Our Favorite Knott's Berry Farm Memories

Disclosure:  This post is a collaboration with Knott's Berry Farm.  All thoughts are my own.

I live in Buena Park so I always get warm fuzzy feelings when we pass Knott's Berry Farm.  I'm always tempted to check-in on FourSquare too.  You would think by growing up in Southern California that I would get used to the Knott's skyline but the pride never goes away, it only grows.  I just feel a strong connection to the memories I made as a kid visiting the park and now bringing my own kids!  Knott's is an extension of our family, it is home for us and the memories we've made over the years are priceless - worth more than the cost of a season pass!

Knott's Merry Farm 
Not surprised this got so many votes.  We love the holidays at the farm!  We've been two years in a row and it is one of our newest family traditions.  It's Christmas, Snoopy! ice show is my absolute favorite, it is enchanting and a must every year.  The Gift of The Magi is another family favorite - the story made the kids really think about Christmas beyond gifts.  I wish it was December already!

It's Christmas, Snoopy!

Boardwalk Opening
I was lucky I got to cover the official opening of the Boardwalk and visit again later with my family.  I was thrilled to show off Boardwalk Bay, Coast Rider, Surfside Gliders and Pacific Scrambler.  Duke screamed like crazy on Pacific Scrambler and I could not stop laughing.  My favorite ride growing up was the log ride so it was awesome to try out the new remodel of Timber Mountain Log Ride with the family!    

This picture was probably taken before Duke screamed his head off!

Camp Spooky
Camp Spooky is another new family tradition for us - we absolutely love seeing Camp Snoopy transform for Halloween!  It is cute seeing all the little monsters and princesses trick-or-treating!

Our favorite dog!

Favorite Food at Knott's

• Mrs. Knott's Fried Chicken
• Boysenberry Punch
• Funnel Cake
• Churro Sundae
• Carne Asada Fries from La Papa Loca
• Ribeye from Ghost Town Grill 

Knott's Skyline
On a good day, you can see the skyline from the 5 freeway - the kids know when they see it, we're home.



Knott's Berry Farm is giving away FOUR SEASON PASSES - enter for a chance to win here.

Eight Candles At Pirate's Dinner Adventure, Buena Park

Disclosure:  Pirate's Dinner Adventure graciously provided tickets for my family and I to check out the show.  All thoughts are my own.

We surprised Duke for this 8th Birthday by celebrating at Pirate's Dinner Adventure.  We live in Buena Park so we drive by all the time and wonder what fun goes on in there!  I have a tendency to be a little ocd when it comes to planning but promised myself that I'd let loose this year and not look at reviews. This is what I knew: dinner would be served and there would be pirates.  What I didn't expect was an interactive adventure from start to finish.

Get there early for the h'orderves and pre-show.  Yep, a show before the show.  We roamed around and found most of the h'orderves were being served in the area farthest from the entrance.  Our favorites were fresh veggies and dip, sweet potato tots and corn fritters.  We happened to be standing right in front of the bar when the pre-show started.  We got a little startled but I'd say it was the best place to be.

The show takes place on a replicated 18th-century Spanish galleon measuring 46 feet long, 18 feet wide with 40-foot masts and anchored in a 250,000 gallon indoor lagoon with night sky lighting.  We were ushered to our seats in ships surrounding the lagoon and got to meet our pirate, the red pirate Cutthroat Jack!

Dinner is served during the show and you start off with soup or salad.  I requested the VIP (Very Important Pirate) Kids Meal for the two littles - it was chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes and corn.  My birthday boy ate it up and wanted me to ask for another serving (that's a rare request from him).  The rest of us chose the roasted half chicken with rice and veggies.  Dessert was brownie a la mode.  

The show is a classic tale of good vs. evil with the perfect blend of action, comedy and romance.  We were amazed at the special effects wizardry, aerial artistry, swashbuckling swordplay and dynamic duels.

Rise of the Sea Dragon is very interactive, my birthday boy loved having the opportunity to board the ship!

A birthday cake for a birthday pirate!

After the show you can take pictures with the pirates!
Cutthroat Jack & Duke!


Our family had the best time!  The all-new show, "Rise of the Sea Dragon" is only a couple years old - we want to return in October for the Halloween-themed show, "Vampirate's" and in December for the holiday show, "Pirates Take Christmas".

Tickets for the 2014 Season are $58.95 plus tax for adults (12 years and older) and $39.95 plus tax for children (3-11 years old).  Show times vary, please call for show times & schedule (714) 690-1497

Pirate's Dinner Adventure is located off the 91 Freeway in Buena Park at 7600 Beach Blvd.

Start New Family Traditions At Knott's Merry Farm

I'm officially ready for Christmas!  I know we're still in November and Thanksgiving hasn't happened yet but I'm itching to get my shopping done so we can focus on our annual visit to Knott's Merry Farm! I had an amazing time with my family - we didn't expect to love The Gift of the Magi show so much and can't wait to see it again this year.  Another unexpected surprise was the It's Christmas Snoopy! Ice Show.  We were blown away by the ice skating moves.  Blown away.  This year we plan on visiting Santa's Christmas Cabin where you can take photos with Santa, sample wine and craft beer and fill your tummy up with Santa's Sundae Bar.  There's also Snoopy's Tree Lighting, Snoopy's Magical Night of Lights, Calico Carolers, Lucy’s Wish List at the Camp Snoopy Theater and MORE!  New traditions made our family stronger - how do you celebrate the season?



I wanted to share this amazing deal - Knott's 2014 Season Passes with unlimited visits can be purchased online starting at $78.00 or with six easy installment payments of $13.00, for a limited time. Knott’s Season Pass program offers its members discounts, special Season Pass Holder events and more.

2014 Season Passes Include:

• Easy pay payment program (for a limited time)
• One FREE visit during the 2013 season
• Additional visits for just $9.99 each through December 31, 2013*
• Unlimited visits for the entire 2014 season with no blackout dates
• Access to Knott’s great seasonal offerings, including Knott’s Merry Farm, Knott’s Berry Bloom,
and Camp Spooky
• Discounts at select food and merchandise locations
• Discounts on Knott’s Scary Farm Tickets
• Early Ride Time on select rides during summer season
*Per Pass Holder/non-transferrable 
** Per Pass Holder /per day/ non-transferrable.

To purchase passes and find additional information on all Knott’s Berry Farm has to offer, visit www.knotts.com

Trick-Or-Treating At Buena Park Downtown

I'm going through our Halloween night pictures and just noticed how diverse my city is.  We actually didn't even plan on spending Halloween at Buena Park Downtown but the neighborhoods were empty.  It turned out to be the best time ever.  And next year we'll be trick-or-treating in our well-lit, safe, warm and dry mall again!  Love my city!

I was a big banana for my little minion.  Chris put on Brobee's costume after we took a family vote.  He made so many kids happy!  This was a last minute costume for Duke.  After being Toy Story Andy at Disneyland, a skeleton at Knott's and then finding a cape for $1 a thrift store and digging through his closet for a foam top hat, suit jacket, t-shirt with a tie printed on it and a pair of his black jeans - he was a magician!  

Stores had these helpful signs up to alert trick-or-treaters and parents who was Halloween friendly (You bet I made a mental note of who wasn't!)

Matching costumes are thee best!

The cat was so cute!

Duke was so excited to see Woody and Buzz that he asked them if he could take pictures (I think it made all of their night special)  Too bad he wasn't Andy!

Seriously, how cute are they!

I chased La Chilindrina and El Chapulin down for this picture!  So adorbs!

This little cowboy was so shy!  Parents who dress up with their kids on Halloween are awesome.


So this was hilarious.  My husband Chris who is Mexican saw this Mexican and had to take a picture with him.  Classic!  

Till next year folks!

Halloween Fun At #CampSpooky

Duke went crazy when the invite came in for the Camp Spooky media preview event at Knott's Berry Farm.  I'll admit I was excited too.  We had an incredible time last year.  Halloween can be scary for a kid but Camp Spooky makes it cute and fun.  I know if we weren't invited, we would've treated the littles out for a day of fun at Knott's anyways!  What I love about Camp Spooky is that kids (& parents!) are encouraged to wear their costumes and get a head start on trick-or-treating.  It is absolutely adorable watching skeletons, ninjas and princesses get on rides and scream their cute faces off.  If Halloween is one of your favorite times of the year, this is the perfect way to kick off your Fall festivities!  For information on Camp Spooky, check out my detailed post here!

My skeleton always wants to ride the McDonald's car!

Monster Factory is a new maze this year - Duke loved finding all the monsters on his own!  And at the very end, there's a special treat!  (Better than candy!)

Rocky Road Trucking Company is one of their faves!

Duke didn't want to go in the cave at first...

Spooky good fun for the kids!

Kids learning to walk like a monster!

Ooo scarecrow and a witch!

My littles are so cute in their year-round "Halloween" gear

We ran into Dracula when we were leaving!!!  EEK!