My fellow coaster enthusiasts. We have good reason to believe that the historic Montezooma's Revenge at Knott's Berry Farm is in grave danger of being scrapped and lost forever. Montezooma's Revenge which is a shuttle loop model built by Anton Schwarzkopf in 1978 and a designated ACE Coaster Landmark has been closed since February 2022 for renovation. Knott's Berry Farm announced that the ride would be renovated and reimagined and would reopen in the summer of 2023 and renamed Montezooma: The Forbidden Fortress. More than a year later, our faith has not been returned. The ride's loop and a few small sections of track were removed in the summer of 2022. Since then, there has been no progress made on the ride's renovation and besides a quick announcement saying that the ride was delayed, the park was remained silent. No updates whatsoever. We have heard that the company doing the renovation bowed out and potential lawsuit against them made by the park. We cannot confirm or deny that. Now that brings us to today. We have heard from various sources that Knott's Berry Farm has silently given up on the renovation of Montezooma's Revenge and are planning to scrap the ride altogether. If this is indeed true, this would be the third ACE Coaster Landmark in a year's time to be destroyed. The other two being the Blue Streak at Conneaut Lake Park and the Montana Rusa at La Feria de Chapultepec. This would also be the second ACE Coaster Landmark to be destroyed by the leadership of Cedar Fair. The other being the Big Dipper at Geauga Lake. We can't confirm or deny any of these rumors, but the signs are there and word is going around. Why has there not been any more progress of the renovation and why has there been no mention or update on the project recently? These are very bad signs. The potential loss of this ride would be a huge blow to the park that I don't think can ever be forgiven no matter how good its replacement is, and it would be a huge tragedy in roller coaster preservation. I can't speak for Anton Schwarzkopf but if I was him, I wouldn't want this ride to fade into history in such a way. At this time, I am asking you, the dedicated fans of Knott's Berry Farm, members of the HCF, and ACE to join us and we'll do our part. We will deliver both public and private messages urging Knott's Berry Farm to continue the renovation of Montezooma's Revenge so it can reopen in its reimagined form in 2024 or as soon as possible. I also humbly encourage Schwarzkopf's son, Wieland Schwarzkopf to join us as well and write to the park and urge them to preserve the ride. At least for his father's sake who is responsible for so many legendary coasters. If you comment down below or send me a private message, I will give you the contact information that you need to spread your message. This is an important piece of Knott's history and I should know. I was there for the official designation of the ride's ACE Coaster Landmark status. So please take this message to heart and realize the importance of this ride and how it must be preserved for future generations. Thank you and best wishes.
