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KingsIslandFan1972 said: "I wonder if the original voice of Maestro will be returning to voice him in the new ride?" He is.

The park didn't waste anytime starting work on the ice skating rink transformation. I always forget how much goes into the process of converting the fountain ever year.

I like the winterfest train ride, but I feel having the 12 days of Christmas as the theme and not trying to time it to the lights is a big loss. They have to play like 3 or 4 versions during the entire ride just to have music last the entire ride and only the first day actually matches. A nice ride through a winter village with music would be better, IMHO.

Some blue and white Christmas lights were glowing in Action Zone on Friday night, so it appears that area is still being used for WinterFest this year. The lights were also up in the White Water Canyon tunnel that becomes the queue for the train.

I feel like you could probably lose Action Zone, as I'm not sure there's anything too memorable there that you couldn't just move elsewhere. Losing Antique Autos would take a really great, Christmas-y attraction. It's fun to drive through there with all the lights ... would definitely be missed. And if they ever had to close the train, I feel like that would be the final nail in the coffin for Winterfest. I think it's personally a bit too short of a train ride, but it's probably the most traditional Christmas attraction you can have an amusement park. Feels like it's essential. I wonder if they're actually losing money on the Winterfest buffet on International Street. I'm sure they sell out, but I'm also sure it's a lot of money to make all that food. I wonder if they'd be better to make it a drink-and-dessert place. Stop in, do hot cocoa with a toppings bar. Some deserts. Maybe open up the bar. Limit people to 30 minutes in there to warm up, enjoy their drinks and enjoy the view, and then keep people moving through and spending money.

That would be awesome if he returned! I wonder if we'll get some old restored audio for the new ride as well. Fingers crossed the Maestro returns to his booth in the que!

I believe he did for the Encore pre-show announcements, so I’d hope so.

WinterFest 2025 starts November 28th and runs through December 31st . Lets use this thread to discuss all things WinterFest 2025.

Ok. So to preface, after having experienced CP in the fall for the first time ever last year, my fiancé and I decided then that we would find ourselves there only during the fall season as the cooler air/light crowds ( on non weekend/Hallo days ) are lighter and the overall vibes are just preferred as a whole. I think at this point if we were to find ourselves inside the park in the summer months it would be because A) we lived in the area or B ) Special event such as Sandusky Pride. Otherwise, we prefer a fall visit. We had been planning out our trip for awhile and it so happened to work out that it fell on Halloween weekend. At first I was slightly nervous that the crowds would be overwhelming on Halloween night so we bought our FL+ wristbands just in case. Ended up not being crowded at all actually. So while it felt silly spending the money on the wristbands, they did come in handing for making re-rides easier on TT2 and SC. Everything else was quite literally no more than a 15 minute wait. The longest wait of the night for me was Millie because I wanted the front seat as always. But even then, with them only having the red and blue rain operating, that two-train dispatching was much more fluid than when they have three on the track. While we ended up having dinner and riding other favorites, my main focus will be on TT2 and SC, so here goes. Top Thrill 2. I had a lot of complicated emotions around this one and I think there might be those of you who would agree with that. As a long time fan of the original hydraulic launch, I wasn't really sure how to feel about a swing launch. I had both the feelings of being glad they kept the ride at all, but simultaneously I felt the swing launch would be a cheesy replacement for the in your face original hydraulic launch. I realized when walking up to it and seeing it operate with my own two eyes that I was actually growing more excited to experience it. My fiancé was incredibly nervous as she never got to ride the original and this would be her first time ever going this high and this fast. The station op was chill about my request for the front seat as I wanted to see if it all reminded me of the original as the front seat was my favorite spot. We got on really quickly and I was met with seats that felt comfortable, but honestly it felt strange not being able to place my feet firmly on the floor. I'm not very tall but I'm not super short either, so I was able to sort of place the balls of my feel on the floor, but then I sort of realized it was neat to be able to swing my legs a little. It was dark outside which added to the excitement and I realized as we were lined up for the first launch "wow, its been a long time old friend". I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was keeping an open mind. I wasn't at all scared, but more nervous that I would be disappointed. Boy was I wrong. The first launch was nice since it was just fast enough that it felt exciting, but slow enough that for the first time my brain could process what was actually happening and I could sort of take in the scenery and admire the structure. That changed very quickly when going backwards. Holy WOW. I was absolutely NOT expecting those LSMs to have so much pull and bite to them. That backwards launch....you could really feel the train being pulled with some seriously force in a way I was not expecting. It was amazing. And the view from the front row on the spike was absolutely incredible. That hang time feeling didn't last long before absolutely blasting through the LSMs again and again WOW...I never thought any launch could feel more forceful than the hydraulic launch system that the original Dragster had...but it actually RIPPED through and up the top hat with such a force that I quite literally couldn't help but giggle and smile. It felt similar in some ways and yet so different, but I was actually very pleased with the outcome. Albeit always holding a candle for the original Dragster, I am incredibly happy with this new version and I am really thankful that it not only lives on, but absolutely carries the torch. And watching them dispatch the trains Saturday night was a thing of beauty. Well oiled machine that night. So big kudos to the ones operating it. Also, good job CP with making sure Republica's "Ready To Go" was playing outside of the ride. Really added to the nostalgia for those of us who grew up with the original. I managed to get 2 rides in and was about to get a third, but sadly it broke down and I chose to divert my attention to Siren's Curse. TT2 now sits solidly in my top 5 for sure though because it's truly just so much fun. Now onto the absolute highlight of the trip for me and my fiancé'. I am going to start with the fact that I have ALWAYS been a major fan of Vekoma. Despite their flaws with their earlier designs with shaky-rough tracking coasters, I always believed in their vision. They were always kind of the budget and space friendly coaster manufacture, but I always admired their unique take on coasters while also providing big thrills. They always just came in at a different angle than others and I have always rooted for the underdog. In a world where B&M and Intamin reigned as kings, Vekoma was always in the shadows making their moves and providing thrills where the kings could not fit for one reason or another. But could they survive with their rough reputation? Vekoma has done something incredible in my eyes. Guys they really have absolutely showed up and shown out. When KI got SSBR, I knew even for that being a small family coaster that they found their groove. Even for such a small coaster, it packs a punch and guess what? Its SMOOTH. I knew when CP was getting Siren's Curse I not only wanted to experience it for a new coaster experience, but also to experience a grown-up Vekoma installation and I was absolutely BLOWN away as was my fiancé'. Let me break down why. And pardon me, I am going to Vekoma fanboi hard here so let me have my moment of pride for them. Heck one of my online screen names in high school lovingly showcased my support for them. For one, the trains. My goodness how absolutely insanely comfortable they are. If KI gets a new grown-up Vekoma looper we are in for a real treat because hands down this has to be one of the most comfortable trains I have ever sat in personally. Secondly, the lighting on the trains themselves is gorgeous. I love how the lighting matches the storyline perfectly and the fog/light changing and all the little nuance along the way. Just brilliant. Oh, and the actual metallic shift in the paint is something to behold. All of the details in this thing just took me aback in a way I did not expect. And of course, for those of you who have ridden it, you already know how absolutely great the onboard audio is. It really does add something special to the ride. From start to finish the audio matches the entire ride experience perfectly. I won't spoil any of it for those of you who haven't taken the journey yet, but its just special. Truly. Now the ride experience itself. I was actually more excited to experience SC than TT2. I realize they are two very different kinds of coaster, and albeit loving TT2 now, SC really stole the show for me. This thing is absolutely 110% infinitely re-rideable. Its insanely smooth, glossy transitions and just so much fun. This ride is just absolutely a blast. From the appearance, audio, comfortable trains...goodness I am obsessed you could say. I will also add this. For those who may be scared of being tilted forward and hanging in the restraint, if you ever rode Firehawk or any Vekoma Flying Dutchman and felt fine, the best way I can compare the hangtime is to that of the Flying Dutchman...but actually more comfortable. I can't really explain it any other way, but the audio might also be soothing too while you're tilting and then the hang time isn't very long and it's comfortable. I know most of us here do not fear coasters as a whole, but for anyone second guessing themselves over a tilt coaster, this one is not one to miss. Seriously. This is now our favorite roller coaster. I had high expectations for this ride since reading about it and my expectations were far exceeded. I am so incredibly proud of Vekoma. Also, side note. After riding many of the coasters that day, it was easy to tell that a lot of them were on their final set of wheels for the year and were riding as such. You could easily tell SC was also towards the end of that set of wheels and it STILL rode like silk. I can only imagine what a fresh set of wheels would feel like. There is my long review of the two new coasters and my personal take on them. I am already looking forward to going back next year and taking a few more rides on TT2 but definitely lapping SC as many times as I can. As for the rest of the time we were there, Saturday was spent doing SC for early entry, having lunch, looking around at the stores and then coming back later that night for some shows since it was the last night of Halloweekends. Our main focus wasn't coasters on Saturday as it was Friday night and it was far busier as to be expected. Sunday I literally popped in to grab a couple of surprises and leave, but I got to observe the sheer amount of people coming in for the last day of the season. I was glad I got in early because holy wow....no thank you! To anyone reading this, thanks for taking time to do so.

During Paramount’s attempt there was a soldier that came back to their loved one.

I think having attractions like the train that the entire family can ride together are key to this event. Kings Dominion Winterfest failed competing against Busch Gardens, which has multiple family attractions to enjoy the lights. Carowinds Winterfest has also been drastically changed and it lacks a great family attraction as well. It appears that these events just regurgitate season passholders, and then Six Flags small cost cutting minds they don’t make any money because the season pass holders aren’t paying to get in the gate and the season meal plan holders aren’t buying any food. The season meal plans are a terrible business decision that has affected these events negatively. But cutting out these events, just reduces the value of the season pass. I know myself if they discontinue Winterfest in Kings Island I will no longer buy a season pass regardless of the price. it also speaks of the gross mismanagement of Cedar Fair that they could pull crowds at these events like they did not make them profitable. From the beginning, Winterfest should’ve been some kind of ad on the season pass and the season meal plan should’ve never been included with the event. also, they are so terrible at running theme parks. They cannot figure out how to run these events more than just the weekends except for the school break weeks. So the limited number of operating days makes it hard to justify the labor involved in the lights, etc. Dollywood runs their event daily, and even Busch Gardens runs their event daily in December. Their assets aren’t sitting dormant like six flags assets are during this event

I see they are testing the lighting on IS this evening, and the Grain & Grill building lights are still out. Are we to assume it's a lost cause they will be repaired/replaced for Winterfest, if at all.

Didn't the train have an "I'll be home for Christmas" theme during Winterfest 1.0 or 2.0? I think it'd be pretty cool if they were able to make 12 Days of Christmas only one part of the ride, then go into other storylines about the holiday season.

Safe to assume he’d be doing the other characters too?

I went one time last year when it was too cold even Mystic Timbers and The Racer couldn't run. I highly doubt Express will be added, but I think they could do some really cool Christmas theming on that ride!

The train would be better with lights in the trees/or uplit trees instead of the framework lights.

Don't tell Logan...

Six Flags America has put up some big banners thanking guests for 50 years of family fun. I think this is a nice way to show all the different iterations of the park. It also seems to be the first in-park references to the fact that the park is permanently closing in 2 1/2 weeks. I've also seen a photo of one of their merchandise racks marked as going to Great Adventure, but I didn't get a screenshot of that one. Image Credit: Kenny from PleaseStopVlogging on YouTube Still out here hoping we'll see a small closing ceremony or something like that for the park before it closes its gates forever.

Innocence yes, but if you really pay attention to their personalities, most of them could use a few sessions with a good psychiatrist!