Remember that new Triotech ride announcement for Knott's Berry Farm that we told you was going to happen this month at the IAAPA Expo in Orlando? Well, Knott's Berry Farm got out ahead of that today by revealing that it will bring back its classic Bear-y Tales ride next summer.
The new 4D interactive adventure will reclaim the dark ride space now occupied by Triotech's Voyage to the Iron Reef in the park's Boardwalk area. From the park's description:
Knott’s Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair is a new 4-D interactive dark ride that will take guests on an exciting journey through reimagined show scenes that are reminiscent of the original dark ride, including the Boysenberry Pie Factory, Frog Forest, Fortune Teller Camp, Thunder Cave, and Weird Woods, culminating in a celebration at the County Fair. The story takes place 34 years after the original adventure and will follow Boysen Bear and Girlsen Bear as they travel to the Country Fair to earn the blue ribbon prize for their famous boysenberry pies, but Crafty Coyote is back along with his mischievous pups intent on stealing all the pies for themselves. Guests will climb aboard ride vehicles equipped with jelly blasters to try and recover the stolen boysenberry pies as they travel through whimsical and beautiful environments while competing for the highest score.
"The return of Knott’s Bear-y Tales is perfect for the 100th anniversary because it brings back one of the park’s most nostalgic and beloved attractions in an innovative 4-D dark ride format that will delight an entirely new generation of fans," park Vice President & General Manager Jon Storbeck said.
We'll have more on the ride from the IAAPA Expo in two weeks. In the meantime, Knott's has announced the return of Ghost Town Alive! for next summer, as well as the rest of its 2020 event calendar.
Get Knott's tickets: For discount tickets to Knott's Berry Farm, visit our officially authorized Knott's Berry Farm tickets page.
Figment!!
BTW, did Knott's make any indication whether they would upgrade the actual ride system here, or is it just a re-skinning of the video to present the new/old IP? This ride needs a serious improvement to its throughput, especially if they're going to market this as a "new" attraction, naturally increasing the popularity/demand to ride.
That's the number-one question I have for when Triotech introduces the ride in Orlando.
Robert, you do have more reason than most to have a soft spot for corny theme park bears ;) I am glad to see Knott's Berry Farm truly salute their heritage with this "new" attraction that "bears" a likeness to its hibernating fore-bears. Hope fellow Cedar Fair park Cedar Point also has an anniversary addition to announce for 2020 that will fit their respective milestone- cause the alternative would be grizzly.
I'm really hoping Knott's goes all out with this and spends the money to upgrade the ride system and add animatronics to the attraction. If they create a hybrid with the feel of the original attraction but using modern technology, this new ride could be outstanding. My worry is that it sounds like this may be a lower budget re-skin that simply swaps out the film and set pieces, which would fit Knott's better but be a bit of a disappointment.
Unfortunately, the initial concept art from the park seems to show only a screen change and new paint on the ride vehicles.
So, the "bear" minimum?
Trio Tech has never played on the "physical 3D" market...
There is nothing to expect more then screens. (By trademark definition)
I live in SD and had the season pass last year just because I love SW
(used to work there in 07’) and wanted to support them, but they have changed! Most of the shows are about half the length they used to be, and presented more as educational programs. No music cues, no climactic moments, no story. You can totally tell that SW is trying to defend itself by pushing their conservation stats everywhere and pushing the educational aspect, but it’s a bit sad to me. I only ended up going twice because a lot of San Diegans have turned on the park (bought into the BF propaganda), and it was hard to find ppl to go with, and both times were slow. I can’t imagine it was much better this year. That’s probably a big part of the issue in SD, not enough locals supporting the park. I might try to go again this year if I can find someone, but I really wish they would go back more to how they used to be with more of a focus on the animals, but in a fun way! Adding roller coasters won’t really help in a boycott, they should just try to please those who loved them in the first place, not pander to those who won’t come anyway, in my opinion.
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Boysen Bear and Girlsen Bear are two of the greatest theme park original IP character names ever. Fight me.