Families arriving at Knott’s Berry Farm on Christmas Eve expected festive rides and holiday treats. Instead, they found locked gates. Weather had forced the Buena Park theme park to close without warning, and when visitors requested their money back, management offered extended ticket validity or nothing at all.
No refunds. No exceptions.
That December 24 closure joined a string of incidents throughout 2025 where the Southern California attraction refused to return money for events it canceled, schedules it changed, and promises it didn’t keep. Now guests are pushing back with legal citations, credit card disputes, and a class action lawsuit that could affect millions of season pass holders.
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A Year of Denied Refund Requests
The Christmas Eve situation wasn’t an isolated case. Last October, Knott’s sold tickets for Scary Farm events scheduled for October 22 and 29, then quietly removed both Wednesdays from the calendar. Ticket holders received no advance notice. When they showed up or called to complain, the park extended ticket expiration dates but wouldn’t issue refunds.
Three months earlier, on August 19, guests who purchased admission to the Nightmares Revealed event were denied entry for arriving late. Those who asked for their money back waited over an hour for managers to appear. Many left without resolution or reimbursement.
Each time, the park pointed to its official policy: all sales are final.
California Law Says Otherwise
State law doesn’t care what the terms and conditions say. California Business and Professions Code Section 22507 requires any venue to provide full refunds within 30 days when an advertised event is canceled or doesn’t take place as promised.
The statute applies regardless of company policy, fine print, or customer agreements. If Knott’s cancels an event or changes the schedule after selling tickets, buyers have the legal right to get their money back.
A federal lawsuit filed in 2020 tested this exact issue. Washington resident Moneva Walker sued Cedar Fair, which owned Knott’s at the time, after the company denied season pass refunds during COVID-19 closures. In April 2022, Judge James Carr ruled the case could move forward. The lawsuit potentially covers more than 2 million Cedar Fair season pass holders who paid between $60 and $200 for annual admission.
The case remains in litigation, but the legal principle is established. California consumer protection law overrides private refund policies.
What Changed at Knott’s
On July 1, 2024, Cedar Fair merged with Six Flags in an $8 billion deal. The combined company now operates as Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, managing 42 parks across North America. The merger brought policy changes across the portfolio, including stricter refund restrictions at properties that previously offered more flexibility.
The Better Business Bureau lists 59 unanswered complaints against Knott’s Berry Farm. The park holds no BBB accreditation. Multiple complaints cite charges for canceled events with no refunds issued.
How to Get Your Money Back
Guests denied refunds have several options, starting with the most direct:
Call guest services at 714-220-5200 and reference California Business and Professions Code Section 22507 by name. Document the conversation with dates, employee names, and case numbers.
File a credit card dispute if the park won’t budge. Explain that the event was canceled and cite the California statute. Credit card companies typically side with consumers when merchants violate state law.
Submit complaints to California regulators, including the Attorney General’s office and Department of Consumer Affairs. State agencies track these filings and can trigger investigations when complaints pile up.
Consider small claims court for amounts under $10,000. Bring printed copies of the statute, your purchase confirmation, and proof the event was canceled or changed.
The law requires refunds within 30 days of the cancellation. If Knott’s violated that timeline, mention it in any dispute or legal filing.
Before Your Next Visit
Anyone planning a trip to Knott’s should take precautions. Buy tickets with a credit card that offers purchase protection. Save screenshots of event descriptions, dates, and park calendars at the time of purchase. Keep all confirmation emails and receipts.
Check the event calendar multiple times before visiting. Last year’s Scary Farm cancellations showed that posted schedules can change without customer notification.
Most importantly, understand that getting a refund from Knott’s Berry Farm requires documentation, persistence, and willingness to cite California law. The park’s policy may say no refunds, but state law says otherwise. Guests who know their rights stand a better chance of getting their money back when events don’t go as advertised.
