Schnepf Farms — Attraction in Queen Creek

We went on Saturday from 3-10. We have been coming to the pumpkin and chili festival for a long time, like 6-8 years (back when they did the discount tickets at fry’s) a lot has changed. This year was by far the worst. There are very long lines for literally everything. Even the bouncy area for the little ones has a line and timed play now. Lines for the bumble bee and roller coaster were absolutely ridiculous and never died down, the main food lines were never ending. We let our older kids stand in lines for what they wanted and gave up with the little ones and spent all night pretty much at the open playground so we spent $200 and a hour drive to play on a playground essentially. The prices were insane. A small popcorn was $8 cotton candy is $12.50 a tiny cup of Italian ice was $7. I get they are growing and can jack up prices because people will pay but it’s just really no longer affordable for the families that have grown with the farm and have been going for years and used to be supporting a small business. They definitely over sell tickets, it’s packed on the weekend from sun up to sun down you do not get a break of having to stand next to someone whether that’s in line or just watching the kids play at the playground everyone is shoulder to shoulder. Walking anywhere is like herding cattle and everyone moves in bumper to bumper traffic around the farm. Another big issue was seating. There is really nowhere for the parents to sit as they watch their kids in area to area there’s about one built in bench or table other wise they threw hay barrels down around the playground which gets stuck in your pants and poke you when you do finally get a turn sitting but there’s just not enough seats available and I am very pregnant and need a break from standing lol. I’d also say the rides are for small kids with the exception of the 2 rides that they rented this year. Overall my husband, older kids and I were really sad with how things have changed so much and not for the better. In all these years and all the money they make they could use it to upgrade old rides that need some major tlc or add more attractions to break up the large crowds or put in another bathroom so not everyone’s waiting in a 20+ minute line just do go to the restroom. If you’re going to over sell and price gouge at least make GOOD upgrades. We sadly miss the days of short lines quality food and service and being able to use the bathroom in a reasonable amount of time, unfortunately we will be breaking our yearly tradition and finding another small business to support who values their...

Unfortunately me and my family did not have a good experience yesterday on the first opening day for October for the Pumpkin patch and Chili Party. I had heard from a coworker that this place is the best pumpkin patch for kids and families that’s why we decided to go for the first time. We arrived and we were instantly attacked by mosquitoes. They could’ve advised their customers on their ticket website to bring bug repellent! My husband alone got like 10 or more bites on his back and my daughters had some on their legs too. Also , the pig race was a little awkward , no music, no enthusiasm nothing. Let’s not forget how uncomfortable we were because we kept itching and itching and swatting at the mosquitoes. We didn’t even get to see the stunt dog show or BMX show because the show times on the pamphlet that they gave us on entrance were not accurate and not updated. With this being our first time here, we depended on the map on the pamphlet they gave us and that alone was not clear and it was just confusing. We had to search and search for staff members to ask for help. When I did find one in a red shirt, I asked where the stunt dog show was located and he didn’t know and he had to use his walkie talkie device to call someone else and ask. Then he went and also asked some other staff members on a go cart. Then we walked on over to find it, and once we found it, there was no one there and the bleachers were empty and only the stunt area was set up that’s it. I then again looked for a staff member to ask and asked if the stunt dog show will start soon and he didn’t know and he also had to ask another staff member. He went to the tent to ask and came back and told me that the hours on the pamphlet they gave us are not correct, and that “eventually” they will be updated and corrected but that the stunt dog show already had its last showing. The pamphlet said it began 7:30pm. It just seemed like staff didn’t know what was going on, and they were just there and going with the flow. I also did hear from another person riding the hay ride with us that they went on the “spooky train” ride and the scare actors were just yelling out “booooo, it’s our first day, sorry” and barely even trying to do their job. I am just disappointed, especially for the price we paid, you’d think it would be a good pumpkin patch and worth it but no. Will not be coming here again, and do not recommend. They definitely need to educate and train their staff appropriately. Wish I could get a...

I wish I didn’t have to write this, but after our first visit to Schnepf Farms for the Pumpkin Chili Party, I feel like I have no choice. We were so excited—bought our tickets back in August—ready to make memories with friends and their kids. We knew it would be busy, but nothing prepared us for what we experienced.

The first sign of trouble was the bathrooms. Trying to find one that wasn’t overwhelmed by a massive line was almost impossible. We finally found some porta-potties, but the handwashing stations were in horrible shape—only one even had soap or water (barely).

We expected some waiting around, but the crowds were far beyond what we could have imagined. We couldn’t get on any rides because the lines were unbearable. The kids ended up just using the playground, the pillow jump, and the zipline. We tried to make the best of it. But then... the food situation.

I’m sure the food would’ve been great, but did we get to taste any of it? Nope. We joined the long lines, willing to wait. They don’t allow outside food or drinks, so we figured it was our only option. One of our friends managed to place an order quickly at the Succatash, but the food never came. The rest of us waited almost an hour in the pizza line before a staff member casually announced, "By the time you get to the front, it’ll be another hour and 20 minutes for your pizza."

At this point, the kids were starving and cranky, and there wasn’t even a snack stand in sight for something as simple as chips. We left the farm, parting ways to grab fast food, defeated.

We tried to salvage the night with a promise of face painting near the entrance. But when we got there—surprise—no face painters. It was only 7:30 p.m., the farm was open for two and a half more hours, and yet, the staff said, "They probably all went home."

I don’t like to post negative reviews, and I usually go out of my way to support local businesses. But this? This was just unacceptable. We had heard so many great things about Schnepf Farms and were excited to finally experience it for ourselves. After spending over $275 as a group on admission, we left with nothing but disappointed kids, empty stomachs, and no explanation as to why they claimed the event was "sold out" online but continued to sell tickets at the gate with too few staff or vendors to handle the crowd.

Someone needs to reach out and make this right. We had such high hopes, but this was beyond...