Ok, I'm trying to decide on going to knotts berry farm or universal studios, which is better with 3 girls 13 and two 10 yrs old. thanks for any info

Deciding for what reason...

If you are in the Anaheim area, I would go to Knott's, the 10 year olds get in for $14.95, and you can usually find a deal for the Adults....

YUCK!! Can't stand Knott's!! It's not well taken care of or clean like Disneyland. Universal is different but I do like it alot and for the age group you have, they will enjoy it too! It's worth the little over one hour drive (Traffic) and on the way back, you can stop at the Disney Soda Shop and store and tell me all about it! :D It's near Hollywood and Highland.

Universal Studios I say

Ok, I'm trying to decide on going to knotts berry farm or universal studios, which is better with 3 girls 13 and two 10 yrs old. thanks for any info

Please be aware that MousePlanet has a thread (a Mouse Pad) dedicated to non-Disneyland theme parks.

One thread is called "Universal Studios / Islands of Adventure"
One thread is called "Parks General".

Perhaps you are better off posting your question there.
The regular posters read and reply to that thread very promptly.
I have posted there, myself.

* * *
In a nutshell. In my opinion.

If RIDES is the primary entertainment, then, hands down, KNOTT's BERRY FARM beats Universal, for both NUMBER and QUANTITY.
If CHARM is the primary value for a theme park, then KNOTT'S has more "charm" in its environment than UNIVERSAL, just looking around, just walking.
It is a nice way to spend the day, in Buena Park, with nearby the WAX MUSEUM and RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT NOT MUSEUM, and (when summertime) SOAK CITY and (when in-season INDEPENDENCE HALL).

But for out-of-state visitors, then no question, UNIVERSAL ought to be visited, because, whereas KNOTT's is a theme park, and a good theme park, it is ONLY a theme park; whereas UNIVERSAL will give you something that no theme park can, i.e., its TOUR OF THE BACKLOT, and two or three shows exposing the making of television shows and movies (namely, BACKDRAFT and SPECIAL EFFECTS STAGES and WATERWORLD).
Thus, I think a visit to UNIVERSAL will be remembered longer than a visit to KNOTT'S.
If driving, you are just over the hill from Hollwood Blvd. and Sunset Blvd., where you can see Grauman's Chinese Theater, or tour nearby WARNER BROTHERS STUDIO or NBC STUDIOS.
Thus, a trip to Universal City keeps you nearby all of Hollywood, and can the day can turn into a nifty TV/MOVIE indulgence.

So, what kind of experience are you looking for? What kind of day do you want for your group?

If your kids like thrill rides I say knotts. If they are into how movies are made and shows i say universal. I have a season pass for knotts and we love it there.
Jen

If you had boys, I'd say Universal - but since you have girls, then Knott's.
By the way, this is my (unscientific) opinion!

I vote Knott's because I think the kids will enjoy it more than Universal.

Personally, I visited one day at each, and found Universal to be quite lacking. If you want rides there really is next to nothing there. The shows are of a very high standard, but if you dont want to be sitting around all day watching shows then you really should be heading over the Knotts. Given the choice between another day at Knotts or another day at Universal, Knott's wins hands down, and I absolutely love Xcelerator. Its my favourite Launched Coaster! (Well, for sheer thrill anyway, I absolutely love Rock n Rollercoaster avec Aerosmith and Space Mountain: Mission 2 for theming and fun)

C°o°lin

knotts is really gross and it is a hangout for all the urban and corrupted youth of that area and buena park is an even bigger ghetto than anaheim not to mention its really dangerous in that area at night

knotts is really gross and it is a hangout for all the urban and corrupted youth of that area and buena park is an even bigger ghetto than anaheim not to mention its really dangerous in that area at night

While we didn't notice this problem - seeing as we left at 5:00 in the afternoon, my husband and I did not enjoy Knotts very much.

To answer the OP's question. If the girls really enjoy thrill rides, Knotts would probably be better. If they don't, the non-thrill rides available are the same as at any carnival or fair (Swinging Ship, spinning cups, etc...).

We really enjoyed universal studios. Jurassic Park and the Mummy ride were both quite enjoyable, the backstage tour was cool, and the shows were amazing! Fear Factor, Waterworld, Backdraft, Shrek 4-D, Special Effects Stage were all top notch.

IMO, it all comes down to whether thrill rides are your goal, or whether you just want to be entertained.

knotts is really gross and it is a hangout for all the urban and corrupted youth of that area and buena park is an even bigger ghetto than anaheim not to mention its really dangerous in that area at night


I completely agree! I teach near there and I avoid that place!

IMO, it all comes down to whether thrill rides are your goal, or whether you just want to be entertained.

I agree. But I would actually push Universal harder than I would Knotts any day of the week - Universal is just a nicer park in about every way.

Overall, I'd definitely recommend Knott's over Universal. We visited Universal about a month ago, and I was definitely not happy with the visit.

I really wish people would stop posting outdated "gangbanger hangout" opinions of Knott's on here. YES, they did have a problem with a certain element, but they did an excellent job taking care of it several years ago.

My daughter and I have APs and have gone frequently to both the Berry Farm and the adjacent Soak City water park for the past couple of years, and there is no such problem as what the KBF bashers are describing.

It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it is definitely NOT gross or gangridden. No, it isn't DLR, and it doesn't pretend to be. If you don't like it, nobody's forcing you to go, but quit with the misinformation already, or at least have the sense to go see what it's like at this point in time before you slam it to people who have never been there and might actually enjoy it.

And as a P.S. - I grew up going to both DL and Knott's, and neither one of them has been without significant problems over the years.


-Allegra-

Knotts Berry Farm not Universal Studios

You should know that if you go during October, you'll run into Knott's Halloween Haunt so the main park is open 1/2 days when it's running, and then HH starts around 7 most nights. HH is the best Halloween attraction I've ever seen, but it's definately not for kids.

During the regular season, I would prefer Knott's over Universal just because there is so much to do vs. Universal. Universal has cut back Fear Factor Live to peak periods, so there is no guarantee it will be running when you get there.

Knott's will be open for regular operation from 10 to 5:30 PM during Haunt, so on weekdays, that is about the same time as a usual off-season weekday. You will lose about 4 hours on Saturdays, or about 1/3 of the operating hours.

But Knotts Halloween is way better then the regular stuff they have during the operating schedule thats shortened due to Halloween Haunt

True, it is their best event, but I wouldn't take 10 yr olds to H. Haunt as the original poster asked.