Niles: Knott’s, Universal offer different takes on kids’ lands

Knott’s Berry Farm started an industry trend when it opened its Camp Snoopy in 1983. Now, 41 years and several iterations later, is Camp Snoopy still the role model for a theme park children’s land?

Knott’s reopened its Camp Snoopy last week, following months of renovations and the installation of some new and refreshed rides. I toured the updated land just a couple of weeks after seeing the reimagined DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando. The two lands offered two very different visions of what a 21st century theme park kids’ land can be.

It’s hard to judge Camp Snoopy based on what I saw on its reopening day. Two of its four new or reimagined attractions remained closed, as was the cave and waterfall play area. Beagle Scout Acres remains a sunbaked patch of artificial turf, not to be completed with its promised shade and amenities until mid-summer.

But the gist of Camp Snoopy remains. It’s a still collection of kiddie rides, mostly from Italian manufacturer Zamperla, brought together in a single land that celebrates the late Charles M. Schulz’ Peanuts franchise.

Across the country, Universal has chosen a different path for its DreamWorks Land. When Universal decided to change its long-standing children’s land, it started by dumping its theme. Woody Woodpecker and Curious George are now out, replaced by Shrek, Trolls and Kung Fu Panda from its DreamWorks Animation lineup.

DreamWorks Land also offers just one ride — a Vekoma Junior Coaster formerly known as Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster and now brilliantly rethemed as Trolls’ Trollercoaster. The rest of the land is devoted to shows, character meets and active play areas.

There’s a two-story play structure called Shrek’s Swamp for Little Ogres that includes a tube slide that makes on-brand-for-Shrek flatulence sounds as you slide through it. King Harold’s Swamp Symphony allows guests to direct a frog choir by stomping on lily pads. There is also a Trolls-themed soft play area for toddlers.

While Knott’s cut live entertainment from Camp Snoopy, Universal added shows to DreamWorks Land. The indoor theater that once hosted a Barney the Dinosaur show now presents DreamWorks Imagination Celebration, a 20-minute live character show with multimedia elements. Po Live! is a “Turtle Talk”-like screen interaction with the Kung Fu Panda himself.

Rather than forcing kids to spend time in queues waiting for child-sized rides, DreamWorks Land offers opportunities to run around and play, or to relax while watching shows. As such, the land provides a different vibe from the rest of the park. Camp Snoopy, on the other hand, is just a scaled version of the larger Knott’s Berry Farm — all queues and rides.

That model still works. Getting to go on rides made just for you is great. But other kids might prefer running around and exploring themed play areas, as in DreamWorks Land. There’s no single correct approach here. These days, thanks to Knott’s creative leadership four decades ago, there are as many models for what kids’ lands can be as designers can imagine.