The final amount of winning bids was $10,591.06, including the top bid of $2,202, which means a PURPLE train will be the first out of the station.

http://www.mysite.spyfind.com/bidsheet2.html

All proceeds of the auction will benefit the Speech & Language Development Center and the Boys & Girls Club of Buena Park.

Don't forget, the opening date has been delayed, stay tuned for more information.

I am glad to see Knott's basically donated all the items, so there was no costs to the charities, and therefore, all the money should be used for worthwhile causes.

And as one of the winning bidders, (and, NO, I was not the top bidder :p ), I am looking forward to the event, and being one of the first to ride Xcelerator :D

Come on tell us how much you spent?:D Interesting concept of auctioning off the first rides (and at the lowest price being $105 that isn't too bad either) I wonder if Six Flags will try this, disney probably would not since they would want to make money off of it as well with an event.:D

I orginally bid $106 dollars, then about a week ago, decided to bump it up to $130, so ended up 19th, I was 12th Friday night... And look what I got for the price...

A complimentary dinner in the Boardwalk Ballroom
Admission to the private "Sock Hop" event/party
A day pass to the park
A first official rider t-shirt (VERY Limited collectable)
An engraved commemorative key chain (A PERSONALIZED Collectable)
PLUS the chance to be on of the first to ride this awesome new roller coaster....

Sounds like I am getting more than many Disney events, for less money...

PLUS I Get a tax deduction, that helps pay for about a third of the bid!!!!!!!!

Of course, Knott's should get some good Media coverage, but, they did donate all the costs related to the event....

Oh yeah, you can write (well at least part of it) off since it is a charitable donation:D. I am surprised they gave out that much for the bid, is it going to be before or after the press day?

I am not sure, that date still is in limbo due to final checks needing to be made on the ride...

(OK, time out, just had to see the South African goal replay... World Cup night, right now, 2-1 Paraguay in the second half... Argentina already won today 1-0, they are the favorite to win the championship...)

OK, but this is ONLY a guess, but the original date was a Thursday night, with the "auction" winners riding at 6 PM... They could make Thursday/ Friday morning Media Day ... They could allow (South Africa almost just tied the game...) the media access to the ride Thursday afternoon, shooting video, etc... The 6 PM time frame allows live coverage on the 6 PM news, and footage for the 10/11 o'clock newscaster, just in time for the weekend (I wonder why ;) They could also open up the ride early Friday AM, to allow the morning news shows to do "live" updates. The news reporters riding live, and "B" roll footage of full trains of guests from the night before. They could also have some Coaster groups show up early Friday AM to help add "atmosphere" to the Morning News coverage....

But, until the ride is given the final OK, everything is speculation.....