No, it’s not Halloween yet. But one of our favorite parks in the country, that is home to one of the best haunts in the world, has opened a beautifully refurbished and rethemed version of one of their classic attractions. Late in 2018, Bigfoot Rapids closed after a 32-year run to receive a full revamp in order to become the all-new Calico River Rapids.
Calico River Rapids Opening Ceremony
Prospectors and townsfolk from Calico cut the rope at the grand opening moment.
What’s new? Tons actually. The new white water raft ride takes explorers on a search for new land where indigenous wildlife, treacherous roaring rapids, dynamic water effects plus a variety of wild surprises will be encountered along the way. New animatronics and special effects designed and manufactured by Garner Holt Productions, Inc. pepper the route and add humor and depth to what has been, up to this point, a run of the mill raft ride.
Guests enter through the same path leading to the queue, however, now, the attraction features a more rustic look. The mature vegetation has grown in nicely and has been plussed up. Along the way to the encampment, we catch glimpses of the adventure ahead of us as the river winds its way in and around the queue. In the attraction’s previous incarnation originally opened, guests were able to spot Bigfoot tracks in the walkway. Over the years it was decided to fill these footprints in the queue, smoothing the surface out in a rather slapdash fashion. One thing I will ding the Knott’s team for, the one sour note, is that no care was taken to resurface or redo the poorly executed attempt to remove dangerously uneven surfaces from years passed.
That one qualm aside this is everything that a revamping of an attraction should be. The attraction feels entirely new and revitalized thanks to the beautiful work from Knott’s scenic team and the fun vignettes along the river that give Disney a run for their money. After 18 years, Disney California Adventure’s admittedly enjoyable rapids ride still hasn’t one single comic bit of scenery, not one animatronic, and certainly no Marc Davis style hijinks to enjoy. Calico River Rapids has all of that and more including a few fun surprises that you can even enjoy just by watching the rafts go by. Head over to the area along the river near Pony Express and you will find out what we mean.
[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”247″]This is a huge success for Knott’s Berry Farm and a lovely addition to their roster of classic family attractions. We sincerely hope there are a few surprises being held for Haunt. I mean, we can dream can’t we?
