BUENA PARK – Knott’s Berry Farm is closing two rides in preparation for the theme park’s 75th anniversary of Ghost Town, including GhostRider, the high-speed wooden roller coaster.

The coaster will close temporarily for “a comprehensive restoration” on Sept. 8, Knott’s Berry Farm officials announced Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Screamin’ Swing, a 60-foot-tall pendulum that swings riders about, will shutter permanently on the same day.

“GhostRider is one of the most beloved attractions at Knott’s Berry Farm,” Raffi Kaprelyan, vice president and general manager at Knott’s, said in an email. “The full restoration of the ride is just the beginning of what we have in store for the 75th anniversary celebration of Ghost Town in 2016.”

Knott’s Berry Farm’s founder, Walter Knott, created Ghost Town next to Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant in 1941 as a way to keep his wife’s customers occupied as they waited to be seated.

Ghost Town eventually became the park’s first themed land. Some theme park experts say Walt Disney was inspired to create themed lands in his own park, Disneyland, after chatting with Knott. The two had a friendly relationship.

Knott’s officials said they will share more information about GhostRider’s restoration, Screamin’ Swing’s closure and other plans for the 75th anniversary in November.

GhostRider made its debut in 1998 and features 4,500 feet of wooden track and stands 118 feet tall. The ride, which towers directly above Grand Avenue, is among the last wooden coasters on the West Coast.

Kayla Choi, 20, of Kenmore, Wash. described the coaster ride as “jerky.” Despite the bumpy ride on Wednesday, she said, “It was awesome.”

Jeffrey Kilbride, a season pass holder, said he likes the rough ride.

“It shows character,” said Kilbride, 30, of Long Beach. “They just need to smooth it out a little bit.”

On a recent morning, Screamin’ Swing, which opened in 2004 in the northern part of the park, had no line.

In May, Six Flags Magic Mountain opened its revamped iconic wooden roller coaster, Colossus, that first opened in 1978. Using hybrid technology, the now-named Twisted Colossus features steel tracks laid on top of the original ride’s wooden structure.

For now, Knott’s won’t say if GhostRider will get a similar make-over, and when it will return to action. Or if any attraction will replace Screamin’ Swing.

Contact the writer: 714-704-3764 or jpimentel@ocregister.com