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Went this evening. Racer and Snoopy’s Soap Box Racers were not open due to temps. It was freezing but had a good visit overall. The new Winterfest Way was cute, the steamed up car at the drive in cracked me up. Another cute Easter egg was found at the entrance to the drive in, which I loved. First ride of the night was on Kings Mills Antique Autos. I don’t remember for sure, but looked to have less decorations throughout the course. Just outside of it in “Tinsel Town” there were less decorations and no silver trees to block the path to WindSeeker like in years past. We took a ride on the Holly Jolly Trolley and surprisingly it did well in the cold. I still think people are confused that it is a “ride.” Ate one meal at Coney BBQ and it was yummy! I got the turkey with gravy and Sweet Potato Fries, tried the Cranberry BBQ sauce but it wasn’t a good mix with the gravy so didn’t have a ton, though tasty. After dinner, we hit up Mystic Timbers. It seemed to be running quite slow, but was fun. Ended up doing Snow works. Hopefully this video works: IMG_7731.mov Let me just tell you, if I didn’t have Fast Lane, I would have been ticked waiting in line to go an inch off of the drop. Cargo Loco was next and then I enjoyed the sights. We decided to hit up Tinker’s Toy Factory. I hate to say it, but it put me to sleep. Being a theater person, I love live E, but it felt like the same tired show with no energy. Bonus points, it warmed me up! I then was shown the Nutcracker Wand by a friend and picked one up myself. They are definitely fun, but didn’t really get more than a QR code to show me where activation points were. Wasn’t shown how to play tag or what to do to interact with the parade or shows. Disappointed in that, but still had fun with it. The map shows some locations not really where they are, for example in Coney Mall. The points are shown more toward the outside of the walkway (Racer side) but they were actually in the middle of the mall. Watched the parade. It as well was the same as it has been in past years. Wish they would at least update the interactive songs. Everyone around me kinda just stared. I then met up with friends at Boo Blasters. It was a nice inside ride, but the gun didn’t work/score. Really hope it gets updated in the near future to something better. We then hit up the KIMVRR. Wow. What a disappointment. The interactive wand activation point was the highlight. The crew loaded maybe 1/3 of the train that went ahead of us. When we finally boarded, we sat on the train waiting to be dispatched which took forever, probably a good 10 minutes. Could have been due to building steam pressure, but it was odd and they kept letting people get on. When we finally got moving, there was no music, though there was audio when instructions were given. 12 days of Christmas was not played. The train took off and was moving extremely quick through about the first half of the course. There were a good number of lights that were either out completely or partially worked. It was just disappointing and someone recently said here they think they should update the displays around the train and I’d agree. But only if they can maintain them, because as of right now, it doesn’t look like they’ve been maintained. What should have been a quick/nice ride on the train became at least a 1/2hr experience. The premium drink plan came in handy with the hot chocolate. It was tasty and had no issues trying to find it. The shopping experience has stayed kinda subpar. Nothing really new, aside from generic coaster gear and overpriced hoodies. I found one hoodie I liked, that featured I-Street during Winterfest. I quickly found myself putting it back after seeing that it was $52. Despite the “issues” I had, I still had a good time. Hoping to make it back at least one more time.

The new area behind The Tower is absolutely wonderful!!

Not digging the no staggered show times at all. Feel like everything starts the same time so there’s no more “continuous entertainment” as you walk around. Also makes it really hard to see a lot in one night. Not sure where the logic is in this.

Racer is racing on Sat Nov 30 with 1 train on each side. It’s currently 31 degrees Soap Box is running too

The atmosphere and the WinteFest Wonderland Parade is now highlighted in our latest KICentral YouTube video.

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.

That area was definitely the highlight for me. I know this is a hot take, but this would have been a great chance to let the giant "elf" go back to just being a Halloween display. The new tree lighting doesn't seem too different from the old one, but it also kind of feels like an advert for the $30 upcharge toys. I also didn't really see any lights out, which is an improvement from the last couple years (especially with lights being out/the wrong color on the Eiffel Tower).

Really really good visit this evening at Winterfest. Got to see two shows and got most of the rides as well. In terms of shows, I saw tinker's toy factory which is my favorite show at the park. Also did peanuts Guide to Christmas. Might try and get a few others in the coming weeks but as others have pointed out, all the shows start at the same times making it difficult to get them all in during one evening at the park especially considering that on Sat the final showing of most of them is 7:30. At least Fri has that 9:30 show. Ate at the brewhouse and that holiday meatloaf burger with the muenster cheese was amazing. They should have that all the time! Also picked up a couple cookies at the sweet spot. Ride Count of the night was as follows - Flight of Cheer: 2x Racer (Blue): 2x Racer (Red): 1x Mystic Timbers: 1x Snoopy's Soap Box Racers: 1x Franklin's Flyers: 1x Shake Rattle & Roll: 1x Scrambler: 1x Sol Spin: 1x Cargo Loco: 1x Dogem: 1x Zephyr: 1x Grand Carousel: 1x Boo Blaster: 1x Holly Jolly Trolley: 1x

I wouldn't have any issue with a family coaster going in the crypt building. I just don't think it is the right size or dimension for it. If they prove me wrong and pull it off, whatever. It would almost definitely be an improvement over the current state. I like the odds of a flat ride going inside, or it being outright removed. I agree 100% about The Vortex plot. For the love of all that is good in the world, DO NOT waste that plot with a glorified kid coaster. We would absolutely drop my family's passes for that stupidity, too.

More demo / work being done at Timberwolf Theatre:

Kentucky Kingdom needs entertainment options. I'm sorry to disagree with you about kk thriving. Ed Hart brought the park back from the dead. Had COVID not happened, he might still own the rights to operate the park. But a small non chain park can't survive, much less thrive without monetary input. HFE was likely a savior again. I wish we could have had our RMC single rail coaster. But it wasn't meant to be. HFE is taking things slow but steady. If they stay committed long term, KK will be in the best shape it's ever been in. 33 million dollars in three seasons is a great investment in this park. They likely will invest even more as the fair board evaluates and implements their long term vision for the entire property ( which included,big I remember correctly, removal of the road that bisects the park and a dedicated parking lot for kk in the empty land between storm chaser and Kentucky Flyer). When that is situated, it will give HFE a clear direction to go. HFE is not afraid of investment in their parks, so it will be interesting to see what transpires. They have much, much deeper pockets than Ed Hart ever did.

In front of KillMart

Racer, Soap Box Racers, Sol Spin, and Space Buggies are closed. All other rides are open.

There is a certain vacant spot that's in the zoning necessary for KK to build at taller heights which would be perfect for something cool...

Sorry (not sorry) for the double post, but… Happy Winterfest, KIC!

I'm hopeful Herschend will make the right moves for Kentucky Kingdom. I've always felt like the park was rundown under previous ownership, even though they were building new rides. As for what I would personally like to see added to Kentucky Kingdom, I definitely think something a bit more family friendly is on the horizon, maybe an Intamin/Vekoma full scale family coaster themed to the Kentucky Derby? They did say this investment would be specifically in rides and attractions after all. Hopefully this means Deluge finally comes down too.

A family coaster in the crypt building OR The Vortex plot is an epic failure. The crypt building needs an intense, inverting flat in there. (If they remove the triangle of light door I'd buy a piece of it in a heartbeat or a piece of Shiva off the wall) That Vortex plot needs the inversion record. Its what it was built for. (Well, actually a suspended coaster that later ended up being demoed and replaced with the inversion record) If they put a family ride in either of these two plots, I'm revoking my pass permanently.