TOURISM : Six Flags Joins Knott’s in Goblin Up Market for Halloween Business

Much to Knott’s Berry Farm’s horror, Six Flags Magic Mountain is entering the scary business of staging a Halloween promotion this year.

But fortunately for Knott’s, Universal Studios Hollywood has decided against holding a second year of a Halloween promotion that it promised last year would become an annual event. “It just doesn’t fit into our plans,” a spokesman said, explaining that the new $60-million “Back to the Future” thrill ride is still the park’s emphasis.

Knott’s Halloween Haunt will mark the 21st year of transforming the Buena Park institution into a “scary farm” filled with mazes and monsters that jump out at patrons. It is easily one of the park’s most popular attractions and a major moneymaker.

This year, Knott’s is charging a premium $27 a head for advance purchase tickets, $29 at the gate, for an event that often sells out. The regular daytime admission price is $25.95 for those over age 12, and $15.95 for those younger. Southern California residents, however, have received a discount admission of $19.95 during a continuing promotion.

Halloween Haunt, which requires a separate park admission, will be staged today through Oct. 31.

Spokesman Bob Ochsner said he is not surprised that Universal decided against continuing with its own fright nights. “I think logistically an event like Halloween horror nights are hard to pull off,” he said.

But for the first time, Knott’s will go headless-to-headless with Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, which is staging its fright fest on six days leading up to Halloween. Unlike Knott’s haunt, which is a nighttime event not recommended for young children, Magic Mountain is billing its promotion as a family event.

To counter, Knott’s is a starting a daytime Halloween event for kids by turning Camp Snoopy into the home of the Great Pumpkin.