Montezooma’s Revenge at Knott’s Berry Farm is the last remaining Schwarzkopf shuttle
loop coaster in the United States.
But you may not be able to ride it for a while.
Knott’s Berry Farm announced yesterday that Montezooma’s Revenge will be closing until
2023 for a massive refurbishment.
In this video, I will discuss what that renovation may entail and review the experience you could
have on this classic coaster up until this point.
Montezooma’s Revenge will close on Monday, January 10, 2022 and it will not reopen until
sometime in 2023.
The park said they will provide more details later this year, but there’s another test
case in Belgium that may give us an idea what is going to happen to this historic Schwarzkopf.
Walibi Belgium has the last remaining shuttle loop in Europe.
The coaster originally opened in 1982 as Sirocco.
The coaster was partially enclosed and renamed Turbine in 1999 due to noise issues.
Then the coaster closed in 2008 with an unknown future.
Five years later it did reopen in 2013 as Psyké Underground, but the ride was way different.
For one, it was entirely enclosed with some new theming.
Two, the entire ride system was upgraded by Gerstlauer.
The flywheel launch was replaced with a LIM, or linear induction motor launch.
Both launches accelerated the train to 53 mph or 85 kph, but those who have experienced
both said the magnetic launch doesn’t have the same initial yank.
The old flywheel launch occurred directly out of the station.
With the new launch, the train slowly rolls out of the station and engages the launch
further down the track.
The launch does accelerate the train faster now and the launch is more reliable.
And most importantly, it preserved the ride.
The coaster also received new lap-bar only trains from Gerstlauer.
And this wasn’t the first Schwarzkopf to get trains from Gerstlauer.
Hersheypark’s Sooperdooperlooper has as well.
Having experienced both the old and new rolling stock on Sooperdooperlooper, I’m happy to
say they feel near identical and didn’t change the ride experience much at all.
Do we expect the same renovation for Montezooma’s Revenge?
I think it’s almost certain the antiquated flywheel launch system will be replaced with
a magnetic launch.
Montezooma’s Revenge was the first coaster in the world to have a flywheel launch.
It did surprise me that Walibi Belgium’s shuttle loop received a LIM launch instead
of a linear synchronous motor or LSM launch, especially considering the latter has been
more prevalent over the past decade.
Whether it be an LSM or LIM launch, one of these is likely coming to Montezooma’s Revenge.
It’s also likely that this coaster will receive a new braking system to help make
the ride more reliable.
I also suspect the coaster could receive new trains, given this ride’s age.
All three of these changes should breathe new life into this popular coaster.
And based on Cedar Fair’s renewed relationship with Gerstlauer, maybe they will be the ones
to perform the renovation.
There are three other things that could be part of the refurbishment.
One, there could be a retracking.
Montezooma’s Revenge is likely the most cycled shuttle loop in the world.
This coaster opened in 1978 and since Knott’s is a yearround park, this coaster has been
consistently cycling riders for over 40 years with very little downtime.
The coaster has 800 feet or 244 meters of track, and there have been several manufacturers
to replace Schwarzkopf track in recent years.
Two, the coaster could get repainted.
The last time Knott’s painted this coater was in 2017.
Three, there could a retheme.
However, because this is a popular coaster that has had just one name for the entirety
of its life, I think it’s unlikely Montezooma’s Revenge gets a new name and theme.
And speaking of that name, it didn’t come from what I expected.
The name originated from a musical act of the same name that used to perform at Knott’s
Berry Farm.
But it conveniently could also reference the famous Mexican ruler Montezuma, which was
a perfect fit for the Fiesta Village area.
And of course there’s the messy connotation of what could happen if you ate some bad food
or came off this coaster scared.
Montezooma’s Revenge frequently has the shortest wait of all of Knott’s Berry Farm’s
major coasters.
Most days it has a modest wait, but it can build up a wait on busy days since it can
only run one train since it’s a shuttle coaster.
The coaster has a 7 car train.
Each car seats 4 riders in 2 rows of 2, so at maximum Montezooma’s Revenge can seat
28 riders per cycle.
My favorite seat is the front for the rush of wind on the launch.
Typically you only have to wait an extra cycle or two; however, there is one extra wrinkle.
Fast Lane users come up the exit and they are free to select any row.
So you can bet they will usually pick the front.
The trains have the familiar Schwarzkopf lap bars, but Cedar Fair did add seatbelts once
they purchased Knott’s in the 1990s.
While the seatbelts slightly slow the load times, I don’t think they impact the ride
experience.
Once secured, the operators initiate the launch sequence.
You will see a ring of flashing lights ahead of you.
And then you’re pulled forwards, reaching 55 mph or 86 kph in 4.5 seconds.
While this is one of the older launches out there, the initial yank is pretty good.
You then rumble down the launch track and rip around a vertical loop.
This very circular loop pulls some strong positive Gs.
It’s quintessential Schwarkzkopf.
And you also have a fun visual of Jaguar threading through the loop.
You then head up the first of two spikes.
This spike stands 148 feet or 45 meters tall and it reaches a max angle of 70 degrees.
While it isn’t vertical, it offers some solid weightlessness.
You get more towards the front of the train, but the back gets their time to shine in a
bit.
You then traverse the vertical loop in reverse.
Experiencing a forceful Schwarzkopf loop in reverse is very dizzying.
I think I prefer it going backwards even if you have a little less speed.
You then shoot through the station and head up a second spike.
This one is just 112 feet or 34 meters tall, but it again offers some decent weightlessness.
You then return to the station and come to a stop.
Montezooma’s Revenge may only be 30ish seconds in duration, but it’s a thrilling ride.
And even after 40 plus years of operation, it is extremely smooth.
So what would I rate Montezooma’s Revenge?
I would give the current iteration with the flywheel launch a 7 out of 10.
This may be one of the oldest launch coasters out there, but it’s an enjoyable classic.
The launch is solid, the loop is extremely forceful, and you also get some fun weightlessness.
This is an iconic coaster for Knott’s Berry Farm and there’s a reason the park is willing
to invest in this historic ride to keep it going for many years to come.
I can’t wait to see what the renovation entails and I’m sure I’ll ride Montezooma’s
Revenge again sometime in 2023, especially if the park gets that rumored giga coaster.
So those are my thoughts on Montezooma’s Revenge.
What are your thoughts on this classic Schwarzkopf shuttle loop, whether it be the current ride
experience or what you think the update will include?
Let me know down in the comments.
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