I bet if rides didn't matter and they ran nothing, Winterfest would disappear.  There is a reason they are adding rides to the lineup....

Best element on each Kings Island Coaster  Diamondback: first drop in back row The Beast: double helix Orion: first drop  Banshee: zero G roll Racer: airtime hill right before the turnaround (front row) Bat: turn at the bottom of the second drop Adventure Express: the drop/turn mid ride right before the helix near the abandoned mine cart Mystic Timbers: First drop Flight of Fear: final corkscrew  Backlot: the tunnel Invertigo: second lift when in front row facing the sky getting ready to drop backwards  Woodstock Express: first drop (back row) Woodstock Air Rail: helix/first drop  Great Pumpkin: first drop  Snoopy's Soap Box Racers: First drop back row   Honorable Mentions  Firehawk: the loop Vortex: the first drop (but I also loved the batwing finale by the walkway)

1. The drop into the helix finale on The Beast, especially in Row 18 2. The first drop in Row 18 on The Beast 3. The first inversion after launch in Row 10 on Flight of Fear 4. The final turn into the brakes on Orion, especially on the right hand side of the train 5. From days gone by, the first drop on Vortex sitting in 7-1

I enjoy all of winterfest and usually end up going more times than I go to haunt. However, I think the rides are a big factor. If I want to look at Christmas lights, the Cincinnati zoo is much closer to where I live but they don't have any rollercoasters or as many shows.  I was curious about the temps seeing as I'm really excited about riding The Racer with all the Christmas lights along Coney Mall and was curious if anyone knew at what point they start closing rides because it's just too cold to run them? 

lol thats just a poll. That proves nothing. Ask @DonHelbig if rides really matter. It "adds" to the experience  Winterfest is about the shows, lights and the atmosphere. Rides are a good addition!