The 205-foot-tall Xcelerator roller coaster at Knott’s Berry Farm is back in operation.
Back in March 2022, the ride was closed with no notice or fanfare. The Orange County Register reported in June 2022 that an unspecified mechanical problem was to blame. With its hydraulic launch system being notorious for frequent maintenance issues, there was speculation among coaster fans that the ride may be closed for good.
Xcelerator as seen in September 2023 (Theme Park Tribune)
Knott’s didn’t provide another update until this August, when it announced the coaster would reopen during the summer. Testing began shortly afterwards, but it took until Tuesday for guests to be welcomed back.
“We are happy to announce that guest-favorite Xcelerator The Ride at Knott’s Berry Farm is now open,” Knott’s spokesperson Kristan Saldivar told Theme Park Tribune. “Guests can enjoy the 1950’s themed coaster that launches from zero to 82 mph in 2.3 seconds.”
@knottsberryfarmofficial Christmas came early. Xcelerator has reopened. 🎁 #knottsberryfarm #xcelerator #rollercoaster #themepark ♬ original sound – Mariah Carey
One guest who experienced the ride on its reopening day told Theme Park Tribune was running smoother than before its closure.
Other guests reported slight changes in the ride’s operations before boarding.
A Minor operations change at Xcelerator. They now have a grouper in the station now assigning rows along with a employee at Fastlane merge. So they now only send up enough people to fill 1-2 trains in the station. pic.twitter.com/Fh43RzwBGi
— RyanTheme Park (@Ryanthemepark) November 8, 2023
Xcelerator first opened at Knott’s in 2002. Built by Liechtenstein-based rides company Intamin, Xcelerator was the first of the Accelerator launch coaster models, with guests hitting that top speed of 82 miles per hour right out of the station. Later models have set world coaster records for height (the 456-foot-tall Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure) and fastest (the 149-mph Formula Rossa at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi).
The reopening restores Knott’s active coaster count to eight. The park is still without Montezooma’s Revenge, with a delayed overhaul project apparently stalled, and the Timberline Twister kiddie coaster was closed earlier this year.