Secruity at Knott's Berry Farm

[memopad85]

I'm a Secruity Aid at Knott's Berry Farm for the Halloween Haunt and I've already encountered some stupid things. When people are waiting in line to be checked by the metal detector, I tell them to take EVERYTHING out of their pockets. When I tell them that, they ask, "Even my wallet?". What part of EVERYTHING don't they understand. After a while, it starts to become annoying when people don't understand the word EVERYTHING.

Another stupid thing I've seen just happened on Saturday night when it started to pour at KBF. It started to pour and I'm at the main gate patroling and two guys come up to me and my partner with one of those outside table umbrellas in their hands. They take it off the table to use to avoid not getting wet and walked all the way to their car and were caught by some other secruity guards and told them to take the umbrella back. That was stupid, they didn't figure they would get caught and they did and they ended up getting wet after all.

One more stupid thing happened on the same night during the storm. People were using the trash can lids by placing it over their heads. For one thing, its stupid, and another thing is that the trash can lids really stink. Its amazing what people will do to avoid getting wet.

One last thing about guests I encountered. Some of the guest are actually amazed that gum wrappers has metal in it. When the metal detector beeps at someone's pocket, the guest takes it out and says, "Oh, its just my gum". I tell them that the wrapper, which is foil, is a metal and they are amazed about it. They get excited because they learn something new.

Type up some stories that you have about secruity, if you're not from KBF, it doesn't matter, as long as you're secruity at a theme park and have some good stories.

[CujoSR]

Welcome to Stupidguesttricks.com Memopad! I hate to tell you but i don't think we have any security guards on this site at all. At least none that have shared the fact. But welcome anyway.

[memopad85]

I'll tell some co-workers about this site. Maybe they'll join the forums and spread the word out.

[Main Streeter]

I'm a Secruity Aid at Knott's Berry Farm for the Halloween Haunt and I've already encountered some stupid things....
One more stupid thing happened on the same night during the storm. People were using the trash can lids by placing it over their heads. For one thing, its stupid, and another thing is that the trash can lids really stink. Its amazing what people will do to avoid getting wet.
OMG, this is so gross! Makes me sick to think guests used filthy trash can lids to cover their heads. YUCK :!: memopad85, you've just epitomized a stupid guests. Thank God DLR guests can't pull this trashy trick. They would if they could. Bring your KFB Security CMs & post your adventures to our site.
Security stories from any park would be more than enlightening. :lol:

[tskbf2005]

I'm a Secruity Aid at Knott's Berry Farm for the Halloween Haunt and I've already encountered some stupid things. When people are waiting in line to be checked by the metal detector, I tell them to take EVERYTHING out of their pockets. When I tell them that, they ask, "Even my wallet?". What part of EVERYTHING don't they understand. After a while, it starts to become annoying when people don't understand the word EVERYTHING.

Another stupid thing I've seen just happened on Saturday night when it started to pour at KBF. It started to pour and I'm at the main gate patroling and two guys come up to me and my partner with one of those outside table umbrellas in their hands. They take it off the table to use to avoid not getting wet and walked all the way to their car and were caught by some other secruity guards and told them to take the umbrella back. That was stupid, they didn't figure they would get caught and they did and they ended up getting wet after all.

One more stupid thing happened on the same night during the storm. People were using the trash can lids by placing it over their heads. For one thing, its stupid, and another thing is that the trash can lids really stink. Its amazing what people will do to avoid getting wet.

One last thing about guests I encountered. Some of the guest are actually amazed that gum wrappers has metal in it. When the metal detector beeps at someone's pocket, the guest takes it out and says, "Oh, its just my gum". I tell them that the wrapper, which is foil, is a metal and they are amazed about it. They get excited because they learn something new.

Type up some stories that you have about secruity, if you're not from KBF, it doesn't matter, as long as you're secruity at a theme park and have some good stories. our guest don't surprize me anymore

[ViperBorg]

I'll tell some co-workers about this site. Maybe they'll join the forums and spread the word out.

All right, I'll get in on this...
I was Security then moved to Loss Prevention...

Then quit.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Hmm, did you do your job so good that theft stopped?

or was there another reason?

Hmmmmm?

[ViperBorg]

Hmm, did you do your job so good that theft stopped?

or was there another reason?

Hmmmmm?

Nope. Just couldn't stand the place.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Nope. Just couldn't stand the place.

Sorry to hear that. Well, I was talking with a DLR CM last trip that was "guarding" a VIP (waiting for them actually) and he was saying that they need (experienced) security!

[ViperBorg]

Sorry to hear that. Well, I was talking with a DLR CM last trip that was "guarding" a VIP (waiting for them actually) and he was saying that they need (experienced) security!

Yeah, the protocols and regulations we're borderline asinine. I had a guest attack me because I found his drugs, (during the course of my job, as we screen people as they enter the park) and I got suspended for bringing him to the ground and having a police officer handcuff him.

Oh, and I couldn't press charges because of "policy".

[Notatourist]

Policy?

The guest hit you? There's more to this story, I can tell, but that's crazy. Someone hits you, you don't hit back...That's battery!

Oh and Welcome. Expect the Marsupials shortly.

[felinefan]

I used to work at Knott's, and had a guest and her three goons attack me, just because I said the park was closed and that the Calico Railroad was closed for the night. I suffered a sprained right arm and was on reduced duty for six weeks. Got workman's comp for it though. Yes, I filed a police report--Buena Park police were there because it was summer--and had them arrested. Thing is, I never could seem to get a copy of the police report. I went down there, and I called trying to get ahold of the detective, and emailed them a couple of times--no response. I wonder if they're refusing to give me my copy of the police report because Knott's doesn't want me going after the perps or the park. I wouldn't put something like that past them. They are totally corrupt in every way.

[DisneyMom]

I used to work at Knott's, and had a guest and her three goons attack me, just because I said the park was closed and that the Calico Railroad was closed for the night. I suffered a sprained right arm and was on reduced duty for six weeks. Got workman's comp for it though. Yes, I filed a police report--Buena Park police were there because it was summer--and had them arrested. Thing is, I never could seem to get a copy of the police report. I went down there, and I called trying to get ahold of the detective, and emailed them a couple of times--no response. I wonder if they're refusing to give me my copy of the police report because Knott's doesn't want me going after the perps or the park. I wouldn't put something like that past them. They are totally corrupt in every way.

I was told by an attorney-not Wombat;)-that if you simply FILE a small claims case,you can have the report subpoenaed(sp?) I guess you can just fill out the paperwork yourself. You can then drop the case if you wish.

[Princess Susi]

That is terrible, Knotts not standing behind it's employees. That sucks! They should be held to the fire for that, feline fan. That is criminal.

Gad, what has happened to the Knott's Berry Farm that used to be there. Gangsd and violence and poor treatment of the employees...? The Knott family surely cannot be involved in this. That doe not sound like they own the Park anymore. I don't know much about the history of the Park. I will have to go look it up now.... The old man must be spinning for what happened to his farm/Park. So sad.....:(

sues

[Princess Susi]

Okay I found it: This is interesting if only because Boysenberries are my very favorite berry of all! I diod not know the history of that berry. Cool. So Cedar's owns it...makes total sense...But waht a legacy of a Park!


"Walter and Cordelia Knott - Founders of Knott's Berry Farm

The year was 1920 when Walter and Cordelia Knott moved to the then-sleepy community of Buena Park, Calif. to farm 20 acres of rented land. Today, that land is part of 160-acre Knott's Berry Farm, America's first theme park and the 12th most-visited amusement park in the country. And, while the Knott Family no longer owns the venerable attraction, the Knott spirit of hard work and down-home hospitality lives on in new owner Cedar Fair, L.P., who acquired Knott's Berry Farm in December 1997.
The Knotts' first winter on the Farm was unseasonably cold and much of their first crop was ruined by frost. But relying on his ability to make the most of what he had, Walter initiated his practice of selling directly to grocers, thus eliminating costly middlemen, and was able to realize a small profit.

Walter's keen eye for sound enterprise and his dogged determination to succeed were attributes which became evident early in his boyhood years and remained solid through his life and career. His father died when he was six and by the time he was nine, Walter was raising vegetables on vacant lots, selling the produce in the morning before school and delivering newspapers in the evenings to help supplement the family income.

In 1927, Knott bought ten acres of land. The Depression hit a year later and land prices dropped. While maintaining the original payments, Walter bought an additional ten acres at the lower price and spent the last of the family's savings to build an adobe structure that became the Farm's first permanent building.

Ready for occupancy in 1928, the building was 80 feet long and housed a tea-room, berry market and nursery where berry plants were sold. By now, the Knotts had four children - son Russell and daughters Virginia, Toni and Marion - and, working together, they formed a family bond that prevailed throughout the years.

continued...

[Princess Susi]

It was not until the 1930s that Walter became associated with the "boysenberry" which would became the family trademark. Nearby, Anaheim Parks Superintendent Rudolph Boysen had experimented with a new strain of berry but the plants kept dying on the vine. Walter took the scraggly plants, nurtured them to health and named the new berry - a cross between a loganberry, red raspberry and blackberry - after its originator. Today, all boysenberries in the world can trace their roots to Knott's Berry Farm.

As another means of staving off Depression hardships, Cordelia began selling jams and jellies made from Walter's berries. These were soon followed by home-baked pies, hot biscuits and sandwiches. Then, on a night in June 1934, Cordelia served eight fried chicken dinners on her wedding china - for the all-inclusive price of 65 cents each - and the world's largest chicken dinner restaurant was born. Today, the Chicken Dinner Restaurant seats more than 900 guests at a time, serves more than 1. 5 million guests each year, and is the largest full-service restaurant that serves chicken as its main course.

The success of the chicken dinners was immediate and by 1940 the restaurant was serving as many as 4,000 dinners on Sunday evenings. To give waiting customers something to do and to pay homage to the pioneering spirit of his grandparents and his love of the Old West, Walter developed Ghost Town, eventually the first of Knott's Berry Farm's six themed areas.

The first structure was the Gold Trails Hotel, which had originally been constructed in Prescott, Ariz. in 1868. Adhering to authenticity, Walter brought in other buildings from deserted ghost towns and Knott's Ghost Town as it exists today emerged. Additions were made as the years passed.

In the 1960s, the Calico Mine Ride and Timber Mountain Log Ride were added and Knott's built its second themed area: Fiesta Village, a tribute to California's early Spanish heritage. The third themed area opened in 1975 - Roaring 20s (rethemed in 1996 into The Boardwalk) - featuring the Corkscrew, the world's first looping coaster.

In 1983, Knott's debuted a first in the amusement park industry with its six-acre Camp Snoopy, the world's first theme park "land" designed specifically for kids. Wild Water Wilderness, a four-acre outdoor river wilderness area featuring the whitewater rafting ride Bigfoot Rapids, was added in 1988, followed by Indian Trails in 1993.

It was also the Knotts' decision to build the country's only brick-by-brick replica of Independence Hall, complete with an exact replica of the Liberty Bell, as a free-admission educational resources for Farm guests and Orange County residents.

Cordelia Knott died in 1974 at the age of 84 and Walter Knott continued to live on the Farm he loved until his death in 1981 - a week before his 92nd birthday. The Knott Family maintained operation of Knott's Berry Farm until its friendly acquisition by Cedar Fair, L.P. in December 1997.

In keeping with Walter and Cordelia's original goals, Knott's Berry Farm continues to combine quality, wholesome family entertainment with nostalgia and history. Cedar Fair is currently expanding Knott's Berry Farm with the most new rides, shows and attractions in the park's history, while maintaining those simpler features that continue to make it "The Theme Park Californians Call Home®."

continued....

[Princess Susi]

The History of Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant

The restaurant's history dates back as far as 1920, when Walter and Cordelia Knott began farming 10 acres of leased land on Highway 39 in Buena Park. Way back in 1920, when the First World War was barely over, and a brand new automobile cost $350, the young farm couple had to struggle to make a living.
Desperate to make ends meet, Walter and Cordelia opened a small roadside stand where their usually fine rhubarb, asparagus and berries sold better than they had hoped. Business was so good that Cordelia added hot biscuits and homemade preserves to fare offered customers at the roadside stand. Eventually, Cordelia moved her biscuit and jam business into an adjacent tea room.

Before long, folks began making special trips to sample the fancy crops this unknown farmer was growing. As 1927 rolled around, there were always visitors at the Knott's place, and they made sure to stop at the tiny tea room for a lunch of Cordelia's hot biscuits and berry jam. It was not until the 1930s that Walter became associated with the "boysenberry" which would became the family trademark. Nearby, Anaheim Parks Superintendent Rudolph Boysen had experimented with a new strain of berry but the plants kept dying on the vine. Walter took the scraggly plants, nurtured them to health and named the new berry - a cross between a loganberry, red raspberry and blackberry - after its originator. Today, all boysenberries in the world can trace their roots to Knott's Berry Farm. Walter harvested the very first crop of Boysenberries, and they were an instant success. Cordelia decided it was time to expand her tea room, and began to cook the southern fried chicken dinners that would wake up a sleepy farm community called Buena Park and make the Knott name famous. On opening day, the restaurant served just eight, 65-cent chicken dinners on Cordelia's own wedding china.

But word of these delicious dinners grew and by the 1940's the lines at the Chicken Dinner Restaurant were so long that Walter and Cordelia felt they needed something to keep the guests entertained while they waited to get into the restaurant. The challenge of entertaining these growing crowds led Walter to create an authentic Old West Ghost Town adjacent to the restaurant. The town eventually grew into what is now the Knott's Berry Farm Theme Park.

Today, the Chicken Dinner Restaurant seats more than 900 guests at a time, serves more than 1. 5 million guests each year, and is the largest full-service restaurant in California that serves chicken as its main course.

Over the years, Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant has hosted thousands of celebrities and VIPs, including: Elizabeth Taylor, Connie Stephens, Lucy Arnez, Donnie and Marie Osmond, John Wayne, Harriet Nelson, Burt Reynolds, Jane Russell, Natalie Wood, Charles Bronson, Amos and Andy, Eddie Fisher, Jonathan Winters, Chuck Norris, and many more"



What a great story, but a lousy way for the Park to end up now....:(


Honestly, I have always wanted to go to Knott's Berry Farm now that I am older and want to see the Park. Is it worth it to go? Maybe next trip we can make a special trip over there for a day to see it. Depends on if it is worth it to go.:confused:
susi

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Interesting history. but After reading a lot of the KBF employees and former employees posts here, and at board z, you can see its just not the place I remember from when I first went there in, gosh 1974! and over the years it has obviously gotten worse. Too bad!!

[mechurchlady]

It is worth seeing one time. I miss the old part and should go back, independence hall is worth seeing also. See it once but remember that back about 1997 it changed. I remember the cinco de mayo riots and the firing of the native americans and the redoing of the stagecoach so that there no longer was a loop. Old days the driver missed the spot so he just went around the loop to do it right.

have fun.

[felinefan]

Okay, Susi, the part I had to gag on was the last one before you went into the history of the Chicken Dinner Restaurant. It was really depressing telling people that certain things are no longer there--the Original Berry Stand (trashed), the Haunted Shack (taken out because it couldn't be made ADA compliant) , the Missions displays (taken out to expand Fiesta Village; in storage but in poor condition); I once had a guy ask where the Corkscrew was--that was taken out over 20 years ago, was replaced by Hammerhead and subsequently replaced by yet another ride. It's been nearly 2 years since I left that dump, so pardon me if my memory is a little short. The petting zoo in Camp Snoopy was taken out to put in the Peanuts Theatre.

I already posted this on the "You Disney people have it so easy" thread, but the fact is, the rides are falling apart due to lack of maintenence, management doesn't give a rat's ass about anything but making money, and the park could burn down next week and they wouldn't care--except they might start boo-hooing that their cash cow is gone.

My younger sister works for an attorney, and I think they offered to help me out when I got hurt; I should've said yes. It's been about two years, I don't know if it's worth it or not. There have been people who have tried suing Knott's but Knott's has always managed to get off easy. Somebody ate at the Chicken Dinner Restaurant, got food poisoning, sued, and Knott's got a slap on the wrist--none of their restaurants can pass a health department check, especially CDR. There are reports on ThemePark Insider that Knott's told a woman who broke her neck on Ghostrider that she came into the park with a broken neck and decided that she didn't need to obey the rules! Another time, a lady with an autistic child was treated very poorly and practically kicked out of the park--she was told that Knott's didn't want autistic and other handicapped kids in their park anymore!

The Better Business Bureau and the labor board are in Knott's pockets, as is OSHA. In fact, recently I discovered that all you have to do to become a member of the BBB is pay a membership fee--there's no oversight, no recordkeeping, etc.. Check out The RipOffReport. Sickening, I tell you! Where is this country headed?

No, Churchy, I'm sorry, I don't recommend you go to Knott's. Enjoy your memories of when it was family-owned, and yes, I believe Mr. and Mrs. Knott and three of their four kids who are with them in Heaven are grieved over what has happened. Mr. Knott had 1/4 of the town of Calico brought in to make Ghost Town, and he hoped to educate as well as entertain people, but it's nowhere like that now.

[EeyoresButterfly]

I apologize for any typos, I have a cat sitting on my hands.

FelineFan: Being a member of the BBB does not guarantee oversight, it is not an oversight organization. It just means that the company has agreed to follow certain steps if there is a complaint filed against them, that is all. If you got the BBB's website you can see the complaints, type of complaints, and what type of resolution if any occurred.

[felinefan]

But they make it seem as if they can and do rein in their members, which they don't. I went to their website to check out Knott's, and first, they were at "caution" level; then sometime after that, they went up to "good" level! I smell a payoff! And if you tell them this company did this or that, they blow you off. What good is an organization that just takes money and makes a place seem legitimate when it is far from it? That's a scam!

[Princess Susi]

It really is sad that it has gone by the wayside. I guess I won't be going there anytime soon. I'll just get my mom to tell me what it was like when they went, probably in the early 1960's...I know I was too young to remember it. I just remember really liking the jams and jellies, especially Boysenberry and it was cool to read about how they made it. Too bad how the Park has gone down the sewer. And the Knotts tried to keep something good going with it. I'll stick with DL and San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park on the West Coast and WDW and Discovery Cove in Florida. I read about a cool place in Gilroy online and it sounds like a fun place to go. Maybe next trip to California! It is called Gilroy Gardens Theme Park. On the small side, but it looks like cornball fun!

http://www.gilroygardens.org/

susi

[hobie16]

It is called Gilroy Gardens Theme Park.
It is kinda neat. It's small and a little different from other parks. If you time it right you can go to the Garlic Festival. It defies the imagination on the number of things that can be cooked up with garlic thrown in and you don't have to worry about getting bit by a vampire.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

It is kinda neat. It's small and a little different from other parks. If you time it right you can go to the Garlic Festival. It defies the imagination on the number of things that can be cooked up with garlic thrown in and you don't have to worry about getting bit by a vampire.

DW and I have been trying to go, but it always seems like something comes up, and we can't go when the festival is on!!

[hobie16]

DW and I have been trying to go, but it always seems like something comes up, and we can't go when the festival is on!!
If the wind is blowing in the right direction you may be able to smell it. :eek:

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

If the wind is blowing in the right direction you may be able to smell it. :eek:

Mmm, love garlic!! Some family friends went one year (I had to work)
and they brought us back some of the best garlic! We had it on patatos, pasta, etc., etc.

[hobie16]

Mmm, love garlic!! Some family friends went one year (I had to work)
and they brought us back some of the best garlic! We had it on patatos, pasta, etc., etc.
If Bubba had lived in Gilroy Forrest might have become a farmer.

[DisneyMom]

I sure miss the Knott's of my childhood...used to live there along with Disneyland. Both were faves of my Grandparents and we used to visit frequently-don't remember it costing a lot back when I was about 5:rolleyes:
I remember the little island with the wood creatures, and riding a burro (or was it a mule) around. I haven't been for at least 12 years,so sorry it doesn't seem like I should go now.:(

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

If Bubba had lived in Gilroy Forrest might have become a farmer.

Hey Garlic shrimp!!

[mechurchlady]

I sure miss the Knott's of my childhood...used to live there along with Disneyland. Both were faves of my Grandparents and we used to visit frequently-don't remember it costing a lot back when I was about 5:rolleyes:
I remember the little island with the wood creatures, and riding a burro (or was it a mule) around. I haven't been for at least 12 years,so sorry it doesn't seem like I should go now.:(

http://mistertoast.blogspot.com/2006/01/wood-imals-of-jungle-island.html
Jungle Island and I remember that also.

http://www.image-archeology.com/Knott's_Berry_Farm_GT_3.jpg
the organ grinder and monkey

http://www.image-archeology.com/Knott's_Berry_Farm_GT_27.jpg
the cable cars and the restaurant named for them

http://www.image-archeology.com/Knott's_Berry_Farm_C_12912.jpg
before they paved the park over and made parking the coaches nearly impossible.

http://www.image-archeology.com/Knotts_Berry_Farm_CA_Antique_Auto_Ride_FV_2.jpg
I loved them cars

http://www.image-archeology.com/Knott's_Berry_Farm_Jungle_Island_Lagoon_C_26372.jpg
Jungle Island

http://www.bear-ytales.net/Ghost_Town/GhostTown3.htm
more info maybe

[Princess Susi]

It is kinda neat. It's small and a little different from other parks. If you time it right you can go to the Garlic Festival. It defies the imagination on the number of things that can be cooked up with garlic thrown in and you don't have to worry about getting bit by a vampire.

Ralph LOVES the Garlic Festival! He even copped a sign from the parking lot. It is a metal green one that says "Garlic Festival Parking" He would go every year if we could make it. He loves garlic! I always tell him, people can smell you coming!
I want to get to the Gilroy Gardens Park. Looks pretty intersting and like one of those corny Parks like Fairyland was at Lake Merritt back in the day! Anyone remember Fairyland at Lake Merritt in Oakland. I would think you might, hobie.:)

http://www.fairyland.org/about_fairyland/fairyland_history.htm

My parents used to take us over there many a weekend! It was fun!!!

I can't believe that place is stil open! I thought it shut down years ago! WOW!

sues

[hobie16]

Anyone remember Fairyland at Lake Merritt in Oakland. I would think you might, hobie.:)
I do! How about Playland At The Beach in San Fran? Remember Laughing Sal? That was a great place to spend a day.

[Princess Susi]

Oh yeah! Playland! That was such a cool place to go, and then my folks would take us to the Cliff House for dinner. What great memories! I remember when Playland had shut down and all the buildings were still there getting older and shabbier everyday. It was sad.

We loved to go there and Fleishacker Zoo and to check out the Fleishacker swimming pool. At the time it was the biggest pool ever! We loved going to *The City* on the weekends to have family fun!

We used to go to the wharf as well, before they put in all the those piers with amusement type arcades and rides. It was fun to go there and eat fresh crab and sourdough bread. I miss sourdough bread. You can't get it here. Not like that. It has to do with the climate, getting the best sourdough bread. Denver id too high in altitude and too dry and the sourdough bread here pales in comparison! Everytime we go to California and the Bay Area we pick up a couple loaves. Or my mom can send me one in the overnight mail, wrapped really well.

And Golden Gate Park and all the museums and the Aquarium! So much to do and so much fun! I really loved the Japanese Tea Garden. One of my very favorite places of all! So calm amd green. I have an affinity for Japanese culture and style and design and I loved the peace in the Tea Gardens. I fed the squirrels there. You could buy little bags of peanuts to fed them. They were so tame. Ahhhhhhhh....greta memories this morning....thanks hobie for mentioning some of those places too!

[hobie16]

Golden Gate Park had so many neat things to do. The aquarium was always neat. Remember the alligators in the pool by the entrance?

The museum across the way always had cool exhibits. I went one time and discovered a Levi Strauss exhibit of the winners of a Levis design contest. This was way before CGI so they used multiple programmed slide projectors.

[svickersart]

Knotts is currently owned by Cedar Fair LLC who owns the big cedar point park back east. They also own Gilroy gardens and Great American in Santa Clara Ca. I had relitives that lived a few miles from Great America and we watched it get built, it was owned by Marriot then, they were going to tear it down and the city of Santa Clara bought it and operated it for several years, then it went to paramont and then Cedar Fair. I spent many summers there while visiting. When i was a kid every trip to Disneyland also included a day at Knotts, and my GF did the same thing. Last november while were were at DL for a week we took a day for Knotts and Medievil times. MT was a lot of fun but Knotts was very dissapointiing. We waited in line for food for 15 minutes and when we got to the counter the kid working told us he was closed, there was a problem in the back so he couldnt take our order (all the other lines were still going and quite long and we couldnt help but notice a young lady dressed like a ref waiting impacently off to the side, we figured he wanted a break with his GF) We went to another place and it took us 45 minutes to get something to eat, only two people working and the one preparing the food waas either very very new and untrained or developmentaly disabled because he was having a very hard time filling the oreders and there were only two groups in front of us. Finaly another person showed up and jumped in and things started moving but our order was all wrong. When we got back to the room that night my GF got online and email a compaint, and told them we would not be back and our memories of the park were now tarnished. We got a responce about 4 months later by mail explaining they had some management issues and these had been addressed, they also sent us 4 tickets to the park and asked us to give it another try. We are going to be in S Cal in August for a bowling tourny and taking a week vacation so we are going to go back and give it another chance, we are going to give up a day at DL, or at least part of the day to give them a second chance, if nothing has changed we wont be back, if things have changed we might give it another try. We are also going to do a day at Universal Studios on the way home. In June we are goiing to take a day and go to Great America (my GF is from Hayward so she also spent a lot of time there as a kid) and see how they are running that park, so wish us luck.

Steve

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Knotts is currently owned by Cedar Fair LLC who owns the big cedar point park back east. They also own Gilroy gardens and Great American in Santa Clara Ca. IIn June we are goiing to take a day and go to Great America (my GF is from Hayward so she also spent a lot of time there as a kid) and see how they are running that park, so wish us luck.

Steve

That is just sad, and November isn't even really into the peak season yet!

Hope its gets better, but judging by the posters of former and current employees, it dosn't look like it!

You could always give the tickets to someone else, or sell them for another day at DLR!!!

Spend the day Riding Indiana Jones!!

[DisneyMom]

That is just sad, and November isn't even really into the peak season yet!

Hope its gets better, but judging by the posters of former and current employees, it dosn't look like it!

You could always give the tickets to someone else, or sell them for another day at DLR!!!

Spend the day Riding Indiana Jones!!

That sounds like a good idea, GP.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

That sounds like a good idea, GP.

Hey, turn a negative into a positive!!

Everyone wins!!

[hobie16]

We are also going to do a day at Universal Studios on the way home.
DO NOT MISS WATERWORLD!!! Sit just above the blue water line a little left of center and watch for the plane.

[felinefan]

Trust me, Knott's is not worth going to for any reason. Give the tickets to an enemy, not a friend, because if you give them to a friend and they go they won't be your friend when they get back. The person dressed as a ref was a Games attendant. You could be right--he may have wanted time with his GF or it was true that there was a problem. Either is entirely possible.

[mechurchlady]

Trust me, Knott's is not worth going to for any reason. Give the tickets to an enemy, not a friend, because if you give them to a friend and they go they won't be your friend when they get back. The person.

Being housebound most of the time I would take any free ticket outside of DLR. Oh well and Japanese Gardens was fun for me and i remember them rye crisp crackers ooh the smell.

[EeyoresButterfly]

World of Fun where my BF works is also owned by Cedar Fair. So far most of the employees like it, and I know from talking to my BF that they have very high standards. The park is clean, and the guest service is pretty good- not Disney caliber- but then what do you expect when the majority of employees are teenagers? From what I have heard, I get the impression that Knott's is the black sheep of Cedar Fair.

[felinefan]

And the thing is, Knott's I think is the only CF park that is open year-round. I don't think it's entirely CF's fault Knott's is so bad, but the management is so horrific--you'd think they had a job fair in Hell for hiring managers!

[Ms. Matterhorn]

OK, who remembers the Alligator :ticktock: Farm across the street from Knott's Berry Farm? I remember taking my son there when he was little. He's 27 now!

http://gorillasdontblog.blogspot.com/2007/04/alligator-farm-june-1960.html

[felinefan]

I was surprised the first time I had a guest ask me, 'Where's the dolphin show?":confused: I hadn't been to Knott's in so long, I didn't know about the alligator farm OR the dolphin show!

[DisneyMom]

I was surprised the first time I had a guest ask me, 'Where's the dolphin show?":confused: I hadn't been to Knott's in so long, I didn't know about the alligator farm OR the dolphin show!

The Dolphin Show was there last time we went to Knott's. I took my kids down to the trainers after the show and a dolphin kept bouncing a ball out of the tank to us and we would throw it back from behind the fence. This was spontaneous, and the trainer told us to stop, probably because we had no fish to reward the dolphin.*Sigh*

I'll have to ask my Mom about the alligator farm, she would remember it.

[Princess Susi]

Golden Gate Park had so many neat things to do. The aquarium was always neat. Remember the alligators in the pool by the entrance?

The museum across the way always had cool exhibits. I went one time and discovered a Levi Strauss exhibit of the winners of a Levis design contest. This was way before CGI so they used multiple programmed slide projectors.

Oh yeah the gators were cool! I loved that Aquarium. That big museum across was cool. Always a good show. Can't remember it's name... They had the King Tut exhibit there when it was in the States.
I also like the Palace of Fine Arts! They had Laserium there for awhile when laser shows were all the rage in the late 70's and 80's and the Exploratorium. That was cool. I think the Exploratorium is still there. I know they were updating it a some years back. I had a great time at the Exploratorium! There was also a great Art museum up near the Presidio. They have Rodin's The Thinker there. They had a huge Rodin show for a long time. I am not sure if that exhibit is still there. That Art museum was so nice!

I love The City! There was always something fun to do. Growing up a quick drive from San Fran was a great way to grow up! Then when I got older, I always went to some fun clubs there. The best club was the EM club at TI (Treasure Island). ;) .50 cent drinks that were usually double shots. The bartenders were these great little Philipino guys that knew how to make a good drink! They were always so nice! I always liked the Singapore Sling! :eek:NOT ANYMORE!
We had so much fun meeting people from all over the country. Yeah, I liked sailors.....squids!;)

sues

Knotts is currently owned by Cedar Fair LLC who owns the big cedar point park back east. They also own Gilroy gardens and Great American in Santa Clara Ca. I had relitives that lived a few miles from Great America and we watched it get built, it was owned by Marriot then, they were going to tear it down and the city of Santa Clara bought it and operated it for several years, then it went to paramont and then Cedar Fair. I spent many summers there while visiting. When i was a kid every trip to Disneyland also included a day at Knotts, and my GF did the same thing. Last november while were were at DL for a week we took a day for Knotts and Medievil times. MT was a lot of fun but Knotts was very dissapointiing. We waited in line for food for 15 minutes and when we got to the counter the kid working told us he was closed, there was a problem in the back so he couldnt take our order (all the other lines were still going and quite long and we couldnt help but notice a young lady dressed like a ref waiting impacently off to the side, we figured he wanted a break with his GF) We went to another place and it took us 45 minutes to get something to eat, only two people working and the one preparing the food waas either very very new and untrained or developmentaly disabled because he was having a very hard time filling the oreders and there were only two groups in front of us. Finaly another person showed up and jumped in and things started moving but our order was all wrong. When we got back to the room that night my GF got online and email a compaint, and told them we would not be back and our memories of the park were now tarnished. We got a responce about 4 months later by mail explaining they had some management issues and these had been addressed, they also sent us 4 tickets to the park and asked us to give it another try. We are going to be in S Cal in August for a bowling tourny and taking a week vacation so we are going to go back and give it another chance, we are going to give up a day at DL, or at least part of the day to give them a second chance, if nothing has changed we wont be back, if things have changed we might give it another try. We are also going to do a day at Universal Studios on the way home. In June we are goiing to take a day and go to Great America (my GF is from Hayward so she also spent a lot of time there as a kid) and see how they are running that park, so wish us luck.

Steve

Great America used to be a great place to go! I don't know how it is now. With all the gangs in the area, I would imagine it can't be all that great!

I always liked to go to the Winchester Mystery House! That was fun!
"Keep building! Keep building!"
You ain't seen nuthin til you see the Winchester Mystery House. I imagine hobie has been there as well, eh hobie?:p:

sues

[hobie16]

They were always so nice! I always liked the Singapore Sling!

I imagine hobie has been there as well, eh hobie?
When I was in the Army I was introduced to Singapore Slings by a Lt. Col. They were good but damn did I get hammered!

I've been to the Winchester House many times. It's now completely surrounded by a Century theater complex and a instant neighborhood.

[Princess Susi]

Hammered is the right word for Singapore Slings! Wow! They were potent! But delicious! Fruity drinks are not supposed to be that dangerous, right? hehehe...

My first fiance was a sailor, an ET, who was stationed on the USS Hancock (AKA the USS Handjob) which has long since been decommissioned. I went on a dependent's cruise on that thing and got very seasick. It was a aircraft carrier for crying out loud. How am I gonna make it on a Disney Cruise? LOTS OF DRAMAMINE!:barf:
We also used to go to the clubs at Alameda Naval Air and Vallejo Mare Island. Fun times!

sues

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Hmmmm ET go home! (hehehehe)

I, (and me shipmates) got hooked on the singapore slings one cruise"

The best ones were made at the Dragon boat bar in the Hong Kong Hilton. The bartender would "Pour" different gin's in and not "bruise" them, they formed colored bands in the glass!! then you put a straw in and drank at the "Line" when they met!!

Mmmmmmm!!

(before I discovered RUM!!)

[ViperBorg]

Policy?

The guest hit you? There's more to this story, I can tell, but that's crazy. Someone hits you, you don't hit back...That's battery!

Oh and Welcome. Expect the Marsupials shortly.

I didn't hit back, I restrained. Regardless of any park's policy, I will exercise my right to defend myself. If they hit first, they're the ones getting charged for battery. Any park that has a problem with that can see me in court.

/rant

Yes, the guest hit me because I wouldn't give him his drugs back. You find something on them that can get them arrested, and they get all touchy-grabby on you to get it back and hide. There are other stories as well, involving some foot chases... and a few involving vehicles, but those are for another time.

[Freak]

Wait, K's had security? Where were they when we needed them? :D:

I swear, if it was a rides related issue, we were on our own in handling the guest...

[security officer]

Wait, K's had security? Where were they when we needed them? :D:

I swear, if it was a rides related issue, we were on our own in handling the guest...

i remember those day perfect security haha and it not funny they are never around we u need them

[felinefan]

Yeah, and half the time when they did show up, they were clueless as to what to do. Seriously. They must've been off smoking pot or something--I heard rumors of that kind.

[turkeyham]

Several years ago, I took my friend to Knott's on Mother's Day. We rode a few rides and then watched the western show. Good show, but noisy. My favorite is Mystery Lodge. My friend and I were counting to see how many security guards were there. People watching and we came across 10.

I heard that another company bought out Knott's. If that is trure, I wonder what will be done to improve the parks?

[dazyhill]

Several years ago, I took my friend to Knott's on Mother's Day. We rode a few rides and then watched the western show. Good show, but noisy. My favorite is Mystery Lodge. My friend and I were counting to see how many security guards were there. People watching and we came across 10.

I heard that another company bought out Knott's. If that is trure, I wonder what will be done to improve the parks?

I hope the first thing they do is repave the employee parking lot on Western!

[turkeyham]

When I did ROP in 12th grade, I did park in that parking lot. My brother worked there before and he said the pot holes could do damage to your tires. That parking lot was an eye sore. :eek:

Half of the time you could not tell if the parking lot had spaces. It was a wild guess.

[felinefan]

Cedar Fair bought out Knott's in 1991. It's gone downhill since then.

[svickersart]

I do! How about Playland At The Beach in San Fran? Remember Laughing Sal? That was a great place to spend a day.

I was at Fishermans warf in SF last thursday, laughing sal and a lot of the old machines from playland are still around http://www.museemechanique.org/ we spent a couple of hours here, we have been before, its a lot of fun.
Steve

[felinefan]

Somebody filed a class action suit against Cedar Fair, saying they violated break and meal period sections of the labor code. It was investigated, timeclock records were gone through, and yesterday I got a letter from a law firm saying I and 55,000 other former and current CF employees were getting a share of the $9,000,000 settlement; I checked the site given, it checked out, and my share will be $378.58. It's supposed to be disbursed in April, if I read the legalese right. Knott's Berry Farm is part of Cedar Fair, and I did get some breaks and lunches missed due to either conditions being too crowded or idiot management/shift leaders. Well, at least it's something.

[turkeyham]

A few years ago we had one of those show up at Disneyland. Apparently someone over at the hotel restaurant was not given any breaks and ended up nailing the park for this. The most that you will get paid for this is about $25-$150.

Also, 24 hour fitness got nailed with a law suit and all members who worked out or terminated their contract for $15 to $100. I ended up with $50 from 24 hr fitness.

[PatchOBlack]

Knott's Berry Farm is part of Cedar Fair, and I did get some breaks and lunches missed due to either conditions being too crowded or idiot management/shift leaders. Well, at least it's something.

Gee, I had no idea. The local park is owned by Cedar Fair. Mind you, I don't get over to it as often as I used to, but the last time I was there, it seemed to be in good shape. I kind of preferred it when Paramount owned it, but that's probably because I liked seeing the Star Trek characters walking around. Remind me sometime to tell you folks about my conversation with a lady Klingon...

[svickersart]

Gee, I had no idea. The local park is owned by Cedar Fair. Mind you, I don't get over to it as often as I used to, but the last time I was there, it seemed to be in good shape. I kind of preferred it when Paramount owned it, but that's probably because I liked seeing the Star Trek characters walking around. Remind me sometime to tell you folks about my conversation with a lady Klingon...

I remember those days, but if you really want a conversation with a Klingon try a Star Trek convention, then talk Star Wars to them.
Steve

[felinefan]

I have the letter in my wallet right now, and when I logged onto the site, they said $378.58. But we'll see.

[PatchOBlack]

I remember those days, but if you really want a conversation with a Klingon try a Star Trek convention, then talk Star Wars to them.
Steve

Oh, please. Tweaking a Star Wars/Star Trek fan by talking about the other franchise is no challenge. Besides, why bother getting into a pointless argument?

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Oh, please. Tweaking a Star Wars/Star Trek fan by talking about the other franchise is no challenge. Besides, why bother getting into a pointless argument?

besides..I bet a lot of them have a storm troopers costume at home!

[darph nader]

besides..I bet a lot of them have a storm troopers costume at home!

You make it sound like it's a 'bad' thing. :whistlng:

[KingsIslander]

Wow. Obviously Knott's is not like the CF parks I've been to. If it's really that bad... that's kind of sad. Please try to keep in mind that, for many of the younger associates, Knott's is their first job- especially if it's near the beginning of the season- they have very little experience. Training can't teach you what experience can.

[drcorey]

Gee, I had no idea. The local park is owned by Cedar Fair. Mind you, I don't get over to it as often as I used to, but the last time I was there, it seemed to be in good shape. I kind of preferred it when Paramount owned it, but that's probably because I liked seeing the Star Trek characters walking around. Remind me sometime to tell you folks about my conversation with a lady Klingon...

I once saw 3 wierdos dressed up as star trek charactors at DLR.
I still call them, Spork, Quirk and Old Whora...

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

You make it sound like it's a 'bad' thing. :whistlng:

no, not at all!!

hehehehehehe

(Sooooooo, are you a storm trooper or a snow trooper? hehehehehe)

[Main Streeter]

are you a storm trooper or a snow trooper? hehehehehe)GP, darph is an all around trooper when it comes to friendship & support. :cool: