Tanaka Farms 2020 Pumpkin Farm Tours in Covid Times

Halloween does not have to be cancelled and family traditions can live on in 2020! Tanaka Farms has TWO new Pumpkin Farm Tours that have been updated to Covid-19 standards. Tanaka Farms invited our family to check out the new tours for free, but all thoughts and opinions are mine.

There are two different Pumpkin Farm Tours: The Drive-Thru Pumpkin Farm Experience runs every Saturday and Sunday from September 19th through October 31st and the U-Pick Pumpkin with Wagon Ride runs Monday through Friday from September 21st through October 30th. You must make reservations in advance to enjoy either option. Reservations can be made at TanakaFarms.com. Our family chose the Weekday U-Pick Pumpkin Wagon Ride option.

Weekdays U-Pick Pumpkin with Wagon Ride

Take a wagon ride led by one of our friendly tour guides around our beautiful 30 acre farm! Includes watching us launch the pumpkin cannon, a ride through the barnyard educational exhibit with farm animals, lots of fun stuff to look at, a scarecrow contest, sunflowers (currently growing, should be in peak bloom in late October), U-Pick veggies, and a pumpkin you pick yourself! Please note you will not exit the wagon until it is time to pick your vegetables and pumpkin. This activity lasts about one hour.

• Monday through Friday by reservation only
• Tickets: $25 per person, ages 2 and under are FREE, Active and Retired Military FREE
• Guided wagon tour (wagons are limited to 20 people max, 10 per car)
• Pumpkin Cannon Launch
• Pumpkin Display, Scarecrow Contest, Wall of Pumpkins, Sugar Spider Cane
• Animal exhibit with farm animals (we saw goats, alpacas, and pigs!)
• U-Pick produce where you pick 3 veggies
• Walk the pumpkin patch and find your perfect pumpkin!

Weekend Drive-Thru Pumpkin Farm Experience

A leisurely 1.5 mile drive around our beautiful 30-acre farm! Includes a pumpkin, samples, a barnyard educational exhibit with farm animals, lots of fun stuff to look at, a scarecrow contest, sunflowers (they are growing right now, should be in peak bloom late October), and more! This option is an in-vehicle only option. You will not be exiting your vehicle, except for one optional stop where you will pull off the path so you can pick your own pumpkin in the fields.Thank you for understanding. (Please note that there is a 9 1/2 foot vehicle height clearance.)

• Weekends only, reservations must be made in advance
• Tickets: $20 a person, ages 2 and under are FREE, Active and Retired Military are FREE
• Enjoy the farm from the comfort of your own car (masks are still required)
• Drive through the same path as the wagon tour and enjoy the decorated pumpkin display, scarecrow contest, Wall of Pumpkins and Sugar Spider Cane.
• Does NOT include Pumpkin Cannon or U-Pick veggies stop
• EXCLUSIVE scavenger hunt, pre-bagged samples of pumpkin seeds and candy corn, and Pumpkin Wall Selfie opportunity.
• At the end of the tour, park your car and walk the pumpkin fields to pick your perfect pumpkin.

Which Tour Should You Pick?

In terms of safety and risk, the weekend Drive-Thru tour will limit your exposure to other people outside of your household since you are in the safety of your own personal car during the hour tour. The only interaction you would have with staff is when they check you in, hand you samples (you can sanitize them as soon as they’re in your car), and if you choose to hand your phone to the worker to have your picture taken at the Wall of Pumpkins.

In terms of photo ops, I thought I would get “better” photos from the wagon, but the wagon actually moved pretty briskly and did not stop in front of the Wall of Pumpkins for a photo. I did manage to snap quick photos from inside the wagon. For the Drive-Thru Weekend tour, you can go at your own pace AND stop at the designated Wall of Pumpkins for a “selfie”. Both experiences allow you to get out of the wagon or car so you can snap photos in the pumpkin patch.

Each experience follows strict Covid guidelines, and I felt safe during the U-Pick Wagon tour. Since we are a family of four, we shared a wagon with 2 other families (each family had 2 adults and a toddler). Our family sat in the center of one side of the wagon, and the other 2 families were spread out in the far corners so we were appropriately socially distanced. Masks are strictly enforced for everyone over the age of 3, employees included.

Pumpkin Patch Rules

With either option, you’ll be able to pick your own pumpkin in the pumpkin patch. You must be able to carry your pumpkin out by yourself. This means adults can not help kids carry larger pumpkins, and you are limited to what you can physically carry (I really pushed my limits here, but I was able to get the largest pumpkin of my dreams!). They do provide wheelbarrows for you to roll to your car, but you have to get it to the wheelbarrow first! Tanaka Farms offers a variety of pumpkins including pumpkins still growing on the vine, unique fantasy pumpkins like Cinderella Pumpkins, yellow, white, and green pumpkins, and smaller sugar pie pumpkins which are great for little hands. You can also purchase extra pumpkins on your way out, but your ticket entitles you to one pumpkin.

Is it Worth It?

With tickets being $20-$25 each, the price definitely adds up especially if you have multiple kids. But remember that the price also includes the cost of a pumpkin AND the Tanaka Farms experience. I checked prices of pumpkins at our local grocery stores and they run about $10 for the fancy pumpkins. Even at 99 cents a pound, my larger than life 50+ pound pumpkin could have easily cost me over $50. For the additional price, you also get the full Farm tour AND the opportunity to pick your own pumpkin straight from the vine. Also, every dollar you spend goes to supporting an Asian owned small business!

Know Before You Go

• Remember that this is a working farm with uneven dirt ground! We were comfortable in flip flops, but close toed shoes are recommended. You will probably leave dirty and dusty, so bring hand wipes or a change of shoes.
• Parking is included with price of tour
• Pick an early tour time for the best selection of pumpkins.
• Portapotties and handwashing stations are available.
• Light snacks and drinks are available for purchase in the outdoor giftshop
• Strollers are welcomed, but it may be hard to push on the dirt terrain.
• Masks are required for everyone age 3 and up
• As mentioned on their website, please do not check in with people outside of your household. No groups of any size are allowed to gather outside of your quarantine pod. Further Covid-19 information can be found at TanakaFarms.com.

For more family adventures in Orange County, find us on Instagram @LittleGrayThread

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jenielle•LittleGray•LittleSage (@littlegraythread)

Rare Characters You can Meet at Knott’s Spooky Farm

Knott’s Spooky Farm (not to be confused with Haunt Knott’s SCARY Farm) is the daytime family friendly Halloween layover in Ghost Town and Camp Snoopy.  You do not need a special ticket for Knott’s Spooky Farm since it is included with your theme park admission.  The activities in Ghost Town are only available on weekends and on October 31 while Halloween activities occur daily in Camp Snoopy.

Daily Activities in Camp Snoopy (During the week and weekends)

• “The Monsters are Coming Charlie Brown” show in Camp Snoopy Theater
• Meet the Peanuts Gang in their Halloween Costumes (more on that later)
• Grand Sierra Railroad Halloween Overlay
• Timber Mountain Log Ride: Halloween Hootenanny (this may be scary for young kids)

Weekend only Activities in Ghost Town (in addition to activities above)

• FREE Trick or Treating for kids 11 and under.  Get your complementary purple bag when you first come in through the maingates.  There are 6 Trick or Treat locations located throughout Calico.  Look for the orange barrels.
• Meet the Ghouls of Ghost Town.  Don’t worry–they’re all friendly ghosts!
• Ghoulash–about every hour, the ghouls gather in front of the school house to tell jokes
• Creepy Critters of Calico in the Livery Barn
• Linus’ Pumpkin Patch and activities in Calico Square
• “Calling all the Monsters” Costume Contest at Camp Snoopy Theater at 3:15
• Spooky Story Time show in the Birdcage Theater–comedic retelling of the Tale of the Headless Horseman

Halloween Peanuts Characters in Camp Snoopy

Most of the Peanuts Gang is dressed up in their Halloween costumes for Spooky Farm!  Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, and JT meet in the gazebo directly following “The Monsters are Coming Charlie Brown” show in Camp Snoopy Theater.  Linus is the only character that is not wearing a Halloween costume since he is waiting for the Great Pumpkin in Calico Square.  The other Peanuts Characters meet on various days all around Camp Snoopy.  If you are looking for a specific character, you can ask an escort in a purple Spooky Farm tee shirt.

• JT in her 50’s outfit
• Snoopy as the Masked Beagle
• Frankenstein Charlie Brown
• Witch Lucy
• Skeleton Pig Pen (NEW!)
• Pumpkin Flower Sally
• Phantom of the Opera Schroeder
• Mummy Peppermint Patty
• Vampire Franklin
• Pirate Woodstock
• Linus in the Pumpkin Patch in Calico Square (no costume)

Ghouls in Ghost Town

My favorite part of Knotts Spooky Farm is playing with the friendly ghouls in Calico!  Every ghoul has a unique storyline–ask them how they died!  New ghoul Miss Issippi told me that the reason why she died is because she wore white after labor day.  Nosy Posy is another new ghoul in town that is also known as the town gossip.  Ollie Board is a railroad driver and my daughters love chasing him through Ghost Town.  About every hour, the ghouls will congregate around the School House for “Ghoulash”, a time for jokes and puns.

Knott’s Spooky Farm runs weekends and on October 31.  For more information, visit the Knott’s website here.

Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween Party at the Disneyland Resort

 

Have you heard the news?  The special ticketed Halloween Party at the Disneyland Resort is ALL NEW and reimagined this year!  “Oogie Boogie Bash — A Halloween Party”, which takes place at Disney California Adventure, as replaced “Mickey’s Halloween Party” that was previously held at Disneyland.  We were able to attend on opening night and I was blown away by all the new villainous immersive treat trails and exclusive live entertainment!

Oogie Boogie Bash Event Details

The following information was taken from the Oogie Boogie Bash website:

• Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party at Disney California Adventure Park
• Select nights September 17 through October 31, 2019
• Party 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
• Park mix-in begins at 2:00 PM on Sundays as well as October 29 and 31, 2019
• Park mix-in begins at 3:00 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays
• All tickets are sold out (tickets ranged from $100-$145. All guests age 3 and up need a separate Oogie Boogie Bash ticket even if you have a Disneyland Resort Annual Pass)
• Your ticket lets you enjoy Disney California Adventure Park for up to 4 hours before Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party begins. Once the party starts, you’ll be treated to 5 hours of shindig shenanigans—including special Halloween-themed entertainment, attractions, Character Greetings and more.

Immersive Villain Treat Trails

There are 5 character Treat Trails in additional to other Treat Trails that have several candy spots within the same trail.  You definitely are going to want to hit the character treat trails.  The Treat Trails are marked by a huge green glowing Oogie Boogie that has “Treat Trail” written on his belly.  All of the Treat Trail markers look the same, so you can’t tell visually what character is inside (if there is one).  Each trail has multiple candy stops along the way (about 4-5 per trail with each stop handing out a few pieces of candy per stop).  There is also an exclusive Annual Passholder Treat Trail by Goofy’s Sky School where you can pick up your AP Oogie Boogie magnet.  Here is the location to the 5 character Treat Trails:

• Maleficent:  to the left of Soaring over the World (outdoors)
• Evil Queen: near the entrance of Grizzly River Rapids (outdoors)
• Tim Burton’s Mad Hatter: in the Hyperion Theater in Hollywood Land
• Dr. Facilier: in Stage 17 near Monster’s Inc Mike and Sully to the Rescue
• Oogie Boogie:  in Animation Academy

All of the villains are on platforms so there is no official line to take a photo with them.  They are mic’ed and will interact with you as you pass by their station.  You are welcome to snap a quick photo, but there are no photopass at this locations.  Since Maleficent and the Evil Queen are both located outdoors, I recommend hitting these treat trails first so it’s not too dark to take photos.

Character Meet and Greets

Rare characters only come out during Oogie Boogie Bash!  The longest line was for sure the Kingdom Hearts characters.  We got to meet Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable.  In the Villains section, guests could meet Shan Yu from Mulan, King George from Robin Hood, Radcliffe from Pocahontas, the Big Bad Wolf, among others.

• Classic Disney Friends (Carthay Circle Fountain):  Pinocchio/Blue Fairy and Snow White/Dopey
• Friends from Disney Channel (Pacific Wharf near the restrooms):  Kim Possible/Ron Stoppable and Phineas/Ferb
• Friends From Disney Afternoon (Grizzly Peak Airfield by Soarin’):  Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers and Don Karnage/Baloo Tale Spin
• Friends from Kingdom Hearts (Grizzly Falls Waterfall):  Donald and Goofy
• Minnie and Mickey (Grizzly River Run)
• Loki (roaming Hollywood Land near Stage 17)
• Gamora (Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout)
• Anna and Elsa (Animation Academy)
• Cars Land Cars (Cozy Cone Motel)
• Pixar Friends (Pixar Bandshell by Mickey’s Funwheel)
• Incredibles (Incredicoaster)

DescenDANCE

Inspired by Descendants, this Villain Kids dance party features the Greatest Dance Crew from the Isle of the Lost!  Show times to the DescenDANCE dance crew are listed on the Disneyland App (6:15 pm, 7:30 pm, 8:45 pm, 9:45 pm, and 10:30 pm).  The show lasts about 20 minutes where you’ll learn fun dances from the Isle of the Lost.  At the end the of the show, the dancers come out to the crowd with a huge dragon!

In between Dance Crew sets, the DescenDANCE DJ takes the stage with fun dancing activities!  The kids loved playing freeze dance and dancing along with their favorite songs.

Mickey’s Trick & Treat 

The cutest show in the Disney Junior Dance Party Theater in Hollywood Land!  This all new show features Parker, a friendly mad scientist, who is hosting a Halloween Costume party with Minnie and Mickey!  You’ll also see Donald and Goofy in never before seen Halloween costumes.  Mickey’s Trick & Treat is interactive with bubbles, confetti, and a treat station at the end!  Show times are 6:25 pm, 7:10 pm, 7:55 pm, 9:25 pm and 10:15 pm.

Villains Grove

The most popular new attraction is the Villains Grove walk through at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.  It is an immersive light show with multi-sensory effects as you follow the Wisps from Brave through the woods.  This walk through does not have Treat Trail candy stations and does not have any characters inside.  Don’t be scared by the long entry line–it does move fast!  Strollers are not allowed in the trail and there are stairs during the trail.  It is possible to go through with a wheelchair or scooter if absolutely necessary.  This experience does not begin until 7:20, so I do not recommend lining up right at 6:00 when the party starts.

Frightfully Fun Parade and the Headless Horseman

The nightly parade steps off at Pixar Pier at 8:00 with the Headless Horseman and Ichabod Crane.  Frightfully Fun Parade officially starts at 8:10 with characters including Minnie and Mickey, Jack and Sally, the Hitchhiking Ghosts.  New this years the Cheshire Cat who is on the finale Villains float.  My personal favorites are the gravediggers with sparking shovels, haunted ballroom court dancers, and Ursuala!

Villainous! World of Color

There are two showings of Villainous! World of Color:  9:00 and 10:45.  Villainous! follows the story of a little girl named Shelley Marie who is having a hard time picking a Halloween Costume.  After she steps through a magic mirror, she is encountered by different villains to help make her decision.  There have been mixed reviews about this particular World of Color show, but I say if you’ve spent so much on an exclusive Halloween Party Ticket, make the most of it and see all the entertainment!  We ended up seeing the 10:45 show and it was the perfect way to end our Oogie Boogie Bash.

Costumes!

A huge reason to attend Oogie Boogie Bash is because its one of the few times that adults can wear costumes into the parks!  We went with the Villains theme and the kids wore their Ursula and Queen of Hearts dresses that I made (I bought this hoop skirt for them to wear under which really oomphs up the dress!).  Even though I am super resistant to dressing up, my best friend reminded me that one day my kids won’t want anything to do with me and to take every opportunity to have fun with them while I can.  I went super simple and wore a black tank top and skirt from my closet.  I glue gunned together some Maleficent horns on a headband (purple sparkly paint, too!) and sewed up a simple purple and black cape.  In adherence to Disneyland’s Costume policy, all costume pieces (including capes) can not be dragging on the floor and capes can not tie around the neck.  Luckily, I fashioned the cape to tie around my shoulder straps instead of around my neck.  A complete list of costume guidelines can be found on the Oogie Boogie Bash website.

Is it Worth It?

I know it’s hard thinking about dropping another $100+ for everyone in your family, but the Oogie Boogie Bash was 100% worth it!  Everything was NEW this year and only available at the Halloween Party.  Our family loves and prioritizes live entertainment so this was a definite must for us.  We loved the new Mickey Trick & Treat show and the DescenDANCE dance party was reason enough to get tickets.  We also got a ton of candy from the Treat Trails and it was so special seeing the characters in their party exclusive costumes.  If you didn’t get a chance to get tickets this year, don’t delay on getting them before they sell out for next year!

For more of our theme park adventures at Disneyland, follow us on Instagram @LittleGrayThread.

What I Learned from Disney Social Media Celebration “On the Road”

I can still feel that excitement when I checked my email and found the invitation to Disney Social Media Celebration “On the Road” (#DisneySMC) at the Disneyland Resort.  In previous years, this conference was known as “Disney Social Media Moms” (#DisneySMMC), but I love how they have opened it up to all content creators, not just specific to “Mommy Bloggers”.  This was my first official Disney conference that I’ve been invited to and I honestly didn’t know what to expect.  I attended the conference free of charge and was provided with complementary tickets to Disneyland for my family.  All opinions are my own.

What is Disney SMC?

 

Disney Social Media Celebration, or “DisneySMC” is a invite-only conference that takes place about every other year at a Disney Resort.  I attended DisneySMC “On the Road” at the Disneyland Resort hosted at the Disneyland Hotel.  There were nine speakers (mediated by Courtnee Collier, Influencer Communications Manager) throughout the day that spoke about different topics how we can improve our Social Media Reach:

• Bob Hitchcock (Editorial Content Director):  importance of video content and the power of emotion
• Mallory Wang (Digital Marketing Content for Disney DTCI Programming and Studios):  how social platforms (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook) can all work together
• Louie Provost (Senior VP of Production at Walt Disney Studios): sneak peek of Maleficent: Mistress of Evil coming to theaters October 18
• John Breckow (Director of Corporate Citizenship for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products):  Cultural Social Responsibility and how Disney partners with Make-a-Wish (130,000 wishes granted since 1980!), #ShareYourEars campaign, and Disney VoluntEARing
•  Tom Smith (Editorial Content Director for Disney Parks Blog):  Custom Created Content using your Platform, Ecosystem, and Community
• Michael Ramirez (Editorial Content Director for Disneyland Resort):  New things coming to Disneyland Resort–Halloweentime (through October 31, The Holidays Begin Here (November 8 – January 6), Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Rise of the Resistance (January 17, 2020), Magic Happens Parade (Spring 2020), and Avengers Campus (2020)
• Colleen Nettekoven (Downtown Disney):  new Halloweentime decor and limited time seasonal offerings and live entertainment.  West Beat Sings Scareolers will be performing every Wednesday and Friday night in front of Wonderground
• Kristin Dewberry (Construction Manager for Logistics):  empowering the next generation of imagineers through free tools from Imagineering in a Box (imagineeringinabox.org)
• Ashley Eckstein (voice of Star Wars Ashoka Tano and creator of HerUniverse):  Reminding us to wish, believe, do, transform, and trust.

Key Note Speaker Ashley Eckstein

You might recognize Ashley Eckstein‘s name as a Disney Channel actress and voice of Star War Ashoka Tano, but you might have not known that she created women’s clothing line HerUniverse from the ground up.  In her key note address, she reminded us why we’re all doing what we’re doing in the social media world and what to do when we want to give up.

What is Your Story?

We all have a story, and we all have a unique voice.  A group of bloggers can all see the same thing and go to the same event, but our coverage–or the way we tell our story–will all be different.  Ashley reminded us that all of our stories are valid.  We are not in competition with each other because we are here to tell our unique stories.

When I think of my story, I think of the things that make me unique.  I like to tell my story through the eyes of my daughters who love dressing up, characters, and live entertainment.  My unique parenting style focuses on inclusion and I hope that my actions can start conversations or break down walls with other people.  Since I am Chinese, I also act as an advocate for people of color and speak up to amplify voices that are sometimes too small to be heard.  My audience knows to expect these things from me and I appreciate that they want to hear my voice.

Wishes, Goals, and Transformation

When Ashley had an idea to start a women’s clothing line, she had big goals in mind.  For bloggers, goals can be anywhere from being invited to events to making enough money to support your family.  Goals can be personal such as having a pinterest worthy clean house or being debt free.  Ashley broke it down on how we can start achieving these goals.

• WISH.  Every goal needs to start with a wish or an idea.  There is no age limit to wishing.
• BELIEVE.  Write down one impossible thing and believe you can do it.  Believe in yourself and don’t be consumed by the competition.
• DO.  YOU have to be the driving force of your own destiny.  Do something every day to get you one step closer to your goal.
• TRANSFORM.  Use the resources you have.  No one is an overnight success.  Figure out your “WHY?”  Remember why you have this goal and use it to refocus and ground yourself when things get hard.
• TRUST.  Trust your gut.  Be ready for change because change is a necessary part of growth.

Ashley encouraged us to be Dream Warriors.  Make your dreams come true.  And when they do come true, help someone else’s dream come true.  Let that sink in for a little bit.

How to get Invited to DisneySMC

You’re not going to like this answer.  Nobody knows.  I still don’t know how I got invited  or who to contact to try to get on their radar.  But here are some things that I’ve learned that has helped me feel validated as a blogger.

• NETWORK.  A good portion of social media is the people you know.  Be active in the community, meet people who you look up to, collaborate and make new connections.
• PRODUCE QUALITY CONTENT.  If you want to be invited to a Disney conference, you need to be writing about Disney!  I’ve been sharing our Disneyland adventures for four years before Disney even knew who I was.  This means staying current about whats new at Disney, paying attention to trends, and making an effort to report things that will serve your audience.
• BE A STORYTELLER.  Talk about things that make you YOU.  When I looked around the room at DisneySMC, I saw people from every walks of life.  The vast majority of the influencers at the conference do not ONLY post Disney content.  We all write about what makes us unique, the things we’re passionate about, things that we think are important.  Our distinct backgrounds, writing styles, how we share information was all different and that’s what makes people stand out from the crowd.
• TREAT YOURSELF LIKE A PROFESSIONAL.  If you think of yourself as a member of the working media, you will present yourself with confidence.  Even when I have no idea what I’m doing, I try to give off an air of confidence not only to fool me but to fool everyone else in the room.  This also means that you have to do your due diligence to make sure that you are following FTC guidelines, keeping up with contracts, and acting in a way that would be pleasing to the company and brands.
• REMEMBER YOUR WHY.  Like Ashley said, remember why you are doing social media to begin with.  Is it to inspire?  Make money? Be helpful?  If you stick to achieving your goals, you are still succeeding every step of the way.

I left the conference armed with new tools to help tell my story.  I felt validated and seen.  I’m beyond grateful that Disney is interested in hearing my voice.  Thank you Disney for this incredible opportunity.

Everything You Need to Know about Knott’s Scary Farm

Get ready for the fog!  Knott’s Scary Farm is coming to Knott’s Berry Farm on select nights September 19 through November 2.  Last year was my first time at Haunt and I had no idea what to expect!  Here is everything you need to know about this high thrill Halloween event!

What is Knott’s Scary Farm

Knott’s Scary Farm, or “Haunt” for short, is a separate ticketed event on select Halloween season nights.  It is a high thrill scary Halloween event with monsters, mazes, scare zones, and themed shows.  Even though there is no enforced age limit, it is recommended for guests age 13 and up.  Knott’s Scary Farm should not be confused with Knott’s Spooky Farm which is the family friendly Halloween event that happens during daytime hours on weekends at Knott’s Berry Farm.

Things to do at Scary Farm

Be prepared to get scared!  Scare Zones are locations in the parks where monsters roam free.  They can stalk, jump, slide, yell, shake cans of beans, but never touch you (and you should never touch them!).  Mazes are huge sets that you walk through where monsters can jump out.  These are the main attraction of Scary Farm and lines for these can get very long.  If you need a break from frights, catch a show for some comedic relief.

Scare Zones

• Ghost Town Streets:  monsters and sliders (scare actors who skid on their knees) in the Ghost Town Calico area
• Carnevil:  clowns in the Boardwalk area from Johnny Rockets to Xcellerator (by Hangtime)
• The Hollows:  monsters in the Camp Snoopy area with occasional show stops by the waterfall
• Forsaken Lake:  calvacade that happens just past the railroad tracks near the Log Ride entrance (pathway to Fiesta).  NEW this year is a bigger and better parade.

Shows

• Awaken the Dead Fiesta:  Dia de los muertos dancers with a live dj (not scary), located on the stage in Fiesta Village
• The Conjuring:  Improv show now located in the Birdcage Theater in Ghost Town (not scary)
• The Hanging:  big nightly show on the outdoor Calico Stage featuring current pop culture trends (not scary)
• NEW! Brian Henson’s Puppet Up:  part improv, part puppet show, completely unscripted and uncensored.  Located in the Charles M Schulz Theater (not scary but likely very raunchy)

Mazes

• NEW Wax Works:  Former Plastic Surgeon turned Wax Collector enjoys turning people into his demented works of art

• NEW Origins: the Curse of Calico:  Finally a maze that links together a scare zone, the Hanging, and a maze.  Origins: The Curse of Calico tells the story of how a witch cursed the land of Calico before her attempted hanging.  The fog that covers the Ghost Town Streets scare zone represents the witch’s curse.  This brand new maze will take place near the Ghost Town cemetery.  Keep your eyes out for some familiar Ghost Town Alive faces!

• FINAL YEAR Shadowlands
• FINAL YEAR Special Ops Infected:  (zombie maze with laser gun).  New this year is a split track to make each walk through spontaneous and unique
• Dark Entities:  improved lighting and enhanced scares
• The Depths:  new elevator scene
• Dark Ride:  Gift shop added at the end
• Pumpkin Eater
• Paranormal Inc

NEW Exclusive Merchandise

The Iron Reef gift shop located near the Charles M Schulz Theater has been rethemed for Hallowen and is now called the “Bizarre Bazaar”.  Yes, there is a Knott’s Scary Farm spirit jersey.  Is it even a theme park if there wasn’t a coordinating spirit jersey?

Also new this year are commemorative pins.  There are 4 for 2019 celebrating the new mazes (Origins and Wax Works) and the two mazes in its finale year (Shadowlands and Ops).  Each pin is priced at $9.95 before tax.  Also be on the look out for exclusive desserts and dining options only available during Haunt!

Admission Dates and Prices

Thursdays through Sundays from September 19 through November 2.  If you have a single day ticket or Season Pass to Knott’s Berry Farm, you will need a separate ticket for Scary Farm.  Hours are Thursdays and Sundays 7pm-1am, and Fridays and Saturday 7pm-2am.  Note that regular Knott’s Berry Farm daily hours end a little bit earlier on Scary Farm days (weekends close at 5:00!).  Even if you are staying for Haunt, you will have to exit the park since they completely clear out the park before letting people in for the after hours event.

• Single Night Admission:  $84 at the gates
• Save money and buy tickets online:  Single night admission starting at $43 at http://www.knottsscaryfarm.com
• Scary Farm Season Pass:  $100 for non passholders, $90 for passholders
• Fright and Fast Lane Pass:  starting at $90 add on to bypass the line of all mazes and Fast Lane eligible roller coasters (HIGHLY recommended)

• Knott’s Scary Farm Boo-fet and early entry:  Dine with the monsters before Scary Farm at this dinner buffet.  $37.99 (Scary Farm admission required and not included).  Includes refillable souvenir cup ($14.99 value), one digital download photo with a monster at the dinner, and early entry so you can beat the popular maze lines
• Visit www.knottsscaryfarm.com for exclusive bundle discounts and additional discounts for Season Passholders

Frequently Asked Questions

• This is a separate ticketed event from daytime Knott’s Berry Farm.  You will need to buy a ticket even if you have an Annual Pass.
• Meal plans are NOT valid during Haunt, but souvenir drink refills ARE VALID.
• Parking passes ARE VALID (and police are extra vigilant about ticketing in illegal parking areas in neighborhoods).  A parking pass can be bought ahead of time for $22.
• There is no age limit enforced, but this event is recommended for guests age 13 and up.
• DON’T TOUCH THE SCARE ACTORS.  They are people too.

What ticket should I get?

If there’s the slightest chance that you would want to go more than once, definitely get the Knott’s Scary Farm Season pass ($90-$100).  It pays for itself in under 2 visits and you won’t feel pressured to do all the mazes in one evening.  If you only have one day to visit, I would highly consider the Fright and Fast Lane wristband (starting at $90 add on or $125 bundled with admission).  Lines for mazes can easily be over an hour long and the only way to see everything is with the front of the line pass.  If you don’t want to spend quite that much, I would book a Boo-fet dinner which allows you early entry ($37.99 add on or $77.99 with admission).  Since this includes the souvenir cup valued at $14.99, you’re basically paying $23 for a great meal and access to mazes with a short wait time.

Get ready for Haunt and see you in the fog!  For more of our adventures at Knott’s Berry Farm, follow us on instagram @littlegraythread.  Photos courtesy of Knott’s Berry Farm.