Take a Journey into the Calico Mine Ride at Knott's!

[TTD03]

The grand reopening of the Calico Mine Ride at Knott's Berry Farm is just a couple weeks away, and after months of heavy construction the park is starting to give a look into the renovated ride.

Working with Garner Holt Productions, Knott's has restored the classic dark ride to a level that might even be called above the original 1960 version. Well over 100 restored or new characters have taken up residence in the caverns, along with structural work, paint, lighting and special effects. The park isn't ready to reveal all that has been changed, but did produce a top-notch video about all the work:

It is wonderful to see folks who care so much about preserving the history of the ride be able to restore it. It sounds like many people will be surprised to see how great the inside of the attraction looks, especially if they haven't taken a trip in a few years - or even a decade.

Knott's Berry Farm also allowed Mice Chat's In The Parks column to head inside and get some photos of the work, and their story - along with great history and background of the Calico Mine Ride - can be viewed here. It's definitely worth a read - they also reveal that this attraction will continue to be transformed during Haunt, as well!

With one totally new themed area, a renovated children's area, and two classic rides completely renovated in a short period Knott's is really on a roll - I can't wait to see what they do next, honestly!
Source

[Coasterkidmwm]

I think Matt Ouimet values the appearance of the various properties and that is why all of these restorations/new entrances (Gatekeeper)/new plazas (the Disko additions+midway remakes) are popping up at all of the Cedar Fair properties along with other behind the scenes fixes.

[TTD03]

I feel like Kinzel wanted the GateKeeper thing to happen before he left, not Ouimet, but I could be wrong.