Knott's Montezooma's Revenge Closing for Extended Refurbishment

© Knott's Berry Farm

Knott's Berry Farm will close their classic Montezooma's Revenge coaster for an extended refurbishment starting after January 10th, the park has announced.  And by "extended" we mean for at least a year, with the park only saying that the ride is scheduled to reopen in 2023.  So while it got in a week or so of running in January, it will be taking the rest of the year off while work is performed.

What work exactly?  That is the big question.  Knott's is being a little vague on exactly what is happening, noting only that "major renovations will be taking place to this historic coaster."  They go on to say that the "flywheel-launched shuttle coaster was the first of its kind and will be upgraded with exciting changes while keeping the ride’s unique charm that our guests have loved for generations."

 

There are rumors that the park may be looking to upgrade the ride's flywheel launch into something more modern (magnets, no doubt), but these are unsubstantiated at this point.  

 

© Knott's Berry Farm

Whatever ends up happening I think it's better than seeing another classic coaster removed entirely!  As coasters get older and more costly that's always an option on the table, so kudos to the park for not going in that direction.   Knott's promises more specifics on the changes later this year.

Montezooma's Revenge opened at Knott's in 1978 and has be thrilling riders at the park for more than four decades.  It's one of Schwarkopf's shuttle loop coasters, of which there are only a handful left operating on the globe.  There are even less that still use the original flywheel launch system.  The ride hits speeds of 55 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds, sends riders through a vertical loop, up a tower, then through the course in reverse.