The historic MonteZOOMa roller coaster at Knott’s Berry Farm in Southern California is returning after a multiyear overhaul and rebranding.
Credited as the world’s first flywheel-launched attraction, the roller coaster reopened Saturday under the name MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress.
- Knott’s Berry Farm is located in Buena Park, California, about 30 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.
The attraction originally opened nearly 50 years ago as Montezooma’s Revenge, operating for decades as a centerpiece of Knott’s Berry Farm’s list of attractions. It closed for several years for an extensive overhaul aimed at updating its mechanical components and the overall guest experience.
Before its prolonged closure, the ride gained fame among amusement park enthusiasts for its rapid acceleration and compact layout.
MonteZOOMa uses a motorized launch system to propel riders from zero to 55 mph in four seconds. The ride vehicle travels through a 76-foot vertical loop, climbs a 148-foot forward tower spike, and then reverses backward through the station to ascend a second tower measuring 112 feet.
The renovated ride debuted just before National Roller Coaster Day with a revamped overall theme.
While the theme park framed the project as a preservation effort, the ride has undergone significant structural and technological alterations. The project involved installing new train vehicles, refurbishing track and support structures, updating the boarding station, and replacing the classic flywheel launch mechanism with a modern motorized propulsion technology. Park officials said the engineering changes were designed to improve ride performance, mechanical reliability and passenger comfort.
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Alongside the mechanical upgrades, the park introduced a revised storyline for the attraction. Rather than maintaining the minimalist aesthetic of the original 1970s design, park planners wrapped the ride in an elaborate story centered on a forbidden temple and search for legendary lost treasure.
According to Knott’s, the new thematic elements are integrated throughout the queuing area and launch track to deepen the immersive experience for passengers.
Raffi Kaprelyan, park president of Knott’s Berry Farm, framed the heavy redesign as a necessary step to keep the aging ride relevant for modern audiences while preserving its historical legacy.
“MonteZOOMa has been part of the Knott’s experience for generations of guests,” Kaprelyan said in a statement. “Our goal was to preserve everything people love about this legendary coaster while introducing new technology, enhanced reliability and an immersive new story that will inspire a whole new generation to ride.”
What does a Knott’s Berry Farm season pass get you?
Knott’s is pairing the coaster’s return with an aggressive sales push targeting regional consumers and promotions for its 2027 season pass packages at what company officials described as the “lowest price available” this year and next.
Pass options include tiered access packages, with unlimited visits throughout the remainder of 2026 and the 2027 season among the perks for higher-end passes.
“A 2027 Gold Season Pass is the best way to experience everything Knott’s Berry Farm has to offer, including unlimited visits and unlimited rides on MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress throughout the remainder of 2026 and the entire 2027 season,” a Knott’s press release reads. “With a season pass, guests can enjoy Knott’s renowned seasonal events (excluding Scary Farm), thrilling attractions and world-class entertainment all year long.”
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Following the $8 billion merger between Cedar Fair (the former owner of Knott’s) and the original Six Flags corporation in 2024, Gold Passholders now receive admission to all West Coast Six Flags parks, including Six Flags Magic Mountain and Knott’s Soak City water park.
Park officials said the water park will open two new family raft slides, named Coral Craze and Kelp Kraze, in 2027 as part of ongoing capital investments across the property.
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