Park Profile
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Persuading Walter Knott
Knott’s Berry Farm founder Walter Knott was not initially interested in the idea of a log ride. Bud Hurlbut had originally planned on designing a rollercoaster that would appear as if it were floating in a trough, but after talking with his friends Ed Morgan and Karl Bacon of Arrow Development it was proposed that the ride be a free-floating conveyance in a water-filled trough. That system – now a staple at amusement parks across the world – was first sold by Arrow to Six Flags Over Texas in1963, however Hurlbut wanted to create more than just a simple log flume at Knott’s. He designed a full-scale model of his proposed attraction, describing in detail to Walter Knott each proposed scene. This time Walter gave Bud the green light and construction began, with Harry Suker working as his right hand man. The ride is also credited with providing the inspiration for highly-themed Splash Mountain flume at nearby Disneyland in Anaheim, famed Walt Disney Imagineer Tony Baxter (and indeed the late Walt Disney himself) being an admirer of Halbut’s work.
The Log Ride in is glory days at Knott’s
We can put new actuators on them that are meant for movement. There might be better ones in five years than there are now.” Timber Mountain continues to be the most popular attraction at
Knott’s, soaking over 2.7 million guests every year. And now it’s looking in great shape once again. Meanwhile the park’s Calico Mine Ride is rumoured for a similar overhaul soon. It’s great to see these classic attractions are still so well loved after Hurlbut’s death almost three years ago at the age of 93.
The Log Ride in its launch year, 1969
knotts.com
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NOVEMBER 2013
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