Knott's Merry Farm Toys For Tots - Too Much of a Good Thing?

[Disney Babe]

If there are any Knott's fans out there, please share your thoughts about their Toys for Tots promotion. Do you think it's a little too successful, creating too much of a crowd? I was there on Saturday, through a different promotion. Many of the guests were rude, loud, and using profanity. Every single refreshment stand had very long lines and, of course, the rides did as well. They also didn't have enough employees scheduled to handle the crowds. I mostly went to see the Christmas shows, a tradition of mine, and didn't expect to go through what I did. They even turned away some people from seeing one of the ice shows.

What do you think, is there a better way to do this promotion or should they get rid of it? I thought maybe they could have the drop off open every day - and at other places like malls - and just hand out passes good for any day within a three week period.

[Kileli]

We did that last year! We had no idea, so we ended up paying full price to wait an hour for two rides and some food. I NEVER want to do it again. There were WAY to many people

[Disney Babe]

Originally Posted by Kileli

We did that last year! We had no idea, so we ended up paying full price to wait an hour for two rides and some food. I NEVER want to do it again. There were WAY to many people

I love your avatar!

I'm sorry you had to pay full price to do that. Here I am complaining and I actually got in free on another promo. At the same time as the Toys for Tots there are also promotions for military, law enforcement, fire personelle, and government social service workers. All those get in free and can get a guest in free for about three weeks (any day of the week). Also, Ralph's or Vons always has a Christmastime promo with Knott's. I just can't figure out why they continue to do all the promos at the same time - and the Toys for Tots is what puts it over the top. I have to admit it is much better on the weekends early in December when the word hasn't gotten around yet, and nice on the weekends it rains (but then some shows may be cancelled).

Next year I am taking a tip from a park employee and going on the day after Thanksgiving when I was told it is truly a "ghost town". Maybe Sat. after won't be bad. Then I will go back for a few hours perhaps on one or two days during the season, since I can get in free, when I feel the Christmas spirit and want to see a show. I only live an hour or 45 min away and they have the three hour parking for free. I went over there again Sunday for about three hours and was much happier, even though it was still crowded that day, just knowing I could have another chance to do what I wanted.

There must be a better way for them to do the Toys for Tots promo, though.