Coast Rider is a steel wild mouse roller coaster in The Boardwalk section of Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. Built by Mack Rides, it opened on May 25, 2013, on the former footprint of the water ride Perilous Plunge, which had closed the previous September to make room for the park’s expanded boardwalk-themed area.
The coaster’s name is a playful nod to the park’s famous GhostRider wooden coaster, and its layout is a reverse version of Apple Zapple at sister park Kings Dominion. Riders board single-car trains for a quick, snappy trip defined by sharp hairpin turns rather than big drops or high speed, making it a favorite transition ride for families moving up from kiddie attractions.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, California
- Manufacturer: Mack Rides
- Opened: May 25, 2013
- Height: about 52 feet
- Top speed: about 37 mph
- Length: 1,339 feet
- Inversions: 0
The Ride Experience
Coast Rider’s single-car trains, each carrying four riders in two rows, launch into a tight sequence of hairpin turns, twists, and spins packed into a run lasting about two and a half minutes. There’s no big lift hill drama or inversions here; the thrill comes from the quick lateral direction changes typical of the wild mouse coaster style, which Mack Rides designed to pack maximum maneuvering into a compact footprint.
The 44-inch height requirement makes Coast Rider an accessible step up for younger riders who aren’t quite ready for GhostRider or Xcelerator, while still offering enough snap and spin to entertain teens and adults riding alongside them.
History and Design
Coast Rider arrived as part of a 2013 Boardwalk expansion that also added the Surfside Gliders and Pacific Scrambler, replacing the water ride Perilous Plunge. Cedar Fair filed the trademark for the Coast Rider name in October 2012 before officially unveiling the new attraction lineup that November.
Its track layout is essentially a reversed version of Apple Zapple at Kings Dominion, another Cedar Fair park, giving coaster enthusiasts a familiar-but-flipped experience if they’ve ridden both. Knott’s Berry Farm is now operated by Six Flags following its 2024 merger with Cedar Fair.
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Coast Rider FAQs
What type of coaster is Coast Rider?
It’s a steel wild mouse coaster, a style known for single-car trains and sharp, tight turns rather than big drops or inversions.
How tall do you have to be to ride Coast Rider?
Riders must be at least 44 inches tall to board.
Does Coast Rider have any inversions?
No, Coast Rider has zero inversions; its thrills come from quick hairpin turns and spins instead.
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Photo: METRO96 / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.