This first one is pretty neat; a large portion of the Log Ride is visible, including the final splashdown. The railroad train is loading up with passengers, and you can see the depot just above that yellow car. To the right of that is the Calico Saloon. Partially hidden is the Church of Reflections, and near that is a portion of Fiesta Village. In the distance, the reproduction of Independence Hall is easily visible.
A slight change in perspective indicates that we are finally heading back down to ground level. Otherwise, as I said earlier, things get a bit repetitive.
Once again we are looking towards La Palma.
And finally, we are nearly back on terra firma again, but not before one last look at the Log Ride's crinkly rockwork. It seems that the Pilot Rec Area consisted of standard carnival-type games of "skill". Your dad really does want you to win, but he does not want another goldfish to take care of.
A slight change in perspective indicates that we are finally heading back down to ground level. Otherwise, as I said earlier, things get a bit repetitive.
Once again we are looking towards La Palma.
And finally, we are nearly back on terra firma again, but not before one last look at the Log Ride's crinkly rockwork. It seems that the Pilot Rec Area consisted of standard carnival-type games of "skill". Your dad really does want you to win, but he does not want another goldfish to take care of.
That's it for this series, but never fear, there are more Knott's photos to come.
Great view of Fiesta Village before Montezuma's Revenge was built. You can even see the Inspiration House store on the east side of the lake (just above the red, green and yellow benches in the first and second pics).
ReplyDeleteThese shots must have been taken from the Sky Cabin observation car because we can see the other windows in the car reflected in the glass that's in front of us. It sort of makes it look like there is a funnel cloud out on the horizon in a couple of the pics.
I'm loving every one of these, Major!
Vertigo anyone??? I'm dizzy now....
ReplyDeleteOnly rode the death-circle (Skycabin) once, but I'd agree these were taken from there, I recall seeing lots of cables from the cabin of doom as it spins and goes off the top and then fly's to Disneyland....
Neat to see old Knott's from this vantage point and not have to actually go up there!
THANKS MAJOR!
Great memories!!!
ReplyDeleteThird picture down: is that the old steeple case ride? in the bottom left corner!
ReplyDeleteNice pictures Major, I see many familiar landmarks in these.
ReplyDeleteI can't remember anything beyond the log ride, that area must have been developed after I couldn't come anymore.
I took my kids to Knotts once when they were very young. After two days at Disneyland, they were too tired to care much and I was too upset by the changes, both here and at Disneyland, so we cut the visit short at half-day and went home.
My son was quite small (3 maybe?)and he curled up in a ball on the bridge in Camp Snoopy and pulled his blanket over his head and said "I want my home!". I guess we all agreed.
JG
Thufer, that is the Steeple Chase-type ride in the bottom left...just that little bit of track that you see coming out of a tunnel. The surrounding track area was Knott's Gasoline Alley (Autopia).
ReplyDeleteI wonder what attendance was on the Wacky Soap Box Racers and Gasoline Alley? Here they had two family friendly attractions that were intertwined nicely in that corner of the park and they go and take them out for a rollercoaster that didn't work properly, which was then removed and replaced with another one that last only seconds and lacerates people's legs.
I wish I was able to step into these pics, Major!
Yes, I agree that these were certainly taken inside the Sky Cabin, for all the reasons you guys mentioned! I thought I had said that in a previous post, but I guess not.
ReplyDeleteTokyoMagic!, I have no idea what the Inspiration House is (or was)...! I'm glad you have been enjoying these, you probably know more about what is in each image than most people.
Tim, at least you got to experience the Sky Cabin, I wish I had; now it's gone.
Connie, I agree! Thufer, if you go back to some of the earlier posts you'll bet an even better look at the track for the Steeplechase ride.
JG, it's hard to imagine Knott's and Disneyland being so bad that the kids would rather be home!
Great pictures.
ReplyDeleteI could make out the Anaheim convention center and the DL hotel.
Eric
Major, Inspiration House sold religious itmes and was one of the shops that was run by outside vendors. They moved out of the park and into one of the stores on Grand Ave. (now the candy store) for a while before shutting down for good.
ReplyDeleteI love the "runway" painted on the street in the third and fourth photos. The runway number visible in the third photo, "22," is accurate for the direction the lines are pointing, 220 degrees (SW). That's a nice, subtle touch that seems to be lacking in so much theme park design today.
ReplyDeleteAnybody know if there was an "04" (for 040 degrees, or NE) at the other end of the path? In two minutes of exhaustive Internet searching that consisted entirely of parts one and two of this series, I haven't been able to find a photo of that area that isn't obscured by trees.
Chuck is just showing off now! But still, great info that I would have no clue about (like most things...).
ReplyDeleteThe only person who might know the answer to your question about the "04" would be TokyoMagic!, his knowledge runs pretty deep.
Man do I love these pics! I'll have to check my files & see if I have one showing the "04"...
ReplyDelete@TokyoMagic: I agree with you 100%. Removing Wacky Box & Gasoline Alley (with large capacity located within a relatively small footprint) was a particularly poor decision at that time. Not to mention the kinetics of seeing those vehicles intertwining above and below each other on their relative paths, which always lends a sense of excitement to the area. Sadly, I don't think the lesson has been learned...