strategies. Always remain calm, ask for help if you need it and advocate, you know your child and their limitations best!
FIRST AID AND QUIET/SENSORY SPACE
First Aid (Located across from the GhostRider exit) can be used as a rest/quiet area, staffed by medical professionals who can assist with your visit. First Aid can store medication for your convenience and have noise cancelling headphones for use.
Camp Snoopy: Camp Snoopy Nursing Station (Located across from Timberline Twister)
SPECIAL DIETARY FOOD OPTIONS Locations are below, get all the details HERE: https://www.knotts.com/dining/dietary-needs
• Beef Burgers and Beef Hot Dogs are gluten free (no wheat filler)
• All burger and Hot Dog buns can be substituted for gluten free
• Most locations have Caesar Salad with the option for vegan dressing
• Fresh fruit available at Boardwalk BBQ, Wilderness Cart, Camp Snoopy Cart, Grizzly Creek Lodge
PHOTOSENSITIVITY/STROBE LIGHTING
Many attractions utilize special effects including strobe lighting and specialty ride lights that may impact Guests with certain medical conditions. Attractions utilizing these effects include: Bear-y Tales, Calico Mine Ride, GhostRider, HangTime, Jaguar, Pony Express, Silver Bullet, Sol Spin, Timber Mountain Log Ride, and Xcelerator.
Have questions? Just ask!
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