America West to Team Up With Knott’s Berry Farm

Knott’s Berry Farm announced Friday that America West Airlines will sponsor its new $10-million Mystery Lodge attraction, promote Orange County tour packages and open a travel office at the theme park.

Knott’s becomes the second theme-park sponsorship for the Phoenix-based airline, which operates 16 daily round-trip flights at Orange County’s John Wayne Airport. America West recently unveiled plans to become the official airline of the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, which includes a movie-themed amusement park.

America West spokeswoman Daphne Dicino said that the three-year Knott’s deal is important because “that’s a very big market for us in that area of Southern California. We have a lot of service out of that area.”

Knott’s spokesman Bob Ochsner said the alliance will “provide us with added exposure in and out of Orange County, an opportunity to have a greater marketing presence in those Western cities where America West flies.”

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

When America West opens its travel office at Knott’s, local residents dining or shopping at the theme park will be able to use the office to make flight reservations and purchase plane tickets. And America West’s name will be able posted at the Mystery Lodge, a theater that will feature Native American storytellers and special effects.

The arrangement should benefit both tourists and Southland visitors to Knott’s, Ochsner said.

Knott’s list of in-park sponsors includes Bank of America, the Chevrolet-Geo division of General Motors Corp., Alamo Rent A Car and Coca-Cola Co.