Timchat2

We've never been fans of the giant "elf" either. Its tone doesn't really match the vibe of the event and especially now with the new WinterFest Way.

It is pretty surreal. Getting all this new content is a bit of a windfall for a park like Six Flags Over Texas that has been trying to rebuild its live entertainment offerings. It'll be interesting to see if parks with more established live entertainment like Six Flags Fiesta Texas take on any legacy Cedar Fair shows. Back at Kings Island, the parade dress rehearsals have been visible on the webcams. It appears to be the same number of floats and performers as last year.

We just saw it last night at Canada's Wonderland. It's pleasant but I'm not sure how the more obscure Christmas song choices will play for most guests. Knott's Merry Farm is using the same Tree Lighting Ceremony as well. They seem to generally go their own route with holiday entertainment so this might be a chain-wise directive. Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Texas looks to be the first major integration of Cedar Fair live entertainment into a legacy Six Flags park with Holly Jolly Trolley, Tree Lighting Ceremony, MistleTones, Polar Party and Midway Merriment characters all debuting this season.

Is it the same Tree Lighting Ceremony as Carowinds and Canada's Wonderland this year? The one with "What a Wonderful World" and "Christmas is the Warmest Time of the Year"?

The WinterFest guide has been posted on the official site: https://qr1.be/SX1M The map of locations for the interactive Nutcracker Bubble Wand and Ornament activation points has been posted as well: https://qr1.be/Q6T7 There are specific times for the Tower Gardens and Snow Moments near the front entrance. Will there be special light shows in those areas that interact with the ornament? Also, Songs of the Nativity has shifted its location closer to the entrance of Woodstock Express. The stage can be seen on the webcam:

The Tree Lighting Ceremony at Carowinds has new songs this year and the honorary family lights the tree by hanging a large ornament instead of the traditional big light switch. Will Kings Island see the same changes?

https://x.com/marcusleshock/status/1857073197713068387 Apparently Kingda Ka will be fully removed and not reimagined. A "completely new" roller coaster will take its place. (EDIT: Apologies for the duplicate link. The news is happening fast!)

It's a minor thing but the press release has the classic "King's" instead of "Kings" typo. I'm guessing this was written quickly.

A special event in the spring months (April and May) like the Peanuts Celebration or an expanded Food & Wine Festival would be a nice kickoff to the season before the summertime live entertainment lineup starts.

https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2023/november/winterfest-2023-preview More details about this year's WinterFest (even though the URL says 2023) including renderings of Yuletide Follies and the new look for WinterFest Way along with a preview of the WinterFest food items and the new interactive wand and ornament.

While I appreciate the show having a more prominent location, all the light and sound from Joe Cool's Dodgem School operating nearby can be a distraction, especially during the quieter songs.

Any chance for Songs of the Nativity to move back under cover at Beagle Scout Acres? The site just lists the show as being in Charlie Brown's Christmas Town.

Yuletide Follies is replacing Cool Yule at the Bandstand.

Jingle Jazz is returning, which might be a trade-off for What the Dickens being cut.

If it hasn't been noted elsewhere, the official app is now listing The Racer and Snoopy's Soap Box Racers along with other WinterFest attractions like Flight of Cheer, Snow Flake Lake and Holly Jolly Trolley.