Saturday, August 18, 2012

Windseeker 1-Year Anniversary

Knott’s broke ground for the Windseeker ride in January of 2011. The ride was originally going to replace the Sky Cabin ride.

Although the iconic Sky Cabin was spared, there was one nighttime element of Knott’s that was sacrificed; the gorgeous colored light bulbs that were strung over the eating area of La Cocinita Restaurant in Fiesta Village. Here is a photo that I took in December of 2009 of those lights:




Here are a few photos that I took during the construction of the ride:

I took this photo on May 28, 2011 from the Buena Park Post Office on La Palma Avenue. This photo was assurance that Windseeker was not replacing the Sky Cabin! To the left you can see sections of the mast and to the right you can see pieces of the hub.




This photo was also taken in May 28, 2011. Four of the mast sections had been assembled so far. You can also see “Mr. Crane” which was used a lot during the assembly of the ride.




I took this photo on June 8, 2011; further assurance that Windseeker was not replacing the Sky Cabin! The red crown on the top of the mast had not yet been attached.




I took this photo on July 16, 2011. The mast assembly, the hub assembly, and the outrigger assembly had been completed. The gondola beams had been attached; however the gondolas had not yet been attached.




On August 18, 2011, Windseeker opened to the public, and I was there on opening night. The LED lights on the outriggers and gondola beams light up in sequence and create patterns, making for great opportunities with long shutter shots!

I took the next three long-shutter photographs on opening night:








Enjoy as always!

2 comments:

TokyoMagic! said...

Beautiful nighttime shots, KAD! I'm so glad that the Sky Cabin was saved from demolition and that it got refurbished.

Knott'sAfterDark said...

Me too! The colored light bulbs were very nice; but it is so much more important that the Sky Cabin was saved. It is so nice to ride the Sky Cabin and look through the new windows!