Knott’s to add horseback Pony Express coaster

Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park will add a $10-million horseback Pony Express ride in May 2008 based on the Zamperla motorcycle roller coaster (click here to watch video).

Visitors will ride astride one of a team of 16 roller-horses, launched from 0-38 miles per hour in three seconds to a height of 44 feet.

Boasting the slogan “Riders Wanted,” the 1,300-foot-long ride will start in Ghost Town near Boot Hill Cemetery and wind its way past the Charles Schulz Theater toward Big Foot Rapids and back.

The 48-inch-minimum-height coaster includes:
* Hairpin turns
* 60-degree banks
* Whoop-de-do camel humps
* Low-to-the-ground maneuvers

The Wilderness Scrambler egg-beater ride was removed to make way for Pony Express, but officials say the carnival classic may still find a home somewhere else in the park.

Dreamworld amusement park in Australia opened a motocoaster last week made by a rival ride maker, according to Screamscape.

— Brady MacDonald / Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

[Photo and video: Zamperla]

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at 9:17 am by Brady MacDonald and is filed under Family & Kids, Knott's, San Diego, Theme Parks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.