Knott’s Berry Farm has been forced to delay the debut of a new randomized launch sequence on the historic Montezooma’s Revenge roller coaster as part of an extensive renovation of the Fiesta Village themed land.
“Due to construction delays, Montezooma: The Forbidden Fortress will not open with Fiesta Village this summer,” according to a statement from Knott’s officials. “An opening date has not been scheduled at this time.”
Fiesta Village reopens May 26 at the Buena Park theme park with refreshed theming, rides, food and entertainment.
The reimagined Montezooma’s Revenge was initially planned to debut alongside the refreshed Fiesta Village and remodeled Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel.
Plans call for the historic 1978 flywheel-launch roller coaster to be reimagined as Montezooma: The Forbidden Fortress with a randomized launch sequence and an immersive storyline in an expanded queue.
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The first flywheel-launched roller coaster in the world and the oldest shuttle loop roller coaster still in its original location will offer riders a new twist as Montezooma: The Forbidden Fortress. The randomized launch sequence will make it impossible for riders to know if the trains will be launching forward or backward.
Netherlands-based ride renovator Kumbak is working on the Montezooma renovation, according to Knott’s officials. Kumbak has previously teamed with European theme parks Efteling, Walibi and Bakken.
A new station and queue experience will take riders through Montezuma’s hidden Aztec fortress filled with boobytraps and the remains of treasure hunters.
Visitors to the newly transformed land will walk down El Camino Real as they enter the reimagined Fiesta Village inspired by Los Angeles’ Olvera Street with a redesigned marketplace and an updated stage area.
Fiesta Village’s seven rides will get a refresh as part of the makeover of the land. The generically named Merry-Go-Round and Wave Swinger rides will be rechristened Carrusel de California and Los Voladores, respectively. Los Voladores translates to The Flyers and makes reference to Danza de los Voladores, the ancient Mexican pole climbing ritual.
New entertainment in Fiesta Village will include Mariachi music, Alebrijes storytellers, Folklorico dancers, puppet shows and a Calle Celebracion nighttime street party.
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Visitors can snap photos with brightly colored magical mythical spirit animals in the Alebrije Gardens in Fiesta Village.
New Fiesta Village food options will include Casa California (burritos, quesadillas and tamales), Baja Taqueria (fish tacos), Papas Mexicanas (carne asada french fries) and Cantina Del Sur (drinks).
