Timchat2

Reportedly an email went out to California's Great America season passholders stating that there would be no seasonal events in 2025, meaning no Carnivale at Orleans Place, Tricks & Treats Fall Fest or WinterFest. The current CGA 2025 operating calendar shows hours starting in April until the end of October with none listed in November or December.

It was definitely a great night after an iffy beginning. The parade happened with all show stops and even the 9:30 Yuletide Follies occurred as scheduled with slightly modified blocking to avoid slick spots on the steps.

Yuletide Follies at the International Bandstand is a great addition to the WinterFest lineup. It's pretty ambitious for a Bandstand show with multiple costume changes, strong vocals and an impressive dancing ensemble. The lush old-school musical arrangements feel very similar to shows at Knott's, so I have a feeling the show writer from Phantom Theater Encore was involved. Along with MistleTones, Swingin' Into Christmas and the new WinterFest Way there seems to be a bit of a running theme this year with the 1940s/50s classic holiday vibes.

The Meatball Hoagie at Prancer's Pizza (International Street LaRosa's) is substantial and one of the better dining plan values with five meatballs on a foot-long hoagie roll. Very filling.

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.