Knott’s Scary Farm in Buena Park is back for its 2025 season with plenty of frights, mazes, and scare actors—but it’s also making sure guests know that fun has boundaries. One of the most notable parts of its Code of Conduct for the event is the “NO RE‑ENTRY” policy. That means once you exit the event gates, you cannot return later in the evening. It’s a rule that carries weight—and raises questions about guest experience, safety, and behavior control.Credit: Inside the MagicWhat the Code of Conduct SaysKnott’s Scary Farm has posted a clear code of rules for this year’s haunt, which includes:NO RE‑ENTRY FOR THIS EVENT.NO LINE‑JUMPING OR PLACE HOLDING.NO RUNNING, UNRULY, DISRUPTIVE, OR OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOR.NO HORSEPLAYING.NO INTERFERING WITH WALKWAYS OR PASSAGEWAYS.NO LOUD, PROFANE, OR ABUSIVE LANGUAGE.DO NOT TOUCH OR MISTREAT THE MONSTERS.NO COSTUMES, MASKS, OR INAPPROPRIATE ATTIRE.Smoking is permitted only in designated areas.No marijuana allowed.Failure to abide may be cause for dismissal without refund.In addition, the chaperone policy must also be obeyed: guests 15 and under must be accompanied by someone 21 or older, who must show valid ID. One chaperone can cover up to ten youngsters, and must stay with them throughout the visit.Why the No Re‑Entry Rule MattersCredit: Inside the Magic“No re‑entry” might feel like a harsh policy, especially for people who need to step out for a few minutes—whether to get food, touch up makeup, visit the car, or take a break. But the reason behind such strictness becomes clearer when you consider what Knott’s Scary Farm has dealt with in the past.Knott’s annual Halloween event is intense—not just in design, but in size. The event runs for many nights (this year between Sept. 18 – Nov. 1) and draws crowds. With crowds come maintenance issues, safety risks, and behavior that sometimes crosses the line. The no re‑entry rule helps Knott’s manage these risks by reducing foot traffic through entrances, limiting loopholes where guests might exit then attempt to re‑step around rules, and easing pressure on security and operations to monitor people re-entering under unclear circumstances.From a logistical standpoint, shutting re‑entry means less chance of congestion at gates, less risk of unauthorized entries, fewer lost‑ticket or stamp situations, and overall a smoother flow of people. It also acts as a deterrent: if you can’t leave and come back, you are more likely to follow park rules while you’re inside.History of Behavioral Problems at Knott’s Scary FarmKnott’s hasn’t always had to enforce these kinds of rules so strictly. Over recent years, though, there has been a noticeable uptick in incidents that forced them to tighten policies.One example is the reinstatement of a chaperone policy after several “unruly” incidents. According to Knott’s announcements and reporting, the park reimposed rules requiring younger guests to be accompanied by adults after numerous safety and behavior issues, including fights and disruptive behavior, across the park.Another past issue involved a haunted attraction called Fear VR: 5150. The ride was widely criticized for its portrayal of mental illness, resulting in demands from advocates. Eventually Knott’s shut down the attraction, citing concerns about sensitivity and appropriateness.Also, guest complaints over mistreatment or harassment by fear actors have come up. For instance, one woman claimed that actors made disparaging remarks about her weight and followed her around in a monster costume, making her feel singled out and humiliated. She said that while scaring is part of the event, being harassed or made fun of crossed a line.These examples show why Knott’s needs strict conduct rules—and why policies like “no re‑entry” are part of a broader effort to maintain control, safety, guest comfort, and overall reputation.What This Means for GuestsIf you plan to attend Knott’s Scary Farm, especially during peak nights, here are some things to keep in mind:Plan ahead. If you think you’ll need to leave for any reason (restrooms outside the event, forget something in your car, etc.), do it before entering—or know you won’t be coming back in.Make sure your group is ready. Chaperone arrangements are strict; you’ll need valid ID and must stay together the whole time.Respect staff and actors. Touching monsters, interfering with walkways, or using offensive language can get you removed.Be ready for long hours. With no re‑entry, once you’re in, you’re there for the night unless you choose to exit for good.Know the event hours: evenings, late into the night, possibly until 2 a.m. on some nights. That means fatigue, crowds, and late‑night behavior all factor into the guest experience.Supporting Rules vs. Potential DownsidesThere are clear upsides for the park. Strong rules help protect guests and performers, reduce liability, and preserve the intended atmosphere of fright without letting behavior derail everything.On the flip side, “no re‑entry” can feel strict or unfair to some guests. Maybe someone needs to step out for an ADA reason, or family obligations crop up, or simply food or drink needs. If you aren’t aware of the policy in advance, it could sour the night.Additionally, heavy policing of guest behavior and strict rules can lead to tension between staff and visitors. When people feel they’re being watched or mistrusted, it can affect how comfortable they feel. It’s a balancing act: enforcing rules enough to keep things safe and fun, but not so much that it feels punitive or overly restrictive.Looking Forward: Will This Improve the Experience?Knott’s Scary Farm is beloved for a reason. The creativity of mazes, immersive scare zones, new haunted houses like The Zoo (military experiment mutant super soldiers) and Bloody Mary / Worth Home adaptions, returning mazes, plus live shows and atmosphere make it a marquee Halloween event.But as attendance grows (and with that, behavior expectations shift), the event needs mechanisms to protect its scares—and its guests. The no re‑entry policy, along with strict conduct rules, seems aimed at preserving a certain order so that the event remains as intended: spooky, thrilling, controlled, and, importantly, safe.For frequent visitors who have been going for decades, these policies might feel like limitations. But they also reflect that Knott’s is responding to past missteps—to safety incidents, guest complaints, and concerns from the public—and is trying to make the event sustainable and enjoyable for as many people as possible.Knott’s Scary Farm isn’t just about pushing boundaries of fear—it’s now also about defining boundaries of behavior. The “no re‑entry” rule may seem small compared to ghost‑freighted mazes or scare actors jumping out of closets, but it’s emblematic of how Knott’s is trying to reclaim control over its Halloween event. Guests may grumble about the strictness, but in an environment where one person’s joke or misbehavior can break the immersive mood for everyone, these rules may be exactly what’s needed to keep the darkness thrilling and not chaotic.If you’re planning a night of scares this season, come knowing what you’re committing to: once you enter, you stay (unless you leave for good). And maybe, that’s part of what keeps the fear real.The post California’s Prolific Knott’s Berry Farm Bans Re-Entry appeared first on Inside the Magic.