If you’ve ever dropped hard-earned money on theme park tickets, you know the rush of excitement that comes with hitting “confirm purchase.” But for one Knott’s Scary Farm guest, that thrill turned into frustration—and now they’re sounding the alarm over what feels like a ghosted refund request from the park itself.
It all started when the guest, planning a Halloween season visit, purchased two tickets for Knott’s Scary Farm on October 29. Everything seemed fine… until it wasn’t. An email from Knott’s arrived informing them that the park would be closed on that date, but not to worry—they could still use their tickets on another night during the October or November Scary Farm season.
There’s just one problem: the guest doesn’t live locally, and October 29 was the only night they were available to attend.
So, like any reasonable consumer would do, they requested a refund.
No response. Not even a courtesy email. Just silence.
“Since I can’t visit the park besides the 29th of October I requested a refund with no answer until now,” they wrote in a Reddit post that’s started to gain traction. “I know that the sales are final, but this seems like a special case.”
The comment section lit up with similar tales and practical advice—but it also exposed a deeper issue with Knott’s customer service response and potential non-compliance with California consumer protection laws.
The Legal Skeleton in Knott’s Closet
While Knott’s ticketing page clearly states that “all sales are final” and tickets are “non-refundable,” there’s something bigger at play here.
Enter California Business and Professions Code Section 22507.
This particular statute spells it out plainly: if an event is canceled, the seller is legally required to issue a refund within 30 days. Even if the event is rescheduled or the ticket is converted to a credit, a refund must still be provided upon request.
This isn’t a “nice-to-have” guideline. It’s enforceable consumer law.
So why isn’t Knott’s honoring it?
Some Redditors believe Knott’s may be counting on guests not knowing the law or assuming the park’s “no refunds” policy supersedes state regulation. But as multiple posters pointed out, a park closure is not a reschedule. That’s a cancellation—plain and simple.
“They’ll Refund You… If You Fight for It”
One of the more frustrating aspects of the situation? Some guests are getting their refunds—if they call, wait on hold, or know exactly which buttons to press in the automated system.
A Reddit user gave this tip:
“Call 714-220-5200 then press 9. Either wait on hold or enter your number when prompted to get a call back. They are open until 6pm PST. They’ll just need your order number.”
Others chimed in with similar stories. One claimed they got their money back after referencing the California code over the phone. Another said a friend received a refund with no issue, though it required persistence.
So what gives? Why do some guests have to fight tooth and nail to get their money back, while others get it after a single phone call?
It paints a picture of inconsistency at best—and corporate negligence at worst.
PR Nightmare in the Making?
From a customer service perspective, this entire situation could have been prevented. A simple mass email acknowledging the legal rights of affected guests—and offering easy refund options—would have gone a long way.
Instead, Knott’s seems to be dragging its feet, causing growing frustration among its most loyal fans during its busiest season.
And in case anyone thinks this is a one-off… it’s not.
Similar complaints have cropped up in recent years, especially during extreme weather closures or staffing shortages. In some cases, Knott’s offered credits or rebooking options—but fell short when it came to offering true refunds.
That’s not just bad optics. That’s potentially a violation of consumer protection law.
What You Should Do If This Happens to You
If you’ve had a similar experience with Knott’s—or any theme park, really—don’t let it slide. Here’s a breakdown of what other guests have recommended (and what consumer experts agree on):
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Document Everything: Save emails, receipts, and cancellation notices.
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Reach Out Directly: Call customer service and reference the California B&P Code § 22507. Be polite but firm.
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Use Your Bank: If Knott’s won’t respond, some guests have reported success in filing a chargeback through their credit card provider.
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File a Complaint: You can submit formal complaints to the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Better Business Bureau, or Attorney General’s Office.
Don’t Let “No Refunds” Scare You
For a park built on thrills and screams, Knott’s might be delivering the wrong kind of fear this Halloween season—especially to guests who feel cheated by a cancellation they had no control over.
We get it—operational closures happen. Safety, staffing, logistics—there are countless reasons a park may need to shut down unexpectedly. But what shouldn’t happen is keeping your guests in the dark and ignoring refund requests when the law says otherwise.
If you’re going to cancel someone’s plans, the least you can do is give their money back.
Knott’s has long been a fan-favorite in the SoCal theme park scene, but when it comes to transparency and guest service, they’ve still got a long way to go.
We’ll be watching.
Have your own theme park horror story or refund drama? Drop us a message at The Churro Crumb—we’re always sniffing out the real story behind the sugar coating.
