Knott's To Begin Significant Renovation Of Timber Mountain Log Ride

Buena Park, CA – Southern California's Knott's Berry Farm will begin a multi-million dollar refurbishment and restoration of the park's classic Timber Mountain Log Ride attraction this January. The classic attraction, opened at the park in 1969 and remains one of the most elaborate log flume rides in the United States.

The classic Timber Mountain Log Ride at Knott's Berry Farm will receive a major refurbishment starting in January.

Timber Mountain Log Ride opened at Knott's Berry Farm in 1969 and is one of the oldest log flume rides in the country. Bud Hurlbut, a pioneer in the theme park attraction industry, designed the ride along with the park's classic Calico Mine Ride.

The $3.5 million Calico Log Ride, as it was originally named, is housed within an eight-story building and includes hollow log-shaped boats that float in a 330-foot long flume filled with 24,000 gallons of water. Along the journey riders float past mechanical figures, taxidermied animals, and ultimately plunge down a thrilling 42-foot waterfall.

The attraction originally debuted on July 11, 1969 with screen legend John Wayne taking the inaugural ride.

Knott's claims the Timber Mountain Log Ride remains the most popular ride in the park, surpassing all of the park's other attractions in ridership.

"The Timber Mountain Log Ride not only embodies the spirit of Knott's Berry Farm, but it also set the bar for all themed attractions that came after," says Raffi Kaprelyan, Knott's general manager who worked for Bud Hurlbut from 1979-1983. "Bud Hurlbut made numerous contributions to Knott's Berry Farm, but I think that the Timber Mountain Log Ride remains his crowning achievement."

Garner Hold Productions based in San Bernardino has been hired by Knott's to assist in the revitalization project that is expected to take five months. The company is the world's largest designer and manufacturer of animatronics for theme parks, museums, dining and retail locations and has built nearly 3,000 animatronic figures and hundreds of animated props and show action systems.

Knott's and Garner Hold together will work to upgrade all of the rides figures and sets as well as add new scenes and characters to enhance the ride experience while still maintaining the original theming and storyline of the attraction.