By Charly SHELTON

Knott’s Berry Farm is known for its food, its ghost town and its coasters. Now, adding to the fantastic collection of coasters that already includes Xcelerator, Silver Bullet, Ghost Rider and Pony Express, comes HangTime – the first dive coaster on the West Coast. The coaster opened last week with all the pomp, circumstance and twangy guitars anyone could ask for.

The opening moment last Thursday was really well done, and featured the first official running of the coaster with fireworks, a light show and live surf music on the main stage located below the ride. That opening ceremony led up to welcoming the first official guests to ride the coaster, of whom I was fortunate enough to be.

This coaster is pretty impressive and, for someone who is really into rides like this reporter, it’s even better. This is the West Coast’s first dive coaster, meaning a coaster with a vertical drop that starts the ride. But HangTime takes it even further – after a perfectly vertical lift straight up to the 150-foot-tall top of the drop, the vehicle hangs at a 60° incline looking over the drop for a few seconds, letting guests take in the disappearing track effect before plunging down a 96° more-than-vertical drop.

And that’s just the start of the ride.

Throughout the 2,189 feet of track, there are five inversions, a negative-G stall loop that gives the feeling of weightless “hangtime,” nighttime chaser lights that change color as they follow the coaster car and 16 happy, excited guests per train. The whole thing is ’60s surf themed, and the coaster is meant to give the feeling of shooting the curl and hanging 10, riding the swells of the Pacific. It fits into the Boardwalk area alongside Coast Rider, Xcelerator and some fantastic burger diners and other eateries.

This might be my new favorite coaster in the park. Move over, Silver Bullet. The steep drop and the hang over the edge are something you won’t find anywhere else.

This is going to be a beachy summer at Knott’s, between the surf-themed new coaster and “Beach Blanket Beagle,” the new Snoopy musical at the park. Set to some of the best ’60s surf tunes, this stage show will feature Snoopy and a cast of beach babes and moondoggies partying all summer long. Off of the beach, the Wild West town of Calico will also get some added fun for the summer – Ghost Town Alive, the popular interactive summer live-in show, is returning. An all-new comedy stunt show will take over the Calico stage with Calico Mountain Jamboree where the Timber Mountain Loggers and the Calico Miners battle for superiority in town.

Both the Calico show and “Beach Blanket Beagle” debut June 9, and Ghost Town Alive returns May 26. And, for those looking for the next big thrill, look no further than HangTime – now open at Knott’s Berry Farm.

To see the opening moment from the press event last week, as well as a sneak peek at “Beach Blanket Beagle,” click the videos below. 

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  Charly Shelton