Winterfestguy

Strange as the Carowinds webpage advertises Winterfest returns in 2021 - guess will see if that changes in the next few weeks -

It appears people will have to wait in the regular food lines (which can be very long on nice Fall days especially in the Festhaus and Jukebox) to get any of these special items. Wonder why the tents/huts used for Grand Carnival were not used and spaced throughout the park for easier access to these special items which would make them easier to obtain with the tasting card? If one wants to pay regular price, wonder if the items will be available for mobile food ordering at the Festhaus, Jukebox, or Hanks?

Wonder when contact free pouring with freestyle machines will be launched at KI and CP?

Fauci debunks the low CDC coronavirus death toll numbers - there actually are 180,000+ deaths https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/01/fauci-debunks-theories-of-low-cdc-coronavirus-death-toll-there-are-180000-plus-deaths-in-us.html?&qsearchterm=fauci debunks theories

Check their website the day you want to go as they list the rides not operating for the day as well as their hours. All summer the big wheel, the 5D theater, and bumper cars all have been closed due to COVID-19. The rafting ride sometimes opens from 2-6pm to cool off. Over in the waterpark, deluge has been closed all summer. KK is only open weekends now through the end of September (check their calendar on their website because hours do seem to change some time). No word yet if KK will open on weekends in October with some type of fall event like last year.

KI has tried in the past with the Banshee Brew Festival complete with food trucks in June 2015 (a year after the Banshee opened). https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.journal-news.com/news/beer-festival-one-several-new-kings-island-features-this-year/VMjav4iWbat6spvsK8041J/%3foutputType=amp Attendance at the brew festival was just okay, nothing spectacular, and management decided to direct their efforts to more family friendly events. However, a similar event at CP (Frontier Festival with great craft beer, BBQ, and entertainment) is very well attended and highly anticipated by many

And KI listened to their fans and added a few restrooms in Area 72, ah finally relief! (Granted not the high crowd capacity kind but any restroom in the area is most welcomed when you gotta go)

I bought a bunch of FUN in March when it was almost at it’s lowest point of $15 and at today’s $25.89 Closing price, very happy with my purchase. I doubt the price will go much below $23 (given that all the announcements have already been made of which parks won’t open at all) and may actually go up if Canada Wonderland or Knotts can open at all this season. Of course good fall weather on an October could increase crowds at CP and KI with their special fall even this year. (Remember the traffic and crowd mess at CP last October).

With many Christmas events being already cancelled this year, it still would be nice if the park put up just the Eiffel Tower Christmas Tree this season to bring cheer and hope for all those that drive by to see. Christmas lights always make people smile, and in this strange pandemic everyone could probably use some Christmas cheer.

Skipping the event this year as their mask policy is very weak, plus Spencer country is seeing more virus cases. As reported other places here in the boards, Holiday World mask policy and social distancing has been minimal compared to the excellent job KI has done with their mask policy and social distancing procedures. Note at Holiday World no mask required on the midways while walking around. Be sure to spread out when eating the meals and snacks with all those coaster fans. https://usafacts.org/visualizations/coronavirus-covid-19-spread-map/state/indiana/county/spencer-county G

Today is my 4th visit to the park and can say with light attendance today have seen several families with masks around their neck. Also, seems the park has gone backwards on hand sanitizer stations as promised in their opening plan. This one by Orion and the sanitizer station under The Racer by the games had no dispenser attached to the sign. What good is just a sign indicating hand sanitizer?

Not all CF parks have reopened this season - while we have been lucky that both KI and CP reopened with limited hours, other CF parks remained closed (King’s Dominion, Carowinds, Valley Fair, Knott’s Berry, Great Adventure, Michigan Adventure rides (their waterpark is open however). The virus is still impacting many of the CF chain of theme parks this summer season.

Also note on August calendar park is closed Wednesdays and Thursdays for the first two weeks of August and starting August 17 closed Monday through Friday for the remainder of August - not many summer operating days left.

Good idea to have some type of entertainment but bad execution with afternoon bandstand events for thinking ahead with extreme summer heat - KI should install “social umbrellas” in front of the bandstand spaced 6 feet apart similar to what the current queue for Disney’s Slinky Dog coaster is. Each group can have their own umbrella (and social dot) to stand underneath for shade to avoid the direct hot sun. With temps in the 90’s and heat index above 100, who would want to stand directly in the hot sun at the hottest part of the day to watch something?

KI should be giving away the free cupcake with ever meal plan purchased as an incentive to boost attendance this season instead of charging the ridiculous $1.99 price.