Knott's Bear-y Tales - The ORIGINAL 1975 Adventure!

The original Rolly Crump dark ride that started it all! Keep in mind that the footage here doesn't do the original ride justice and that this footage shows the ride having a bit of disrepair and care in its final days. Video cameras were unable to capture the magic of this ride with its use of Blacklight, Incandescent, and other special effects found throughout the ride. Knott's Bear-y Tales focused on the Bear-y Family (composed of Boysen, Girlsen, Razz, Flapper, and Elder) making Boysenberry jams, jellies, and pies for the Country Fair to win the Blue Ribbon Prize. Alongside their friends who even help out by making Pickled Eggs and even Meats as well! However, there is a villain on the Bear-y Family's tail named Crafty Coyote who just wants to steal all the Boysenberry goodies for himself. The Journey of the ride took guests from the Factory in the beginning to a wild number of adventures that many will see on their way to the Country Fair. The zany Frog Forest complete with the namesake critters hopping around their toadstool houses, lily pads, and even holding tryouts for the jumping contest as part of the Fair. The mystical Fortune Teller's Camp which saw riders having their fortune read in multiple ways by Theda Bear, Zaz Owl, Sarah Skunk, Thelma Frog, and Wanda Fox. The mysterious Thunder Cave filled with lighting and home to fuzzy glow in the dark spiders within this dank area. The very Weird Woods that is home to a lot of bizarre creatures, scary trees and even the antagonist of the ride, Crafty Coyote. Then guests enter the big finale of the ride known as the Country Fair. Where they see all the characters from every part of their journey show up and where the Bear-y Family wins their Blue Ribbon Prize for all their accomplishments. Knott's Bear-y Tales lasted from 1975 to 1986. The ride would be replaced by Kingdom of The Dinosaurs in 1987 until that too closed in 2004. Afterwards, the space was gutted and turned into the shooter dark rides that exists now. Our hearts will forever be with the original Knott's Bear-y Tales and Kingdom of The Dinosaurs. The true Dark Rides of the space. Video Credit goes to David O'Neil