America’s 1st Theme Park Locks Its Gates, Denies Refunds To Paying Guests
Knott’s Berry Farm, known as America’s first theme park, is facing serious backlash after reportedly denying entry and refusing immediate refunds to dozens of paying guests who arrived late to its Knott’s Scary Farm: Nightmares Revealed event.
On August 19, 2025, the hard-ticketed Knott’s Scary Farm: Nightmares Revealed event offered Halloween Haunt fans an exclusive first look at the mazes, monsters, and props that would be featured during Knott’s Berry Farm’s annual Halloween event. Tickets were priced at around $35 each, and the event sold out quickly.
However, several theme park guests who arrived after the event’s scheduled start time were turned away at the gates. Instagram user @realmousemedia shared a video documenting the incident, expressing outrage over what they called the park’s “horrible customer service”:
MONSTERS REVEALED!!! We would love to let it be known that knotts has beyond horrible customer service! They do NOT care about the guest! They can state “no late arrivals” but don’t clam what time the gates close. They had many people outside extremely disappointed and the managers were a total joke and did not come out to help until 8pm to give refunds. It’s not about the refunds it’s the fact that people come excited for the event! They could have used a wand or kept the gates open the fact that we were not even 30 minutes late! They let us in late before but this year they want to change it up. You lost not only business but guest who loved this Halloween event. People traveled far just to be turned away! I would not support the event this year if I were you. The other theme parks are doing so much better! Refusing to let people in to a THREE HOUR EVENT THAT THEY PAID FOR TOTAL JOKE! @knottsberryfarm @knottsscaryfarm #knottsberryfarm #knottsscaryfarm #halloweenhaunt
The video shows a long line of guests waiting for over an hour to speak with Knott’s Berry Farm employees about receiving refunds. It’s unclear how many, if any, guests received a refund after the long wait.
“Just so everybody knows, this is the line to get a refund because they refused to let us in, telling us that the line closed at 7:00, when the event started,” the Instagram user said in the video.
The incident has raised questions about Knott’s Berry Farm’s communication of its no-late-entry policy. According to the event’s official website, Knott’s Scary Farm: Nightmares Revealed has a no-late-entry policy, meaning guests who arrive after the event’s start time will not be allowed to enter.
However, some guests feel the rules were not communicated clearly enough, arguing that the ticket didn’t specify that entry would be denied even for guests less than 30 minutes late. In response, many social media users pointed out that it’s the guest’s responsibility to arrive on time, as stated in the event policy.
“You didn’t read your ticket and it shows,” said @snarkytorta.
“You late arrival MAY not be accommodated means they have every right to tell you no,” @oosmokezoo argued. “It’s in plain writing, you’re just too stubborn to see it.”
Despite the policy being clear on the website, many guests were still upset about the experience, feeling that Knott’s Berry Farm mishandled the situation.
“It says may not be accommodated and it did not give a time…,” @realmousemedia argued. “It states ‘Ticket not valid before 5. Event starts at 7pm.’”
Have you ever attended a special event at Knott’s Berry Farm? Share your experience with Disney Dining in the comments!
