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Just got back from Dollywood (first time in several years at Christmas.) Compared to years past, there are a lot of shifts in decor that I’d consider cutbacks, but so much thought put into what is there, that it’s hard to ding them. I’d really love a “love child” between KI’s “more is more just keep throwing Christmas crap on it” with Dollywood’s thoughtful use of decor as storytelling (and their ability to staple cords and burry things under mulch) and we’d have a winner! KI definitely wins the “lush overstuffed decor award” now, if they’d just take the time to straighten and fluff stuff each year… Honestly I’d almost give the edge to KI for overall energy and complete Christmas vibes now, and I never thought I’d feel Dollywood had slipped.

It's good to see Herschend jumping in and working hard to revitalize the park. First the Christmas event, now this. It sounds like the fair board finally found the right people to run the park

https://x.com/briansterowski/status/1875384256282947973?s=46 I’m not sure who the original poster is, but I’ve heard this from a few places. It’s possible that Kings Dominion WinterFest may holding its last ever event this weekend. No word on whether Kings Island will have WinterFest 2025. Buy your Silver Pass.

What about this post...

Is that Winterfest 2024 or 2025?

So if it is true, is showing 2025 unlimited visits to WF false advertising or a bait and switch or simply caveat emptor?

Worth noting: Dollywood is a Christmas event, Kings Island a holiday event.

Snow in the Grove has a couple walkaround characters like Roly Poly (from the defunct parade) along with the year-round characters like Flit and Flutter, but that doesn't quite compare to the variety and guests interactions Kings Island's Midway Merriment crew. Despite the long-in-the-tooth productions, one of Dollywood's strengths has always been the quality of its shows. This year Kings Island took a major step forward with Yuletide Follies, but that still is somewhat hampered by the usual KI outdoor venue issues (weather, area noise, etc.).

Definitely time for new shows. On the way home I realized the first time we went SMC at Dollywood was over 10 years ago, and half of the shows are the same ones. I get tradition and all, but at this point it’s crossed the line to stale. The lit tree thing I think also stems from the fact that they flip from Harvest to Christmas in like 3 days now, the open in March with a whole other festival. I think they’ve had to manage down some of the manpower and reprioritize things they do. I actually miss the KI “Winterfest Characters” that I think DW could definitely develop for all their areas. The entire event lacks some of the energy of KI.Sad that the parade that was only run a few years is sitting in storage. They only run the drone show on weekends etc. It used to be the “gold standard” to me and it’s honestly slipped to a strong silver (sharing the medal platform with KI in a way I thought they’d never do.)

I'd revoke my pass immediately. Lol. Leave KI as is. Its charm is partially why it's my favorite park.

AZ to DC in the foreseeable future.

California's Great America, which is apparently not having WinterFest in 2025, makes the distinction that a 2025 Gold Pass applies to the 2024 WinterFest:

Probably helping to hide Kings Island’s 2025 calendar. Buy your Silver Pass.

Exactly! Their legal team will imply that was the rest of 2024 WF; conversely, since it is for a 2025 pass, the purchaser is assuming it is for 2025 WF. Caveat Emptor

I’d venture that’s then limited some of their offerings. They’ve cut things like A Dollywood Christmas Carol and It’s A wonderful Life- shows that added a different flavor to the event. They “Covid cut” the Santa “land” they used to have to replace it with a socially distancing experience that theyve continued, They didn’t continue the Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer marketing program that they continued at other Herschel’s parks. Cut the parade that had a very clear religious (Christmas) message Not sure what you mean by Christmas vs Holiday. Are you saying they’ve eliminated the secular aspects?

It wouldn't surprise me if this was KD's last season with Winterfest. If the rumor is true of it not returning next season, it all but signifies they are raising the white flag. Their Winterfest event can't compete with BGW's Christmas Town an hour down the street...

Has anyone noticed that one of the three new family rides announced is a train ride? I am not getting my hopes up for a train the size of Dollywood's or even KI's; but, considering the fact that Kentucky Kingdom has never had a train ride before, I am going to wait and see what kind of train ride they went with, where it is going, and what it's layout will be.

I also believe AZ becomes DCU within the next couple of seasons. Why wouldn't they use a highly popular IP that they already own? AZ theming doesn't even make sense any longer.

At this point nothing this chain does makes sense to me. You just announced anaconda closure so why didn't you announce the berserker closure at the same time if that is the current plan? Seems like they are purposely not allowing anyone to have final rides now.

We had similar feelings this year about Dollywood as well. Smoky Mountain Christmas is still a solid event with decor in nearly all corners of the park, an extensive lineup of live entertainment (which could perhaps use a new production or two) and the usual Dollywood warmth/charm, but Kings Island's WinterFest truly feels like "Christmas everywhere you look" (to quote Tinker's Toy Factory and Elf: the Musical) in comparison with lots of lights and detailed decorations all over the park, but perhaps lacking the finesse of Dollywood. In recent years Dollywood seems to have shifted away from covering seemingly every building surface with lights that way Silver Dollar City still does and Kentucky Kingdom is just starting to do with its new holiday event. Instead Dollywood has focused more on area-specific decor to give each sections a unique look like the "candlelight" in Craftsman's Valley. The pre-lit trees placed throughout the landscaping beds appears to be their way of keeping the light count up without attaching lights to every last board like they might have done in the past.

You’re right. Stupid idea. Haha.

Not necessarily. AlpenFury has a huge price tag; I believe it will be the largest investment in a single ride in Canada's Wonderland's history. Iron Menace and its accompanying land at Dorney Park last year was the largest investment in that park's history. Rapterra is a very expensive ride and there's also a significant amount of money being invested into Kings Dominion this year for the surrounding area/50th anniversary-related projects.

I'm curious what makes D.C. garbage compared to other IPs the park has held in the past. We've seen both extremes in terms of quality under Paramount and Cedar Fair's leadership. At the time Tomb Raider: The Ride was announced in 2001, CoreDesign had pumped out 5 Tomb Raider games in a 4 year span, the Angelina Jolie Tomb Raider movie had released to critical failure, and fans were unhappy such a large investment was going to a dying IP. TR;TR went on to become one of KI's most ambitious and critically acclaimed experiences upon opening. I hope we see the beginning of more ambitious experiences like that again, even if it is "DC garbage".

Dear god no. NO DC GARBAGE. KEEP THE DC COMIS GARBAGE OUT OF KI.

Here is the first half of fireworks on New Year's Eve 2024.

Had a fantastic time with the lady friend at Kings Island to kickoff the new year!

Good observation! The area from the carousel/ Flying Dutchman to Storm Chaser is the prettiest area of the park, but it's also the most dead area of the park. It would make sense to beef it up. There's also space in this area for a playground, not so much in King Louie's Playground. I thought this area was supposed to become a Fireman's Landing type of area from the survey that was sent out, with the Drop Tower being moved there. Nonetheless, I'm happy to be a passholder again and looking forward to the next couple of seasons!

The Bat will be there longer than a number of current full-time employees.

The Bat isn't going to be retired in the foreseeable future. Congo Falls? Invertigo? Drop Tower? Monster? Place your bets!

I’m guessing they will do this once Banshee needs repainted. It was 14 years between Diamondback being built and when it was repainted so maybe we can expect AZ to be replaced with DC theming in 2028?

A Gotham City retheme of AZ could be incredible… if done correctly. Though, with the current direction of things I’m not confident that would be the case.

I will now, going forward, refer to this company as "Six Axes". Just change the flags to axes at this point. This is the new world order I guess.