quick trip for Knotts and Six Flags

Question

Hello,

My son turns 16 in October and he loves amusement parks (specifically roller coasters) but we don't have any good ones in our neck of the woods (oregon). For his bday, we plan to make a whirlwind trip to visit Knotts Berry Farm and Six Flags Magic Mountain. It would be myself, my husband, my son and his best friend. Here's my tentative plan, would love any feedback or tips:

- Fly from Portland to Burbank Thursday evening (10/9). Get a one way car rental (pick up burbank, drop off LAX)

- Spend the day at Six Flags (10/10) then drive to Knotts Berry Farm and stay there

-Spend the day at Knott's Berry Farm (10/11) and stay there

-Fly from LAX back to Portland (10/12)

We could also reverse the order and start at Knotts. I want to do the busiest park first since it will be a Friday and hopefully kids are in school.

Please let me know if you think this is daoble or have any advice! I know we are packing things in and also won't hit everything at each park, and I'm okay with that unless there are strong recommendations to skip one park and do 2 days at one. I'd be open to that. We just want to make the most of the adventure!

Answer

Your whirlwind trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain and Knott’s Berry Farm is definitely doable, especially since you are comfortable prioritizing key rides and not seeing everything. Since your son loves roller coasters, you can maximize thrill rides and plan strategically around crowds.

Regarding the park order, starting with Six Flags Magic Mountain on Friday is a smart move. Weekdays tend to be less crowded than weekends, but Friday can still be busy, especially in October with the start of fall break in some areas. Knotts on Saturday might be busier with weekend visitors, but it’s a smaller park and easier to navigate than Six Flags.

Here are some detailed tips and considerations:

Park Hours and Tickets: Check both parks for early entry options, special passes, or online tickets to save time. Arrive at park opening to get on popular coasters before long lines form.
Fast Pass/Flash Pass: Consider purchasing Flash Pass at Six Flags to skip long lines, especially if your main goal is roller coasters.
Transportation: One-way car rental (Burbank pick-up, LAX drop-off) is efficient. The drive between Six Flags (Valencia) and Knott’s (Buena Park) is roughly 45–60 minutes without traffic. Leaving late afternoon or early evening from Six Flags should get you to Knott’s in time to check in and rest.
Accommodation: Staying near Knotts is convenient for your Saturday plan, as it allows an early start without worrying about traffic from other areas.
Park Strategy:
- At Six Flags, prioritize high-thrill coasters like Twisted Colossus, X2, and Full Throttle first. Use the app for wait times.
- At Knott’s, focus on GhostRider, Silver Bullet, and Montezooma’s Revenge. For a more relaxed pace, explore Camp Snoopy and themed areas if the kids need a break from intense rides.
Food and Breaks: Pack snacks and water if possible. Both parks have many dining options, but lines can be long during peak hours.
Reverse Option: Reversing the order (Knotts first, then Six Flags) is feasible, but Six Flags on a weekend can be significantly busier, which might reduce the number of rides you get on. Staying Friday at Knotts might not offer any big advantage.

Overall, your plan is solid. You will have two packed days of roller coasters, but spacing travel and early arrivals will help you get the most out of both parks. If you want to reduce stress, prioritize the main rides and be flexible with secondary attractions.

quick trip for Knotts and Six Flags

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